Layering Stencils Two Ways

I did a little Marie Kondoing this past weekend on a neglected stack of stuff. I have a little bit more to go, but it's really amazing how once you get in that mindset, your stuff stays neat, organized and minimal.

I still have way too many books, but I'll be taking some to Half Price books this morning. My goal is to get down to just the two large bookcases in my library, but that means three bookcases have to go, and that's a hard task for a committed reader. But I'll get there. I just need fewer trips and more time at home, which is my goal for 2020.

I rewarded myself for checking that off my list by make two cards with some fun new layering stencils I got. 

I figured it was time to let winter start creeping into my cardmaking - last week I worked on some Hero Arts winter catalog cards (wait till you see what they have!) and now I'm in the mood to make Halloween and Christmas cards. 

I did a little retail therapy this month, and this adorable Yeti stamp set and dies jumped in my cart early. They are so cute, and the sentiments aren't just winter, as you'll see on my card. 

But for my cool blue yeti, I needed a warm backdrop, and this layering mandala stencil was just the ticket with some Picked Raspberry and Spiced Marmalade Inks. I used Pixie Spray to hold the layers down, and then brushed ink on with my Life Changing brushes. I have a video of the process below. I used Oxides here to show you how beautifully they layer, but I used dye inks on the next card for contrast. 

Isn't he adorable? He just wants you to bring it in for a hug.

Now layering with dye inks gives you a softer, glowier look with similar colors. I used my layering poppy stencil with Red Hot, Wild Dandelion and Amalgam inks. Again using Pixie Spray, I could even stack the slightly tacky stencils together, which you'll see in the video. I loved the poppies so much I kept it simple with this hello die.

 What's cool about her layering stencils too, is that she allows you to buy them separately if you want.

Stencils are one of the least expensive and most versatile supplies I own. I'm working through the last of the uncatalogued ones - getting them into Airtable and filed, with the help of my sweet friend Marci. Then I'll be ready for my late summer sale!

So here's the video, and stay tuned below the supplies for a yummy recipe!

Hello Bluebird YETI OR NOT Clear... [ SSS ] Hello Bluebird YETI OR NOT Die Set... [ SSS ] Mail Drop [ C&9 | SSS ] Layered Mandala - A Colorful Life... [ CLD ] Layered Fluffy Flowers - A Colorful... [ CLD ] Therm O Web PIXIE SPRAY iCraft... [ SSS | ELH ] GKD Color Companions Ink Pad- Wild... [ GNK | SSS ] GKD Color Companions Ink Pad- Red Hot... [ GNK | SSS ] Gina K Designs JET BLACK AMALGAM Cube... [ SSS ] Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad... [ SSS ] Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad... [ SSS ] Life Changing Blender Brushes. 4 Pack... [ PFS | SSS ] MISTI Stamping Tool [ MSP | SSS | ELH | MFT | HA | UNT ] Sakura CLASSIC WHITE Fine Line 05... [ SSS ] Art Anthology BIG CRAFT MAT 24x36 311473 [ SSS ] Heavy Base Weight Card Stock- White [ GNK ] Rotatrim Professional Series Cutter -... [ BLIC ] LightView 2in1 LED Magnifier for... [ BRG ] Mudder 10 Pack White Buffer Sanding... [ AMZUS ] Teflon Bone Folder - Ellen Hutson LLC [ ELH | SSS ] Crafter's Companion GEMINI... [ SSS ] Cut Align [ MSP ] Essentials by Ellen Storage... [ ELH ] Die Storage - Clear Storage Pockets... [ CHC ] XL Stamp Storage Pockets [ ELH ] Lawn Fawn STAMP SHAMMY Cleaner LF1045 [ SSS ] Airtable: Organize your stamps & dies [ ART ] Cronometer: Track nutrition & count... [ CRN ]

So lately I've been trying a lot more Asian recipes - that's a flavor profile I love. And for the very first time, I made my own spring rolls with those fun rice wrappers. On the inside of the rolls, I added sushi rice, and this amazing sticky sesame cauliflower as well as some greens. I made this incredible peanut dipping sauce for them, but then I realized that that sauce makes AMAZING cold peanut noodles, so I had that this week. So here's the recipe, adapted from this one. I made it less garlicky and more spicy, and used a honey peanut butter and less honey.

3/4 C. Home Plate Honey creamy peanut butter
2 TBS honey
1/4 C. Seasoned rice vinegar
1/3 C. Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos
1.25 tsp. Christopher Ranch minced ginger
1/4 tsp. Christopher Ranch minced garlic
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, ground in the grinder
1 package soba noodles, or your noodle of choice, cooked
Cilantro
chopped peanuts
diced red bell pepper

Whisk first six ingredients together, and coat noodles evenly. Refrigerate, and serve cold, with the garnishes listed at time of serving.

Her blog is great, and she has an awesome vegetarian cookbook as well. Everything I've tried from it is phenomenal.

The noodles I use are these - I love that they're a product of Australia. They also have quite a bit of protein in them. I cook a whole package and this peanut sauce is the perfect amount to coat a whole package, and you'll have a nice bunch of cold lunches for a week.

I also have found a great nutrition tracking app. This one is the only one I've found that a) has an adequate food library and b) tracks micronutrients, minerals, fiber and everything else under the sun. It's amazing to put your food in there and see EXACTLY how much of each vitamin and mineral you're getting from your meals. I love it.

Hope you're having a good week - I'm headed to Junkie Fest tomorrow - maybe I'll see you there! :)

Loveyameanitbye.