Who doesn’t love handmade gifts?! Customize these journals for your friends and loved ones to fit their personality and interests! The perfect gift for the aspiring writer.
![20151204_144427](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_144427.jpg)
Things you will need: Plain journals, Stencil1 Small Single Image and Small Repeat Pattern stencils, paintbrushes, paint, and a gift tag (optional).
![20151204_140440](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_140440.jpg)
Step 1. Gather your materials. Place the stencil on top of the journal in your desired location. Here, we’re using the new Antlered Deer Silhouette stencil.
![20151204_140625](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_140625.jpg)
Step 2. Using the color of your choice, load your brush. We used a specialty stamp pad in black. Paint over the stencil using a dabbing motion.
![20151204_141227](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_141227.jpg)
Step 3. Carefully lift your stencil and let it dry.
![20151204_141346](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_141346.jpg)
Be creative and use different stencils and colors! For this journal, we used the new Arrows repeat stencil.
![20151204_141623](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_141623.jpg)
Tip: Add pieces of tape to the sides of the stencil to make sure it stays in place.
![20151204_142145](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_142145.jpg)
![20151204_142610](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_142610.jpg)
![20151204_143211](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_143211.jpg)
Step 4. Finish off your journal with a custom gift tag! Here, we used the Arrows repeat stencil again. Luckily, Stencil1 stencils are made from a mylar material that makes our stencils reusable!
![20151204_143448](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_143448.jpg)
![20151204_143814](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_143814.jpg)
Voilà! Don’t forget to write who it’s for and nice message to go along with it!
![20151204_144512](https://www.stencil1.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151204_144512.jpg)
Be sure to share your handmade gifts with us @Stencil1!