A Bonny Plaid

I have a *slight* obsession right now. A little something called "Outlander".

Oh. my. word.

It started about a month ago when I decided to watch the Starz "Outlander" series on tv. Eight episodes later, I was left hanging with "WHAT HAPPENS NOW?!". Unbeknownst to me, the show was based on Outlander, a book series by Diana Gabaldon. Two days later, thanks to Amazon Prime, the first three books were at my doorstep. If you are unfamiliar with the story, the gist  is Clarie, an English nurse, goes back in time from 1940's to 1740's Scotland. She falls in love in Jamie, a Scottish Highlander and outlaw. 

You'll need a candy stripe stencil. If you don't have one, you can make one! Print out the pattern on  cardstock. You can cut out the stencil with an exacto and ruler (and a steady hand) or a scrapbook paper cutter. Obviously, this method makes a disposable stencil. But it will do in a pinch! 

This has inspired me to cookie some of my favorite characters from the books. And since the male lead character is Scottish, I had to include some plaid cookies. Now, I do not claim to know anything about Scottish tartan-don't fuss at me. But I do know a little something about cookie tartan! 

I created a PDF candy stripe stencil template that you can download here. Just print on cardstock and cut!

Here's my candy stripe stencil secured by the Stencil Genie - a frame that makes airbrushing stencils really easy!

Let's make some bonny plaid cookies!

I started off with a square cookie that I flooded light bluish gray.  It is completely dry. 

Now, time to airbrush! I decided to use violet to airbrush the thicker open areas of the stencil. It's not a big deal that the smaller lines got a little airbrush too- I'll airbrush over them later.

Now turn your stencil 90 degrees and airbrush violet again in the larger open areas. 

Clean your airbrush and load your selected color for the smaller lines. I chose royal blue. Carefully and lightly airbrush the smaller lines. Turn your stencil 90 degrees again. Take care to line up the stencil with the already airbrushed lines. Lightly airbrush the small lines again. 

The colors were a little too bright for me, so I lightly airbrushed black over the entire cookie. I wanted a muted, almost dingy look. The look of well-worn tartan.

I really like how they turned out, especially with their corresponding cookies.

I don't think it's a coincidence that plaid is a hot print for this fall. Here's an airbrushing tip! Try out your pattern by airbrushing on ordinary printer paper. You'll be able to practice control of the airbrush gun, as well as see how the colors interact with one another. Keep in mind, though, that airbrush colors can be altered by the flood color beneath. Check out the plaids I made for fall and winter cookies! 

You can change up the pattern by using alternating colors for the larger stencil areas. Or stenciling the smaller areas in just one direction.

Seriously- how cute is this plaid polka-dot pumpkin?!

Now, if you don't mind, I have to get back to the adventures of
Jamie and Claire!  Have fun making your Bonny Plaids!