Mastering Stencil Layering with Illuminated Scenes from Altenew

How I used layered stenciling to create two vibrant, scene-building cards full of light and color!

Hi crafty friends! I’m super excited to share that I have finished my final level 3 class for the Altenew Educator Certification Program. I took the All About Layering 7 – Stencil Edition class, which dives deep into how to layer stencils to create dimensional, colorful effects.

I was inspired to try out two different looks using the Craft Your Life Project Kit: Illuminated Scenes. One features a cozy craft room and the other, a sun-drenched living room. Both scenes are full of light, texture, and color.

You can watch the full step-by-step process for both cards right here. I walk through each stencil layer, share tips for small-space ink blending, and show how to build frames using the coordinating embossing folder.

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Card 1: Illuminated Craft Room

For the first card, I used the craft room stamp and layering stencil set from the kit. I stamped the image in Jet Black Fresh Dye Ink, then used stencils 3 and 4 to build color into the scene.

I started by blending Sea Glass and Ocean Waves inks to create a soft teal glow from the overhead pendant light. For the lamp interior, I added Warm Sunshine, and then carefully masked and stenciled a rainbow of colors across the ink pads on the shelf: Coral Berry, Orange Cream, Warm Sunshine, Matcha Tea, and Dusk.

To bring life to the scene, I used shades like Paper Bag for the desktop, Coral Berry and Orange Cream for pots and accents, and Matcha Tea for greenery. Small blending brushes helped me get into all the tiny details.

I heat embossed a sentiment in white on black cardstock and die cut it using the coordinating dies from the kit. I then framed the scene using one of the included frame dies, cut from Sea Glass cardstock, and ran it through the coordinating embossing folder for that gorgeous one-of-a-kind texture.

Everything was adhered with Instant Dimension Foam Tape and liquid glue for a clean, polished finish.

Card 2: Comfy Living Room Glow

For the second card, I switched to the living room stamp in the kit and stamped it horizontally on an A2 panel. I used stencils 1 and 2 to build a glowing window scene using a warm gradient of yellows and browns: Buttercream, Warm Sunshine, Caramel Toffee, and Paper Bag.

To create contrast, I used Lagoon and Emerald for the couch, which looks stunning against the golden glow from the window. The light rays were added with with a gradient Buttercream and Warm Sunshine for a cohesive highlight.

I used Dusk and Desert Night for the tray and pillows, along with Silver Stone for the book and table base. For the plants, I blended Forest Glades and Evergreen to give depth to the greenery.

The sentiment, “Wishing you a comfy birthday,” was stamped in Jet Black Fresh Dye Ink, and I framed the panel using the largest frame die from the kit, cut from Brushed Gold Cardstock and embossed using the coordinating embossing folder. This combination of shine and texture elevated the finished card beautifully.

Side-by-Side Comparison

One card has a more playful and colorful vibe, while the other leans cozy and elegant. The frame dies and embossing folder from this kit really elevate each scene, whether you want something soft and sweet or warm and polished.

Quick Tip: Let Light Guide Your Ink Blending

When layering stencil images, think about your light source. Blending color diagonally or in a gradient (dark to light) adds dimension and keeps the scene feeling cohesive. This is especially helpful when working with stamped scenes that already include built-in shadows and highlights.

I hope these cards inspire you to stretch your stencils and try layering them in new ways. The Craft Your Life Project Kit: Illuminated Scenes includes so many unique elements, from the detailed stamps and versatile stencils to that stunning frame embossing folder. It’s perfect for building warm, storybook-style scenes that feel truly handmade. Let me know in the comments which card you love most.

Happy crafting, and I’ll see you in the next video!

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