Feather gift tags / Paper Ornaments

Hello creative friends, 

Tina here from Tina Hois Art and today I will show you a quick gift tag or paper ornament idea that will be perfect for your gifts and also look fantastic on a tree or a festive garland. Who said feathers are just for birds!

For this project I used Broken line columns created by  Cynthia Silveri. It’s a simple yet versatile pattern that I love and use frequently. 

The Process:

Step 1:

On watercolour paper with the colours of your choice transfer the stencil marks.

Step 2:

Fold a separate piece of paper in half and outline an oval shape as above (this can be any size you prefer)

Step4:

Trace the shape on to the stencilled watercolour paper and cut

Step 5:

Fold the feather shape in half and cut slits from the outside edge to almost the middle fold

Step 6:

Add a contrasting colour- I added gold acrylic ink ~ but white or silver would look great also.

I also punched a small circle and added silver string to finish it off. 

Enjoy creating your own festive feather tags! 

Tina 

Supplies 

Stencil Broken Line Columns

Watercolour paper

Acrylic paint 

Acrylic ink 

Hole punch

String

Scissors 

Using Stencils to Highlight Your Lettering Style & SALE!

Hello Beautiful!

Trena Brannon here, and I'm so happy to spend a little time with you today, sharing a fun and simple project to create a greeting card that will make someone smile.

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This technique puts your hand lettering in the spotlight, with the stencils playing a supporting role. We'll also explore how to use different elements to connect the layers of your artwork, making the whole piece feel cohesive and engaging. 

STEPS:

• Building the base. I started by selecting a stencil (Curve Ball Tile S989) that was airy and open, allowing most of the white card base to show through. This creates a clean, minimal background that provides a nice contrast for the detailed design to come. I gently dabbed on some gouache paint with a sponge, keeping it slightly dry to get those nice, crisp lines.

  

• TIP: Use a baby wipe to clean your stencil and transfer the paint onto a journal or scrap paper. It's a great way to start your next creative project! I learned this from my stencil sister, Carolyn Dube!

• Connecting the layers. I used the same stencil on a piece of colored cardstock, using a similar color of paint to create a subtle tone-on-tone effect. This immediately begins to connect your different layers.

To see it better, here's a shot of the piece of cardstock on a black background:

• Adding a second connection. Next, I used a different stencil (Diamonds and Kisses Tile) and applied the color I used on my white card base. Repeating a color throughout the piece is another great way to create a feeling of connection.

• Making the details sing. Now for a bit of contrast! I used a tiny detailed stencil (Couture ATC Patterns) to add little pops of white. Using the same color as the white card base helps tie everything together and adds some interest through a contrast in scale.  For more flexibility in using the ATC sections, I cut them out of the larger stencils.

• Lettering with joy. Now for the most stylized part that personalizes the card —your lettering! I did a few quick very rough sketches on scrap paper to find the style I wanted. Then, I used a black brush pen to draw the letters on my orange cardstock, leaving enough space inside each letter to see a piece of the design. It's so important to have fun with this part! As you can see, my letters aren’t perfect—and that's okay! They are drawings of letters - that's what makes them unique. Initially, I forgot my "y." 😁

• Bringing it all together. Once my letters were cut out, I played with their arrangement until I found a placement I loved. Before I glued them down, I added a few small black dots to the base layer—a final chance to connect color in the letters to the base card. I chose a bouncy, playful look that conveyed a sense of joy.

• TIPS: 

After cutting your letters out, use a black marker to darken the edges. This gives them a nice, finished look and tidies up any stray cuts. I do this from the back side of the cardstock to avoid accidentally drawing onto the design side. 

Take a photo of your final layout before you glue anything down. It's the perfect guide to keep you on track.

 

• One more detail: To make the card even more special, I added a design element to the envelope to give the receiver a hint of what's inside. 

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Here are the Supplies I used: 

Stencils: 

• substrate/surface: white and color cardstock
• stencils: Curve Ball Tile S989, Diamonds and Kisses Tile, Couture ATC Patterns, 
• color: gouache paint dried in a palette, reactivated with distilled water - the white paint was freshly squeezed
• tools: sponges, black marker pen, color pencil, scissors, craft knife, cutting mat
• adhesives: low tack tape, permanent tape runner

All my stencils are on sale for the next two weeks! Use code: TB20.

When you create a card or another type of art piece with this technique, I would love to see it! Feel free to tag me on Instagram @trenabrannon and/or Facebook at TrenaBrannon Art & Design.

Take care and stay positive! 

