I will be back May 23rd.
I will be checking emails for The Stencil Library daily, your orders will be processed and cut but unless you tell me that they are needed urgently they will not be posted until I return on the 23rd. If you ordered before the 13th your parcel is on the way to you.
Helen xx
This blossom stencil is one of my favourites. It is an inexpensive border stencil of flower heads with some additional motifs; the codename is SIB4-S Blossom. Here are four projects that I stencilled with this design.
This pattern can also be achieved with stencil SIB4-SR, scroll for more information.
Stencilled door curtain, floor and wall.
Stencilled tile and fabric
Originally, we designed the SIB4 Blossom stencil collection for our second Book 'Stencil It by Helen Morris' which was published by Jacqui Small Publishing in 2011. It was published in seven languages; the British version is out of print but there are second hand copies to be found.
The blossom stencil is such a versatile design; In these four projects I have used it as a deep border with falling petal motifs. This requires a little work and I have added a 'how to' to this post. Scroll down to see how I did it. For those that have a bigger budget but less time we made a bigger, elaborate version where we created a deep border with falling petals for you. All you have to do is line up the border, stencil it, move it along and repeat the process. That version is SR4-SR; the 'R' is for repeat and is the stencil shown on the pink wall. The repeat version is very quick and easy to use and is good for large surfaces. The same design can be created with the SIB4-S....it's cheaper but takes longer.
The border has two tiny diamond shaped holes cut along one side of the design. Mark through the holes before removing the stencil. Line up the border for the next print by matching the hole on the stencil with one of the marks on the tape. Some borders have two sets of these diamond shapes and all-over repeats usually have four
Now, I have decided to be fancy and make some blossoms appear to be falling behind others. So, I will select a flower
and stencil one of the individual blossom shapes from the stencil that matches it. There are three different sizes of these flower heads to choose from. I used a scrap of stencil film to stencil the shape onto but it could have been on paper or card. I then cut around the shape. This blossom is easy to cut around with scissors but some shapes need a craft knife. I place the cut-out over the stencilled shape; this has now made a protective mask over the stencilled flower. Reposition the stencil so that one of the flowers sits partially over the protected one. Stencil it, remove the stencil, then remove the mask.
Now you can see that the blocking effect creates the illusion that one flower is behind the other. I have used the same technique on two more of the flowers in the photo above.
Blocking or using a stencil mask is so useful when using a naturalistic or mural-type stencils rather than a regimented pattern. Give it a go, let me know how you got on with this technique.
Helen
Photo credit: Some of the photos in this post appear in the Stencil It book; all photos by The Stencil Library.
This year I intend to stencil fabric to use as gift wrap instead of stencilling paper. A simple star stencil is a suitable motif for the festive season but could be used at any time of year. It can decorate a ceiling, a wardrobe or be a pretty addition to a nursery.
We have many different star stencils but for ease and speed I shall choose HO10 -5 Point Star. if you type the word 'star' into the search on our website you will find a few different star stencils. This one is in the Celebration Section of our new website and there are similar star stencils in the Holiday section of our older website.
The Five Point Star stencil is handy to decorate table linen as well as wrapping and a single star from the five will fit nicely onto a greetings card should you be making your own. I fancy stencilling cards with Instant Size and Metal Transfer Leaf. Both light and dark colours of card stock should work well with a metallic finish.
The HO10 Five Point Star stencil will repeat in all directions by fitting two of the star shapes in the stencil over two of the stencilled imprints that you have created; either above and below or by matching two from either side.
Last year, I used the five pointed star stencil to decorate a table runner and is back on the table again this year.
The material is roller blind fabric. I painted both sides with a matt finish wall paint. It is important to paint both the sides to prevent the fabric curling. When the decoration is complete apply varnish to both sides too.
The table runner has the advantage of being wipe clean. It has a festive side for December and a different pattern for the rest of the year’ It has been switched over to the star side for our Christmas events at The Stencilled Home.
The Stencilled Home is where The Stencil Library partners live and was the title of our first book published in 1998. The book takes the reader on a tour of thirteen rooms at our home. Also, we host real tours where you get to visit eleven of the rooms....I turned two of the original rooms into offices and storage....and no one wants to see that. Information on the tours and classes were published in a recent post on this blog and on our Events page.
Signed and unsigned copies of The Stencilled Home book are available on both of our websites. Within the pages there are fifty patterns to trace and cut, it would make a good gift and could be combined with a tracing pencil, stencil film and cutting tools from our accessories section at the website.
Helen
2023: Saturday 9th December, Saturday 16 December 10am
2024: Jan Wed 24, Feb Wed 21, March Fri 8, April Wed 10, May Fri 3, June Wed 5 and Sat 8, July Wed 3.
All the rooms in Stocksfield Hall are decorated with stencils. It is the home of the The Stencil Library partners. The house has been featured in many books, magazines and television programmes worldwide. Our tour visits 12 stencilled rooms and your guide will explain the decoration of the different surfaces.
After light refreshments, a demonstration of basic stencil techniques is given. It is fun and informal.
Private tours: groups of 10 or less by arrangement, £170 per group
Total beginners as well as those with previous stencilling experience should benefit from any class. Also, the classes may be useful for those who are already teaching paint-related workshops and want to add some extra skills to their repertoire.
We will start with the basic stencil skills then build. Once the techniques have been demonstrated, you will work and experiment to your own level. Bring a note book and an overall/apron (we have spares if needed).
