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We love the way our Star pattern stencil looks on wood. It makes a great background because it is so textural!

For this how-to you’ll need: A wooden frame, Stencil1 Star pattern stencil (part of Stencil201 book!), painter’s tape, low-tack adhesive, multi-surface paint, and stencil brushes.

Step 1: Cover the edge of your frame with tape, this way you don’t accidently get paint on it.

Step 2: Use the low-tack adhesive to make the back of your stencil sticky. This was especially helpful to us when stenciling because the stencil was a little bigger than our frame. Making it sticky made it easier to hold the stencil down.

Step 3: Use a stencil brush and multi-surface paint to start stenciling. Use an up-and-down motion and a dry brush technique to stencil. This means using a small amount of paint and applying more layers. We chose a light color because we wanted a subtle design. But a bright color would also look great!

Step 4: Lift the stencil and allow the paint to dry. Once the paint is dry to touch, continue stenciling the rest of the frame. We could not use the registration marks because they didn’t fit within our frame so we used the painted pattern as guidelines.

Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the frame is completely stenciled.

Step 6: Remove the masking tape. We used our wooden frame as a tray, how will you use yours? Take a picture and share it with us @Stencil1.

Something we do every morning at the Stencil1 Studio is make a list of the tasks that must get completed by the end of the day. Lists are a great way to keep yourself on track and be as productive as possible. Small Moleskine notebooks are great for making lists. They’re even better, and a lot more fun, if you customize them with your favorite images.

For this project, you’ll need: Quatrefoil Bird and Music Stamp Set, Clearsnap Pigment Ink Pads, Hampton Art Clear Blocks and a notebook with a paper-base cover.  The one used here is Moleskine, we love them!

Step 1: Peel the cassette stamp off its backing and stick it onto the clear block.

Step 2: Evenly coat the stamp with ink by pressing it face-down against the ink pad. Make sure to use even pressure.

Step 3: Press the stamp against the cover of the notebook to apply the image. We chose the cassette as our cover but you can use any of the stamps or even combine them for an interesting cover! Repeat these steps with the other stamps to decorate the rest of the notebook.

Show us what your notebooks look like @stencil1

This how-to was inspired by our love for Japanese textiles and indigo dyes. The deep blue color and the patterns on Japanese kimonos are a beautiful combination I am always drawn to. I also like the simplicity of circles or dots.

This is what you’ll need for this how-to: Stencil1 8-Pack Patterns stencil set, Stencil1 Asian Dots Stencil, Pebeo Setacolor paint or fabric paint, a pair of Converse sneakers, stencil brushes and low-tack spray adhesive.

Step 1: Use the low-tack spray adhesive to secure the stencil. You don’t need too much of it, just enough to make the stencil sticky. Make sure that the room is well ventilated and that you are spraying near a widow.  Place the stencil on the corner of the shoe, near the heel.

Step 2: Pour some paint on a plate. You don’t need a lot of paint since you will be stenciling with a dry-brush technique. This means that your brush will have very little paint and that you will apply multiple layers.

Step 3: Begin to stencil the shoe with the circle patter stencil by moving the brush in a circular motion and/or and up-and-down dabbing motion. Remember to use a dry brush technique.

Step 4: Stencil the other shoe. WE sort of stenciled in dots here and there to give a feeling of motion.

Step 5: Use the Asian dots stencil to paint the tongue of the shoe.

Step 6: Put your shoes on, snap a pic and share them @Stencil1

Our project this week was inspired by the excitement that came with the hand-written letters left in your mailbox. Remember the times when no one could email you, text you or facebook message you? We do! While it’s nice to have an easier way to get in touch with someone, a hand-written “I miss you” will always be extra special! Try personalizing your cards with our Stencil1 Stamps the next time you want to remind your special someone how much you think about them.

For this project, you’ll need: Bow + Arrow and Bullseye Stamp Set, Clearsnap Pigment Ink Pads, Hampton Art Clear Blocks and blank cards and envelopes.

Step 1: Peel the Bullseye stamp off its backing and stick it onto the clear block.

Step 2: Evenly coat the rubber stamp with ink by pressing it face-down against the ink pad.

Step 3: Stamp the image on the center of the card by firmly pressing it against the paper.

Step 4: Follow the same steps with the bow and arrow stamp and the envelope.

Show us what your cards look like @Stencil1

Everyone always says that homemade gifts are the best kind, and no one appreciates our homemade gifts more than our moms! Surprise your mom this Mother’s Day with this beautiful placemat that looks fantastic as part of a centerpiece.

This is what you’ll need: Stencil1  11 x 11 Mum stencil, multi-surface paint, stencil brushes and a placemat.

Step 1: We loved the color of this placemat so we chose a color palette that would accentuate it. Start by placing the mum stencil on the center of the placemat.

Step 2: Use a stencil brush to begin stenciling the placemat. Remember to use a dry-brush technique. This means using very little paint and applying several layers.

Step 3: Lift the stencil carefully and allow the paint to dry.

Step 4: Continue stenciling the rest of the placemat but only fill in the stencil partly. We layered the stencil by overlapping it slightly at the bottom and we used a different color each time.

Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you finish stenciling the placemat.

Step 6: Allow the paint to dry and send us a picture of what yours looks like @Stencil1.