Stencil Talk Newsletter - Vol. 2 Issue 1

It’s hard to believe that the holiday season has already come, and gone and we’re already into the New Year! To prevent you from getting the “Mid-Winter Blues”, we’ve filled this issue of our newsletter with projects that will keep you busy over the next few wintry months. As you browse through the newsletter, you’re sure to notice interesting and informative articles, decorating tips, a link to our easy Project Ideas for the home, an old fashioned recipe for Snow Ice Cream, and so much more. Enjoy!

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From a garden for reflection, to a haven for daydreaming, wall murals can transform a room into whatever you want it to be. Murals are fun to achieve, will enhance your walls, and can instantly change a room from ordinary to breathtaking! Murals are the perfect way to add a scene or a view to a room. They can add a feeling of spaciousness or light. Murals can bring the tranquility of nature into a room with warmth and color!

Colors which evoke calm and a sense of connection to nature will be on the leading edge of home design this year. Experts say the influence of nature on the latest colors and styles is an attempt to counterbalance the strong effects of technology in our everyday lives. Many of the newest motifs and colors are inspired by the botanical and natural qualities of plants and wildlife. So, why not transform a room, and bring a dose of nature indoors at the same time by adding a wall mural to your home?

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Stenciling Background and Foreground
To give mural elements the appearance that they are in the distance or background, keep the objects lighter in color and smaller in size. The farther back you want them to appear, the lighter they should be. Items in the foreground should appear larger and darker in color. When stenciling a mural, it helps to make a “thumbnail” sketch of how you would like your finished project to look. This will also help with design placement. Always stand back often to keep a check on placement of designs, colors, and shading.

Painters’ Masking Tape vs. Spray Adhesive
Painters’ Masking Tape is easy to apply. It is moved easily along as you stencil, and does not pull the wall paint off or leave any residue. Painters’ Tape works perfectly with Paintstiks®. Spray Adhesives come in handy when using liquid acrylic paints which can bleed easily under your stencil, or works well when stenciling on rounded surfaces. However, be aware that many of the spray adhesive brands are difficult to clean up after. The sticky residue that remains on the stencil can be hard to remove. Stencil overlays will stick together and can tear easily when being separated. Sometimes a paint solvent may be needed.

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Here’s a delicious, fun, and easy recipe for any snowy day. So… let it snow!

“Snow Ice Cream”
1 egg
½ cup sugar
½ cup whole milk, cream, or evaporated milk (best)
1 tsp. vanilla
large bowl of fresh snow

In large bowl, mix egg and sugar together. Add milk and vanilla until well blended. Then, go outside and retrieve the snow. Keep adding snow quickly to combined ingredients until the consistency becomes like soft ice cream. If desired, add chocolate syrup and your favorite toppings!

Note: Prior to cracking the egg, always wash outside of egg shell thoroughly to avoid bacteria.

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Color preference is a personal thing; therefore there are no real “wrongs” when it comes to choosing colors.A stencil is a great way to add some extra color to a room! You can pick up colors from a favorite area rug or bed skirt and incorporate them into your stenciling project. Make a complimentary statement by adding similar colors from your stenciling to accent pieces in a room such as pillows, lampshades, throw rugs, furniture, window treatments, etc.

To make a bold statement, add some high contrasting colors. Whether you choose subtle or vibrant, it’s all up to you! Stencils are designed so that the colors are there for the choosing. From cool blues, to warm yellows, to agreeable greens, you can feel confident that stenciling has what you need to achieve the look you desire. They enable you to choose a pleasing color palette for any room in your home!