StencilGirl® Stencils & Solvy

Cecilia Swatton here, asking questions!

Do you – like me – love the look and feel of embossed paper?  Have you – as I once did – felt it would be too hard to make your own?

Fear no more!

Readers with fiber arts experience probably know about Paper Solvy. Dry, it’s like paper.  But, with enough water, it dissolves.  In fiber arts, it’s a temporary stabilizer.  Once stitched, the fabric is washed and the stabilizer melts away. 

But I use PaperSolvy – and StencilGirl® stencils or masks! – to make “embossed paper.”

Look for this Paper Solvy, not Sulky Stabilizer.

For the most dramatic embossing results, I recommend stencils and masks with large openings.

Here, I’m using…

Garden Montage

Facets

Mimosa

Trivet A

Hot Air Balloons

After spreading absorbent papers, I gather my watercolor bottles, Solvy and cake cooling racks. 

Note: I could use readymade sprays like Colorations – but I use DrPh Martins watercolors.  They come in bottles with “eyedropper” lids, so, to make custom color-blends, I drop Martins colors into clear plastic 2-ounce mister spray bottles, and shake to mix. 

Next, I place a stencil or mask on each rack.

Over the stencil or mask goes a sheet of Paper Solvy.

Now I start slowly spraying the Solvy with watercolors.

Gradually the Solvy dissolves to form sagging areas that will resemble embossing.

If the colors start to look too dark for me, I lighten them by alternating the color sprays with sprays of plain water.

Too much spray will create holes, so I stop spraying when the stencil or mask outlines become raised.

Each rack’s support bars will gradually take shape right along with the shapes of the stencil or masks.  I’ve tried this technique without the racks, but no other method has worked well for me.  So I accept the racks’ lines as part of the finished product.  Racks with square patterns, instead of lines, are an option for anyone who loves grids!

After the Solvy dries, I peel it carefully off the rack.  Then I gently peel the Solvy away from the stencil or mask.

After Solvy dries, it cuts like paper.  Dried embossed areas can be emphasized with dry-brush painting, Pan Pastels, metallic rub-ons, etc.

To see more embossed samples, please visit me here.

Try this!  Have fun!