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Julia's March 2022 Stencil and Cutter Release - Vintage Bulbs and Theron Plaque!

 

We've definitely turned the corner from winter to spring here in my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Yay! My crocuses are long gone, but my daffodils are in their glory! And it won't be long before my tulips burst open and start working their magic on those strolling through the neighborhood.

As you probably know by now, I love gardening almost as much as cookie-ing, so it should probably come as no surprise that I often draw inspiration from the outdoors when creating my stencil sets. In fact, this month's release is a perfect example of how I take cues from Mother Nature. Its background set was designed to look like a vintage botanical print complete with butterflies and a progression of growing spring bulbs that can be set atop weathered gardening notes. And the release's messages, like "in Full BLOOM" and "FLOWERS feed the SOUL", certainly complement the overall design aesthetic. Taken together, these sets will allow you to create countless cookies, perfect for Easter, Mother's Day, springtime birthdays, and garden parties.

I'll show you some of these designs in a sec, but, first, an important heads-up! Please don't leave this post before reading my announcement at the very end. I'm changing up my stencil offering over the next few months to reflect customer feedback gathered over the last year or so, and I wanted you to be the first to know what to expect. (Hint: You'll be getting more variety!)

Now back to my previously scheduled programming! Let's take a look at this month's release in a single, super pretty view . . .

NEW LARGE QUAD March 2022

Itching to get shopping? Good, because here's where you can get all of these lovelies on my partner Confection Couture Stencils' site:

As always, the background stencil in the background set (which, this time, consists of two sheets: the spots/stains and the script wording, pictured lower left) is sold separately. This two-part set can be found under Vintage Script Dynamic Duos Background Cookie Stencil on my partner's site.

Also, if you're a lucky Stencil of the Month Club member, you'll automatically get this curated bundle that includes my Vintage Bulbs background set and my partner's Spring Daffodils stencil, all at about 15% off usual prices:

SOM_MAR_2022BORDER

How exciting! And this month gets even more exciting because I also have a cutter release - one that is very near and dear to my heart. Called the Theron Plaque, it is named after my late father. It is uncomplicated and classically handsome – two characteristics that also applied to my dad. I paired this cutter with this release because the crocuses reminded me of the many years my father cultivated spring bulbs in the field next to our house, primarily because he knew they would bring my mom a crazy amount of joy. He was an always-present family man who was forever ready to lend a hand without ever expecting anything in return. He acted out of sheer generosity, time and time again. This cutter is but a tiny tribute to the great man that he was.

Anyway, I digress. Back to business! Naturally, this cutter frames my Vintage Bulbs Dynamic Duos™ sets perfectly, yet is also quite versatile and works wonderfully with sets of any season. It's available in three sizes (2 3/4″, 3 1/8″, and 3 1/2″ wide); I used the largest one in the pictures throughout this post.

THERON PLAQUE BORDER

Before I launch into background set details and sample design photos, I am pausing here to share a time-lapsed tutorial (that shows how I airbrushed one design) and a style reel (that is loaded with other design possibilities). If you're seeking more info about how these designs were put together, then continue reading after the videos. I share many more photos and decorating tips.

Time-Lapsed Tutorial

Style Reel

Now on to background set details!

Vintage Bulbs Dynamic DuosTM Background Set (10 pieces)
BACK SET BORDER

Whoa! Is this set ever fully loaded?! I think it's got a record number of pieces, coming in at 10! As noted earlier, the first novel thing about this set is that the background stencil is actually a two-part set consisting of some splotches on one sheet (to look like water stains on paper) and old-fashioned script lettering on a second sheet. Then, the foreground elements (four stages of emerging crocus bulbs and two butterflies) total six, which is larger than the usual number! And, you all know what more design elements mean . . . more possible cookie variations!

Let's turn now to one of the simplest design possibilities, which involves using only the two-part background stencil:

JUST LETTERING MORE CONTEXT

And a closer look . . .

JUST LETTERING SUPER CLOSE

The lettering is purposely soft-edged and curvy to remain visually distinct from the more defined lettering in the message and frame set. I also airbrushed in very light shades of AmeriMist Gold (for the splotches) and Chefmaster Harvest Brown (for the lettering), as I knew I'd be laying crocuses and butterflies on top. While I wanted the look to be eclectic, like the pages of an old gardening catalog or the Farmers' Almanac, I didn't want the foreground elements to compete with the background script (hence the soft colors here).

Okay, you all know I'm a more-is-more person, so let's start layering on the foreground elements, starting first with a big butterfly . . .

