Chakra Prayer Flag Tutorial + 2 Week Sale!

Hello creative soul sisters!

This project invites you to create a set of chakra-inspired prayer flags layered with color, symbol, and sacred intention. Each flag becomes a visual prayer for peace, within ourselves, our loved ones, and in the world.

We’ll begin with the Root Chakra, the energy center that helps us feel grounded, centered, and safe.

Step 1: Paint the Background

On canvas paper, work with a monochromatic palette that reflects the root chakra. Its primary color is red, so I started with a red wash and built up layers of paint. To bring in earthy grounding energy, I added touches of brown and maroon.

• Lay down a watery red acrylic wash using a wide, flat paint brush.
• Use a makeup sponge to pounce red paint over a stencil (here I used SA1006 with a zig-zag design).
• Add words (grounded, rooted, centered) using rubber stamp letters.
• Continue to build color and texture, scraping paint using an old gift card.
• Spray water and scrap the surface with the card to lift some of the paint if it gets too dark.
• I repeated layering with the stencil, scraping paint, alternating with red and brown.

Step 2: Stencil the Mandala Framework

Place the Four Gates Mandala stencil in the center of your background. This sacred pattern represents balance, wholeness, and protection. This stencil has three borders. Trace the outer two borders in pencil, this gives you space to fit the chakra design in the middle.

Step 3: Add the Chakra Mandala

Using the chakra stencil, trace the Root Chakra symbol in the center of the mandala framework. The pencil tracings were outlined using a gold metallic paint pen and here I started painting the center design in red.

Step 4: Embellish with Paint and Pencil

Bring your design to life with color and detail:

• Outline the chakra and mandala with paint pens or brushes.
• Dark gold, light gold, white, and black outlines expand the design. Try varying the line weight.
• Add depth and shading with colored pencils.

Step 5: Assemble Your Prayer Flag

When the paint is completely dry:

1. Flip your flag over to the back side.
2. With a ruler, measure and mark in pencil where you’ll place the holes—¼ inch from the top and 1 inch from each side.
3. Use a grommet tool to punch the holes.
4. Thread ribbon, cord, or string through the grommets.
5. As you complete each chakra, hang the flags in order: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown.

Note: These flags are best suited for indoor display. Hang them somewhere special, where their color and intention will remind you of your connection to peace, within yourself, with your loved ones, and in the wider world.

Root Chakra Meaning & Prayer for Peace

Muladhara – Root Chakra

• Color: Red
• Theme: Grounding, Safety, Belonging
• Prayer:
  May all beings feel safe and protected.
  May we stand strong upon the Earth, rooted in trust,
  anchored in the truth that we belong here.
  Let peace begin where our feet touch the ground.

This is the first in a series of seven chakra prayer flags. Each one carries a color, a symbol, and a prayer for peace.

Download the Chakra Prayer Flag Project Guide

Get a closer look at all seven chakra flags along with their colors, themes, and prayers for peace. This free guide will walk you through the deeper meaning behind each chakra and inspire your creative practice. https://www.truenortharts.com/prayer-flag

For 2 weeks, (9/10/25 to 9/24/25) today's stencils -- along with all my other stencils -- will be on sale!  Here's the coupon code -- KC20.  Use this code to get 20 percent off!  

Shop here —> https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-kathryn-costa-s/2094.htm

May this project lift your spirit and bring you inner peace and joy.

(((soul hugs)))
Kathryn Costa
Instigator of Soulful and Creative Living
www.truenortharts.com

Stencils designed by me and used in this project. These are on sale!

L790 - Four Gates Mandala 

SET11 - 7 Chakras Stencil Set

Stencils by other designers used for this project. (Note, these are not on sale.)

SA1006 - Zig Zag (root chakra background)

S758 - Hexagonal Basket Weave (solar plexus chakra background)

S558 - Mark Making (sacral chakra background)

L578 - Spirit Wind Mask (throat and crown chakra backgrounds)

Supplies Used:

Canvas paper

Acrylic paints - red and brown for root chakra.

Pencil

Ruler

Old gift card

Paint brush - wide, flat for washes, and small for details

Paint Pens - gold, white, black, red

Rubber stamp letters and black ink (optional)

Spray bottle with water

Grommets

Hammer

Ribbon, cord, or string

Layers of stenciled tissue collage

Hello beautiful creatives it’s Tina here from @tinahoisart.

Today I will share a frugal arty tip that use in my art journals~ tissue!

I love stencilling on tissue paper.  The translucency of the tissue is perfect for creating layers and a simple way of adding depth and texture to your art.

I am using two varieties of tissue one from a napkin and one from gift packaging~this technique also works wonderfully with coloured tissue papers.

