Before & After: Sweetest Stenciled Dresser

So you have long since known that I was redoing my little girl's room, right? Well I'm not done yet. I have just a teeny tiny itty bitty ways to go! And when I say that I mean it. Anywho, I bought this dresser for $20 off of CYS. I didn't know why it was so cheap...at the time.

So I sanded it up and did what I usually do. Leave her in the basement to be forgotten. But now that I am finishing my girl's room I needed to buckle down and get it finished. (Only b/c I'm finishing my room also and need the chest from the girls room :o)

After a coat (should've done 2) of primer I let it sit over night in my kitchen. I hate having to paint in my kitchen b/c it's so darn cold and wet outside. But hey either way as long as it gets done I guess I'm okay with it.

Here it is after a few, yes I said few, coats of paint. I picked up some oops paint for $4 at Walmart. It is a rich cream color. I have learned you get what you pay for. Cheap paint=lots of coats. I didn't sand it either. I already knew this piece is not heirloom quality & plus I just wanted to get it done!

I pulled out my trusty stencil bought @ Hobby Lobby for less than $3 after using a coupon. The other came from Michael's. Stencil's can be used for so many things. What's even better is they sell the sheets for you to cut your own stencils. I'm not artistically inclined so I'm sticking to the pre-cut for now.

Before I started my stenciling I started by measuring the space I was stenciling and getting my layout in order. I definitely think this is necessary if you want some kind of symmetry.

Next I got out an old plastic plate, raggedy paint brush, and my .88c craft paint. Craft stores sell stenciling paint which is rich in pigment. I would suggest that if you are stenciling your walls or fabric. Otherwise cheap craft paint works great.

I always start by tapping some of the paint off of my brush. I guess what I was doing was basically dry brushing the stencil image onto the dresser.

This is what my plate looks like whenever I get done dry brushing.

I like to start on the outside of the stencil then fill in the inside. That way the edge has a darker lining and the filling is lighter. I also held my image down by hand but you can use painter's tape or a spray adhesive to hold the stencil in place.

Here it is finished. I added some bordering to it. I kind of wanted to paint the bottom too. Just to anchor it.

Here is why it is $20. Not a problem to me though. My little girl still loves this dresser as is. Yes, I know you see my border painted all hellaciously!

Another view? Why not!

How about a penthouse view from the top?

I combined 2 stencils. This is my accent stencil. A damask print. I'm a damask addict! Who isn't? Please don't tell me your sick of damask yet.

Here is a before and after:

I have already put on one coat of satin wipe-on poly. The only that keeps me from taking her upstairs is the second coat of poly and knobs. Does anyone have any suggestions for some sweet knobs?????? Knobs are the lastest bane of my existence.

Today I will be linking up at:

Frugalicious Friday, Toot Your Horn Tuesday hosted by A Silly Little Sparrow, A Soft Place To Land (with a HOT giveaway), A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, Reinvented, Tales From Bloggeritaville (I love her title makes me want to drink a margarita!!), The Shabby Chic Cottage, Today's Creative Blog, & One of my favorites Miss' Mustard Seed Creations!!

Be sure to check these links out. There is so much inspiration on these blogs.

I was invited to join an awesome link up party. It's a Paint Party! How awesome right?! How much painting have we all done. Tons, I know! Check it out at Domestically Speaking & link-up too :o)