Stencil Magic with Sand Paper & Wax Crayons

Hello!  Happy June and Happy Summer!

Tina Walker here with a fun, super easy, and super duper way to use your StencilGirl® stencils to create soft, subtle textures and backgrounds. 

Grab your favorite stencils, (I'm going to feature some of my very own designs), a sanding block (fine grit), vintage & magazine papers, and a white or clear wax crayon!

A few tips before we start...

1.    When selecting stencils, stencils with larger, open designs work best. But experiment with what you have.  If you are gentle enough, all stencils will work, but with various looks.

2.    When selecting images from your papers, images with dark or solid backgrounds work best for sanding.  Images with white or empty backgrounds, work best for wax rubbings.  Again, experiment with different images for different effects.

3.    Effects will be soft and subtle.  Use the techniques to enhance your images and create a play on pattern and texture.

Let's start with the sanding block technique.

 Place your stencil underneath your paper.  I am going to sand the grassy background of this page so I will ensure the stencil is placed under that portion.

GENTLY, I'll repeat....GENTLY rub the paper with your sanding block to reveal the stenciled design below. Depending on the color of the paper and the design, you should see full or hints of the appearing stencil.  Experiment with different papers and colors (using the same stencil) to see the variety.

Here you can see the different looks you can achieve by varying the background color, design, and stencil.

Stencils Used:

More

Icelandic Church

StencilClub Mar 2024 

Now let's spread those creative wings and try wax rubbings with various papers.  Again, the finished look will be delicate, soft, and subtle.

Lighter, blank papers work best - 

Place your stencil under your paper and GENTLY rub a white or colorless wax crayon (or wax candle)  over the stenciled portion.  

 

I like to add watercolors on top of the rubbed section.  The wax acts as a resist which creates interesting looks.

I did not prep the paper with gesso, but I urge you to experiment with this to see what various results you can achieve.

You can also do this technique with plain copy paper.  The bright white backgrounds works beautifully for this technique.

Stencils Used:

More 

StencilClub Oct 2020 

Here's a peek at some of my experimentation's....

Additional stencils shown here:

Rolodex Circle

Cathedral Floor

I hope you will give these 2 techniques a GO!!!

As a special THANK YOU and a chance to pick up my stencils at 20%, use COUPON CODE 'TW20'.  The discount code is good until 6/24/25.  ENJOY!

Happy Creating!

XOXO Tina 

Painterly Art Tags with a side of Collage Paper

Hello Fellow Stencil Lovers!

I am so happy to be here with you today to share a favorite way to create painterly art tags to use in  all of your projects! The best part about this project is that you learn how to create some super quick and easy mixed media papers. I love to use these deliciously crinkly sheets as journal pages but they also make wonderful collage papers.

To begin you will need to gather some supplies. I am sharing what I used, but I always encourage you to reach for the supplies and colors YOU love.

Acrylic Paint

Paintbrushes

Art Sponge

Scissors

Pencil 

Ribbon Scraps

Recycled Safety Pin

Tracing paper

Shipping Tag

Watercolor Paint 

Water Mister

Hole Punch

Painterly Art Tag Supplies

To create your Painterly Art Tags, begin by painting the tag. I am using acrylic paint and my paint colors are in the same color family. I chose two pinks (Golden Titan Mars Pale and Liquitex Light Portrait Pink) and a white. I am painting with a one inch flat brush. Using a large brush helps to create lots of texture in the paint, making for a detailed interesting background. Let dry completely.

Once the tag is dry, position a portion of the Vintage Rose Floral Sampler Stencil (LL1027) over the tag. Using a sponge or flat brush, tap your lightest value of color (or white) through the stencil. Carefully lift the stencil  off the tag. Set the tag aside to dry and clean your stencil.

Spritz a piece of tracing paper with water. For a dreamy watery effect, like the one I made, more is better. For crisp images less is better. 

Place the Botanical Wildflowers Mask (L910) on the tracing paper and press down gently. The stencil will "adhere" slightly to the paper due to the water.

Using a flat brush, (I'm using a 1/2 inch flat angled brush) begin to add watercolor over and around the mask. You can blend colors together or keep the color blocked for a more interesting artsy effect. Be careful not to let your mask move as you paint. Do not remove the mask. Let dry completely. This might take a few moments because we want to ensure the paint that has moved under the mask with the help of the water is completely dry as well.

You can optionally use a stencil adhesive like Pixie Spray to secure your mask to the paper but you will not get the magical bleed of color. Also, you must adhere your mask to the paper before spritzing with water if this is the option you choose.

You can check your tracing paper by gently lifting one corner of the mask. Look for pooling paint. If you see any wet paint just lay the mask down in the same position and continue to let dry. (Guess what? You just made the mostly beautiful transparent collage paper!)

If everything looks dry you can lift the mask up and off the paper carefully. Lift one corner of the mask and peel up very slowly. Clean your mask and set the painted paper aside.