The stencils I am featuring and using here are:

Little Painted Rainbows created by Carolyn Dube 

Pressed Leaves created by  Cecilia Swatton

I AM Words mask created by Cat Kerr

MB Makes Marks created by Mary Beth Shaw

Tip:Using an assortment of shapes and stencil styles creates a unique and interesting collage.

The Process:

Step 1:

Using a makeup sponge rub it on an ink pad, select your stencil and apply the ink.

TIP: Using ink on tissue will ensure that tissue doesn’t tare.  If acrylic paint is being used be mindful of how much is being used. Less is more.

 Step 2

Apply a thin layer of gesso to your art journal- this will work as a base for the layers that we will be building

Step 3:

Now this is the fun part and the opportunity to create the layers as you prefer 

Cut up the tissue paper and with mod podge or matte medium adhere to the journal pages 

 

Step 4

I added some white acrylic paint for the eye to rest as as to add some lightness to the page 

Supplies:

Stencils

Distress INks

Makep sponge

tissue papers

Gesso

White Acrylic paint

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy creating your own tissue paper collage.

Tina

Stitching fun with stencils

Hello everyone! How about doing hand stitching using some fun alphabet stencils from Joanne Sharpe!

I recently attended a retreat and the first days activity was mark making. I realized as I looked at my supplies, that I neglected to bring my special tools. I have several, they don’t fit in my tool bag so I don’t think about them. Well today I fixed that by creating this fun tool pouch.

I pulled some Tim Holtz fabrics from my stash and a pattern from Joanne Sharpe's book to make this personalized tool pouch. 

I started by masking off the letters I wanted. Using a sponge I applied regular acrylic paint thru the stencil onto my fabric. I don’t worry about perfection, it’s fun to improvise abit when stitching.

I added a piece of thin fleece batting to the back before I placed it in the hoop. Sometimes I use a piece of flannel; I like to use something behind the stitches because I think they stand up better.

 

I chose DMC floss and using all the strands just started stitching with an embroidery needle.

Once stitching was completed, I put the pouch together using my sewing machine per the books instructions. This was a morning project!

                                            

Happy stitching with your stencils!

Dawn

@destelle47

Stencil used:

L133 Sharpe

Always fun to stitch your stencils!

Hello Everyone! I don’t know about you, but I always have ideas in my head that keep me awake at night. I decided I should be writing these thoughts down. I also hear many times about artists who swear by use of sketchbooks. So I created a combo notebook for all of the above in my creative practice.

Using stencil #L132 from J Sharpe, instructions from her book, and a dollar store composition notebook I created this book cover. So let’s get started.

I knew I wanted my cover to be some kind of fabric collage, so I pulled pieces & bits from my stash that looked good with the background fabric I chose. I cut the background several inches larger than my notebook base.

 Next using my Frixion pen, and a piece of dyed linen I got to work. I just simply drew around the stencil for the word ART. I colored in the heavier areas as the stencil dictated.

Using black Perle cotton thread I just stitched the design. Once completed I laid out my fabric pieces in a pleasing composition. I pulled out other threads/colors and added some free embroidery.

Once all the stitching was completed, I assembled the cover by adding the inside fabric as well as the pockets that help hold the composition notebook in place. I pinked the edges, added a shrink charm and now it’s ready for all my crazy ideas…..

Happy stitching with your stencils!

Dawn

@destelle47

Stencil used: L132 J Sharpe

Stencils and Wet-Strength Tissue -- Plus, a 2-Week Sale of all my Stencils!

I, Cecilia Swatton, have a studio strewn with stencils!

Scanning the room, I often catch sight of a stencil that snags my attention in a whole new way.  That’s the beauty of stencils. Their very designs can launch experiments and adventures! 

Today, two stencils stand out -- L879 (Fire Cherries Mask) and L652 (Garden Montage.)

Now, an idea for abstract collage is floating in my head.  But what’s a good base?  Canvas board.

How to make prints?   Addiction to circular shapes tells me to use two round gel plates – an 8-inch and a 5-inch. 

Which color scheme?  Not pure primaries from the color wheel, but a variation that checks all three boxes -- pale yellow-beige, muted blue and a blend of metallic copper with oxide reds.

What to print on?  My passion for thin papers makes that decision!   I try everything -- teabag, abaca, mulberry, kuzu and others – but above all, I love Carnival brand wet-strength tissue.  (Other brands, though described as “wet strength,” have disappointed me.)

