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The Stencil Controversy and the Play It Led To

I never expected my latest stencil to stir up so much controversy. But it did. I suspect that once everybody understands what’s going on with this word, they wont be quite so triggered. As a side note, it also created quite a few kind emails with helpful intentions!

What is the word that created a flurry of angry indignant emails? Regerts. Yes, the word isn’t spelled the way it is in the dictionary but it wasn’t a typo. It’s a reference to the epic tattoo OOPS, No Regerts. So technically it was a typo for the tattoo artist, but very intentional on the stencil. Perhaps you saw the Milky Way commercial that had fun with it or one of the many memes over the years.

Since it isn’t in an official dictionary, we can each take whatever meaning we want from it. My take on it is it’s a light hearted way of rolling with it when things don’t go as planned or a reminder that you only live once (YOLO). It’s a phrase I say frequently at home to keep things in perspective.

This all led to today’s play, No Regerts DIY tape. Start by putting the tape on a non-stick surface. I used both 1/2″ tape and 3/4″ tape artist tape. Links to what I’m using for the non stick surface and all the supplies I’ve used are listed at the end of this post.

Then let loose and scribble, paint, drip, smear color on the tape with whatever is within arm’s reach. It is No Regerts tape after all!

After everything’s dry, add some words to it with the Random Thoughts stencils. You can stencil the words just as they are or use a sticky note to easily adjust them. “Hadn’t” became “Had” and “Telling” became “Tell”. You can also rearrange the words, like I did on several of these by adding “no regerts” to the end of the line.

What can you do with the tape you create? Add a title to an art journal page, like I did below. It’s also fun to seal up an envelope with it or add a few words to a collage or ATC. Anywhere you’d use decorative tapes, like washi tapes, you can use your DIY tape!

Here are the supplies used. Some of these links may be affiliate links which means I get a small percentage and it doesn’t cost you anything extra! And you get a really good feeling knowing that you are helping keep the free tutorials coming!

The fluid paints I used are no longer available- they are the Pam Carriker Sheer Fluid Matt by Derivan Matisse. I used the White Washed and Sun.

{ 12 comments… add one }

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  • Abby Ives October 28, 2022, 6:36 pm

    I’ve never left a comment before, but this post positively begged for one. Oh dear, I am so sorry that someone could so mistake your ironic “no regerts” for an error, not to mention that they missed the humor completely. How sad. And to think people would have gone so far as to be unkind, when it could have been a disaster for you, is really just unacceptable. I so applaud your adaptive reaction to reality check your perceptions, and turn this in to a positive. No regrets indeed! And thanks for the explanation of how you made your fabulous tapes! Be well.

    • Carolyn Dube October 30, 2022, 7:57 pm

      Thanks for leaving such a kind comment Abby! Glad you enjoyed the tapes!

  • Deborah Moseley October 28, 2022, 11:07 pm

    I ❤️ the No Regerts stencil! You are creative, a great teacher and offer so much to this world. Set aside that ugliness or ugliness wins. Know many love your work and try your techniques hoping to emulate your style. Ordered some artist tape tonight to try out todays lesson. 🥰
    Peace!

    • Carolyn Dube October 30, 2022, 7:58 pm

      Oh the fun you can have with that tape Deborah! Thanks for kind words!

  • Sandy October 29, 2022, 10:59 am

    I couldn’t find the “like” button, but I did like this. As soon as I began reading your email I thought of the candy commercial and giggled. The “no regerts” makes the stencils more interesting to me and I may need to buy them all! Thanks for the messy idea. Sometimes I just want to make a colorful mess.

    • Carolyn Dube October 30, 2022, 7:55 pm

      I thought that commercial was a hoot too Sandy! Glad you liked the no regerts play idea!

  • gena joshua October 29, 2022, 1:45 pm

    Love your sense of humor, fun and approach to creativity. Thank you, so needed these days.

    • Carolyn Dube October 30, 2022, 7:59 pm

      Have to laugh at some things that happen that is for sure Gena!

  • kit maguire October 30, 2022, 7:11 pm

    What does no regerts mean? LOL Its funny. Am I missing something here?

    • Carolyn Dube October 30, 2022, 8:00 pm

      In the video I talk a bit about the tattoo oops and what it means to me and it’s all subjective.

  • Erica November 1, 2022, 5:38 pm

    I’m sorry people sent you mean emails about your “no regerts” stencil. I love your artwork!

  • melody November 2, 2022, 12:39 pm

    Love your take on changing all the negativity into positive play. This reminds me of a while back that my husband asked me to print our last name on a volleyball he was using in league play, because I print neater than he does. As he’s standing over my shoulder, I proceeded to print and spelled it wrong. We certainly had a good laugh over that.