Do you stencil?

These things I warmly wish to you-
Someone to love
Some work to do
A bit o' sun
A bit o' cheer
And a guardian angel always near.

This saying was on my mom's funeral card. It's an Irish blessing, but mom could have written it. It's what she wanted for everyone. I put it on our living room wall in our prior house. It circled the room, repeated over & over...a gentle reminder of her love.

In my house prior to that I stenciled flowers---three layers, three or four colors...a couple rooms.

This house, not so much....keepin' it simple!

The word JOY is special to me. I have used it in my decorating here to remind me that I have much joy in my life!

This was an easy one...just stenciled "the" and "of..." JOY is a metal Christmas sign...love the three D of it!

We had a big dose of Joy added to our family this week....let me introduce my new granddaughter, Renn Christine.

My daughter, Christy, and her hubby became a family of FIVE. Big brother, Henry, is 18 months and big sister, Nora, is 3. Renn is VERY loved! They make my life very joy--filled!

My grandpa gave me an old school desk chair. Last year I spruced it up a bit....a bird and my favorite number, 3, and favorite colors---aqua and red.

On a thrifting journey last fall I found this cute little desk for the grandkids to play on....I painted it and stenciled on it.

I used a bird stencil from Hobby Lobby and an alphabet stencil I have had for years.

 BUT the Cricut has changed my stenciling life! WOW, WOW. I'm looking forward to using the software -Sure Cuts Alot- and the Cricut design software. But for now....here is what I made this week for some friends of my folks...they moved after living in the same house for almost 50 years. When you sit on their deck you look at a beautiful lake. SO now this is sitting on their deck....

I am writing a step-by-step about this sign, so check back for more info. edited to add link to how to post...Click here for your lesson!

I have also stenciled on fabric....a step-by-step is being written on how to do that too :)

Here are a couple fabric projects.

a canvas bag I did and SOLD at this store....The Changing Season, click on store name for more information.

a drop cloth curtain for my brother's laundry room closet...it says Wash, Dry, Fold, Repeat.

I love the birds and saying HAPPY TOGETHER. It shows up more than once in our house!

a plain table and chairs got a makeover 

Before:

After:

I used the Hobby Lobby bird stencil on the chairs and the birds on the wire....I put a piece of paper on my computer screen and traced some birds from an online picture, cut them out, traced around them, and painted them in. I love birds on wires and last night when I drove home...the wires were full of them!

The alphabet stencil I used is from Susan Branch. I picked it years ago at Michael's on clearance. I LOVE it, but look forward to my Cricut providing me with many fonts to choose from!

I love how inexpensive stenciling is....yet it gives things a punch of personality and color---a lot of bang for your buck ;).... like wallpaper, but low $$$.

Don't be afraid to try it...you can always paint over it!

Please check back for the how to posts!

Hugs from Iowa,

Michelle

PS. As I read over this and think about linking to Donna's party about birds/nests this week I realize...we have Renn to show off...not only our newest blessing but her cute little name fits into the theme too!!!
Be sure to read about Donna's latest accomplishment...MAGAZINES love her! She is my inspiration/teacher for making signs :)

 I'm joining the party at Just a Girl...Click here to visit the show and share party!