Have you ever tried using a stencil in your scrapbooking? Several of the Echo Park Paper collections come with coordinating stencils and I decided to incorporate one on today’s scrapbook page using the Coffee collection.
I tend to shy away from complicated mixed media techniques, but love how easy it is to use the stencils to create interesting background effects! If you can spread butter on a piece of toast, then you will be a pro at this technique.
Here’s a look at the completed page. Can you see where I used the Coffee Dot stencil?

To get this look, all I did was place the stencil on the background paper, and then use a flat card (an old gift card works great!) to spread Vicki Boutin Gold Glaze through the openings. Allow the glaze to dry completely and you are ready to build your design.
Other ways you can use the stencils to add pattern to your pages would be to spray mist across the stencil, or use a dauber or sponge and an ink pad to blot on color through the openings.

I used gold mist in other areas of the layout to repeat the color of the gold glaze.

If you know me, you know that I LOVE to fussy-cut out designs from patterned papers to use as elements in my layout. Here I cut out the flower clusters from the Wake Up and Smell the Flowers paper. I also cut out the “It’s a Wonderful Life” phrase from the 4×6 Horizontal Journaling Cards paper to use as a title.

I extended the stenciled gold glaze down below my photo block. I love the way it looks peeking out between my journaling strips.

Give the stencils a try! I think you will discover just how fun and easy they are to use.

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See you again soon!
