Easy DIY Christmas Decor Project: Just a Stencil and Chalk Paint
You can never start early enough on your Christmas crafting projects. Spring, summer, fall – pick a season and dive into what you love to do, for the season you love the best! And this year, it’s time to try your hand at stenciling with chalk paint.
No time for this project now? Pin it for later.
Watch how I use JRV Stencils to create this easy, fast Christmas decor project. Or keep scrolling for a list of all the supplies I used and written instructions.
HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO STENCIL THIS HOLIDAY HOME DECOR PROJECT… WITH A LITTLE CHALK PAINT
- Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint in Boxwood
- Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint Hemp Oil Wood Finish
- Wise Owl Chalk Synthesis Paint in Antique Villa
- JRV Stencil “Holiday Greens”
- Vintage Wood Box
- Stencil Brush (large)
- Paper Plate
- Frog Tape
- Paper Towels
- Fine sandpaper
- Soft, dry cloth
STEP 1: APPLY A BASE COAT OF MMS MILK PAINT IN BOXWOOD
We have “pickers” out looking for vintage, wooden produce boxes for us because we love to create Christmas crafts with them. They’re rough but I love the way the aged wood gives so much texture to projects.
Start by painting the box completely, inside and out, in MMS Milk Paint in Boxwood. The unfinished wood on my box just drank the paint in, so allow for that when you’re painting, if your box is the same material.
Now set the box aside to dry for a bit. We’ll be sanding and finishing the box at the end of the project. Make sure the box is completely dry before taking the next step. You’ll use Frog Tape to hold your stencil down, which can pull paint off if it’s not fully dried.
STEP 2: POSITIONING THE STENCIL
Once the paint has dried on the box, you’re ready to add your stencil. The JRV Stencils are thick – 15 gauge – and will probably last forever. (And they clean up with soap and water.)
I measured the length of the long side of the box, then measured the stencil length, before centering it on the side. Once I was happy with the placement – and it took looking at it from a couple of angles and readjusting the stencil – I taped it down.
My basic, go-to stenciling supplies are:
- Stencil
- Stencil brush
- Frog tape
- Paper plate
- Paper towels
- Paint
STEP 3: ADDING PAINT TO THE STENCIL
When I opened my Wise Owl Paint, I used a standard wooden paint stir stick to mix it up. The paint left on the stir stick is all I need to stencil the box. I wipe it directly onto the paper plate I’m using for my paint palette.
Dabbing the stencil brush into the paint, I immediately offload as much paint as I can onto a paper towel. Remember when you’re stenciling – less paint! If you get too much paint on the stencil brush, the paint can leak underneath the stencil and you won’t see the clean lines and image impression.
You can always re-dip your brush and go over your image again, if you need to, so start with as little paint as possible. Pro Tip: I lift up a corner of the stencil to check the image. If I need more paint, it’s easy to lay the stenci down and go back over it again.
Once the image is exactly how you want it, remove the stencil by pulling it up and the tape off. Now let your stencil image dry a bit before flipping the box over and repeating the process on the opposite long side of the box.
TIPS ON STENCILING TECHNIQUES
If the surface of the box is uneven, as mine was, make sure to hold the stencil down with one hand while you apply paint with the other. An uneven surface can lift the stencil up – and that can lead to paint bleeding.
When you’re choosing your stencil brush – think big. It allows you to go very fast while you’re applying the paint. This is what you want – stenciling fast will keep you from overworking paint on the letters (or any image you stencil) and the paint bleeding under the stencil.
STEP 4: FINAL STEPS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS BOX
After all the paint is thoroughly dry (I recommend several hours to overnight), you’re going to super lightly sand the box. This gives it a very vintagey look.
Brush off all the sanded bits from the box with a soft, dry cloth. Now it’s time to apply the topcoat finish, Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint Hemp Oil. I used a chip brush to paint it onto the box, letting it soak in and wiping back any puddles.
The hemp oil does wonderful things to the raw wood. And the paint colors become brighter and richer after applying the oil. It’s definitely a secret weapon when working with unfinished wood.
That’s all there is to this quick and easy Christmas craft! The box will look fabulous filled with any holiday greens or pots of Poinsettias. Or paperwhites. Or all the above! It makes the perfect centerpiece.
And – what a great hostess gift for holiday parties. You’ve got to try this Christmas project. Send photos when you finish!