Tutorial: Le Petit Gateau and Bakery Signs

Shopping time, needed some #10 twine for tying tags. A visit to Michaels = twine and more stencils.

Sweet peas from my garden

Stencil Sign # 1 - Pre-Made

I wanted to try out a french Le Petit Gateau sign that I picked up at Michaels this week, on a handled board so I gathered my supplies.

I painted the board with CeCe Caldwell Simply White (and dried), taped my stencil in place and started stippling.

It was late, I was tired and I stippled quickly (and my brush was not dry enough).

What had I done incorrectly? I used a brush without removing almost all the paint before stippling and the outcome was blurry letters and lines. I also didn't hold the stencil tightly in place as I worked on each small area and this allowed migration of paint under the stencil.

Here is my sign (first try). I should have also taped the sides to keep paint off the white board as well.

But - the good thing is that chalk-type paint will wash off if done soon after applying.

I removed the Patisserie stencilled lettering and lines, washing the handled board by running cool water over the board and rubbing the black letters and lines gently with my fingers and with some light wiping using a cloth to remove the last of the gray lettering.

A few days later I tried again. Very dry stippling. I taped the stencil to the board and noticed the curved edge lifted the stencilled spaces up, fixed that by loosening the tape near the curves and holding the stencilled pattern flat with my fingers, working in a small area and then moving to the next small area, repeat. It worked.

Patience and a very dry stencilling brush plus close attention were used on the second try. I firmly held each small area around the area being stencilled and took my time, double checking that my brush was very dry.

I used CeCe Caldwell Pittsburgh Gray on the stencil and the letters that look faded. Waxed when dry, then polished. 

Stencilled Sign # 2 - Individual Letters

If you read all my posts you will have seen other individual letters signs. I love making them. The Americana Alphabet package of stencils was another of my Michaels buys this week.

First try making a Bakery sign

1. painted my board with CeCe Caldwell Simply white, all sides

2. planned my word (Bakery) on paper using the individual stencil 
    letters of the Americana font, leaving 1/4 inch between each letter

3. used green tape on my board as the base for the letters, gathered 
    stencil brush, Beckley Coal paint and newspaper for dabbing paint 
    off my stencilling brush

I taped my baseline and stencilled each letter, checking with a ruler to make sure there was 1/4" between each letter. I kept my paper pattern above the board as a reminder for placement.

I am always looking for boards that have some character when planning signs. This one had rough surfaces and a knot as well as nail holes. I sanded the board before stencilling and gave it 2 coats of clear wax and polished to finish.

I enjoyed making both signs, learned a bit more about stencilling. I shared the cupcake (Le Petit Gateau) sign on Instagram Tuesday.

Thanks for visiting today. 

I look forward to your visits and enjoy reading your comments.

Featured by Nicole at What About Co. August 18/16
Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique August 18/16
Lynda H @ Reviews, Chews and How To's August 18/16
Kathy @ Life On Lakeshore Drive August 20/16
Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance August 18/16

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