"Stenciling" Walls...

I've been working this week on a detailed project in our computer room. Here's the scoop...

It's taken me about 8 hours to get 2/3 of the wall done, but I love it. This wall in our study has been totally transformed by this stencil. Because we have texture on our wall, called "orange peel", I can't stencil this wall like you might normally -- with a roller. Because the texture lifts the stencil in spots, the paint gets underneath the stencil and creates a disaster with a detailed stencil such as this. Instead, I've put the stencil on the wall, traces around it lightly with a pencil, and then taken a little 3/8" paintbrush and painted the design on the wall. It's been labor intensive, but not difficult, and the result has been worth the time spent. I figure I've got a couple more days worth of work ahead of me and then it will be done! Yay!

Stenciled curtains...

My husband was out of town last week, which always puts me in "project mode." It's a productive way to pass the time when the hubs is not around to be the preferred distraction.

A couple of months ago I stenciled our bedroom walls with a gorgeous stencil from Cutting Edge Stencils. I loved the tone on tone of that stencil on our bedroom walls. Last week I decided to use the same stencil in a different way to create some stenciled curtains in our kitchen and nook. As you can tell from the pictures below I have a blue and white kitchen. Along the soffit above my cabinets I have a collection of blue and white plates that loved ones have given me or I've collected. The plates hail from places like Italy, China, Boston, Williamsburg, antique stores and Pier 1 Imports. It's an eclectic bunch that I love -- mostly because of the story behind each plate. Here's a shot of 17 of the 38 blue and white plates that surround our kitchen...

A few years ago I bought some blue and white fabric and made valences {below} to frame the kitchen and nook windows and to compliment the blue and white theme of the rooms. When all was said and done I didn't like the valances. At. All. But, money had been spent so I put up with them for a few years. When my husband skedaddled to Italy to eat ravioli {and work} and left me home, I decided it was high time for a change.

Originally I went to local stores to buy the curtains, but couldn't find anything I loved. Eventually, however, I came upon this tablecloth...

and this kitchen towel...

I snatched them up and knew I'd come upon my inspiration. I thought of using these two items to make the curtains, but instead I decided to use my previously used stencil and some muslin fabric. For less than $15 {that includes fabric, paint and thread!} I made all the curtains for the two windows in my kitchen and the two windows in my nook...

I took down the prehistoric metal blinds that were behind all the valences and I snatched the valences off the walls pronto-like. It felt so good. Then I lowered all the hardware and made the curtains cover the bottom portions of the windows to provide complete privacy, but allow the sun to shine through! I love being able to see the blue sky and the tree tops! If I choose I can part the curtains to see into my backyard.

I love the simple nature of these curtains. I only used the top portion of the stencil that I used for my bedroom on the bottom part of these curtains. I wasn't necessarily looking for a less-expensive option when I decided to find some new curtains. I just wanted something that I loved. It's an added bonus when you get both!

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Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings; Sew Cute Tuesday @ Creative Itch;

Cutting Edge Stencils Winner...

We just returned from the Nashville area yesterday after spending a delightful weekend with my son and his family. My granddaughter was baptized on Saturday, and it couldn't have been a more wonderful.

I've got several projects that are just begging to be completed, so I'll be busy posting in the coming weeks! Now for the good news...

"Zinnia Grand Flower Stencil" - photo courtesy of "Cutting Edge Stencils"

I'm so excited to announce the winner of the Cutting Edge Stencils Give Away. I appreciate the generosity of Cutting Edge Stencils in providing this wonderful prize! I can testify that using one of their gorgeous stencils will transform a room. The winner is...

I don't know Julie, but I'm sure she will be excited to choose a favorite stencil and apply it in her home! Congratulations, Julie!

For the rest of you -- Cutting Edge Stencils are reasonably priced. 

It's times like this that I wish I was well-connected like Oprah 

and could give "everyone in the audience" a stencil. 

Know what I mean?

Geesh.

Cutting Edge Stencils Give Away...

This could be your lucky day! 

Remember about a month ago I posted some photos of my gorgeous stenciled bedroom wall that I created with a Cutting Edge Stencil? Let me remind you in case you forgot...

Stencils are the rage right now! I've seen them used on so many items -- walls, clothing, floors, drapery, and furniture -- to name a few. Stenciling is easy when you follow some simple techniques and directions. Go to this helpful How-To video to learn just how easy it can be to transform a ho-hum item with stencils!

Cutting Edge Stencils has some beautiful stencils for a variety of applications. One lucky winner will win a stencil of her choice -- a $50 value. This contest is open to US Residents only and will run through Monday, February 6th. The next day a winner will be announced. No anonymous comments please, I need an email address or accessibility to a public blog in order to contact the winner. 

There are three ways to enter... 

• Leave a comment below.
•  Visit Cutting Edge Stencils, choose a favorite stencil, and let us know your choice in a comment.
• "Like" Cutting Edge Stencils on Facebook and come back and let me know in an additional comment.


Good Luck!

Stenciled Walls ::: Yum!

Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, and stenciled walls are a few of my favorite things. At the moment "stenciled walls" tops the list. A couple of weeks ago I offered you a sneak peak of the wall I was stenciling in my bedroom.

I am so excited to introduce you to a fabulous company that specializes in gorgeous stencils -- Cutting Edge Stencils. They have a broad selection of luscious stencils from geometrics to florals to murals to damasks to nursery patterns and more. The stencil I used on my walls is called "Brocade No. 1", and it is definitely #1 in my book! Here is the wall shortly after I finished stenciling...

I decided to use this beautiful chunky damask stencil on a feature wall in my bedroom. The day after I stenciled the wall my contractor came rushing into the room as he readied himself to continue work on the remodeling in the master bath. He didn't know I had stenciled the wall the day before. He took one look at the wall, stopped in his tracks, and his jaw dropped! The wall has the same effect on me. I absolutely love it...

What's more -- my husband loves it. 

That makes me feel really good.

When I decided to stencil my wall, I had a particular look in mind. I wanted the design to be soft and calming, so I chose a paint color just a shade lighter than the wall color for the stencil. Then I chose the stencil...

I love the chunkiness of this particular damask pattern. It's traditional and sophisticated, with a trendy flair. I chose to have the design float -- like bubbles on the wall -- rather than have it spaced out evenly. That's the whimsical in me.

As much as I love the current trend of vinyl stickers {I have a couple on the walls in my home}, they are very one dimensional in nature. With a stencil you can create more of a two dimension feature by making the paint lighter in some areas and darker in others. I love the imperfect nature of a stencil. I like the soft edges and textured feel of the paint on the wall. That's something you just can't get with a vinyl wall decal.

If you've never stenciled and are intimidated by the process, don't be. It's easy to do and just takes a little practice. The best tip I can give is -- don't use too much paint on your roller or sponge! Dip your foam roller, stencil brush or sponge in the paint and then dab the paint off on a paper towel or paper plate until it is almost dry. With just a little paint on your applicator you're ready to stencil! Because I have textured walls, I used a small piece of a sponge instead of a foam roller or stencil brush to stencil the pattern onto my wall. I find that by using a sponge I can control the amount of paint I use more easily. You can always add more paint if you want it darker. Cutting Edge Stencil has this video to illustrate the process...

We've made a lot of wonderful improvements in our Master bed and bath the last couple of months, but my stenciled wall is one of my favorite changes! I would definitely recommend the stencils at Cutting Edge Stencil if you are looking for a quality product and an economical way to make an beautiful change.

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