After graduating from college and before starting my first "real" job as a designer, I got into cutting out stencils from old manilla envelopes and handpainting cards (that I cut out from leftover watercolor paper from a life drawing class) using the stencils with colored inks. Colored ink has some shellac in it and the colors were brighter and more durable than watercolor paints. I had a lot of fun with it, and could "draw" with a knife.

I've opened up a shop on CafePress.com called "Animal Stencils" that feature some of these designs on t-shirts, tote bags, and mugs. Check it out!