I am totally in love with the Stencils found in the Definitively Decorative Brochure.  If you don't have one of these catalogs, contact me and I will send one right out to you.  In the meantime, you can see them here, click on the catalog on the right side of this blog (Definitely Decorative).  The stencils are found on pages 28-31…but…there is also a little twist to it…so make sure you read to the end.  I'm sooooooo excited. 

Back in November, I had my Diva Day with my top demonstrators for sales.  On that day I treated them to a day of stamping and product.  They went home (hopefully) filled with ideas to build their business.  We all had a great time.  Anyway, in November, I focused on Stencils (see my previous post about stenciling). 

For my December clubs this year, we've been doing Stenciling.  They are alllllll in love with it and I'm an addict.  I've discovered (and I have not heard of this anywhere else – does not mean it's not been done) but this is my own doing…I just love what I've discovered.

If you don't have the stencils (and I'm still in love with them from the catalog) but if you don't have them, you can make your own!!!  Yes YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN with our Stampin' Up! product. 

You can use the Window Sheets found on page 158 of the Idea Book and Catalog.  There are two weight levels and I use them both for different reasons.  There is the Medium Window Sheet and there is the Thick Window Sheet.  Here are some projects that I've done with both of these sheets.

Aren't they pretty (I'm so proud of myself).  Okay so how do you do it?  The first one is done with the Big Shot and the dies and uses the Thick Window Sheets.  I like the thick sheets because it protects the details of the design.  The Medium weight ones are a little flimsier and don't hold the detail as well. 

Here is how you do it…

Supplies:

113439 Big Shot – ON SALE FROM ME FROM December 11th to December 22nd! $79.95 (regularly $99.95 a savings of $20) page 194

113457 Tulipe Bigz Die page 198

114324 Thick Window Sheets page 158

 105122 Handsome Hunter Cardstock page 157

102851 Basic Black Cardstock page 155

100730 Whisper White Cardstock page 155

105215 Handsome Hunter Classic Ink Pad page 157

102532 Sage Shadow Classic Ink Pad page 157

101610 Stamping Sponges page 192

109521 En Francais stamp set page 134

114365 FYI stamp set page 144

115026 Lovely as a Tree page 110

115108 Warm Words page 141

115615   1 1/4 striped Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon page 183

109027  1/4 Basick Black Grosgrain Ribbon page 183

102394 Stampin' Mist (empty this out into the large refill bottle) page 190

116806 Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint found on page 27 of the Holiday Mini Catalog

109867 gold elastic cord page 27 of the Holiday Mini Catalog

107289 Medium Whisper White square envelopes

Okay, I think that is all of it…so how do we make it!

 

You will need your big shot (ON SALE FROM ME FROM DECEMBER 11 to DECEMBER 22nd for only $79.95), the thick window sheet and the Tulipe die.  Run it through your machine  (I cut my window sheet the same size as the die.)  There is a blue piece of paper on the window sheet both sides, don't take that off until after you run it through the machine.

First I use painters tape and tape the edges of my cardstock to the grid sheet.  Then postion the newly made stencil over the cardstock and tape that down also.  Sponge your first color on.  In this case I used Sage Shadow.  I used the Color Coach for help with color combos.

Now we are going to add the Handsome Hunter.  This is the WOW part of this technique.  Here is a tip for you…something that I've always done.  Do you see my stamp pads?  In the well of the pad I use a Sharpie Marker and write in what the color of the pad is.  If it wasn't written there, the two pads look identical because they are both green and dark. With this identification, it's so much easier to identify them and not get the colors mixed up.  Anyway, that was just my little tip for you today.  Now onto the techinque.  Take your Handsome Hunter sponge and start rubbing the edges of the stencil.  I leave the middle of the project the original color.  It gives it dimension and it's soooo pretty.

WOW!!!!  Isn't that gorgeous!!!  Add your sentiment from the FYI set and the Handsome Hunter ink.  I then inked up the EnFrancais stamp in Sage Shadow and stamped it over the entire project. 

Adhere your white the black cardstock and then your ribbon.

Now assemble the rest of the card.  For this particular card I used a 10 1/2 by 5 1/2 card (so it will fit in our square envelopes).  The next layer is Basic Black and that is 5 x 5 and the last layer is Whisper White 4 3/4 x 4 3/4.

The final touch is the spritzing of the card with the shimmer paint.  The BEST spritzer is the Stampin' Mist Bottles.  I've used a number of different bottles for spritzing but these are the best.  I emptied out three bottles into the large refill bottle and had three empty containers.  I then filled each container with Rubbing Alcohol and added 1/4 teaspoon of Champagane Mist to the first bottle (and LABELED IT); then the next bottle I filled with alcohol and 1/4 teaspoon of Frost White and the last one with a quarter teaspoon of Platinum.  OOOOOLALA!  Spritz your card all over…go ahead, don't be afraid…just do it!  If you like it keep going spray your face, and clothes…sorry, got carried away!  :0)

Next card…I just love that we can use the punches to make stencils!!!  YES LADIES…USE YOUR PUNCHES FOR STENCILING.   Here we go…

You will need a punch (in this case the ornament punch/,  the Medium weight Window sheet and your card materials.