Just butterfly and lettering

And because two butterflies are better than one . . .

Two butterflies NICE CLOSE

Note that the butterflies were airbrushed in three colors (Spectrum Flow Sky Blue and AmeriMist Electric Purple and Violet). The yellow in their centers is compressed petal dust, applied with a dry paint brush. I could have airbrushed the yellow, freestyle without a stencil, but it's hard to control color saturation when airbrushing at close range, which would need to be done in that small area.

Okay, enough airbrushing details for now. It's time to toss a crocus into the mix, and to do so on a cookie made with my new Theron Plaque cutter!

All Background Elements on New Theron Plaque

A rubber-stamped wafer paper postage stamp looks cool on it too!

my cutter 1 croc 2 blies 1 stamp more context niCE USE

Note that this stamp is not part of this month's stencil sets, though, in retrospect, my Vintage Bon Voyage Prettier Plaques set has some very similar elements that I could have used.

Zooming in, you can hopefully see the construction of the crocus a bit more clearly. I airbrushed it directly on the cookie, but to add more dimension, I also created a fondant appliqué of just the flower and attached it to the top of the stem. Again, the yellow in between the stenciled areas is dusted. And, I would be remiss if I didn't point out how stunning it all looks on my new cutter.

my cutter 2 b flies 1 stamp 1 crocus ddged more very close nice use

Below is a cookie with a smaller crocus that was directly airbrushed from bottom to top, and which has no added fondant. I provide this example as a contrast to the more dimensional look directly above.

SIMPLE CROCUS AND B FLY NO DIM NO MESS MORE CONTEXT NICE

Of course, the entirety of any of the crocuses (not just their flowers) can be made as a fondant appliqué, which is precisely what I did to create this progression of growing bulbs. Once cut out of the fondant, the appliqués were allowed to dry and then attached to the script-only cookie that I shared at the very start of this section.

Progression better more context

Here's another directly airbrushed number with no dimensional elements . . .

two bflies one crocus mid context nice

As pretty as it is, I just couldn't leave it alone (LOL). To up the eclecticism, I added another wafer paper postage stamp . . .

2 b FLIES 1 CROCUS 1 STAMP NICE USE

And because two stamps are better than one . . .

2 bfly 1 corc 2 stamps more context NICE USEjpg

Ahh, here's the cookie you saw five photos ago, now with a partial flower fondant appliqué on top, just for a little lift . . .

Dimensional crocus and b fly no mess more context nice

And here's another crocus progression that relies on two floral fondant appliqués and one wafer paper butterfly for added dimension . . .

dimensional progression my cutter facing left NICE

Of course, all of these elements fit my Theron Plaque cutter splendidly - I made sure of that when I designed the cutter!

BTW, I just love wafer paper butterflies! Here's a big one, literally taking off from the cookie surface . . .

tall cookie dim butterfly no mess less close use

And a closer look . . .

Tall cokie no mess dime buterfly nice VERY CLOSE

How did I make that beauty, you ask?! Easy! I started by masking off the wings and airbrushing the body (in AmeriMist Violet) directly on the cookie icing. Then I airbrushed the wings in three colors (the same as before) on wafer paper, cut out the wings, dusted them in the center with yellow, and then attached them to the cookie with smidges of piping gel. I also propped the wings with small bits of paper towel until the piping gel was dry. Otherwise, they would have quickly fallen flat.

And just because I can't get enough of these dimensional butterflies, here's another design with them on the Theron Plaque . . .

My cutter 2 bflies nice redo 2 most context use

I'm zooming in now so you can better appreciate the details . . .

my cutter 2 bflies redo more context NICE USE

For my last cookie in this section, I turn to butterflies once again, but, this time, I've put them on a cookie with a very organic cookie shape. Though much less structured than the Theron Plaque, this shape fits the stencil theme quite well and - get this - it can be made without any cutter. Yes, you heard me right - no cutter! I simply rolled out my dough and then deckled the cookie edges (aka tore them using a ruler as a guide).

BIG ORGANIC MORE CONTEXT USE

Deckling is a fun and easy technique that works well for botanical and other nature-related themes, and pretty much assures that no two cookies will ever look alike.

If you've read this far, you know I'm a woman of words. Please indulge me as I talk more about the complementary message and frame set that makes up my Vintage Bulbs two-set release!

Vintage Bulbs Dynamic DuosTM Message and Frame Set (6 pieces)M&F SET BORDER

Unlike the background set in this release, this set is pretty simple with the usual four messages and associated frames. To use these elements, just lay a mask on the background stencil wherever you want a message to be, airbrush, remove the mask, and, voilà, a space will be left behind where the words and frame can be stenciled. Or you can make the framed messages as separate fondant appliqués as I often do.

