Stenciled Terracotta Pot with Tutorial

Here's a quick and simple project I did today. It took mere minutes, so I thought I'd share. My scanner is broken or I'd share my stencil image too. I used a fox because I'm a bit of a one trick pony these days, but this could look great with any shape. A Victorian style profile silhouette of a family member would make a nice Mother's Day gift. Just a thought. If you don't feel like sketching your own - consult the oracle, and by that I mean Google Images.

You'll need: Contact paper, x-acto knife or scissors, craft paint, a clay pot and a silhouette image.1) Trace any silhouette image onto clear contact paper using a sharpie or tape your design down to the contact paper (if you do this you'll be cutting through both layers - the contact paper and the paper with your design on it.) Make sure to trace or tape onto the contact paper side, not the backing side or your image will be reversed.

2) Cut it out. I prefer my x-acto, but since this is a negative image, scissors are fine. Remember not to cut off any legs, the shape inside the outline is what we're working with here.3) Peel the backing off your contact paper and adhere to your pot. Make sure all the corners and points are firmly tacked down.4) Apply the paint. I use the cheap-o craft paint available in any craft store (It's not archival and maybe not most waterproof, so if this is precious and intended for the great outdoors, do your paint research!). I like to use a fairly rough, dry brush to get a sort of distressed effect. I also like to keep the strokes parallel to the edges of the pot because I like the way it looks, but this is all personal preference.5) Let the paint dry for about 20 minutes. Then use your fingernail or the tip of your x-acto blade to pick up the edge of the stencil. Peel back carefully, if the paint is sticking to your stencil around the edges, getly run your x-acto or the blade of your scissors around the outline before peeling further. 6) You're Done! Fill your pot with plants or household items, gift wrap it or otherwise put it to work.