Look at what Jackie did! Using the Pop Dangle stencil, she stenciled a pattern on this wall in her home. I love the alternating colors she used, and I really like the black picture frames against that patterned background. Great work!
Do you have a stencil success story? Email me!
Happy New Year! Seems like the first few days of 2011 have been really eventful already (some good, some really quite bad). I am really excited about starting afresh and seeing what this year will bring to us all.
Most of you know, I am due to POP any minute now, so I had expected the first two or three months of 2011 to be on the slow side… However, the wall stencils have been so well-received, I’ve been working! Seems Little One is happy where he is, so I am shipping, ordering, designing my fingers off (and couldn’t be happier). But if I disappear for a week or so, you know what happened. I’ll be back as soon as I can.
I enjoyed decorating my son’s room, and have yet another cornice to photograph and show soon (would you believe I actually sewed something?). There are a couple finishing touches to be done in the room, but as soon as they are complete, expect photos!
A new client this week said she was going to stencil her wall, and then use the same stencil on some pillows. LOVE IT! I hope she sends pics.
Another new friend said she would be using a small stencil to decorate a cake. A cake! I hope she sends pics. And a slice. Have to make sure the stencil worked, in person, of course. 
This year, I expect the DIY world to have an even stronger boost than it did last year. The latest buzz I’m hearing is that, with the economy slowly on the upswing, decorating your own home is a more than welcome way to create the environment you want and save those precious pennies. There are so many great products out there that will give your home the polish of professional[-looking] decor without the hefty price tag. Or without looking like a craft fair from 1992 (remember those?).
With that in mind, might I suggest stenciling something? 
Also, check out Design Hole’s recent post on stenciling walls. Choose your own paint, your own pattern, your own theme, your own technique, and GO! And if you mess up, paint it, and try again. Very economical, and un-scary for the DIY decorator.
I’ve changed my mind. I get to do that, you know. I’ve decided to extend the Grand Opening Sale thru December. Why? Because I like you. And because I know many of you are still trying to decide which stencil you want AND that the holidays are a terrible time to rush that process. So let’s just take it a month further, shall we? Enjoy!
In case you’ve forgotten or missed it the first time, here’s the deal:
How would you like a 40% rebate on your most recent stencil order?
I thought you might be interested.
Here’s how it works:
Buy a stencil and use it somewhere. Apply for the rebate using the form link below. Tell me about yourself, the stencil you used, and where you used it. Upload a picture (or five) of your work. I’ll send back 40% of your purchase price. No kidding. That’s pretty much it.
Not bad, eh?
A few terms and conditions:
Ready to go? Fill out the form here.
I was shocked and honored when Alluminare contacted me and told me my patterns were featured in Better Homes And Gardens’ quarterly publication, Do It Yourself.
I am so incredibly humbled and grateful for the coverage and want to thank the editors and Better Homes And Gardens for including my patterns along with the amazing designs from Khristian Howell. I love the way they used the patterns!
I love, love, love to see someone feel awesome about something they’ve done. Their shoulders square up a bit, the corners of their eyes crinkle slightly, and a hint of a smile starts to spread across their face. That’s why, nine times out of ten, I’d rather show you how to do something than just do it for you. Sure I can stand back and say, “Looks good!” But allowing you to have that moment for yourself? Priceless.
Friday of @Alluminare tweeted the other day “It has always been our opinion that our customers are the designers. We are the facilitators of design.” Hear that? Empowerment. Alluminare* provides a platform for anyone to be a great designer.
I have recently had the pleasure of judging a contest with Christopher Lowell**. I have been a fan of his for YEARS and you know why? Empowerment. He’s always showing people how to do cool stuff. I love it. Just watching his show will make you feel like a rockstar.
In conversations it’s often expected and/or acceptable to downplay your accomplishments, to not take any credit for anything. It makes me uncomfortable. Would you let someone talk about your best friend that way? Sure, there’s a fear of sounding prideful, but we’re all adults here, and we know when we’re being arrogant. What about genuine, unabashed pride in a job well done?
Everyone needs their own moment, their own moment to stand back and feel awesome about something. What are you good at? What have you done that makes you smile at yourself? Did you surprise yourself?
For me, recently, I’ve been shocking my own socks off with the level of detail I’m able to draw. I had no idea I had that ability! Now if I could just find smaller pens…
What’s your awesomeness? What makes you feel like a rockstar? Come on… Dish.
*Affiliate. If you buy my stuff over there, I can get that new pair of Chucks I’ve been eyeing.
**Not an affiliate link. I just think he’s amazing.
*Coming soon to Spoonflower
Available as a card on Cafepress and as a print on Etsy.
I could definitely be persuaded to update the colorways on these for specific uses. Talk to me.
FTC disclosure: if you buy my stuff, I make money.
The wallpaper craft is finished! Yipee! And I have the pictures to walk you through the steps.
(*NOTE: I am not a photographer. I apologize for this in advance.)
1. Buy nine – 1 foot square frames and spray paint them black.
I modified this step. I bought 32′ of 1×2 and mitered the ends to create 8 1′ frames, and spray painted the sides black. The reasons were cost and functionality. Frames can be expensive, and finding eight with flat faces was going to be costly and difficult. When you can’t find what you want, make it yourself, I say!
2. Carefully cut out a bunch of 1-foot x 1-foot squares of wallpaper – it’s ideal because you don’t need to trim or break the pattern.
I modified this step as well. It made more sense to me to paint the design on the front of the paper and then cut the squares. Thank you, thank you to Design Hole and Alluminare for the wallpaper! The paper is really strong and durable – believe me, I’m clumsy and I didn’t even nick it! – and the surface texture is great for painting.
3. Tack the squares to the front of the frames (and only the fronts, no wrap-around).
I used Tacky Glue. I love it! It is super strong and dries clear. I just like the stuff – no kickback for me if you buy it because of this site.
4. Arrange the frames into a 3-foot × 3-foot grid and secure them together (temporarily, carefully). Find a simple, graphic design and paint it in white across all the pieces.
Modified: see above.
5. Separate the pieces, affix to the wall in the same grid order, but about 1 to 2 inches apart on all sides.
(This is where my sucky photog skills really show off.)
And wah-lah! Wallart.
What’s that you say? Where’s the rest of the wallpaper? I’m glad you asked!
I had some leftover wallpaper, so I decided to use it in this china cabinet spruce-up.
Even put crushed velvet on the doors. Now, all those heirlooms have a proper place!
I just received my wallpaper from Alluminare (thanks to Design Hole). Thank goodness the FedEx guy didn’t leave it in our soggy, snowy bushes (like the mailman did with my new coat – grr!). It came all nicely packaged in a HUGE cardboard tube.
I opened the tube, and inside was a plastic sleeve, housing the wallpaper roll.
I like the colors I chose against my dark purple walls. I think the project will turn out really well!
(No, the pillows are not staying. Yes, there will be a piano along that wall. Stay tuned!)
Check out my interview on sparkyfirepants.com! Fun questions, fun answers, and my very own recipe for the *perfect* PB&J.
Thanks, David, for a super-fun conversation!