With that basic instruction behind us, let's move on to some cookies that have framed messages directly airbrushed on them. After that, we'll take a look at some cookies with fondant appliqués. This first cookie, using my Genie Plaque cutter, is one of my favorites this month . . .

IMG_4369REALLY NICE VERT

Let's zoom in on it . . .

WS REALLY NICE MOE CONTEXT USE

And here it is with an additional wafer paper stamp that I "aged" with brown airbrush coloring . . .

WS WITH GENIE AND POSTAGE STAMPE SUPER CLOSE REALLY NICE USE

Next up, a series of airbrushed messages all directly stenciled on cookies made with my new Theron Plaque cutter! I really love its universal and elegant shape.

WS WITH BOW CLOSE NICE

The following cookie is very similar to the one above except that I swapped in a different message and dispensed with the modeling chocolate bow to create a more masculine look . . .

STF MY CUTTER SUPER CLOSE

Handily, the Theron Plaque is sized to fit at least one of every element in the release. Here's the same cookie, now with a crocus . . .

STF with add crocus super close

BTW, this crocus is a fondant appliqué. It seems I have a predilection for appliqués because I ended up with far more cookies with message appliqués. Think I'm exaggerating?! Think again. The series of appliqué-rich cookies below proves I'm not!

This first cookie demonstrates the design flexibility afforded by appliqués. I first tried out an electric green "in Full BLOOM" message on it . . .

IFB MESS SUPER CLOSE NICE

Then I tried out a blue version of the same message . . .

IFB MESS SUPER NICE

And then I swapped in "Welcome SPRING" . . .

WS - MORE CONTEXT NICE

I can't recall which message I ultimately decided to use, but I know it was a toss-up because all three fit quite well.

Here's another message appliqué on a larger cookie with more design elements . . .

IFB WITH ALL MORE CONTXT NICER USE

And, once again, the next two cookies are in fact the same one, just with different message appliqués. (There I go again, being noncommittal! But what can I say?! I like having the flexibility to test different arrangements before making final design decisions!)

FFFS TALL PLAQUE MORE OVER MORE CONTEXT BETTER USEtall plaque MTF BETTER POS MORE CONTEXT USE

Now, I return to that deckled cookie that I shared at the end of the last section. It is big and clearly needed more stuff. So I began adding, rather conservatively, with just a single message appliqué at first . . .

big organic STF BOTTOM

It's certainly striking in this simple format, but it also looks good with a sampling of every element in the release - a message, a crocus, and two butterflies, oh my!

FULLY LOADD LARGE ORGANIC LESS CONTEXT

As I mentioned earlier, deckling is fun - so fun, in fact, that I had to make another deckled design. This one uses three of the four crocuses in a progression, and it also has three other surprises. Can you spot them?

Bulb progrssion big cookie better CLOSE

Yes! I added dimension to the bulbs by airbrushing tiny bulb royal icing transfers and then attaching them to the crocus appliqués with piping gel. I was planning to add a wee bit of wafer paper to the bulb transfers to make them look more lifelike, but I rather liked the cleanness and simplicity of this design so I decided to go no further - with that idea, that is! Instead, I ended up attaching some tangled cornsilk to one side to enhance the organic look . . .

big cookie corn silk p good side more context USE?

As usual, I could go on and on sharing designs with you. (That's the beauty of my Dynamic Duos™ sets - their unique masking and layering system opens up a world of design possibilities!) But this post is getting long and it's getting very late here, so I leave you with a cookie that uses one of my favorite messages in this set - one that I know I should take to heart more often . . .

SUPER CLOSE LAST BOW COOKIE V NICE USEsuper duper close of butterfly use

Please take a moment as well to stop and smell the flowers this springtime. They truly do feed the soul!

And don't forget to read my important announcement about upcoming changes to my Stencil of the Month Club. You'll see it right after this recap of this month's key links . . .

Key Links:

***** IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT *****

Over the course of the past year or so, my partner Confection Couture Stencils has been gathering feedback from Stencil of the Month Club members, which has been very helpful (thank you for your input!). Many of you have mentioned wanting more product variety (i.e., cutters to go with my stencils), more time to experiment with my stencils, and more tips for using them to create beautiful results. Well, we have listened and are acting on your great advice! Going forward, the Club offering will take on a brand new form designed to address all of your desires. After this month, I’ll be bundling one of my trademark Dynamic Duos™ sets, a cutter that fits those sets, and an instructional video in each release. You’ll be getting more than ever in this new kit, and the video will be so richly detailed that you’ll feel like you’re working alongside me in the kitchen!

