Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Create A Whimsical Infinity Roll for Your Mixed Media Projects

Hello again from Kim Hamburg, a mixed media collage artist who believes there is no such thing as too much paper. Today I’m sharing one of my favorite studio habits — making an “infinity roll,” a continuous strip of dyed and stenciled paper that you can tear from whenever your collage, junk journal, or assemblage needs an extra layer of texture and story.


Infinity Roll


ATC card with Infinity Roll Piece


The Infinity Roll

A never-ending strip of possibility for your mixed media projects

There is something very satisfying about a roll of paper.

Not a precious sheet you’re afraid to ruin. Not a perfectly cut background. A roll. Continuous. Practical. A little industrial. The kind that used to live in a cash register.

In the studio, though? It becomes an infinity roll — a stash of ready-to-use collage magic you can tear from whenever your junk journal, assemblage, or mixed media piece needs “just one more thing.”

This month, I decided to make mine monochromatic. I made one in purple and one in teal, and I’m honestly in love with how the edges turned out.


Here are the completed Infinity Rolls -- one in blue, one in purple.


Supplies


Step 1: Dye the Paper (Trust the Process)

First, tear off a workable section of your roll — about 3 to 5 feet. That’s the sweet spot. Long enough to feel abundant, short enough to manage without dye going everywhere.

Pour a little RIT liquid dye into a shallow cup or lid. Set one end of your paper strip directly into the dye so the edge can start absorbing color.

Let it sit for about an hour. If you want deeper color, leave it longer. After an hour, flip the strip and let the other end soak.

As it dries, the dye creates this beautiful watercolor bloom along the edges. It’s soft, organic, and slightly unpredictable — which is exactly what we want. Mine dried into these moody purple and teal gradients that feel rich but not fussy.

Let it dry completely before moving on.


Paper Cash Register Roll


RIT dye in shallow container


I flipped the paper over to dye the other half.
Notice how beautiful the dye takes to the paper.


Completely Dry 


Step 2: Add the Stencils (Layer It Up)

Once your paper is dry, roll it out across your table.

I used this month’s Stencil Club set — “Wonderfully Wonky” by Cat Kerr. It’s a two-stencil set filled with imperfect, handmade-feeling marks. They’re playful and organic, which makes them perfect for something like this.



Using a sponge roller and acrylic paint, I randomly applied the first stencil across the strip. I didn’t measure. I didn’t space things evenly. I just moved along the paper and let the marks land where they wanted.

Be sure to stencil both sides. That way, no matter how you tear or layer it later, you’ll have interest.

After the first layer dried, I used the second stencil from the set and added another color on top. The layered marks give it depth and movement — and suddenly your plain roll looks like something you bought at a fancy art supply store.

Except you made it.



Using a sponge roller to add first layer of stencil images


Adding second layer with a contrasting color


Step 3: Tear and Use

Now comes the best part.

Tear pieces off as you need them.

I used mine to create ATC cards (2.5" x 3.5") and layered sections of the infinity roll onto cardstock. Add collage papers, glue it down, build on top. The dyed edges create built-in softness, and the stencil layers make even the smallest scrap feel intentional.

Because the roll is continuous, you always have more. No pressure. No preciousness.


ATC Cards with Infinity Roll Pieces


Why an Infinity Roll?

Because mixed media artists need building blocks.

Because junk journals are hungry for texture.

Because it’s easier to create freely when you already have beautiful components ready to go..

And honestly? There’s something really comforting about knowing you can just reach over, tear a piece, and keep making.

Plus it looks great sitting in your art space ready for the next creative idea.

Here are few tips you may want to use:
1.  This is super messy!!  Make sure to lay down paper over your work surface.
2.  You can add water to the dye to make it less intense.
      Instead of RIT dye, you can use watercolor liquid.
3.  You can leave the paper roll in the dye overnight and you will get a really great result.
4.  You can mist the paper roll with water while it is sitting in the dye.
5.  Make sure to let it dry completely before adding the stencil designs.
6.  These make really great gifts for your favorite mixed media friends.  You can actually use an old spool to roll the paper around and then add a fabric bow to hold it together.



Wonderfully Wonky is only available to StencilClub Members who join by March 15th and will ship on that day.


