How to Stencil

If you have never stenciled before, I have one word for you decal.  For those of you that have done some stenciling, why didn't you mention how annoyingly difficult it is?  Ok, it wasn't so bad when I figured out what I was doing wrong.  If you want to just tape up the stencil on the wall or piece of furniture and go at it with a foam roller... well, I don't recommend this method.
I bought this stencil for Chloe's room.

The plan was to put it between the twin beds over the night stand.  (This is what I say to her every night when I kiss her goodnight.)
Here is what you will need:
A stencil (I got this off ebay for $8.99 + shipping = $12.06);
Painters tape;
Paint;
Level;
Adhesive spray;
Paper towels; and
Small paint brush.
I had all of the other supplies already.
I was sitting on the couch and it hit me that if I used adhesive spray on the back of the stencil then it would stick to the wall better and make it harder for the paint to run and splotch.  Luckily I just happened to have this laying around in my paint/craft dresser in the basement!

Result - I love you spray adhesive!  After I marked the wall where I wanted the stencil to go (using a level), I laid the stencil on a towel and sprayed the back and stuck it on the wall.  I used an old make-up applying brush for the paint brush. It worked perfectly.  I dabbed the brush in the paint (left over purple paint from Chloe's desk), then I blotched the brush on a paper towel before lightly applying it to the stencil.
Here was Chloe's room before my masterpiece (sorry for the night picture with bad lighting)...

and now after...

Somehow her stack of books multiplied but I can't complaint about her love for reading!  What do you think? I think it looks super cute and I'm very proud of it.  I did go over it with a tiny craft paint brush and then I did some touch up with Chloe's bedroom wall color to make sure it was perfect. I like everything perfect!
If you look really really close at the right angle you can see the wall looks a little sticky from the adhesive spray

but it really is not noticeable unless you look for it.  If someone comes over and notices this then I would give them a prize (or kick them out of my house)!

I'm very pleased with this result and the price of $12.06!  Next time I might choose decal over stencil, but I learned through trial and error and think I could do it again with less mishaps.  Chloe's room is finally almost finished. Still looking for a valance to go over her curtains and I would still like to buy two canopies to go over the beds. I'm in love with the ones here at pottery barn kids, but I refuse to pay that much!  What have you painted this week? Have you stenciled anything in your house?  Happy Friday everyone, have a wonderful weekend! Pin It