Organization For Your Creative Space: Stencils

Welcome to this new monthly feature from the My Favorite Things Design Team!  The monthly focus will always be on organization but the area and type of organization will change each month. I'm really looking forward to gradually getting different areas of my studio more organized and efficient AND seeing all the different suggestions from the team!

Thin, versatile, durable -- stencils are all of that and more! If you haven’t amassed a collection of stencils yet, we’re confident that once you give them a try, you’ll become quickly addicted!  Whether you use them as a mask for applying color or a texture medium, or run them through your die-cutting machine to add subtle texture, you’ll never run out of creative uses for these supply staples. This month, the MFT team is sharing their storage solutions for stencils.

I planned on having a video for you today but unfortunately, it seems the new iOS8 operating system doesn't like my iPad. :(  So here we go with some photos!

I have my stencils organized by category, in a white wooden storage box which sits on my die cutting station/table, so they are easy to access if I want to dry emboss with them in my Big Shot.  I like having them stored this way, so I can easily flip through them:

I made category dividers, using Ellen Hutson's Craft-a-Board. It's a soft white sortof chipboard material -- nice and sturdy. I cut it to 6-1/2" wide x 7-1/2" tall and rounded the corners with my Corner Chomper. Labels were added, using my Brother P-touch label maker:

Here are my 8 divider categories, in case you can't read them well:

Alpha/Numeric  |  Elements/Nature  |  Floral / Frilly / Patterned  |  
Geometric-Circles, Diamonds, Squares  |  Geometric-Other  |  Holiday/Seasonal
Stripes  |  Other

I usually leave the stencils in their original packaging and just trim off the top of the celophane sleeve package (below, the stencil on the left was new and the stencil on the right has the package trimmed off the top). I also save the packaging from my MFT Background Stamps to store the stencils for which I don't have the packaging -- they are the same size).  This way, the stencils are easy to slide in and out (I don't like having to tear open the package flap every time I want to use them!) and I find if they are super easy to access AND put away, I tend to use them more!

The back of the sleeve also gives me space to store partial pieces of unused items I've created, but want to save for another project:

The wonderful texture on the Whip Cream cardstock piece above was created with MFT's Petal Pattern Stencil, using the Embossing Pad Combo:

The sandwich stack for embossing with a stencil in your Big Shot die cutting machine is this (I have this printed and stuck in the side of my stencil box, for easy reference):

1-Sizzix Multi-Purpose Platform with all tabs closed (just like you cut with MFT dies)
2-Cutting plate
3-Stencil
4-Cardstock
5-Embossing Pad Combo thin pad
6-Cutting plate

Next to the stencils, I store my embossing pastes and palette knife, so they are within easy reach and ready to go:

The pastes are very easy to apply through the stencils, to create wonderful texture (white paste on Grout Gray cardstock on the left in the photo below) -- and in the case of the pearlescent paste applied to Natural cardstock on the right in the photo below, pretty shine!

If you don't have the original packaging, or it has worn out, etc., here is another storage option I found to be handy: Sizzix Plastic Envelopes 6-1/4" x 9" -- they fit most sizes of stencils perfectly and are VERY nice and sturdy!  

You could either store a LOT of stencils in each of these envelopes (my whole collection would probably fit in just these two envelopes!), or I use them by category to hold stencils for which I don't have the original packaging. You could even turn them lengthwise (tall) and use them as your category dividers -- just label the top. These would also be a great way to transport your stencils to crops/classes, etc.

Now how about a card sample using stencils and one of my favorite ways to use them . . . airbrushing with Copic markers!

To create the tag, I used the Fishnet Stencil on Whip Cream cardstock and airbrushed a bunch of bright, happy Copic colors:

Then I die cut the airbrushed cardstock with a Pierced Traditional Tags STAX and attached a Black Licorice die cut Happy Birthday sentiment.

The background of my Whip Cream card base was first dry embossed with the Petal Pattern Stencil, then the centers of the flowers colored through the stencil with the same Copic markers I used above, for perfect color coordination!

Here's a close-up of the background -- I had a hard time getting the dry embossed flowers to show up on the light cardstock (it is gorgeously deeply embossed in real life):

Inside, I placed another pierced tag and the rest of the Happy Birthday Die-namics sentiment, die cut from more of the Fishnet airbrushed paper I made:

Here's a close-up of the tag and pretty colors:

I know once you give stencils a try (if you haven't already!), you will become hooked on their wide range of versatility!  Be sure to check out the MFT Blog, to find a list of all the designers participating in today's organization hop -- I know you'll find a lot of great ideas!

 

{Stencil Organization}

 

InLinkz.com

Other: Brother P-touch Label Maker

 

{Stencil Birthday Card}

InLinkz.com

Comments

[Barbara Chmura]

1.

Great ideas. Thanks!

[Elizabeth Sarkisyan]

2.

Love the way you stored the stencils and adore the cute card you made with the airbrushing and tags! Is the pearlescent an embossing paste? Love the look of it in the picture.

[Sharon Harnist]

3.

Elizabeth -- thanks so much! Yes, if you click on the Embossing Pastes thumbnail in my supply list, that will take you to the website page where you can scroll down a little and find the pearlescent. It's beautiful in real life!

[Joleen]

4.

Love your idea for storing the stencils, and I too, like Elizabeth, love your card!!! I must try that! TFS!!!

[Queen Mary]

5.

Sharon, what a gorgeous wooden box! I'd have it out on my cutting station too if I had a cutting station! What a beautiful card you've made too! Thank you.

[islandcardmaker]

6.

Sharon, Great ideas!! May I ask.... I noticed you used the thinner pad on your "sandwich recipe"...when would I use the thicker pad? Thanks!!

[Melody Rupple]

7.

I LOVE your card. I just love the look of the airbrush. May need to invest in one of those!

[Sarah Hinson]

8.

Those clear storage envelopes are too cool!
God's blessings,
Sarah :)

[Robin]

9.

Thanks for providing very useful information on stencil storage. I will be using some of your ideas in organizing my stencils. I've been putting them in a box, but haven't liked the way they sometimes get stuck together. I'll be keeping the original package from now on. Going to have to get some plastic envelopes as shown in this posting! Your card is beautiful!

[Kathy Grigas]

10.

Sharon great ideas on storing stencils. I currently just keep mine in a bin but I'm definitely going to try your method. Thanks for sharing this. I think this is great idea! Also, love your card.

[annb]

11.

Sharon your techniques are awesome, great card! !