Wednesday, July 28, 2010

DIY Day! Pretty Stencil Kitchen Towels

I have so many projects in the works...some for me, some for my son, some for my house {you can see the kitchen photos - finally - here!}, and a lot for the DIY Club. We have so many awesome sponsors for the DIY Club...and I am a little too inspired {is that possible...yes it is unless you do not need to sleep}.
So, before I go any further...
Stencilled kitchen towels by Holly Lefevre


Here is my fun project I have been working on...
A Gift For My {new} Kitchen!
I remember back in "my day" making T-shirts before high school dances - so our group could all match of course! I remember that paint being thick and stiff. Those instances, with the exception of a time or two in between, that was the last time I used fabric paint. Well, recently I received the Americana Fabric Painting Medium by Decoart and I am ready to paint everything. Fabric paint has come a long way! By mixing this medium with your favorite color acrylic paint, you get a soft, creamy and might I say dreamy fabric paint. Yeah!

I began this project with the intention of making some flour sack towels -
which I did, but ended up loving the fabric painting medium so much
and the results I got that I went on to make placements and napkins...
and I see an apron in my future!
Here's how to make your own!
Supplies
-Americana Fabric Painting Medium by Decoart
-Americana Acrylic Paint in Yellow Ochre by Decoart
-Americana Acrylic Paint in Plum by Decoart
-Paint brush, sponge brush, or stencil pouncer {I used the pouncer and brush}
-Flour Sack towels OR cloth napkins OR cloth placemats
-Freezer paper
-Craft Knife (optional)
-Stencil of choice {or free hand a design}. NOTE: I made a few stencils and then found a great stencil for free at Ready Made Magazine as part of Refurbished Beach Chair project {Have you checked out Ready Made - the best magazine!}. You can also find stencils from Cutting Edge Stencils
-You will also need a jar or plate for mixing the medium, and iron/ironing board, and access to a washing machine.
DIY IT!
-Wash and dry the towel/napkin/placemat
-Print out stencil - 2 sizes one larger and one smaller- and cut design out on freezer paper using a craft knife {or scissors}. I have never used freezer paper before, although I have seen it around since I began blogging - the best! I was able to cut up to 6 layers of freezer paper at one time, which saved a lot of time since I used multiple stencils for my project.
NOTE: When you iron this to the cloth, you iron shiny side down, so be sure if your design contains letters/numbers/something that must go "one-way" that your design accommodates that as you cut.
-Iron your fabric to get out wrinkles {if necessary}
-Trim around each stencil and place individual stencils onto project.
-Iron freezer paper down to fabric: Heat Iron - I used a medium setting; Place it shiny side DOWN in the proper place and press it onto the fabric; I went over mine a few times to make sure it was all in place.
-Mix your paint and fabric painting medium at a 2:1 ratio
-Begin painting, by lightly brushing or pouncing over the stencil. Begin with the lightest color first {yellow ochre}. 
-Let dry 24 hours and come back with the smaller stencil.
-Place and iron smaller stencil onto project, overlapping larger flower in areas.
-Mix darker paint and medium.
-Paint by lightly brushing or pouncing over the stencil with the darker color {Plum}. 
-Let dry for 24-48 hours.
-Heat set for 30 seconds with iron.
-Wash on gently cycle {inside out if a garment}.
{sample of my overall placement}
So, who's up for it?
Who's joining me and
the others for the DIY Club challenge?
Have questions...just ask.
It really is easy, I promise!
Signature
DISCLOSURE: As part of the DIY Club, I have been supplied with vendor sponsored products to complete my projects. The opinions are projects are my own. See, my disclosure policy for more information.











39 comments:

  1. wow thats such a good idea xxx

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  2. sigh...to have the time to do this. You make it all look so easy! I love the colors and the stencil you used.

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  3. OK, I am seriously going to have to come up with something...should be easy, I'm an art teacher on summer break, right? LOL I wish it were that easy! I honestly don't know how you stay on top of everything, Holly...and writing a book as well. Your stencils look great, and I had no idea about the fabric medium. You're right, fabric paint HAS come a long way since the high school project days :)

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  4. I love it! They look so pretty!

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  5. I never had a doubt that you wouldn't make your kitchen uniquely you and totally beautiful.

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  6. Looks great! I will have to keep this in mind when I get sick of doing all the embroidery.

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  7. If I could give up sleep I would totally do this. When school starts up again and the youngest Grand starts preschool I will have 12 moments to my name.

    In the meantime, I will just have to live vicariously through you.

    Oh, and,

    I like your blog. I am a new follower. Please visit me back!

    mwahahahahahahahahahahaha!

    OK, off to prepare for the invasion!

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  8. I love this project! I almost picked up a package of flour sack towels the other day while I was shopping. I was thinking of screen printing them, but this looks like so much fun!

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  9. Very pretty. I love the flowers. I want to try something like this with a similar stencil now. :-)

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  10. Looks awesome! Thanks for introducing me to the fabric painting medium. I am covering a chair with drop cloth and wanted to try and stencil something on it. Now I am definitely going to try it.