Refreshments, vegetarian lunch and materials are provided on full-day classes. Please advise us if you have any allergies or dietary requirements. Refreshments and materials are provided on half-day classes.
We offer a price reduction of £5 per class per person when two or more classes are booked at the same time (does not apply to House Tours or Tea & Stipple).
TEA & STIPPLE £50 A tour AND a class!
1pm-5pm 2024: Jan Thurs 25, Mar Wed 6th, May Mon 6 (bank hol).
After a guided tour around The Stencilled Home, enjoy tea, cake and a stencilling session. You will decorate and take home a cushion cover. Ideal as a treat to yourself or with friends.
Duration: 4 hours
Private class: groups of four or less by arrangement, £170 per group
Cushion colours will vary.
9.45am-5pm 2024 Saturdays Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar 1, May 4th, June Thurs 13,
Gain confidence, knowledge and skills to tackle projects such as walls, floors and soft furnishings. The day involves practical work, demonstrations and a visit to the stencilled rooms in Stocksfield Hall. You will learn to cut a stencil and experiment with different media and surfaces, including fabric. You also get to take home completed samples and a starter kit worth around £45, including brushes. It gives a good base to develop stencilling skills along with plenty of inspiration for using them.
Gain knowledge and experience and learn techniques to stencil fabrics for home decoration and clothing. Using an elaborate, Moroccan-style square stencil and matching borders, you will decorate a length of fabric. You will learn how to apply colour, repeat patterns, measure for symmetry and connect corners in your project. The design is suitable for walls, floors and furniture decoration as well as fabric. The stencil set is yours to take home.
9.45am-5.30pm 2024 Sundays: Feb 25, April Tues 9.
We shall experiment with a collection of corners, borders, repeat and spot motif stencils to create panels, circlets and overall pattern using paint and metal leaf. Simple fantasy finishes and decoupage will be demonstrated. Many of the skills learned will apply to larger projects too. You should gain skills and confidence to customise pieces of furniture and other small-scale projects. You take home completed samples of work on paper, class notes, and more than £50 worth of stencils.
9.45am-5pm for 2 days then 10am-1pm. 2024 April 12 to 14, June 15 to 17.
Fake your own Chinoiserie wallpaper with stencils. We will explore ways of using stencils to create the look of hand painted Chinese wallpapers from the 1700’s to the present day. We will create at least one decorative panel and practice simple gilding and broken colour techniques. Students use and take home an exclusive stencil set to help create murals and panels; discount will be given on the day if further stencils are desired.
Duration: 2 full days plus a half day.
9.45am-5pm 2024 June Fri 7.
Create a decorative mirror finish on a framed acrylic panel (size approx 30x40cms). You will explore stencilling reverse colour onto a transparent surface before gilding it. A unique water gilding process and metal leaf will be employed. This technique can transform flat glass or acrylic into a silver leaf effect mirror suitable for wall panels, splash-backs and furniture. The mirror frame will be decorated using a different gilding process. You take home your framed panel, stencil and notes.
9.45am-5.30pm 2024 Mar Sun 2.
A fun and challenging project. Create a decorative panel using repeat and border designs. You will leave with knowledge, experience and a fabulous set of stencils that will enable you to create further projects.
All classes and tours must be booked in advance. Prices are per person. We will issue a payment request for your booking and confirmation will be sent upon receipt. Credit card payments can be accepted by phone. In the event of customer cancellation, no money will be refunded unless 14 days’ notice has been given or we can fill your place on the class. We will endeavour not to cancel a class unless unavoidable, but reserve the right to do so.
To book, please contact us by phone 01661 844844 or by email [email protected]
The Stencil Library, The Farmhouse, Stocksfield Hall, Stocksfield, Northumberland NE43 7TN
We are a short train ride or a longer bus ride from the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and from the historic market towns of Hexham and Corbridge. There is accommodation to suit various budgets in those places. There is also B&B accommodation in and around Stocksfield, but you will need to walk or drive from most. We can email the local listings to you. There is ample parking for visitors to The Stencil Library. Newcastle upon Tyne is 17 miles away and has an airport, rail, bus and coach station.
The classes and tours take place in a private home; there are uneven floors and stairs. The house can be cold, even in summer, so wear layers!
Due to the size of the projects, classes are limited to a maximum of six students on the stencil day class, three on Chinoiserie or Moroccan, and a maximum of four students on the mirror, Tea & Stipple and fabric class.
We can host private classes and tours on other dates by request.
Would you like a free stencil? Yes? Then, read on.
Because all our stencils are made to order we won’t usually have discounted excess stock to offer. However, I miscalculated the quantity on a large order of stencils going to a shop and cut a lot more than they needed and so rather than have them sit in the office I am offering you a 'buy one, get one free' on all Basic Borders from our Budget Collection Just choose and pay for one Basic Border stencil on our website. Then, in the special instruction section on the order form tell me which other Basic Border you would like free of charge. You may choose two of the same design if wished.
If you are ordering by phone rather than through the website, just give me the information when you call. Our contact details are here.
Basic Borders are a range of stencils that we created for shops, so all the prices and the sizes are the same. Basic Borders cost £11.25 each and their design size varies between 2 and 3.5 inches. (50mm and 90mm) The total size of the stencils including the surround is around 4 and a half inches tall (115mm) and just over 10 inches (260mm) long. All the Basic Borders start with the code BB. If the code does not start with BB it is not part of this offer. There are 106 rather lovely BB's in the Budget Collection, there is bound to be one, two or more to suit you. Enjoy browsing and choosing....this will not be happening again. I hope.
Helen.
