Adventures with a dying self healing cutting mat

Today, I spent a lot of time cutting two very elaborate mask/stencils out of transparency sheets. I learned one important thing about me I need to change. I press super hard with the craft knife, way harder than I should. I caught myself several times, but not enough to keep my hand from cramping up. I also reminded myself how badly I need to get a new larger sized cutting mat. It is now more of a self destructing, rather than self healing mat. You can barely see the lines in the center and there is this nasty dust that is crumbling off of it. I guess it is one more thing I need to purchase when I am in a job again. I am also coveting the Gelli printing plate, but I can do the same thing with gelatin for now.

So, back to the mask/stencils. The one at the far right is similar to one Christy Sobolewski of Art Geeks did in this video. If you have never heard of her, or of Art Geeks, I highly recommend taking a look at Christy's channel, as well as Rhomany's on YouTube. The videos are long, but they are highly informative and inspiring. I only just subscribed and become a member of Art Geeks, so I haven't yet become active in the community or started any of their journal prompts officially, although I guess that I guess that is not entirely true, since their last mid-week prompt was making your own stencils. Ha! I am looking forward to when they officially start their Sunday/Wednesday prompt thing again. But back to the stencils, this is my "Christy wannabe" mask. I made it out of a piece of junk mail.


The one in the center, of leaves is one I have seen all over YouTube, so I found a good image of it, printed it, and copied it onto transparency with a Sharpie, so I could recreate it. I would SO rather purchase it, but I dropped a whole bunch of money I shouldn't have been spending at all on art supplies. It is relatively inexpensive, but I cannot seem to find it in the states. I am interested in a bunch of the products in that line, so when I  am in the proper financial situation, I will purchase a bunch and show them off to you then.


The one on the left is my absolute favorite.  I traced it from an old sketchbook. It is one of my all time favorite sketches. It reminds me of nerve cells. I made a neat painting with dimensional fabric paint of it that ended up going to a friend when I moved, but it didn't really capture my sketch properly. I have high hopes for the mask.

These were sprayed with strong coffee. It is a fine start to a new splatter sheet.

I, of course, made some mistakes along the way, a/k/a things others can learn from.

• I already said this, but it bears repeating: Do not press hard if you would like to use that hand again. Tendonitis is awful. I had a bad case of it as a file clerk at my last job that took 2 or so months to work itself out.  Cut enough stencils with a death grip and you will share that fate.
• I would have preferred that I used paint on my first practice run. I plan to use it on my second run and let it dry on the stencil, to help strengthen it. I won't do that every time, however. I think these two designs had so many thin areas that they could use a little reinforcement. 
• Speaking of reinforcement. Rhomany made a great suggestion, which I ignored in my haste. If you make your stencils (or stamps) out of cardboard, brush with watered down glue to seal them and extend their life.
• I would advise using a newer, much sharper blade/better mat than mine for small curves. That was where I had the most difficulty. I am not sure which was the biggest problem. I suspect it was the mat, since I changed the blade before beginning this project.
• Above all, be careful when you are cutting out the designs. No, I did not hurt myself this time. I snagged a couple of spots on the leaves. I lost one detail altogether and another thin area was torn when I yanked on the cut piece to remove it. Be delicate and twist them off gently, using your blade to help you along, if necessary. This is especially important when you have a lace like or intricate design.

I hope you play along and make your own stencils. I plan to make many, many more, of my own design in the near future. I have even entertained the idea of making it a challenge, like 1 stencil a day for a month. Maybe in the near future I will do that. Stay tuned.

And here are a couple of bonus photos of my cat, Sid Vicious, enjoying a rare sunny, winter day in Seattle.

Too stealthy for the paparazzi. I have a hard time capturing something this close without him moving.

The whites are all blown out, but it gives a great impression of the brightness of the sun coming in. Plus , you can see his cute little pink toe pads!