Technique Thursday: Label Stickers as Stencils

Hi everyone, it's Michelle with you today and I'm sharing something fun you can do with those used Label Sticker sheets.  As you use up those labels you're left with the negative sticker portion still on the backing sheet.  Cut apart the used label sections and you've got a great stencil. 

Before using your stencil be sure to remove some of the stickiness by rubbing an embossing buddy (a small bag filled with a powder substance) over the sticky part of the back of the stencil.  Then place your new stencil over a piece of cardstock.  Using a palette knife (or expired iTunes card) spread some Gesso over the labels.  Gesso is a mixed media product used to coat canvas, art journals,etc before applying other art mediums.  If you don't have Gesso, simply try out thick, white acrylic paint. Let the medium completely air dry or use a heat tool to speed up the drying process.  Then you're ready to use your finished piece on a project.  

Here I used my label background on a whimsical card using items from the Farm Girl collection.  I ran the dry paper through my vintage typewriter to spell out the desired sentiments for an anniversary card.  Each label section was perfect for placing separate little sentiments.  I loved that the peas and carrots in mason jars were next to each other on the 8 x8 patterned paper from Farm Girl....a perfect lead in to the "You go together like peas & carrots" typed phrase.  

I finished my card off with machine stitching, baker's twine, spray mist and decorative brads.  

Such a fun way to try something new on your projects.  So save those used Label Sticker sheets and try out some label backgrounds of your own.  For other ideas, how about using the label background on along the side of a scrapbook page for written journaling...or a Project Life card to record little stories and events...or over the front of a gift tag to create a fun place to write the to/from information.  Lots of fun possibilities.  I hope you give it a try.