My stencilling work area is often the corner of the kitchen table.
Before I touch paint and brush I plan the word I want to stencil (from individual letters). In this example I am using 4 inch letters.
I make myself a paper plan, including the space between each letter. Next I tape the bottom line for the letters and the beginning and end of the word as it matches the paper plan.
I like to use the thickest mil plastic possible when stencilling to help keep the letters from tearing. It is the same for larger theme stencils from Donna of Funky Junk Interiors or Angie of Knick of Time. I bought the Alphabet stencils from Michaels.
I organize the letters I want to use just to make the stencilling go as quickly as possible.
I tape each letter (one at a time) in place as well as hold down (blue only) areas where I am stencilling. I have newspaper handy to dab OFF paint from the stencil brush so I get a VERY light dabber as I stencil. The stencils I am using are a heavy mil plastic.
I also tape edges of a letter to make sure I do not stencil outside of the (T) letter - and it is a good idea to do that BEFORE you start the stencilling of a letter.
As each letter was stencilled and dry to touch I added the next letter. I checked my distance between each letter with a ruler as I taped the letter in place.
I removed all the tape, collected my supplies, cleaned things up and put them away.
And what was I stencilling TOOLS on? A carpenters tool box.
The final touch was to sand the letters down to show wear and give the entire tool box a clear coat of wax and then a polish.
Since I frequently write posts about stencilling I decided I would write a reference stencilling post, using individual letters to make words. I will be linking back to this post if an example of 'how' is needed.
Clean Up Sequence I Use:
As soon after stencilling each stencil should be cleaned. I use water (since I used chalk-clay paint) and dish soap. I usually have some water in the sink and drop the used stencils in to soak. I rub the paint off each stencil paying extra attention to NOT bending or pulling on the thin lines (see 0). I pat the stencils dry and clip them back with the rest of the letter set.
Judy of North Ora had a suggestion about not cleaning a stencil to make the stencil stiffer. I am going to try that with the very thin plastic stencils next time I use one.
I have also learned that I need to carefully clean any paint from the inside rim of the paint lid (screw on lid) and from the outside rim of the paint container (again, screw on) so that the paint doesn't dry to itself and make opening the container next time difficult when you want to use it again. I read recently that putting a piece of plastic wrap between the container and lid before screwing the lid on is a good idea. I am going to try that too.
Sharing with:
Sunday
That DIY Party, Hey Whats For Dinner Mom, Finding Silver Pennies, Nifty Thrifty, Rustic and Refined, Creating My Way To Success,
Sunday
That DIY Party, Hey Whats For Dinner Mom, Finding Silver Pennies, Nifty Thrifty, Rustic and Refined, Creating My Way To Success,
Monday
Backyard Neighbour, Cozy Little House, Home Stories A to Z, Stringtown Home
Tuesday
My Own Home, Bella Rosa Antiques, Stone Cottage Adventures, Fluster Buster, The Cookie Puzzle, My Salvaged Treasures,
Wednesday
Handy Man Crafty Woman, I Gotta Create,
Thursday
Embracing Change, Saving 4 Six, In The New House Designs,
Friday
Two Chicks and A Mom
Saturday
Strawberry Butterscotch
Backyard Neighbour, Cozy Little House, Home Stories A to Z, Stringtown Home
Tuesday
My Own Home, Bella Rosa Antiques, Stone Cottage Adventures, Fluster Buster, The Cookie Puzzle, My Salvaged Treasures,
Wednesday
Handy Man Crafty Woman, I Gotta Create,
Thursday
Embracing Change, Saving 4 Six, In The New House Designs,
Friday
Two Chicks and A Mom
Saturday
Strawberry Butterscotch
I've been wanting to make a sign, but I've never done it before and am a little timid about starting!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I love making stenciled signs, and have made a bunch, but they never seem to come out straight or as well spaced as I planned put first! I've tried all kinds of ways, from pencil lines, dots, & bullets to completely penciled on letters first to get them lined up right,lol! I saw your tutorial on a post from a page I follow in a link up party, & had to click it, bc I thought, ohhhh, an actual letter one! And, I'm so glad I did! Genius! Paper plan first, & TAPE a line! Lol,easy, & way faster than how I was doing it! I've seen many tutorials on HOW to stencil (what kind of brush, how much paint, how to blot, etc etc etc), but never the PREstencil set up, & how to line it up fast, but efficient! Tha k u for posting! I love using wood from friends, or side of road lol, scrap wood piles & making cool signs, but now, NOW I'm armed with a wayyyy better How:The BEFORE u stencil stencil tutorial! Hahaa! Well, thanks again, & I'm off to make a new sign! ��
ReplyDeleteLove your tool project. Perfect for all of those must haves! I don't wash my stencil the first time I've used it to make it a little bit sturdier. Just works for me.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!!
Judy
Good morning Joy. Your stencil tutorial is wonderful. I tried stenciling and I really did not know what I was doing. I gave it up. I will have to rethink stenciling after reading your post today. Big smile here.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining Blue Monday at Backyard Neighbor.
xo, Jeanne
Was never good at this. But you do a super job.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your tutorial! Stenciling is something I need to improve upon... Thank you for the tips.
ReplyDeleteVery nice--I buy every tool box I can find. Thanks for linking up to the Talk of the Town party!
ReplyDeleteLove your rustic old toolbox. Thanks so much for sharing your stenciling tips with us at Talk of the Town.
ReplyDeleteI love the look the box has with the stenciled letters. It makes it look perfect! Thanks for sharing with the Tips and Tricks Link Party.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. I would like to try my hand at customized artwork and I would love to try this. I just hope it will be as easy to do as it looks. Your work has inspired me. I’m already excited to go out and buy the materials I will need.
ReplyDeleteClick here for Movers in San Antonio information
Wow, thanks for this post! Perfectly timed as I just bought a Portrait. Can’t wait to get started!
ReplyDeleteHyacinth
Look at these Shoretel Vendor