Vertical Tree Postage Collage from Waffleflower

 

Hi Friends!

Today I’m excited to share a card I made for the Postage Party Card Hop on Instagram! This fun hop highlights the postage trend in cardmaking, and I couldn’t wait to play with the Postage Collage Vertical Tree Stencil. I love a good stencil, and this one is such a unique take on a modern holiday tree!

For this card, I used Altenew’s Shimmer Relief Paste in Brown Moonstone for the ribbon and star portion of the stencil. I’ll admit—I wasn’t sure how the brown shimmer would look at first, but once it dried, I absolutely loved the modern and slightly glam result. It’s a fun twist on traditional holiday colors!

A Little Confession…
This is probably only the third time I’ve ever used paste on a card! If you’re experienced with it and have any tips to prevent it from oozing under the stencil, I’d love to hear them. Leave a comment—I’m always learning!

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💡 Tips for Ink Blending with Stencils:

If you’re newer to stencil work or just looking to level up your technique, here are a few tips that help me get clean, beautiful results:

1. Use a grip mat to hold everything in place.
There are many grip mats on the market today.  They are made of the same material as photopolymer stamps.  They are great for keep your stencil and cardstock from shifting as you blend.

2. Start blending off the edge.
Always begin your blending motion off the edge of the paper and gradually move onto your project. This helps avoid harsh blobs of ink. (If you do have some ink blobs, just wait... most of it will even out as the ink dries!)

3. Build up the color gradually.
Don’t try to get full intensity on your first swipe—light layers allow for better control and a smoother finish.

4. Use the correct size blending brush.
Use a larger brush over large areas for a more even finish. I prefer one with a flat blending surface.  Using smaller brushes on detailed areas will help you stay within tight spaces on more intricate stencil designs.

5. Clean your stencil right away.
Especially if you’re using paste! Warm water and a gentle scrub will keep your stencils in good shape and avoid build-up.  Rubbing alcohol works great for removing ink as it dries quickly.

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I hope this card inspires you to try something new—whether it’s shimmer paste, a non-traditional color combo, or just diving into stenciling! Be sure to head over to my Instagram to check out all the inspiring cards from the Postage Party Card Hop.

Happy crafting!
💌 Lisa