Stencil-printed wet-strength tissue enchants artists!  This paper becomes translucent, nearly transparent, when glued to a surface with clear-drying adhesive.  Like magic, this sturdy paper lets artists indulge in layering with results hard to achieve any other way.  Imagine layering stencil-printed veils over other stencil-printed papers, or over opaque papers, or over painted backgrounds. No, that’s not all!  There’s a fun trick of embedding thin objects under the tissue -- like die-cut paper shapes, or even cut-up pieces of paint-stained stencils.  (You can always buy new stencils to replace the cut-up ones!  LOL)

In an art journal, glue-sticks work perfectly with stencil-printed wet strength tissue.  For larger, stand-alone artworks, I use acrylic gloss medium or Nori paste, depending on the project.  Liquid acrylic gloss medium works with these tissues, whereas heavier papers work better with extra-heavy gel medium.

I’ve used every type of acrylic paint with gel plates, but for today’s project, I choose Golden High Flows.  They work somewhat like acrylic inks, although they themselves are not inks.

Preparing for the first pull, I use a rubber brayer to spread a thin layer of color over a gel plate.   Then I press L879 into the wet paint. 

 

Atop the stencil, I place wet-strength tissue, pressing it evenly across the plate with a baren. (Hand pressure works too.) 

  

Although some artists remove the stencil before doing the first pull, my approach is to do the first pull while the stencil is still on the plate.  A first pull makes a dark print. 

After lifting off the stencil, I do a second pull, a “ghost print.” 

Here are today's two stencils next to prints I've made with them--

I make lots of prints, more than I’ll need for each project.  This gives me multiple choices for papers to “audition.”

Note:  Be sure to check both sides of each stencil-printed tissue.  Sometimes the flip side holds more appeal!  In some areas of a collage, subtle elements have charm, and one easy way to create this visual charm is to use the “back” side of a printed tissue.  You’ll be surprised!

With scissors and hole punches, I cut into my prints to create shapes.  When using a hole punch with wet-strength tissue, I place the tissue on a “carrier sheet” of printer paper, to make sure the circle of tissue will emerge without snagging. 

Now comes “auditioning,” as I experiment with arrangements opaque “found papers.”  

The first few papers being auditioned.

Opaque papers usually go down first, helping me start building a “backbone” of composition.

Auditions at a later stage of assembly.

In the finished piece, most or all of my "found papers" will be veiled beneath stencil-printed wet-strength papers.

While working toward a composition that I’ll like, I shift the positions of the papers and take photos as I go. For me, it’s helpful to get visual feedback from my camera.  It’s like a second pair of eyes, helping me see more clearly what’s how the artwork is moving forward.  Some auditioned papers “don’t make the cut” so they go into a pile for future projects.

When gluing papers down, I place waxed deli paper over the papers while they are still moist with adhesive, then go over the deli paper with a rubber brayer.  This removes excess adhesive since it will stick to the deli paper.  And it helps stop wrinkles from forming. 

 

As I close in on final stages of this project, I continue to “audition” papers, but at this point I’m very choosy, so I’m fine-tuning with small paper shapes.

For fine-tuning, I use a trick taught by Kasia Clarke, whose online classes I highly recommend.  Working with wet-strength tissue gives an artist the advantage of spritzing the tissue lightly with water...

This trick lets the artist temporarily glue the bit of tissue to the composition, testing to see what it looks like next to, or atop, papers already glued down.  If the temporary “gluing” satisfies me, that paper gets coated with permanent adhesive to become part of the collage.

The final collage.

Having reached resolution on this collage, I notice -- too late! -- that I could have embedded more bits under some of the stencil-printed tissues.  There’s always a next time!

Take a tour of your own art-making space to seek out inspiration waiting for your discovery! Ideas are waiting there – not only the designs of your stencils, but even the color mixes that stain them.  Grab those eye-catchers start playing.  Surprises and joy await you!

For 2 weeks, today's stencils -- along with all my other stencils -- will be on sale!  Here's the coupon code -- CRS20.  Use this code to get 20 percent off!  

Shop here -- http://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/category-s/1832.htm

Thank you!

Cecilia

#stencilARTjoy

http://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/category-s/1832.htm

https://www.pinterest.com/crswatton/stencils/

http://ceciliaswatton.blogspot.com

 

Supplies I used for today’s project:

L879 (Fire Cherries Mask)

L652 (Garden Montage)

Carnival wet-strength tissue (I buy it at Amazon.)

Waxed deli paper

“Found” papers

Die-cut papers

Baren

Rubber brayer

Clear-drying adhesive and its applicator brush

Scissors

Hole punch

Gel plates

Canvas board

and

Golden High Flow Ultramarine Blue , Carbon Black, Titan Buff, Diarylide Yellow, Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Transparent Brown Iron Oxide; Amsterdam acrylic ink – “metallic” copper.  Titan Buff and Carbon Black are used to lighten or darken the values of the other colors.