So how will these new kits roll out? On to logistics . . . Because a video takes longer for me to produce than a typical stencil set, we will also be moving from 12 smaller releases, as we have been doing, to five of these bigger kit releases per year, all while keeping the annual Club pricing about the same. It will take me a few months to design the first of these new kits, so there will be a short hiatus in monthly releases (and billings) until the new release schedule kicks in later this summer. The billing process is also likely to change, but those details haven't been sorted out yet. That all being said, Club members, please hang with us as we make these exciting product and schedule changes. I am sure the new kits will be all you asked for - and more!

If you have any questions about your particular membership or Club billing in the interim, please contact service@confectioncouturestencils.com. And if you have any kit themes you’re dying to see, please let me know at sweetlife@juliausher.com so I can work them into the new design process that’s kicking off as we speak. Thank you in advance!

CLOSER FINAL LOGO

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Images (44)
  • Julia's March 2022 Stencil Release at a Glance!: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutters Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Julia's March 2022 Stencil Release in a Nutshell: Cookies and Photos by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Top Cutters Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils; Graphic Design by Julia M Usher
  • Julia's March 2022 Stencil of the Month Club Offering: Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils; Graphic Design by Confection Couture Stencils
  • Julia's March 2022 Cutter Release - The Theron Plaque!: Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils; Photo by Confection Couture Stencils
  • Vintage Bulbs Dynamic Duos™ Background Set Contents: Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils; Graphic Design by Confection Couture Stencils
  • Just Splotches and Lettering: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Closer Look!: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Solo Butterfly with Background Stencil Set: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Two Butterflies Beat One!: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Many Background Elements on New Theron Plaque: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Added Wafer Paper Stamp!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Closer View!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Both Elements Directly Airbrushed: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Progression of Fondant Appliqués: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • More Elements Directly Airbrushed: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Another Wafer Paper Stamp Addition!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Because Two Stamps Are Better Than One!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Dimensional Fondant Appliqué on Crocus Flower: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Both Fondant and Wafer Paper Lend Dimension Here!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Big Wafer Paper Butterfly on Tall Cookie: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Zooming in on Butterfly!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Theron Plaque with Multiple Background Elements: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Coming in Closer!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Deckled Cookie Edges and Wafer Paper Butterflies: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Vintage Bulbs Dynamic Duos™ Message and Frame Set Contents: Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils; Graphic Design by Confection Couture Stencils
  • Both Sets in Use on Genie Plaque: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Coming Closer!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Now with Postage Stamp!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Message and Butterfly on Theron Plaque: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Different Message and No Bow: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Added Crocus Fondant Appliqué: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Big Butterfly and Message Appliqué: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Different Message Appliqué: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Yet Another Message Appliqué: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • More Elements and Appliqués: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Tall Cookie with Message Appliqué: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Same Tall Cookie with Different Message Appliqué: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Deckled Cookie with Message Appliqué: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Same Deckled Cookie with Both Message and Crocus Appliqués: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Bulb Progression on Deckled Cookie: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Added Cornsilk Underscores Organic Look: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Julia's Favorite Message of All!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Dimensional Wafer Paper Butterfly, Just Because It's Pretty!: Cookie and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutter Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils
  • Pretty Parting Photo!: Cookies and Photo by Julia M Usher; Stencils and Cutters Designed by Julia M Usher with Confection Couture Stencils

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Comments (5)

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Such a gorgeous set, dear julia!! And I love how you have honoured your Dad by naming that beautiful cutter with his name♥️

Thanks so much, Heather! I hope you are well!

Such great spring stencil set dear Julia! My favorite cookie: the 3 crocuses with corn threads !! ❤️
What are you making the beads on the little shield from? It looks like pearls cut in half?   @Julia M. Usher

Such great spring stencil set dear Julia! My favorite cookie: the 3 crocuses with corn threads !! ❤️
What are you making the beads on the little shield from? It looks like pearls cut in half?   @Julia M. Usher

Thanks. They're just 1/4-inch white royal icing transfers that I spritzed with pearl luster spray and then also shaded with either Electric Purple or Sky Blue airbrush coloring.

Thanks. They're just 1/4-inch white royal icing transfers that I spritzed with pearl luster spray and then also shaded with either Electric Purple or Sky Blue airbrush coloring.

They look so great!! Thanks for the info Julia.   @Julia M. Usher

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