Why I love brass stencils (with links of course)

After posting the tutorial and video I was thinking about brass stencils, and it came to me that I really do love them, for all the ways you can use them, and also the feel of them. First of all, here are some sites that sell brass stencils:

• The Stencil Collection: Some absolutely wonderful stencils here, check out the sayings and the bugs : )

• Good Impressions: Wonderful collection of stencils, check out the girls and boys collection. This site also has lots of examples of cards that use embossing, check out their gallery.

• Stencil With Style: Great site that has lots of how to information, as well as hundreds of stencils. Check out their collection of books on embossing and stenciling, and make sure to learn about their embossing paste, really neat stuff.

• Celebration at Brass Stencils: Everything you need, including all sorts of tutorials and lovely stencils.
  

So, why do I prefer the brass stencils? For one thing, you can position them on a card better then the embossing folders that go with the Cuttle Bug. And the Cuttle Bug folders don't allow you to chalk the way you can with a brass stencil: emboss, leave the brass stencil on the paper, color the exposed part of your image, take off the stencil and admire your neat chalking (or inking).

Brass stencils are not cheap, but then again they can also be used without embossing. You can go over a brass stencil with a dauber and ink to leave a nice stenciled (rather then embossed image). You can also use a product called "Embossing Paste" which you apply over your stencil, remove the stencil and you have a raised image. The paste comes in various colors, white, black, metallic, and you can paint over the paste if you like.

I love that you can do so much with embossing, even choosing methods to color in your image. You can do a fine glitter on your image, use embossing powder for a neat effect, chalk, ink, pearl-ex, perfect pearl, there really is no limit to the creative possibilities.

Do you like brass stencils? Why, or why not? Do you have a stencil you really like to use? Post a link to an image or card in the comments for our viewing. Please share any links to other places that you like to purchase your brass stencils.

Also, if you have tried using the recipe I posted for using brass stencils with your cuttle bug, please leave a comment and let me know how it worked for you.

Note: Wine4Me posted a great substitute for the gasket kit (on SCS). She found the rubber (where the tubing and wire are stocked) at Lowe's for about $3 a yard! Great find and thank you for sharing Wine4Me.

Take care and may tomorrow be your best day yet : )