Infinity Roll dry and ready to use


You get lots of great benefits as a club member, including a coupon for 25% off all regular collection stencils, a project and PDF from the artist, and an additional project by me that is for members only. So don’t delay!

Get more information about StencilClub

Stencil Club

I would love to see your work. Please tag me on Instagram — check out my IG 

Kim Hamburg Instagram

Facebook   Kim Hamburg on Facebook 



Final look at the completed Infinity Roll -- make sure to tag me when you make yours!

Friday, February 27, 2026

Create a Dimensional Garden Labyrinth with Modeling Paste

Hi, my friends! I'm Consie Sindet and this is my first post for StencilGirl®. I'm a mixed media artist that loves playing with supplies, experimenting in my art journals, and delighting in sharing what I come up with!

I'm a big fan of being outdoors and walking a local labyrinth in my town. I find the experience to be very meditative. However, sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate! Today, I wanted to share with you how to create a finger labyrinth in your art journal so you can always "walk" the labyrinth anytime you want.

BTW...I made a video of the process which you can find at the bottom of this post.





Let's start with the supplies:
Watercolors
Makeup sponges
Modeling paste
Palette knife
Inktense pencils
White paint pen



The first thing I did was to create a background of mossy rocks to anchor my garden using a variety of green watercolors and a makeup sponge. The ATC Mixup Apter stencil by Seth Apter: L664 had a few different size circles that I could use to add a layered look to the page.




I then applied modeling paste with a palette knife to form my garden and labyrinth. I used the Leafy Doodle Verge stencil/mask by Valerie Sjodin: S714 to add the trees and foliage that I have at my actual labyrinth and the ATC Mixup Evan stencil by Jennifer Evans: L654 to add the garden on the bottom of the page to represent the flowers that grow in the surrounding woods. 




After I applied the paste through the Ceremonial Labyrinth stencil #2 by Cynthia Silveri: M228, I went back in to fill in the sections that were not covered by the bridges in the stencil. I wanted to have the walls as a single piece. Because I was adding the paste without a stencil, the finished texture had a wonderful rough stone feel about it!

A quick note: I don't as a rule clean my stencils except when using modeling paste. I did clean each of these stencils right after using them and allowed the modeling paste to dry with each layer on my page so I didn't pull up what I had already put down when I used the next stencil. 



Once all of the paste was dry, the next step was to add watercolor over all of the raised sections. I used a dry-ish brush to apply the paint. It is not really possible to drybrush with watercolor as you need moisture to get the paint to move! However, if you use as little water as possible, you can get the paint to catch on the modeling paste and not as much of the background paper. A light touch and layering works better than trying to get the color to cover all in one go.




After the watercolor had dried, I went in with my Inktense pencils to add more depth to all of the sections. Feel free to use watercolor pencils, water-soluble crayons, or any other supply you want to experiment with! I used the pencils to add shading to get all of the garden elements to really pop off the page. 




Most of the shading was done on the modeling paste itself. However, with the labyrinth, I wanted that to stand out the most. So, I shaded around the outside of the paste to really give it a raise stone wall look.






The final touches included a few highlights with a white paint pen on the flower petals and the labyrinth, and some splatters using the Indigo Inktense pencil. Now the labyrinth is ready to use whenever I need a meditative minute or two in my day!

I would love to see what you create using these stencils! You can tag me on Instagram and find me in the following spaces!

YouTube: @ConsieSindet





Friday, February 20, 2026

One Page Book with Pockets with Kirsten Varga


Hello! Kirsten here back with another bookmaking adventure! This month I am making a cute little book with pockets from one piece of paper and no sewing! Follow along with my step by step photo tutorial!


My one piece of paper is a sheet of lightweight mixed media paper that is 12"x18". I used my favorite brayer to apply black paint to one side and a blend of pink and purple to the other.



I chose the StencilGirl® Wildflowers Botanical Mask (L910) stencil and paints 
in shades of red and iridescent white to layer onto the black side of the paper.



I am very happy with the texture and depth of color that was achieved! 
Make sure the paint has dried completely before you move on to the next step.


Fold the paper in half along the long edge with the pattern on the outside.


