Monday, May 2, 2011

Sharing my best kept secret~my sign stencils

Yesterday I did a POST sharing the materials I use to paint my signs on. Many of you asked where I get my stencils, so I am here today to share where I get my secret stash of VERY inexpensive stencils.

My very large 6.5" are from a website called Printerprojects.com
They are free. I print each letter on recycled paper, then cut each one out. If you wanted, you could print them on card stock to make them thicker.






My medium sized capital and lowercase letters were also free from a website called Alphabet-soup.net









I also have some smaller capitals letters that I LOVE. They are a hard cardboard and so easy to trace. I purchased these at TJ MAXX in the scrap booking section for $1.99.




When I do images or shapes, I have a couple of different methods. For example, I traced a quarter for the circles on this CIRCUS sign.  If I were doing larger circles, I'd use the base of a soup can.


When I want an image such as a bird, I go to google images and type in "bird silhouette". I print it on recycled paper and....VOILA!



When I painted the candelabras for Sami's room, I purchased a vinyl candelabra from TJ MAXX for $1.99. I stuck it to a thick paper bag, then cut it out. I then traced it on the wall. The three I traced were hand painted after that. And now I have this newly made stencil for many projects to come.



Hope this helps.....If there are any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

15 comments:

  1. Very helpful tutorial on the where to get the letters and how to use for lettering signs. Thank you (also for the how to for the candlelabrassand bird).
    - Joy

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  2. yay! i wasnt going to ask but im happy you shared = )

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  3. Great tips, Lisa, thank you! I've been trying to find a particular bird stencil, now I know where to look.

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  4. These are all great! The cupcakes and lake sign are so cute. the colors are perfect. I love them all!

    http://jennaleelac.blogspot.com/

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  5. Hi Lisa, Thanks so much for sharing. That is super sweet of you:)
    ~Debra xxx
    Capers of the vintage vixens

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  6. thanks so much for sharing your stencil secret! i can't wait to open my own sign shop now. ;) totally kidding... but thanks so much for sharing- i am sure to use this somewhere down the road!

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  7. I've wondered about your signs and if you used graphite paper, etc. Now I know. Good tips, Lisa! I'm getting ready to make a sign for the kitchen so this will come in handy.
    Have a great week!
    XO,
    ~Michelle

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  8. Thanks so much for showing us your 'secret'. Now, to find those old barn boards. ;-)

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  9. Your signs look Fabulous! thank you for the site too. First time on your blog and I do like it. Ciao Rita

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  10. Thanks for sharing where you get your stencils. I always wondered where you got them. It's really nice of you Lisa to do that. I can't wait to try and do the kinds of art projects that you do.

    -Zane of ontario honey

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