I LOVE THEM...sell tons of the stuff to go with them...there is a new set of plates just out and a new book coming out end of NOV...
I don't use stencil with them as much as I use anything I can find to make into a rubbing plate! I find that most embossing templates for scrapbooking work great..even ones for clay and cake decorating!
you can make the BEST holiday stuff with paintsticks...
I encourage everyone who has them sitting in a drawer/box/cabinet, etc. to get them and PLAY!