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.

How to Transform Gel Prints into Vibrant Stencil Art Panels

Hello, creative lovelies!

Martice here from @MarticeSmithArt, and I’m excited to share a fun way to transform gel prints into vibrant, stencil-layered panels inspired by the colors of nature and the changing seasons. These steps are approachable but still leave room for playful exploration, so you’ll feel confident no matter where you are on your art journey.

As summer fades into fall, I’ve been inspired by my time at the lake and the lush, tropical plants in my garden. With colder months approaching, I wanted to preserve those vibrant hues and capture the glowing sunsets I’ve been photographing during my quiet moments outdoors.

The result? Home or studio décor I’ll be proud to display—little bursts of joy and inspiration I can turn to whenever I need a creative lift.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to:

• Turn gel-printed papers into vibrant, layered stencil art.

• Capture seasonal colors and inspiration in your artwork.

• Use simple techniques that create a “Wow—you made this?!” effect, no matter your skill level.

Supplies You’ll Need: 

Stencils (My stencils are on sale! Use this code to get 20 percent off: MS20 

Shop here 👉🏽 https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-martice-smith-s/2164.htm 

L863 - Graphic Mod Mask 1: 70s Play 

L864 - Graphic Mod Mask 2: Hole In The Wall

L865 - Graphic Mod Mask 3: Bubble

2-3 Smaller, detailed stencils of your choice

Wooden Panels (I’m using 8”x8” panels that I made)

Large sheet of drawing paper (I’m using 18”x24”)

Colored Tissue Paper

8”x10” Gel Plate (or larger size)

Acrylic Paints: Colors of your choice

Scissors

Utility Knife

Pencil 

6” Brayer

Sponge Roller

Paintbrush (for applying gel medium)

Stencil Bristle Brush

Gloss Gel Medium

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Use a gel plate as a stamping block to create the background. 

Using acrylic paints, a rubber brayer, and a gel plate, cover the paper with blocks of color. When these blocks are overlapped, they create another color! If you know me, you know I absolutely ADORE vibrant colors, especially jewel tone hues. 

Allow this layer to dry completely before moving on. 

Step 2: Use detailed stencils on top of the color blocks.

Next, we’re creating a layer that’s packed with small designs, shapes, and marks. Tip: Try rotating your paper as you work. This will help keep your work loose and playful. I like working my way from the background to the foreground. I find that it’s easier to create a sense of depth and dimension.

Allow the paper to dry for a couple of minutes. 

Step 3: Trace the inside part of the stencils/masks to create abstract shapes.

Trace the shapes onto colored tissue paper, then cut them out. This will be our collage fodder. I love the transparency of tissue paper because it lets the background layers peek through, adding visual interest to the piece.

Adhere the tissue shapes to the large paper. Put them in random spots or feel free to place them wherever you like - it’s totally up to you! 

 

Step 4: Place masks on top of your paper and cover them with paint.

I like using a sponge roller for two reasons: 1. It gives a grunge-like, speckled texture (whereas a rubber brayer creates a smooth texture), and 2. I can achieve transparency so that the background peeks through. This effect depends on how much pressure you apply as you’re rolling it across the surface. 

Step 5: Find the sweet spot! Position your panel on an area you like, then trace around it, leaving ¼” around the panel on all sides.

Step 6: Use a sharp utility knife (or scissors) to cut out the paper.

Step 7: Apply a generous amount of gel medium to the wooden panels.

Carefully place your paper on top of the panel, leaving a ¼” overhang on all sides.

Working from the center out to the edges, smooth the paper out to release any air bubbles. I prefer using the side of my hand for this. Allow this to dry before proceeding to the next step. If you cut while it’s still wet, the paper might tear and create jagged, frizzy edges. No bueno! 

Optional: Scribble with paint pens and markers to add more of your personal style. (I used Posca paint markers to add geometric shapes and hand-lettering, and a pencil to create drop shadows.)

Step 8: Brush on a thin layer of gloss gel medium to seal your work. Notice how those colors shine! 

And there you have it—a simple, creative way to turn gel prints into vibrant, stencil-layered panels that bring your favorite colors and memories to life.

