| With the holidays upon us, it's time to get our homes in | | | | glue design with gold, silver or iridescent glitter. Shake |
| shape for the guests and festivities! | | | | off the excess and allow to dry. |
| How about stenciling a new tablecloth and napkins to | | | | Any candle can be done with this easy technique and |
| brighten your dining table? It's easy! Simply pre-wash | | | | can further be embellished with flat backed jewels |
| your blank table cloth, and don't add fabric softener | | | | from the craft store. |
| (which seals out the paint!). Inexpensive tablecloths are | | | | Create ornate Christmas tree ornaments the same |
| available at most retail outlets and even the dollar | | | | way then give away as a special gift to a friend. Don't |
| store. | | | | forget that stunning Christmas cards can be created |
| I love stencil cream paints for fabric since you can't | | | | using this same technique. |
| feel the paint after it dries and it remains soft to the | | | | Raised plaster stenciled pine tree branches and plaster |
| touch. However, craft acrylics can also be used. | | | | pine cones from a mold are the perfect solution for |
| Choose deep red, green or even a black tablecloth, | | | | that wood box that sits next to your fireplace or the |
| then stencil your chosen design in gold. Talk about | | | | "shoe bin" outside the front door. Simply plaster stencils |
| elegant! | | | | the branches with joint compound, cast your pine |
| Stencil your chosen design right in the center. Now, add | | | | cones from the mold and adhere with joint compound |
| it to the corners as well. If your design does not lend | | | | to the branch design, allow to dry, then using a mixture |
| itself well to corner applications, simply apply a portion | | | | of wall glaze and paint, create a color wash over the |
| of the stencil to the corners (such as a group of | | | | entire surface. |
| leaves or a central element of the design). | | | | Use the same design to create a wonderful holiday |
| Allow the stenciling to dry, then to heat set by simply | | | | "welcome sign" for the front door. Stencil the design in |
| throwing it in a hot dryer for 25 minutes. Heat setting | | | | to a square on any flat piece of wood, cast and place |
| can also be done by applying a pressing cloth over the | | | | pine cones in the corners, paint with wall paint to seal |
| design and using the hottest iron setting that type of | | | | and then stencil or hand paint the word "Welcome" in |
| fabric can stand, iron for 1-2 minutes over the design to | | | | the center. If you like, the branches and pine cones can |
| set it. This will prevent it from washing out when | | | | be painted in browns and greens for added color. It's |
| laundered. | | | | very pretty to add streaks of gold to your brown pine |
| Now add candles to match and yes, stencil those too! | | | | cones for added flair. |
| We have a fabulous idea for sparkling candles that | | | | Holiday ornaments from any small molds are super |
| are fun and festive! To create a matching candle, | | | | easy to create! Simply take the mold of your choice |
| simply choose a small element from the stencil and | | | | and cast two of them. After they have been |
| use masking tape to tape off openings around that | | | | removed, apply joint compound to the back of each |
| element to prevent them from also being stenciled. | | | | one (a very thin layer). Add a looped ribbon to the |
| Tape the stencil to the candle and with your stencil | | | | back of one of the plaster pieces to create a hanger, |
| brush, apply white glue over the stencil design directly | | | | then press the two together to create one complete |
| on to the candle. Remove the stencil and wash | | | | unit. Wipe any excess joint compound away and use |
| immediately so the glue does not dry on the stencil. | | | | to fill in openings between the two pieces. Allow to dry |
| Hold the candle over a garbage pail and sprinkle the | | | | completely then paint as desired. |