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Creating Custom Placemats

September 15, 2017

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Rustic DIY Placemats

This morning, as I was cleaning out my craft closet, I unearthed my favorite stencil, a farmhouse chicken. I love this little lady and over the years I have used her to create numerous crafts, including one I have yet to feature here ~ stenciled placemats.

You may have caught a glimpse of her in some of my other posts, as an uncredited player, but today, I am going to give you a brief overview of how I made her.

The process, as you can imagine, is super simple. Honestly, at this point, would you expect anything else from me? 😉

Stenciling is a pretty basic process. The directions really don't vary regardless of what you are stenciling on, especially if you are using a precut one like I always do.

Secure your stencil with tape or pins to whatever you wish to decorate, paint with the proper medium for your material (paper, metal, fabric or wood, etc.), carefully lift the stencil off and let your masterpiece dry and cure.

The most important thing to remember is that too much paint is your enemy, it can cause bleeding, and that dabbing or rolling is generally better than long strokes with a brush. You don't want to use any movements that will cause paint to seep underneath your edges.

That's it. Easy.

So, were there any special considerations when I made the placemats?

Not really. I just made sure that I bought 100% cotton placemats since they would wash well and wouldn't repel the paint. I also used a hot iron when the paint dried to set it, as the fabric bottle directions instructed me to.

I've also edited this to add that yes, placement is key. I wanted my ladies to show with and without a plate, so I offset my stencil. However, design is up to you.

My only other pro tip, is that over the years I have found that on large, flat surfaces, a small roller tends to work best.

Using A Roller to Stencil

I learned that when I made my pillows a few years ago. At the time I called them rooster pillows, but I'm a city girl, so what do I know?

Chicken Rooster Stencils

My stenciled plates were way too small for a roller, but a foam brush worked great on the paper surface.

Easy DIY Stenciled Plates

I don't know why, maybe because I am reminded of hay rides, harvesting and farms, but I always seem to equate chickens and roosters with fall, so I am getting ready to whip a few of these items out again.

How To Stencil Placemats

And no matter where I drop these darling placemats, they add such a cozy air.

DIY Placemats in the Kitchen

And that is fabulous.

If you would like to see the full placemat tutorial you can visit Kim Six, where I originally shared this craft. 


Kim Signature


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  1. Love these! I like that they are off center, if one puts there plate just so it'll look like the rooster is sneaking in for a nibble. ha!

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    1. Thanks Audra! That's so funny...now I am going to have that cute thought in my head every time I look at them! 😂

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  2. Love this stencil! Love how you did the placement on the place mat.
    Brenda

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    1. Thanks so much, Brenda! I wanted the chicken to show even with a dish on it…Glad you like it!

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  3. That is so cute. I have been looking for placemats and can't seem to find any I like and I don't want to make any. Never stenciled before. Clever idea and I do like that you did put them off center like Audra said.

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    1. I can never find placemats I like either, Betty. This was my quick fix for that. Stenciling is so easy. I got hooked back in the 80's or 90's when it was all the rage to do it to your walls. Now I just use it for accent pieces, but still super simple. I promise! 😊

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  4. These are just too adorable as place mats Kim! It's like the rooster is sneaking in from the side.

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    1. Ha! Like Audra said, sneaking in for a nibble! Thanks Mary!!

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  5. That is just the cutest chicken and she looks great on everything you put her on. Love the plate idea.

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  6. Really cute! Now that I have a way to cut stencils, I'll be looking for some cute roosters/chickens to make into something fun in the future. Just saw your link for a rooster stencil ~ cute! Thanks for a fun idea to use in many different ways.

    Barb :)

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    1. Thanks Barb! I have never made my own stencils. I don't have a machine and I don't think I'm talented enough to cut one out by hand. It would be neat to make your own custom design though. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  7. Well done and very cute. I like when an favorite item is repeated in several places in different ways.

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    1. Me too, Lorri! And thanks! When I love something, I tend to use it over and over again. Ummm...red anyone? 😉

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  8. I do like them off-centered because you can see the design when a plate's on it. Cute craft! Thanks for the tips.

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    1. Thanks so much! I played around with the placement for a while and liked the idea of the off-centered chicken. Glad you do, too!

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  9. Very cute Kim. I like them off center so the plate does not cover up the design. Very clever.
    xoxo
    Kris

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    1. Thanks Kris! I have a lot of pretty dishes and I wanted to be able to use them together without blocking the design. 😊

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  10. I love this idea. Thank you for sharing, Kim!
    Can you make one for me? My dad loves the black and white chickens.
    Carla

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    1. Thanks so much, Carla! You are the third person who asked! I think I'm going to need more placemats!!

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  11. Those are adorable Kim! The placement of the stencil is what drives me crazy! The end result is pure magic.

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    1. I am always afraid it's going to move on me, Florence, but I don't want to check it or then I will have moved it! Ha! Mess either way...but yes, when it works out, magic! And thank you!

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  12. You make it happen!
    Love the look, stencil, placemat!

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    1. Thanks so much, Lynne. If it's an easy craft, I'll try it and this one was easy!

