Stenciled Storage Boxes

For some reason I have been procrastinating on this super simple project that I have to share with you today.  I don't know why because now that I have completed it I love it so much.  Last month I completed a Ikea hack media console which I detailed in these posts: Part I and Part II

I wanted to add some color and detail to the storage boxes that I purchased at Michaels.  I love them because they are covered in burlap and a nice off white textured fabric.  I got them when they were 50% off so they were only $3 per box.  My favorite way to add interest and detail to something is by using a stencil so I chose some shapes from my Silhouette library that I could turn into stencils.  I made the stencils out of projector transparency sheets which I detail in this blog post.

I used the following shapes from the Silhouette Design Store to make my stencils: chevron stripes, chinese lattice, scallop pattern, and violets lace.

Next I gathered up some paint samples and craft paint that I had on hand and a stencil brush.

It was such a simple and quick project.  I decided to only paint the visible end of each box.

It was such a simple and pretty project.  I love how my living room has been transformed over the last few months with the purchase of our new couch and TV, the media console project, the Tulsa skyline watercolor painting, and now these pretty storage boxes.

Watercolor Skyline

Today I am back to share a new addition to our living room.  Awhile ago I pinned this inspiration pic to my living room board on Pinterest:

It is a painting of the skyline of the city I was born in: Tulsa, OK.  I was ready to purchase this painting from the Etsy seller but by the time I got around to it the Etsy seller no longer existed.  I was bummed but then I decided to take matters into my own hands and make my own.

I started by buying a large piece of watercolor paper from a local art store.  Because the piece was $10 I decided that I would do a test painting on a standard letter size of watercolor paper to practice before I painted the real thing.  I wanted to make sure that the technique would work and I also wanted to experiment with colors to make sure I got the right combination.

So here is how I did it.  I started by drawing the skyline and then scanned it in so I could trace it in my Silhouette software.

To make the lines nice and straight I edited the points until I got it to look exactly like I wanted it.  It took some time but it was worth it to get a crisp finished product.

I then enlarged the image and separated into 3 different pieces so that it would be big enough for my large piece of watercolor paper.

I cut the skyline out on contact paper using the settings from this post.

It took a little bit of time to make sure that I got the pieces lined up right on the paper but the contact paper is forgiving since it can be removed and repositioned.

Then it was time for the paint.  I chose bright colors since there is a lot of negative white space in the painting.

Then I removed the contact paper and ended up with these nice crisp lines.

I took the painting to Michaels and had it custom framed.  I chose a white double mat and a white framed because I wanted the skyline to pop and I really like the white on white look.  It is really hard to get a good photo of this with my bad living room lighting.  It looks so much more awesome in person.

It is nice to have something on the wall in the living room finally besides the mirror that we have over the piano.  Check back this weekend or next week for a post on stenciled storage boxes for the media console.