Freezer Paper Stenciling

This project has been on my list of things to do since I first learned of this kind of stenciling months ago. And let me say, now that I have met this beautiful thing called freezer paper, I can tell this is going to be the beginning of a long and beautiful relationship.

With this method, you can turn almost anything into a stencil. Here's how it's done:

Start by choosing your pattern & printing it out. It's better to choose images with thicker lines & simpler shapes rather than thin and complex. You'll understand why when you do the next step.

Take your printout & tape it to the top of the NON-shiny side of a piece of freezer paper. (This is found near the aluminum foil at the grocery store.) I chose a bird on a branch this time. Lay your pattern & paper over a cutting mat or thick cardboard.

Next, take an exacto knife & cut out the design, making sure to cut all the way thru the freezer paper. When you're done with this, you'll have your freezer paper stencil. Now use a hot, dry iron to iron the freezer paper to your chosen fabric. Make sure you iron shiny side down.

Now you're ready to paint! Use your favorite color of craft paint & simply paint in the stencil.

Once it's dry, peel it off carefully & admire the results!

I made my design into a pillow & even embellished it with some fabric leaves that I appliqued into place.

This was so easy! Can't wait to do it again soon.

UPDATE: I've decided to part with this bird pillow & list it in my etsy shop. If you think your nest needs a pillow like this, click here!

Linking up to some of these creative sites!