    Thanks!!!

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  11. Holly, your project came out incredible ~ such professional looking results, and for your first time using freezer paper ~ WOW! I love the colors and the stencil you chose. I'm feeling so tempted to try my hand at this technique. Oh, so many projects, so little time!

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  12. Very cute and it would look terrific on an apron, you're right!

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  13. OK. I'm thinking about entering this DIY. I'm going to check out the info.

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  14. Those are really awesome!!!! Good work!

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  15. Wow! That is amazing. Love the stencil and the color combo!

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  16. Anonymous3:23 PM

    Wow, those are awesome! I love the color and the stencil! Great job!

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  17. I love it! What a great color combination.
    I had no idea there was a medium that you could mix with Acrylic paint for fabric. I can't wait to try it!

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  18. Hi Holly.. what a nice thing to do for "yourself".. I might just try this!
    We are so busy doing for everyone but ourselves!
    Wanted to thank you for your visit to my blog today.. yes, I'm a proud momma.. got a letter from his wife, who is waiting for him to come home, she said, "T had the night off and walking down the French Quarter when a man and woman, very drunk with a 5yr old child in tow, got into it on the street.. she fell and cracked her skull while the husband tried to pick her up to get home.. was not a nice scene for a child to witness.. My son called 911 and held him down till the police got there..he also laid into him for how badly they treated the child...the police stepped back and let T have him... That's my boy!
    Thanks again!
    Sandy
    thewondersofdoing@blogspot.com

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  19. What a great project! You always have the most fabulous ideas on your blog!

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  20. Gorgeous Holly, aren't you clever??
    xx

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  21. Hi Holly!

    What a fun idea! I see some future Holiday kitchen towels, placemats and napkins in my future! LOL

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  22. Oh what I would give to have the talent to do these kinds of things that you do....even to make my own flower sacks! I can barely sew a button on!

    Maybe I need to take a sewing class....hmmmm.

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  23. Holly, that is so cute! I think I'll definitely be tackling this one. I love the dish towel!

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  24. Wonderfully done.

    I do admit that as the father of young children, I cringe at the sight of paints. It makes me think of lots of scrubbing, but I am hopeful that this feeling will be a distant memory someday.

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  25. I don't know if I will do this or not, but I am definitely intrigued by it. I remember those shirts being so stiff after painting them. I used to work at Michael's Arts and Crafts many moons ago and a couple of my shirts were on display. Fun.

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  26. I love this! I've never used it but always mean to... it's on my list, you know how it goes ;) Thanks for commenting on the swaddle blanket. I love your blog!!

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  27. Now these are super adorable...I love tea towels and never find cute inexpensive ones...thanks for another great idea Holly. I just read your going back to school post...my boys go back August 18th...I am ready though. We have had plenty of hot and sun. I had a routine this summer and it worked out well...Movies one day, Lake swimming, YMCA, and Carowinds a local water park...we did this each week, I am over it! and honestly so are they. Summer is too long here.

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  28. Very cute and creative project! I can't believe your kids are back in school in 2 weeks. Wow! My boys start preschool again in a few weeks and I can't wait. I'll have two glorious mornings a week all to myself!

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  29. Great job on all of those!! Loved the dish towels!

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  30. Anonymous12:44 PM

    That is so darn cute!! Love the colors!!

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  31. wow these look GREAT! I love how they turned out. Is your son excited for school? Are you a little sad? We get out of school so late that there is still 4 weeks left of summer... phew (for now)

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  32. You have traditions...didnt' you tell me you hid easter baskets for years with a map???? if not I know you have traditions... all your projects... look fun.. I wish I had money to buy the stuff to make just one.. but I am not working enough to make crafts right now... sad..
    the chalk board one from a while ago I loved too.... miss you.. I have been so sick... so I have not been commenting.. but better not great just better.

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  33. new follower from new friend friday. Love the blog and the tutorial. Is there anyway you would let me feature this on my site?

    hope you can come by and say hey sometime
    http://sewcraftable.blogspot.com
    ♥Jess

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  34. Hello,
    I came from weekend wrap-up party@tatertots & jello :)

    I'm really curious about the fabric paint medium, I hope I can find something like that in Indonesia

    Citra @ http://innocentia.tk

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  35. I love the stencil you chose and the way you went about using it in various ways to decorate your kitchen

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  36. These are all very pretty!

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  37. Its looking so smart.I love stenciling and fabric paintings as well.you can check my stencil work at my blog this post;
    http://creativemind-zeshuregi.blogspot.com/2010/05/stenciling-work.html

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  38. Brilliant idea and LOVE the colors used. I want to try. ;)

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  39. Great idea! I've been looking for some new kitchen towels, but can't find anything I love. Guess I'll have to make some of my own.

    Enjoy your Sunday!

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Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! I sure hope you come back for more!