Trena

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Stitched Christmas Tree cards

Hello beautiful creatives, 

Tina here from Tina Hois Art today we will be making some stitched holiday cards to send to loved ones. 

Every year I create a card and this year I will be sending out these lovelies.

I am using two stencils for this project~ MB Makes Marks Marker Stencil and Broken Line Columns

I wanted a unique size so I custom made envelopes and the cards but the techniques will work on the premade blank cards as well.

For the stitched edges I ran the card through my sewing machine.  Another option is to hand stitch or simply leave the edges as they are.

Enjoy

The Process

Step 1:

On water colour paper apply your choice of colour and paint.

I used watercolour as my base but acrylic can also be used.

Step 2:

Layer stencil over the background 

Using white acrylic apply all over 

Step 3

Cut two pieces of card stock to accommodate your image (this is 4x7”).

Draw a tree shape on to the card stock  

Step 4

Using an exacto knife cut out the tree shape

Step 5

Apply glue to the perimeter of the shape

Place the stencilled paper face down over the glue ensuring that it covers the shapes opening

Step 6

Stitch the shape perimeter. Remember this can also be done by hand stitch, faux marker stitch or just left as is. 

Step 7

Glue the second piece of card stock on the back to cover the stitches.

Stitch the boarder of the card or leave as is. 

The envelope 

Step 1

Fold the bottom of an 8.5 x11” card stock 4 inches 

Fold the top down 2.5 inches and stitch the perimeter.

Enjoy making your cards! 

Tina  

Supplies 

Watercolour paper 

Watercolour paint 

Stencil M215

Stencil S301

White acrylic paint  

Gold acrylic paint 

Card stock 

Sewing machine or needle and thread 

Glue 

Exacto knife 

Ruler 

Glitter ( optional) 

Copper Etching

Hello fellow artists!  It's Julie Peterson here from @nuthouse73 bringing you something a little different, copper metal etching.

I love stencils! They are one of my favorite tools.  This is the first time I have applied them to my metal working.  They worked absolutely fabulous!  I ended up making a few pendants, which could also be journal charms, a page clip, a pair of earrings, and a ring.  The possibilities are endless!  

I used stencils

S831 Celestial Bodies by Kathryn Costa

L579 ATC Mixup #2 by Mary Beth Shaw

SC022023B Rolodex Redesign by Tina Walker

L279 Celtic Celebration by June Pfaff Daley

L427 What’s Your Sign by Cathy Nichols

S033 Ray Circles by Michelle Ward

L764 Celtic Spirals Mask by Valerie Sjodin

L651 ATC Mixup by Pam Carrike

Let’s get started!

First gather your supplies.

Gloves

Safety glasses

Ferric chloride

Liver of sulfur 

Acetone 

Copper blanks or copper sheet 1mm thick

Stencils 

Sharpie marker

Spray paint, any color

91% isopropyl alcohol 

Sand paper from 400- 2000 gritt 

Duct tape

2 disposable Plastic dishes

Tooth pick or awl

Paper towels

Joyce Chen kitchen scissors, only if you are cutting copper sheet

Beadsmith metal hole punch if you want to put holes in your copper pieces.

WELL VENTILATED AREA 

Pick some stencils and audition them, for your pieces.  Start prepping your metal, if you have blanks polish them with the 2000 grit sandpaper going in a back and forth motion in the same direction, if you have sheet metal, cut it to the size you want for your image and sand it starting with your coarsest sand paper and moving to the finest; sanding in the same direction.  When you have achieved a nice shinny surface put on your gloves and wipe the it down with isopropyl alcohol to remove all the oils from the surface. 

Place your stencil over your copper piece and spray it with the spray paint, pick the stencil off and let the piece dry.  In the meantime, let's get the duct tape ready and the acid bath prepped.   You're probably going to want to take your gloves off to prep the duct tape but, save them we still need them.  Get a big enough piece to span your container for the acid and then some, we are going to use it to suspend the copper pieces face down in the acid.  Lay the duct tape face up on your work surface and fold over each end about a 3/4 of an inch ( doesn't have to be precise) so you have a place to hold on to. Put your gloves back on, so you don’t get any oil on your now clean and painted copper pieces.  Grab your now dry copper pieces and color all the edges with the sharpie marker.  Place them design side up on the sticky part of the duct tape, set aside. 

