by Laura Leigh Fields

Created on: August 12, 2008

Using stencils can be a creative way to personalize your art and scrapbooking projects. The purpose of stencils is to help you trace or create neater letters and images that you wouldn't be able to otherwise create. Stencils can be used by most age groups from child to adult and can be fun for all.

Different types of stencils can range in prices and designs. Some of them can be expensive. Because of this, many people opt for creating their own. This is actually an easier alternative than one might think and most of your supplies can be found around the house.

First, you will need an object that you can use a stencil. Find something thick and sturdy so that it can sustain wear and tear. You will also want to be able to use it time and again. There are several items that work well. You can use a thin piece of plywood, cardboard (from packing or cereal boxes), poster board, backs of old notebooks, and anything else you think might work.

The other important supply to make your stencils is something to trace. You can use shapes, coloring books, magazines, favorite pictures, designs, kids' picture books, and so much more. If you have children, treasure their young age by letting them write the alphabet. No matter how old they get, you will always have a keepsake to remember their once sloppy letters and words.

You can also opt for tracing real objects such as leaves, hands, tools, household items, fishing tackle, cookie or play dough cutters, emblems on clothes, embellishments, jewelry, pet paws, odd shaped candles, eating utensils, and kids' toys. Lay them down flat or on their side and trace them the way you want them to look. Think of the project you want to create and look around, chances are, everything you will need is right there in front of you.

To trace the items, you will need some thing to trace on. Tracing paper is pretty inexpensive but if you don't have any handy, there are ways to improvise. For objects other than ones that can be found on paper, you can trace them directly on to your cardboard with a light stroke of the pencil.

Use very thin paper, aluminum foil or plastic wrap to trace your paper items. Tracing paper is very easy to use. All you have to do is trace the objects that you want to use onto the paper, and then transfer them onto your other object.

Plastic wrap works in a similar way. Position the wrap onto your pictures so that you can fit many things on it at once. Now, all you have to do is trace the pictures onto the plastic wrap. Next, stretch the plastic wrap on the cardboard so that it is tight and the pictures will come out looking good. Use a straight razor to retrace or punch out the plastic wrap and the cardboard at the same time.

With aluminum foil, all you need to do is lay it under the picture and go over the lines of the picture with something such as a screwdriver, lidded pen, or anything else you think will work. Once the item bleeds through on the aluminum foil, place it on your cardboard and use a straight razor to cut it out, bearing down hard enough to punch out both the aluminum foil and the cardboard.

Once you have something to use as a stencil and something you want to trace, you are in business. Before you know it, you will run out of things to trace and you will have more stencils than you know what to do with. Variety is truly the spice of life. Have fun creating new and different things. After all, that is what crafting is all about!

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