Going back to the original shipping tag and using your Vintage Rose Floral Sampler Stencil (LL1027) as a reference, use a colored pencil to sketch around the lightly stenciled image. Take liberties with your sketch and make it your own or trace the stencil design as is painted.

Lay your tag on the reverse side of the painted paper and trace around the edges with a pencil. Repeat for as many layers as you would like your tag to have. (I used two painted tracing paper layers for this tag)

Cut around the pencil lines to create tag shapes. Align these new painted paper tags with your original shipping tag and make a mark where the hole is and punch. Line up all of your tags and decide how you would like to arrange them. I like to use my shipping tag as a base and then layer my sheer painted paper tags on top.

Once you have the order decided, use a pin to secure the tags together. Add scraps of ribbon to the pin to create a pretty colorful tassel. I like to do this so that all the layers will swivel out from one another. You can alternatively thread the ribbons through the holes of the aligned tags.

Use these beauties for gift tags or to write pretty layered letters. They also make lovely fold out pages in your journal. Just use a piece of tape to secure one edge of the shipping tag to the edge of your journal page to create a hinge. 

And last, but certainly not least, these pretty painted sheets make wonderful collage paper. Just cut to size and adhere to your journal page using your favorite medium.

I hope you enjoyed creating this project with me today! By the way, my stencils are on sale for the next 2 weeks. Just use code  RM20  for 20% off. Coupon code good through May 27, 2205.

Happy Stenciling,

Rae

How to Transform a Metal Bucket with Distress Oxide Sprays, a Mask and a Stencil

Hello everyone! Jane Bellante back for another fun tutorial—this time, we’re turning an ordinary metal bucket into a whimsical, one-of-a-kind mixed media piece using chalk paint, distress oxide sprays, and some of my favorite stencils and masks.

If you're looking for a creative way to use your stencils and masks again and again while achieving fresh new looks every time, you're going to love this DIY decor project. Not only will you see how distress oxide sprays create stunning effects on curved surfaces, but you’ll also get ideas for layering rub-on transfers and adding finishing touches that tell a story.

---

Materials Used:

• Metal bucket

• Chalk paint (2 coats)

• Distress Oxide Sprays (greens + blues)

• Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask

• Rub-on transfers (I used a vintage Alice in Wonderland theme)

• Emotions and Feelings 2 Stencil by Carolyn Dube

• Permanent ink

• Makeup sponge

• Protective gloves (trust me on this one!)

---

Step 1: Prepping Your Surface with Chalk Paint

I started with a plain metal bucket and painted it with two coats of chalk paint. This gives you a great matte base that helps the distress sprays really pop later on.

---

Step 2: Using the Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask

For this tutorial, I’m reusing the Open Bare Wisteria Vine Mask—one of my absolute favorites. I love showing you different ways to get more out of your tools. This time, instead of pastels, I used Distress Oxide Sprays.

A quick tip: wear gloves! I didn't, and I had stained fingers for days—but the results were totally worth it.

---

Step 3: Spraying and Layering Color

I used three colors of distress oxide sprays: one green and two blues. I held the mask against the curved surface of the bucket (which did get my hands messy!) and sprayed in layers to build up rich, vibrant color.

As you spray, some areas will naturally blend, giving you that signature oxidized look that makes these sprays so addictive.

---

Step 4: Don’t Waste That Spray—Make Prints!

One of my golden rules: never waste leftover spray on your stencil. After spraying, I immediately pressed a piece of paper over the stencil to create a print. These get added to my stash for future art journal pages or collage work.

---

Step 5: Rotate the Mask & Repeat

I continued this process—rotating the mask around the bucket, spraying, and making prints—until the entire surface was covered in a colorful, organic pattern.

---

Step 6: Adding Vintage Transfers

Once the oxide spray background was dry, I began adding rub-on transfers. I chose a set of vintage Alice in Wonderland images to tell a visual story around the outside of the bucket. The contrast between the whimsical characters and the bold background was magical.

---

Step 7: The Final Touch – Stenciled Word

To wrap it all up, I grabbed the Emotions and Feelings 2 Stencil by Carolyn Dube and used a makeup sponge to dab permanent ink through the word "curious." It couldn’t have been more perfect for the vibe of this piece.

---

The Finished Piece

This transformed bucket is absolutely adorable—a curious, colorful nod to creativity and storytelling. I’m in love with the way the oxide spray background brings the whole piece to life, and the Alice in Wonderland theme adds a playful layer of narrative.

Whether you’re creating home décor, art journals, or mixed media magic—remember that your masks and stencils are more versatile than you think. Try them with pan pastels, oxide sprays, acrylic paint, and more!

Want to Watch the Full Video Tutorial?

If you're a visual learner or want to follow along in real time, you can watch the full step-by-step video tutorial right here:

---

Thank you so much for watching and reading! I hope this inspired you to look at your masks and sprays with fresh eyes. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy—just maybe wear gloves next time!

Find me at janebellanteart.com and @janebellante on all social media platforms.