I use the medium weight with our punches because it's easier on the punches.  You just have to be a little more careful around the edges when sponging.  You follow the same procedure above to achieve the look of this card.  It looks SOOOOOO elegant.  It's NOT a punched or stamped card…it's stenciled czard and it is VERY ELEGANT!  I am in love!  OOOOOO LA LA!

Make sure you leave the center with the sage…it's SOOOO beautiful.  Also when punching this out of the window sheet, make sure you leave enough room around the window sheet to COVER the cardstock  (I made mine 5 3/4 x 4 1/2) so that when you rub the ink on your cardstock, you're not going to run over the window sheet and onto the cs (the window sheet covers all of the cardstock…am I oversaying this?). 

Don't you just love it.  I do.  SPRAY THE HECK out of this with the Shimmer Spray.  And make sure you buy LOTS of bottles of the shimmer paint, it's no longer going to be available after this mini catalog that we know of. 

Ahhhhh I'm so please with my cards today.  Make sure you check here Wednesday so you can see what I did with the SNOWFLAKE PUNCH!   eeeeeeek

Okay before I go and clean up my MESS :0)  I wanted to give you three more tips. 

The first is DON'T forget to do you envelope…ohhhhh how beautiful the outside of your envelope is with this same technique.

Next…you may want to purchase a set of the large Craft Keepers on page 203.  These hold your new stencils so they don't get bent and squished. 

And last…make sure you put a little sticker on the punched or die cut sheets in the corner…They are clear and you LOSE them if you don't!  I sat on mine!!!  Yes yes…i told you I had to go and clean up my stamp room!  YIKES!

So one more thing…I told you about my 12 days of Christmas Special I have the Big Shot on sale for you for only $79.95 (a 20% savings for a total of $20 off).  Hurry, that will be ending soon.

ANNNND, here are the specials for Stampin' Up!  Their 12 Days of Christmas Special Dies are on sale…here they are…so my special and their special!!!  WHAT A DEAL!!!!

Product Offering:

 

Item	Page #	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
114515	195	Flower Burst Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
114516	195	Cherry Blossom Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
115957	195	Thanks Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
114513	195	Sweetest Stem Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
115952	195	Hi Embosslits die	$11.95	$8.96
115951	197	Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits die	$74.95	$59.96
113446	197	Build a Flower #2 Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$19.95	$16.96
114509	197	Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$21.95	$18.66
113448	197	Hearts Set Sizzlits 4-Pack die	$19.95	$16.96
113457	198	Tulipe Bigz die	$21.95	$16.46
115954	198	Two Tags Bigz die	$21.95	$18.66
114524	199	Fringed Flower Bigz die	$19.95	$15.96
114523	199	Decorative Accents Bigz die	$19.95	$15.96
114534	199	Flower Bigz Clear die	$19.95	$15.96
113473	199	5-Point 3D Star Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
113472	199	Circle 3D Ornament Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
113470	199	Flower Layers w/Leaf Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
113465	199	Bird w/Leaves and Flower Bigz die	$19.95	$16.96
115961	200	Perfect Setting Bigz XL die	$42.95	$32.21
113483	200	Pennant Bigz XL die	$39.95	$29.96
113484	200	Baskets & Blooms Bigz XL die	$39.95	$31.96
116760	201	Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz XL die	$39.95	$29.96
116759	201	Pop-Up 3D Ball Bigz XL die	$39.95	$29.96
114890	201	Matchbox Bigz XL die	$42.95	$36.51
113458	202	Flower Layers Originals die	$15.95	$13.56
114336	158	Kraft Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
114334	158	Dark Gray Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
114337	158	Chocolate Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
114335	158	White Décor Elements sheets 12" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$10.36
118797	n/a	So Saffron Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118798	n/a	Rose Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118799	n/a	Taken With Teal Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118800	n/a	Pretty In Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118801	n/a	Bashful Blue Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118802	n/a	Real Red Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118803	n/a	Old Olive Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118804	n/a	Black Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118805	n/a	Night of Navy Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118806	n/a	Certainly Celery Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118807	n/a	Tempting Turquoise Décor Elements Sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118808	n/a	Clear Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118809	n/a	Pumpkin Pie Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118810	n/a	Pixie Pink Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118812	n/a	Sahara Sand Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118813	n/a	Gable Green Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118814	n/a	Basic Gray Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$12.95	$9.71
118815	n/a	Chalkboard Décor Elements sheets 15" x 24" (2)	$14.95	$11.21