Julia - exactly how do you use the turkey lacer? Do you use it, in essence, as an extension/replacement of your fingers? I find I have to spread my fingers and hold both sides of a stencil with my non-dominant hand so it doesn't slip. Do you have a video snippet of your technique?
Do you, or anyone else, use the slightly adhesive stencils? Marlyn of Montreal Confections has demonstrated those before and I have the easiest time with those...but you better have really hard icing or they will rip the top layer right off the cookie when you remove it!