There’s a special kind of creative torture can happen when I’m almost finished with a piece—whether it’s a gel print or a journal page. Early on, I’m loose and playful, splashing color, layering texture, letting myself wander. BUT on that last layer, the pressure to “get it right” cranks up.

Suddenly, every mark feels permanent, every word feels like a commitment I might regret. That pressure can lead to decision paralysis. But I found a way around it when I’m adding a word.

A little cheat that takes away all the risk and it’s probably sitting in your desk drawer right now: Scotch tape. Yup, the stuff you get at the office supply store. that is wonderfully matte and disappears when you stick it down.

You start by gel printing the words. I’m using my Fragments of Your Soul stencil from StencilGirlProducts.com. This is a wee bit different from regular gel printing because you want the words right side up. Then add a thin layer of any color of paint you like and remove the stencil.

Once the paint is dry, use tape to lift up the words. Then you can audition them to see if they’re the word meant for that layer. If the tape is gently placed on top, it’s easy peasy to lift up if you change your mind. Once you like where it is, then press the tape down and it stays.

So why not just stencil the words straight on and skip the tape? Well, that step adds the hint of grunge that only a gel plate can! Farther down I’ve got a close up photo so you can see the details.

I store my tape words on a teflon sheet so they are at the ready when needed. They can stay plain or they have some color added!

The paint can be wet or dry on the gel plate and in the video you see it done both ways.

Sure, I could stencil the words directly onto the print, but by using the tape and a gel plate, I get a hint of grunge. The minor imperfections that make it blend in with the other layers.

The layers underneath show just a hair under the black of the word evolution. That’s why these words look like they “belong” on these index card gel prints.

The next time you feel creative paralysis creeping in, grab some tape and give yourself permission to play with the possibilities. There’s no right or wrong—just another playful detour on your creative journey.

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Words tucked in the layers have a way of revealing what’s beneath—the stories that want to be heard, the feelings that need a little room to stretch out and breathe.  Nothing is ever truly lost – only waiting to be remembered, reclaimed, and reawakened. That’s what inspired my newest stencil collection, Becoming, at StencilGirlProducts.com.

Each stencil is filled with words to spark a story and reclaim all the parts of ourselves through art and play. Think of it as an invitation to get to know ourselves more deeply.

See What Happens speaks to the ever-shifting nature of change. Every new layer, every mistake, every “oops” is a chance for something unexpected to emerge. Endings and beginnings are always in conversation with each other.

In the video, you’ll see how to use the masks on a gel plate to create these instantly grungy prints. And when you add some colored pencils…well…they are even more fun with endless possibilities!

A Work in Progress is a gentle reminder that wandering is part of the process. You don’t need all the answers to start. Sometimes, the best discoveries happen when you’re just following your curiosity, one layer at a time. Words can be buried in the layers, like in this gel print or they can be front and center. You have options when playing with stencils.

Secret Adventures is about the real journey—getting to know yourself through the act of creating. The adventure isn’t out there somewhere; it’s right under your fingertips, in the paint, the paper, and the words you choose to play with.

This technique, in the video above, uses both the stencil and the mask.

Fragments of Your Soul is inspired by the act of reclaiming the pieces of your story like a treasure hunt through your own journey full of curious bits, hidden sparkles, and pieces that quietly wait for you to come back for them.

Simply adding a word, deepens the story captured in each of these index card pieces.

If you’re curious about these stencils, you can find the whole collection at StencilGirlProducts.com. I can’t wait to see what stories you’ll tell with them—and what parts of yourself come out to play!

If you’re looking for more ways to use stencils check out my online workshop, The Joy of Stenciling. 20+ carefully chosen stenciling step-by-step lessons to deepen your understanding of stencils so you can get the looks you want with any of your stencils! You can find all the details here.