Not long after I started paper crafting 10 years ago, I started doing 3D projects . Many call these projects “Altered Projects” but mine have nothing altered, they are made from scratch with chipboard and a craft knife. As a former architect and interior designer, doing building is natural for me.
With fall starting to creep in to the Pacific Northwest where I live, it seemed that doing a autumn themed project was perfect for this blog post. Over the last 10 years I have made many birdhouse projects that house a mini album… instead of a bird!
Many of the products used for this project were provided to me by The Crafters Workshop. but they are what I would have used regardless.
Adding stenciling on a 3D project is easiest during the construction process when the parts can be laid out flat. For the sides and ends of the birdhouse, I covered the chipboard elements with gauze applied with TCW 9011 Matte Gel Medium.
![](https://i1.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1293.jpg)
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After allowing the matte medium to dry thoroughly, I applied ink to add a neutral color and dimension to the glazed texture. Line up the pieces for overlapping stenciling. Here I used the TCW855 Linked Tiles stencil for the back and sides of the birdhouse. I used the TCW9004 Light & Fluffy Modeling Paste for some added dimension. After drying the past thoroughly, add inking to enchance the pattern and dimension of the stenciling.
![](https://i1.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1295.jpg)
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Next, I rearranged the sections to complete the front and sides stenciling. For the sunburst effect, I used the TCW871 Native Star stencil in both the 12 x 12 size and the 6 x 6 size. I masked off the center of the larger stencil and used TCW9037 Grecian Gold Modeling Paste. I then centered the smaller stencil inside the larger and used TCW9039 Copper Penny Modeling Paste for the inner image. I added some of the Copper Penny paste to the points of the larger burst.
![](https://i0.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1299.jpg)
![](https://i0.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1301.jpg)
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Adding some alcohol ink or watered paint adds dimension and color to the stenciled images.
![](https://i2.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1303.jpg)
![](https://i2.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1304.jpg)
For the birdhouse/box lid, I used black chipboard. (It can be done with kraft chipboard painted with TCW9002 Black Gesso). I sprayed the chipboard with iridescent spray to add color and shimmer. I then stenciled with TCW876 Screen View using TCW9043 Marcasite Silver Modeling Paste. The modeling paste gives some subtle texture. After the paste dries, I layered it with TCW831 Faithful Tree using coordinating colors of acrylic paint.
![](https://i2.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1355.jpg)
![](https://i1.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1356.jpg)
![](https://i2.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1357.jpg)
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Once all pieces are stenciled, the project is ready for assembly. Add a punched circle of black card stock at center of sunburst. Add foliage along base and at ends of roof/lid. I will show the mini album on a future post.
![](https://i2.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1367.jpg)
![](https://i1.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1368.jpg)
![](https://i1.wp.com/tcwblog.wpengine.com/blog/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_1370.jpg)
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Totally awesome!