Rotate the paper so the fold is at the top and then fold up the bottom edge to form the "pocket".


Flip over and repeat. You now have a "pocket" on the front and back.


Unfold the paper (not the pockets) and place it pattern side down. Fold a short side over about 3/4".


With that little edge still folded over fold the entire sheet in half 
with the pattern and pockets on the outside.


Our goal is to accordion fold the paper so the next step is to fold the top layer down to the bottom fold.


Then flip it over and fold the top (with that little folded edge) down to the bottom.


Below is what the result should be. An accordion folded paper with a little folded edge on the right.


Carefully flatten the paper patterned side up (with the pockets still folded). Make one cut along 
the middle fold from the top perpendicular fold to the last perpendicular fold.


The result is shown below. 


To form the book, first fold it in half pattern side out and then push in to form a "+" shape.


Flatten it and then glue the little folded edges together.


I also added a small line of glue to the other open flap.


Close the book and see which side works for your cover.
Try different configurations until you find one that works for you!


Now your book is ready to be decorated!


I chose to fill the pockets with handwritten love declarations from books
written by Jane Austen paired with some found photos of couples. To make these I used 
some Kraft cardstock and glitter paint pens along with some classic photo corners.


Happy Creating!


STENCIL USED: 
Wildflowers Botanical Mask - L910

SUPPLIES:
Lightweight Mixed Media Paper 12"x18"
Acrylic paint in black, reds, purples, iridescent white
Brayer
Paintbrush
Bone Folder
Ruler/Craft Knife
Glue
Kraft Cardstock
Glitter paint pens


Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga




Thursday, February 5, 2026

Make a Fabric Covered Journal Using Stencils




Hello! My name is Martha and I am a mixed media artist obsessed with making journals. So, of course, I decided my first project for the StencilGirl blog would be a journal. I also became quite enchanted with Sarah Gardner's moth parts stencil when I first saw it. I knew I wanted to create a beautiful, colorful moth as the focal image on a journal cover.

For this project, I decided to make a fabric cover. I have some canvas fabric that I tore to the size I wanted. I also cut a piece from a file folder that I will attach to make the cover a little bit sturdier. I planned to paint on the canvas fabric, but before I did that I wanted to make my moth. That will guide my choice of paint colors for the background of the cover.



Instead of painting the moth parts I decided to use colorful papers to try something different. (You could also use fabric for this step.) So I pulled out some colorful papers that I thought might work well together. I used them to trace and cut out the moth parts. After cutting them out, I arranged them the way I wanted, then glued them together.




I changed my selection of papers slightly for the moth wings to come up with a combination I was happy with.



Now that my moth was ready, I picked out some coordinating paint colors to use on the canvas fabric. I use acrylic paint on fabric and it works fine for my purposes. I used a couple more of Sarah's stencils on the background.
 




I also pulled out a couple more stencils in order to vary the shapes and make a colorful background. The stencils I used are listed below.



Happy with my background, it was time to finish assembling my moth and the front cover. I cut a small circle for the head of the moth and found some fabric to which I attached the moth with glue. I also attached a strip of that contrasting fabric to the back of the cover because I thought it tied the whole cover together nicely. After glueing all of these pieces down I did some wonky machine stitching around some of the moth wings, the moth background patch and the strip of fabric on the back cover. It's very colorful and I love it!



Time to finish up the cover. I glued the canvas fabric to the file folder using a strong glue. I planned to do more sewing around the entire cover so the glue is not the only thing holding it together. Not only does the file folder piece provide more stability to the cover, it also hides the stitching on the backside of the fabric if you don't want that to show. I used that same contrasting fabric for the inside of the cover gluing it on with a glue stick since it's a very thin fabric. I then stitched all around the outside of the cover.

NOTE: It's best to wait until your glue is dry before doing any machine stitching to avoid gumming up your sewing machine.




Finally, I sewed in some tea dyed printer paper using a three hole pamphlet stitch and my journal was finished!






I hope you enjoyed this project. I recorded my process if you'd like to watch the video:





Supplies Used:
Fabric
File folder
Scissors
Glue
Colorful papers
Paint
Sewing machine 
Tea dyed paper
Waxed thread
Book binding needle