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  13. Such cute things you did with that adorable stencil, Kim! Great idea to offset it, and think of all the possibilities that simple change could make!

    Have a great weekend. Are you getting hints of Fall yet, weather-wise? We may have now seen the last of our triple-digits (fingers crossed) until next year.....I hope!
    Hugs,
    Carol

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    1. Thanks Carol! I do like it offset, it's funny, I didn't really contemplate it all that much, it just seemed like the natural choice. Glad everyone likes it that way! And yes, summer is cooling off a bit here, although I hear we may get hit with a tropical storm this week. I am glad that you are below the triple digit line...wow, that is hot!

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  14. Very cute design. So many design were created with this sweet chicken. Love the off center placement too, since most of us have pretty plates. Thanks for sharing Kim.

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    1. Thanks Linda and yes...I wanted to show both my handiwork and my plates at the same time. Everyone seems smitten with the design and that makes me smile. Thanks for the visit and the kind comment. ☺️

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  15. Love this! Super cute and the design is perfect! can't wait to try one!

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    1. Thanks so much! It was super easy to make. Have fun with it!

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  16. I love your chicken placemats! That is a fantastic stencil. It was a great idea to stencil off center, too.

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    1. Thanks so much, Gina! I have to say, I love this project. Thanks for the visit!

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  17. I remember those adorable pillows and I love the placemats too!

    I love chickens - we have 12 hens here at Creekside Cottage. I may need to buy this stencil!

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    1. Well, I am just pea green, Deanna. Real chickens are the dream. And maybe a pig...maybe. 😉 Until then, I stencil...

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    1. Thanks Deb! Sometimes it's the simple things.

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  19. They came out really nice, Kim. Great idea!
    My daughter has always liked roosters too.

    xoxo Su

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    1. Thanks so much, Su! I have a think for chickens...or maybe just this one! Ha!

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  20. Kim, Great job on the stenciling. I love the placemats! I've never stenciled with a roller before, I'm going to have to give that a try! Thanks so much for the tips!

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    1. It's very simple to do, Laurie and I find that it cuts down on all the bleeding paint...and thanks!

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  21. Beautiful placemats, Kim! They are adorable!!! Thank you for the inspiration, my friend.

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  22. Such cute placemats Kim!!! I love how they are off center and the look like they are all snuggled up in the corner!!! So sweet!

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    1. Why thank you, Sam! I really do like the placement, too. Shows off their pretty even on a set table.

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  23. Oh I LOVE those placemats. The range of colors is perfection. It's truly a project that deserves a cockle doodle do!
    Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thank you so much! I had fun with these and yes, I am a color girl...especially in fall!

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  24. LOVE this!
    Found you through BNOTP and I'm now a fan!

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    1. Thanks Shelly! Glad you found some inspiration today, I hope you'll come back to visit again!

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  25. Hi Kim, I remember your pillows and I loved how cute they came out. The same goes for your placemats too. I have not tried stenciling yet but it sure looks like fun.
    Thanks for sharing this at C&C with J&J and enjoy the week.
    Julie

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    1. Thanks Julie, I just love this stencil. I can’t seem to get enough. 😉

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  26. These are adorable and how easy they are to make. I love these types of projects. Have a great week Kim

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  27. I love them Kim! I always loved stenciling but haven't done it in a while. After I stenciled my dining room walls, I was pretty much done for a while. LOL Now you have me wanting to start again.

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    1. Oh, our first apartment and first house were covered in stencils. I loved them. I had stopped for a while, too, but I seem to be on a roll...as long as there are no letters involved. That is not my favorite!

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  28. Too bad you weren't around Lewis weeks ago at the cabin...I gave away a cute life size ceramic chicken :)

    Your mats are adorable, and placing the chickens off center is a great way to showcase the stencil and make it look realistic,

    xxx

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    1. Oh a huge ceramic chicken, be still my heart! I may need to get one now...

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  29. There are several things I love for the home for a quick update and placemats is on the list. These are so adorable.

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    1. Yes, Debra! I always run to the placemat aisle...and peek at the tea towels, too. Quick ways to change the look.

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  30. I just love your placemats. The chicken is a wonderful graphic. I did quite a bit of stenciling years ago when wall stencils were all the rage but I haven't done any in years. You have inspired me to try it again on things other than walls.

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    1. I used to do it on walls all the time, too, Lisa. This way is much easier on the neck!! 😉 I'm glad you found some inspiration today, thanks for the comment.

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  31. Oh you know I would love this! Love the chicken stencil, thanks for sharing the link on Amazon too! I haven't stenciled on fabric in a long while, perhaps I need to give it a whirl again... more inspiration, love it! Your placement looks amazing, perfect for fall, I agree :)

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    1. Thanks so much! I have to say the roller made all the difference. Have fun with your chickens! Real and stenciled! 😉

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  32. Replies
    1. Thanks so much! And with a roller, so easy to make!

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  33. These are so over the top cute, using your stencil method you can customize them to suit your decor. Love this post. Pinning

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    1. Thanks so much, Leanna! It's actually very easy to do...and yay! I love getting pinned!

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