Stenciling

Scrapbookers are always searching for the special ‘extra’ to make their scrapbook special.  Try using a stencil in all different ways to make your scrapbook your best ever.  When stenciling, make sure to draw very lightly on the page with a pencil, and erase the marks after completing to make your book crisp and clean.

A very creative stenciling idea is to create a puzzle page using a stencil.  Create photo puzzle pages or cut paper shaped as puzzle pieces.  This type of stencil can be purchased in the store or you can make one on your own.  This is a cute idea to use for a children’s scrapbook.

There are also journaling stencils available to place your journaling in a unique shape on your page.  Even try writing a short poem in a traced shape.  You can write a ‘love poem’ in the shape of a heart for an anniversary scrapbook.  With a pencil, lightly trace out the shape and the lines to write on.  When you have finished journaling, simply erase the pencil lines.  Another option is to use a vanishing ink pen to draw the lines.

Stencils can be purchased in a variety of shapes and sizes.  You can purchase hearts, ovals, vegetables, fruits, flowers, stars, and more.  You can use the stencils to make a border or title for your page.  Use a shaped stencil to cut out photo mats or journaling blocks.  Reuse the stencils for other projects around your house or for decorating cards.

You can find a variety of letter stencils that can be used for making unique page titles.  There are ABC tracers available that come in a variety of styles, fonts, and sizes.  You can use the stencils to create unique titles, borders or embellishments. 

Finally, stencils can be used to enhance your page layouts.  They are great for lettering, creating shapes, making borders, framing photos, etc.  Make sure to take care of your stencils by wiping them off after use and storing them properly so they do not bend or break.