Dynamic Duos Instructions
Creating Layered Looks with Julia’s Dynamic Duos Stencils
You’re getting double the fun with my Dynamic Duos™ designs! That’s because each design consists of two sets - one with backgrounds and another with messages and frames. Each set also contains two primary stencils along with related masking and shading pieces. And you’ll always find a minimum of two frames and messages in every message and frame set. But the best thing is: having twice as many tools means your design possibilities are nearly limitless!
What’s in Each Set:
Below, I explain how I typically create layered looks using both sets, but feel free to improvise! While the elements across both sets work seamlessly together, the background set can be used without the message and frame set, and vice versa. And, most every element in either set can be mixed and matched with other stencils in my Dynamic Duos™ and Prettier Plaques™ series. Most stencils work well with both royal icing and airbrushing. Just remember that, with layered designs, royal icing must always be applied in the last step.
STEP 1: Place the background layer (A) on the cookie, using a stencil frame and/or small weights to hold it in place. Set the masking piece (B) on the layer wherever you want your foreground layer to reveal (B.1). Get creative with placement! Decide which message, frame, and associated frame masking piece you would like to use, if any. (Remember: Backgrounds can be used without messages and frames.) Place the frame masking piece (F) where you want the message to go (B.2). Airbrush the exposed background; then remove all stencils and masks to reveal your cookie (B.3).
STEP 2: (OPTIONAL) To add shading around the foreground layer, center the shading stencil (C) over the empty space left by masking piece B in Step 1, B.3, and weigh it down. Airbrush lightly around the edges of the stencil, or use a soft brush to apply luster or petal dust around the edges. Remove the shading stencil. To add shading around your message, center the matching shading stencil (E) over the empty space left by masking piece F in Step 1, B.3, and follow the same steps just described. However, to prevent overspray into the other opening in the shading stencil (E), you may need to use my quadrant masking tool (sold separately), a piece of paper, or some tape to cover it.
STEP 3: Center the foreground stencil (D) in the empty space left by masking piece B in Step 1, B.3. Use a stencil frame and/or small weights to hold it in place. Airbrush the exposed foreground; then remove the foreground stencil to reveal your cookie (D.1).
STEP 4: Center the matching frame stencil (G) over the empty space left by masking piece F in Step 1, B.3, and weigh it down. To prevent overspray into the other frame in the frame stencil, you may need to cover it as described in Step 2. Airbrush over the stencil; then remove it to reveal your cookie (G.1).
STEP 5: Center the desired message on message stencil (H) within the frame sprayed in Step 4, and weigh down the stencil. As needed, mask off the other messages as described in Step 2. Airbrush (or spread royal icing) over the exposed message stencil; then remove it to reveal the finished cookie (H.1). Ta da! You’re done!
I hope you enjoy my Dynamic Duos™ sets as much as I enjoyed designing them for you! For more projects and detailed how-to videos, visit our Video Tutorials Page. I’d love to see what you create with my stencils, so please share your projects on our Confection Couture Facebook page. Your feedback and questions are always welcome too at service@confectioncouturestencils.com.
Happy stenciling!
