Background

At the end of a busy day, homesteaders didn't have a lot of time left for decorating everyday items. However, when early settlers were able to decorate, they applied simple techniques and materials. In addition to carving and needlework, painting often enhanced the appearance of items. The homesteader painted free hand or applied simple stencils.

Make a stencil:

Make your own stencil and decorate a box, a piece of wood, or any other surface that can be painted.

To make a stencil like the ones the early settlers worked with

1. Draw a shape of your liking onto a piece of heavy cardboard. See the following sample pattern.
2. Cut out the shape and throw it away. The cardboard that is left is the stencil.
3. Trace the stencil onto the surface to be painted. You will have an outline of the shape you selected.
4. Fill in the shape with color. You can paint the surface while the stencil is still in place, or you can paint the surface by filling in the outline traced on it.