:: mix it up Monday ::

Orange Gearle here with you today because it's time again to get out the mixed media materials for Mix It Up Monday!  The challenge this month: use stencils. If you are someone that has never used stencils before, just use them! If stencils are something that you do use, try using them in a different way. A few examples might be: use a stencil you make from a cut file, use mist, use acrylic paint, use water colors, use stamping ink, use texture paste, use the negative of the stencil, use the stencil as a stamp, etc.  Here's my take on the challenge:

I used both water colors and inks on this background. First I used the packaging technique and a bunch of water to create a base of color. Then I used a stencil and the same colors over the top to create some texture and contrast. I made a short video of just the technique (not quite my whole process) here:

Several of the Paper Issue Design Team members joined in this month and I think you will find quite a variety of techniques to use as inspiration!  Here we go!

You may think those are all chipboard frames -- but Ann Tamimi created this amazing layout using a stencil for the background (and then #alltheframes). I absolutely love this design.

Stacie Ebnet Dietz used a 12x12 Heidi Swapp sunburst stencil with distress inks for this layout of this cutie. I absolutely love the way the burst, title, and photo fit together perfectly!

Texture paste + black paint + chevrons. Oh. My. I completely dig the contrast here. The black and white with the pops of color that Carolyn Johnson did here makes me swoon.

Rachel O'Neal used Crate Paper's Cool Kid collection, a stencil and ink pads to create this adorable layout. This was a perfect stencil and technique to use with this collection!

Melanie Funke created this entire background using a stencil and colored structure paste. This is a beautiful technique and the little bits that she has added to the layout are perfection!

Amanda Baldwin rocked the peony stencil with gel medium -- it's so soft and beautiful. That Fancy Pants collection is a perfect match isn't it??

Last but never least, Heather Shank used We R Memory Keepers High Five collection for this adorable layout. Can you believe she used a stencil right on her cut file? Awesome right?