Now let’s prep the acid bath.  Make sure you have your gloves and your safety glasses on.  Get one of your disposable plastic containers put enough ferric chloride in it that your piece will only be touching the acid when its suspended.  Get the other disposable container and put some water in it, enough to rinse your pieces of copper. Take the duct tape strip with your pieces on it turn it over and suspend it in the dish sticking the tape to the side of the container.  Set a timer for 30 minutes.  When the timer goes off gently agitate the dish, careful not to spill.  Set the timer again for 30 minutes.  After an hour you can lift the pieces out, rinse it and check how deep the etching is with a tooth pick or awl, if you want a deeper etch put it back in the acid checking it every 30 minutes.  If your pieces are ready to go, remove them from the tape, rinse and pat dry with a paper towel. 

Check your local area for instructions to safely dispose of the acid.

Time for the liver of sulfur, (warning smells like rotten eggs).  You can buy prepared or unprepared liver of sulfur, follow the directions on the package for how to use the kind that you purchased.  

Cover the copper pieces with liver of sulfur, leave them in the liver of sulfur until they are almost black.   Rinse them and pat them dry with a paper towel.  Don’t worry they're going to be beautiful.  

Wet a portion of paper towel with acetone and wipe the spray paint off the copper pieces until all the paint is removed.  

Time for adding holes, ear wires, jump rings or whatever you feel like making them into.  Should you want to preserve the finish, coat them with a wax ( renaissance wax) or a clear coat.  

Thank you for hanging out and happy creating!

  

Julie

Haunted Layers- DIY Halloween Mixed Media Stickers

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🎃 Haunted Layers: DIY Halloween Mixed Media Stickers

Introduction

Hi, I’m Kim Hamburg, and this is my very first blog post! I’m thrilled to share a fun, spooky-season project for creating your own Halloween Mixed Media Stickers. This project combines the StencilClub stencil for September 2025, paint, and Avery Circle Label stickers to turn simple materials into layered, textural art. You can experiment with any tools you like—squeegee, sponge, brush, or spatula—to apply and move the paint across the surface. Whether you’re new to mixed media or already love making art, this project is all about creativity, play, and Halloween fun.

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Objectives

Learn how to build layers of color and texture using paint, stencils, and stickers.

1. Explore intuitive mark-making and color combinations inspired by Halloween.

2. Create one-of-a-kind sticker sheets you can use in journals, collages, cards, or decor.

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Supplies

• Avery brand Round Label Stickers 2.5" 

• StencilClub – September 2025 "All Hallow's Eve" by Cat Kerr

• Acrylic paint (black, orange, purple, white, metallics, or any spooky palette)

• Matte gel medium or Mod Podge (optional for sealing)

• Tools for applying paint: squeegee, sponge, brush, or spatula

• Paper to protect your surface

• Heat tool or hair dryer (optional for drying between layers)

• Fine-tip markers or paint pens for details

• Optional embellishments: ink, stamps, glitter, or collage scraps

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Steps

Step 1: Prepare Your Sticker Sheet
Lay out your Avery Circle Label sheet on a protected surface. Press it flat so it doesn’t curl while painting. If you like, stick it temporarily to a piece of cardstock for extra stability.

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Step 2: Apply a Base Layer of Paint
Use your chosen tool—a brush, sponge, or squeegee—to spread a thin layer of paint over the entire sheet. Mix and blend Halloween colors like orange, black, and purple. Let dry before adding your next layer.

Base layer of paint with blended Halloween tone

Step 3: Add Stencil Texture

Place your StencilClub – September 2025 stencil over the painted sheet. Apply contrasting paint through the stencil using a sponge or spatula. Don’t worry about perfection—let the layers overlap and build visual interest.
📸 Photo 3: Stencil pattern applied across the label sheet.

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Step 4: Add Details and Depth
Once dry, use paint pens, ink, or stamps to add marks and highlights. You can outline circles, draw webs, or doodle stars—anything that enhances the Halloween vibe.
📸 Photo 4: Cardboard Haunted House decorated with stencilled stickers

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Step 5: Seal and Peel
If you’d like a protective finish, brush on a thin coat of matte gel medium or Mod Podge. Let dry completely, then carefully peel one sticker to reveal your finished texture and design. Each circle will be unique and ready to use!
📸 Photo 5: Finished sticker sheet, with one sticker peeled off.

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Conclusion

Making your own Halloween Mixed Media Stickers is an easy and satisfying way to explore color, texture, and creativity. Every sheet turns out differently—some bold, some eerie, all uniquely yours. Use them to decorate your art journals, collage pages, or Halloween snail mail. Most of all, have fun and enjoy the process of layering and experimenting with your materials.