Templates and Stencils

Templates and stencils can help make pages fun and add a special flare very easily. They can also be very cost effective as many of these can be found free online. You can also swap templates and stencils with friends to make your collection much more vast.

Stencils can easily be created  by printing your favourite fonts, pictures, etc. and then tracing them onto cardboard. Here are some free templates. Make sure to print or photocopy your design to the size you want. When using it, try taping down the stencil so it won’t move and skew the design. If you are using paint to transfer the template/stencil to your paper, paint from the middle out. This decreases the chance that paint will get under the edges and you are less likely to knock the design this way.

If you are looking to reuse your designs, look for acetate or plastic as this makes them easier to clean. If it’s a one time deal then you can make your own out of cardboard.

Both of these items can easily be found at your local craft store. The Scrapbooking Warehouse also offers a variety of both these things, often at prices lower than what you would find in a retail store.