I’ve mentioned a few times that I used to work in a craft store.
Honestly, one of the best gigs I’ve had in my 50+ years.
Not only was it fun . . . who wouldn’t like having an entire store at your disposal for making projects . . . but it was also a career-changer for me.
A life-changer, really.
That’s when I started playing around with paint . . . for displays, backdrops, signs, furniture, younameit. Eventually I started teaching painting classes there too.
A seemingly simple job at a craft store transformed my life and I’ll always be grateful.
So when Hometalk asked if I’d like to host a Pinterest Party at Michael’s this month, it was a total no-brainer.
Only one day? Can’t I stay longer . . . like forever?
I’ll settle for Sunday, February 16. 
Everyone who’s close to my Michael’s store in Folsom, CA is invited to join me to make a Pinterest-inspired craft. The store has loads of ideas too.
I had a million ideas for making my own craft to demonstrate until I walked into Michael’s.
Burlap!
Not just Burlap! Burlap Canvases!
It’s like someone asked me what I think the next hot art/craft product should be. Only they didn’t. Or I would’ve told them . . .
Burlap Canvases!
Let me show you my first Burlap Canvas project.
Oh yes, there will be more . . .
How To Stencil Burlap Art
Materials (all available at Michael’s)
- burlap canvas (this came in a set of three)
- stencils
- stencil spray adhesive
- paint (I used White, Raw Umber and Deep Ocean Blue)
- foam pouncers
- painter’s tape
- wax paper (not shown)
- optional: ribbon, gem crystals and Max Tacky Adhesive
Since we’re stenciling burlap with a nubby weave, I recommend spraying stencil adhesive on the back of your stencils to prevent paint bleed-thru.
Trust me on this. 
Another trust-me-on-this is to add strips of painter’s tape along the edges of the stencil so you don’t pounce paint where you don’t want it.
You could also use a bristle stencil brush. I tried that too. It takes a little longer . . . er, a lot longer . . . but bleed-thru risk is minimized. In the end I loaded a foam pouncer and made sure I pounced up-and-down without much pressure.
And one more trust-me-on-this . . . you do realize that this means I tried it another way and had issues, right?
After each paint/stencil application, set the stencil on wax paper and wipe all the paint off with a damp paper towel, turn it over and wipe the backside.
I’ve nevered stenciled a large surface, like a wall, so I don’t know how stencilists do it, if they wipe each time or not. For me, this was the only way to ensure no extra paint splotches.
After the blue chrysanthemums I stenciled white circles of dots.
The circle on the left was stenciled with a foam pouncer, the one on the right with a bristle stencil brush. It’s lighter, but less bleed-thru. You’d just need 2-3 coats with the bristle brush.
After the blue and white dried fully, I stenciled Raw Umber for the bird and branch. I didn’t get full coverage on the first go, as you can see the white and blue poking thru.
Since the bird and leaves were much larger with less detail, I just removed the stencil and went over the it again with a regular brush, making it more opaque.
You could leave it like this and have a cute little burlap canvas. But since this is for Hometalk and Michael’s I wanted to dress it up a bit more.
After the Raw Umber was fully dry I turned the canvas over, measured where I wanted my ribbon border and added a smidgen of glue.
Cute, huh? I ran another piece of ribbon across the bottom border too.
For a little bling, I glued a few gem crystals on some of the mum petals with the Max Tacky.
I love my little burlap!
I’m also going to love showing people how to make their own this Sunday!
Come join me, Michael’s and Hometalk this Sunday for a Pinterest Party!
February 16, 1-4 pm
2715 East Bidwell Street, Folsom, CA
Check out the Pinterest inspired displays at your local Michaels store, buy your supplies, and meet us in the classroom to create your own pin-worthy project.
Not in my area? That’s ok, there are 100 bloggers around the country doing the same thing. Check this list to find one close to you.
Are you on Hometalk yet? It’s truly one of my favorite places to hang out for home and garden socializing. And check this out - Follow Michaels on Hometalk to enter to win a $100 Michaels gift card. Five winners will be announced on Hometalk's FB page on Feb 17, after the party.
I want to thank Hometalk and Michael’s for sponsoring this post and inviting me to host our local Pinterest Party. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Colleen
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