Stencil Paper Cut

Sometimes I just want to make something. ANYthing. Quick and easy. Just use my hands and completely create something that wasn't there yesterday. This weekend I came up with this little project with things I had around my apartment.

I found some really cool "crocodile skin" paper at the craft store and bought a couple of sheets to play around with. A simple white matte finished picture frame seemed like a perfect contrast for the texture of the paper. So, then to find an image to use... As I went through some of my books I found my copy of Stencil 101 by Ed Roth. (I recommend it for just such projects by the way.) I'm such a sucker for vintage imagery and I really dig the bold graphic style of these. I picked the cassette tape stencil for a little 80s nostalgia.

Then it was just a matter of putting everything together. I cut the crocodile paper to 5in by 7in. Then I taped the stencil to the paper and used a mat knife to cut the shape out. I cut a sheet of white cardstock to the same size to use as a backer. I like the idea that I can change the whole piece just by using a different backer paper.

The whole project was done before lunch on Saturday morning. Not a bad way to start the weekend!