I have really enjoyed working with stencils lately that I thought I’d try making my own.
But before I tell you about that, I wanted to share what we did Sunday. Hubby and I drove over to New Harmony (Indiana) to see Katherine Sands, one of my new artist friends I met via this blog and then my column. Kathy makes the most beautiful fiber art. She has an exhibit now in New Harmony at the Women’s Institute and Gallery. Her reception was held in November, but I was sick so didn’t get to go. When she said she was going to be there this past weekend, I just had to see her and her beautiful work.

This photo does not do her wall hangings justice.
I’ve really enjoyed interviewing all of the artists and crafters for my column over the past year and a half. They have been a wonderful talented group willing to share their craft, shortcuts, ideas, and encouragement. But of all of the artists I’ve interviewed, Kathy has not only inspired me, but has gently pushed me to make art.
When I went to interview her, I felt like I already knew her since we had emailed so much. I took my ice dyed fabric for her to see. She loved it. I’ve never considered myself an artist, so that reaction from a “real” artist made my heart happy.
Anyway, it was so nice to see Kathy and her stuff.

Now to the stencil making. Christy of gulfsprite posted a video the other day about making stencils with a soldering iron. My Aleene’s Ultimate Crafting Tool would be perfect for this task.
So to make the stencils you need some type of stencil materials. Christy used transparencies. I had some quilt stencil making material left over from my quilting days in that last lifetime. You also need a piece of glass and a design. I printed out a design from my printer – just easy squares.

Once you have that design printed out, place it under the piece of glass on your work table.

Place the stencil material on top of the glass. Tape the glass, paper, and stencil material to work surface.
With the soldering tool, burn over the lines on the design.

Then pop out the openings and clean up any edges with either an X-acto knife or a scissors.
These are the two stencils I made. The one on the right was inspired by a trip we took in September. More about that later.

Then I got out a journal page and played with these stencils and a few more things in my room.

That was fun. Using a soldering tool is challenging for this beginner. It also is stinky as it burns the plastic. But I liked the results and will probably make more.
You might want to check out and subscribe to Christy’s You Tube channel. Yesterday she had a video on making your own spray paints including cleaning the nozzles. It was very informative and was nice to know that I’m not the only one who’s nozzles get all stopped up.
Your page turned out amazing. And those stencils look great. I really love the slightly uneven edge that you get with using a hot tool to cut them with. Thank you so much for giving this a try and showing your process and finished stencils!
Christy recently posted..DAJP – Where Is The Art?
Christy, Thanks. I also liked the uneven edges too! Looks more handmade. Thank you for the inspiration!
Wow! You did a great job. I watched those videos yesterday too but I didn’t make anything yet. Way to go! Love your new stencils and your art journal page. 😀
Love the AJ pages!! Inspires me to try something like it! I’m thinking that like you, I have some plastic tucked away from quilting. I just got an exacto knife for my birthday, so maybe I’ll try a stencil or two!!
Trece Wyman recently posted..December 1, 2011
Trece, Thanks! Yep, get out that old quilters’ template plastic and have fun.
Gorgeous looking stencils, you are gifted with creativity! Your journal page became beautiful. If I saw this as the cover of a journal in a shop, I would easily buy it. No doubts! 🙂
Really helpful and informative post, I really love the slightly uneven edge that you get with using a hot tool to cut them with. Thank you so much for giving this a try and showing your process and finished stencils!
Wow! This is really a great art! Thanks for sharing the steps on how to create this stencil making… Happy Holidays Lynda…