Cut It Out 2

Firstly, to everyone that left me a comment on my stamp carving posts (last month's crusade) I just wanted to say thank you, your words were really great to read, very motivating and encouraging.

I have had a bit of fun with this month's GPP Crusade - Stencil Cutting.

Here is a something I did previously using acetate & a heat cutting tool.   

I found a chinese character for Prosperity, enlarged it on a photocopier and then cut the image out of acetate. The image on the right is a canvas that I used this stencil on.

Sizzix have Alphabars in a Stencil Font that are great for making word stencils. I have marked a line under each letter of the alphabet on the alphabar so it is easier to line up the paper to get the words straight. When marking the line you just need to ensure that the line is the same distance under each letter. It is much easier to do this with the upper case, the lower case alphabet needs tweaking on some letters, such as those with tails (g, y, q etc..) and the letter 'm' is on it's side.

For spray painting, these can be attached to acetate. Simply cut out a window on a sheet of acetate slightly bigger than the word but smaller than the card stock and attach with tape.

As these are cut from card, once they have been used a bit they will be wonderfully coloured and you can use the actual stencil in journals/artwork/etc...

I cut an image of a bird in flight that created both a stencil and a mask. Here is the incomplete page I am working on in my journal using these stencils & mask. (The stencils & mask appear on the left of the image).

 

I have also made a go-with solid stencil for one of the stamps I carved (here)....and I did get a mask from this cutting.
Here is a quick sample of how the stencil & stamp go together.....

My stamping is a little off but I just wanted to quickly try these out together.

I should admit that after the first stamp carving I did, and armed with the knowledge I'd be cutting stencils, I visited my local art shop to find a book with copyright-free designs or patterns that would be good for backgrounds and walked out with THREE! ......I figure I saved money as I put quite a few books back on the shelf....is there such a group as ASA - Art Supplies Annonymous I could join?!

Here is one I am currently working on. it is an image from one of my new books. I made it a bit bigger using a photocopier and then with Black & White pens I transformed the design into a stencil. (If you are not sure how to do this then visit Michelle for some great tips.)
I will enlarged it again to the size (or two) that I want, tape the image to the under side of a piece of glass, tape acetate to the top of the glass and use my heat tool to cut the design.

The heat stencil cutting tools are a BRILLIANT tool to have, especially if you intend to do a lot of cutting. It can take a little practice but once you have it down pat it is soooooo much quicker to use than a blade.

Comments

[michelle ward]

Girl!! Look at all this fabulousness! Thanks for sharing with the team all your adventures - from cutting with the heat tool to using the die-cut thing. And you know I'm loving that you made a 'go-with' stencil - looks so awesome with your stamp (that still blows me away!) Love seeing your pages too - and that work in progess image has my heart pounding *grin*

[Gillian]

ooh, now you're really getting down and dirty! I've never got on with stencils - I always seem to get 'edge-bleed', so this crusade is one I'll pass on. I love to see your journal pages though - just wish I could discipline myself enough to make an art journal or three.
Keep up the great work. x

[Megan]

I'm already a member of ASA - I am having problems completing the ten step program though!
Wonderful journaling in progress and it sounds like you are really getting the stencil cutting under control.
Mx

[Julie Prichard]

Please send me the application to join ASA...I'd like to be a charter member.

Your stencils are all great and they look fantastic on your pages!!

[susan w]

What an excellent idea - combining stencils AND the stamps you created. I loved the lotus originally and now that you've added the mask to it - it is even better. The border with the curvy flourishes is lovely as well. Nice work!

[Jo Wholohan]

Very cool Ursula!!! Your stencils are soooo great!!!

[Becci]

Ursula,I enjoyed your blog today! Dropped by to say hi...

Have a great hair day! Becci

[Sue Pieper]

Wow, these are wonderful! You may have inspired me to get my butt in gear and get going on those stencils!

[Rosie Rowe]

I love your stencils and the Love, Life and bird page is so beautiful... those colours are superb! If I had a heat cutting tool, I'd be an addict! As it is, I'm still carving 2 or 3 stamps a week!!

[ArtKat]

Great stencils! I love the journal-page-in-progress, the colors are wonderful! I need to make a "bird in flight" stencil, I don't have one of those yet! :)

[forcryeye]

YAY! I love your genious idea to use the punch letters to make a custom stencil. Now, if I could only spell genious. Keep up the good work!