Can we

JUST NOT!

STRETCH YOUR PENNIESTUTORIALSTENCIL

4/2/20243 min read

Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You'll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencils I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

Card Base: 5.5 x 8.5, scored and folded at 4.25

Green Layer: 5.5 x 4.25 *

Card Face: 5.5 x 4

See Cheating on Layers and Borders under Stretch Your Pennies in the Header

Card Face:

I had already stamped and coloured this fellow with alcohol markers. His name is Melvin and he was just waiting for a chance to be used.
The Four Squares stencil was the perfect background for him.I laid the card face on my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil over top.
I applied dark gray ink carefully, using more pressure at the outside edges and fading as it neared the center: I didn’t want to get gray ink on Melvin.
I removed that stencil and put the second one in place.
This sentiment is all in one line, but I decided to divide it in two as shown, so I masked off the last word and applied black ink with a firm hand over the rest.
I removed the stencil, cleaned it off, and relocated it to position the “not” where I wanted it.
I applied black ink again with a firm hand to match the words above.
I felt that I needed to ground Melvin, so I used a grey copic under his feet to add some shadow.
As a final touch I added to fine lines under “not” to add emphasis.

Assembly:

I glued the green layer to the card base and then centered the card face vertically on top of them.
I used a ruler and a black marker to add a very narrow border to the vertical sides of the card face.

Final Thoughts:

I love Melvin… he’s so ugly he’s cute! In this card he represents every guy on FaceBook who wants to be my friend because I am “so beautiful” and “make such beautiful posts”. Can we just NOT!!!!

I’m so happy with the stencilled background behind him - it sets him off perfectly.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

I have listed which products I have used, and where they may be purchased. It's a huge marketplace and in most instances, there are multiple sources and many alternatives to choose from.

Stencils:

Four Squares, A Colorful Life Designs

Not Adulting, A Colorful Life Designs

Stamps: Art Impressions, Amazon

Stamp Positioner: Misti, Spellbinders

Waffle Flower Grip Mat, 8.5 x 6.5, Scrapbook.com

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Alcohol Markers:

Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

Copics: Wallacks