Remember, this process isn’t about perfection—it’s about capturing the joy of making and letting your creativity surprise you. Even the simplest techniques can spark something magical.

I’d love to see how you bring this tutorial to life! Share your finished piece with me or tag me online so I can cheer you on. Thanks for stopping by today! 

Find me on Instagram @MarticeSmithArt

My stencils are on sale! Use this code to get 20 percent off: MS20  

Shop here 👉🏽 https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-martice-smith-s/2164.htm

Stencils designed by me are on sale with code MS20:

L863 - 70s Play 

L864 - Hole In The Wall

L865 - Bubble

Other stencil used for this project: (Note, this is not on sale.)

L426 - Kilim Pattern

The Imperfect Patch

Happy October beautiful creatives!

Tina here from @tinahoisart and I am so stoked to share this up cycled project with you.

With fall in the air I always find myself wanting to curl up with a cozy blanket and a hot tea but, at the same time I want to create! 

My solution, slow, meditative and mindful stitches. You know something I can do in my favourite chair.

In my art journals I tend to up cycle and alter bits, fabrics etc. it’s better on a page than a landfill.

Here I reached for some canvas material I had removed off the frame ( frame was used for another project) but please use what fabric you have on hand ~ 

Armed with the idea of slow stitching  I decided on creating some imperfect patches using Alchemy created by Laurie Mika.  The stencil is full of magic and possibilities. Check out this spooky craft DIY tissue skin Halloween decor

Let’s gather our supplies and get started.

Supplies:

Stencil L783 Alchemy

Fabric or canvas material

Distress ink 

Ink applicator brush or sponge 

Embroidery needle

Embroidery floss

Optional- beads, trim, lace 

Step 1

With a light hand apply image to fabric 

Step 2

Start stitching!  I am by no means an embroidery expert hence the “imperfect” aspect of these patches.

Simply allow your intuition to take over and poke the needle through the fabric following the stencil outline. 

Step 3

Once the stitching is complete the patches can be left as is or if you are feeling a little EXTRA go ahead and add some fun accents like beads of pompom trim or layers of fabric as I did here. 

Thank you for stopping by. 

Enjoy creating these patches and find fun creatives ways to use them in your art.

Stay Cozy 

Tina 

Needle Keeper Book with Kirsten Varga

Welcome back to the wonderful world of making books! For this project I created something I desperately needed to keep my various needles organized. As I was going through my bookmaking supplies I realized my needles were everywhere and things needed to change!

When gathering my supplies I limited myself to one fabric, one stencil, a few analogous paint colors and one embroidery stitch. (BTW, in color theory, analogous colors are groups of colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.) My life outside my art studio is in a very busy season so by taking away options and keeping it simple I was able to relax and enjoy the process more.

My book cover is made from gray duck canvas. (It was a scrap I found in my stash!) The stencil I chose is A Day in the Park (LL1049) designed by Susan Rossiter. To keep with my limited options I decided to start with no underpainting and I wouldn't create multiple layers. Just place the stencil down on the plain canvas where I want, apply the paint and don't lift the stencil until I am happy with my blending. The paint I used is Golden Acrylics Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Quinacridone Violet and Titanium White.

When my single layer of paint is dry I grabbed a small embroidery hoop and needle. I picked threads that matched the canvas and paint. I decided on gray, orange and a red violet. The french knot is the stitch I chose and I repeated it over the canvas looking to the stenciled design to help place the knots. 

To cover the hot mess on the back of my fabric (I love simple stitching but am no expert!) I used a fusible webbing to attach it to a plain piece of gray canvas and then cut it down to 4"x6". 

The inside pages are made from pieces of 3.5"x5.5" black felt. You can use one piece of felt or two. Then I used a sewing machine to sew the layers together right down the middle with a simple straight stitch. (This step could be done my hand if desired)

Finished! 

To continue my limited approach I opted not to make a video this time. 😀 

Happy Creating!

Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga

Stencil used:

A Day in the Park (LL1049)

Other Supplies:

gray duck canvas

fusible webbing

acrylic paint/paint brush

scissors

embroidery thread

needle/embroidery hoop

iron/ironing board

ruler/rotary cutter

sewing machine