Friday, May 21, 2010

Quatrefoil Wall Art



Lately I am obsessing over this beautiful pattern called, quatrefoil. I first saw it in the Ballard catalog and it was love at first sight. Now I see it all over the place. I guess it's the latest hot trend. I've had it on my list of things I wanted to try, but didn't know where to start. Well, my bestie, Jen from Tatertots and Jello, came to my rescue. Her post over at The CSI Project this week was THE most fabulous quatrefoil tutorial. She even included a free printable stencil!!! You can click HERE to get your very own copy...isn't she sweet?






This is my little creation using her awesome stencil. I am in L.O.V.E. I'm already dreaming up various ways to use this stencil again and again and again!





Here is how I did it. First I printed a copy of the pattern Jen made. Then I taped it to the back of a plastic stencil sheet. Because these sheets are clear, you can easily cut the shape out following the lines of the pattern.






Now you're ready to stencil your little heart out. This is definitely a process and it takes time and patience...so be sure you have a little of both saved up! It has been a long time since I stenciled anything, and in my mind I was thinking it would be quick and painless. Ummmm....not so quick and slightly painful. I kid...really, it wasn't. I just wasn't prepared to spend several hours laboring over the detail of every single paint line. Maybe if I'd had this warning, I wouldn't have started this project at 10pm. Regardless, I would do it again. In fact, I plan to do another quatrefoil stencil project very soon, but I might need to set aside a few days to do it!





FYI.....I used a paint dauber to stencil the pattern on the canvas. If you don't know what I'm talking about, there is a picture of it two shots up. It's that little yellow round sponge on the end of a paint brush. After I stipled the pattern on, I went over the edge of each shape very carefully with a small paintbrush to sharpen the lines and filled in the centers.





This wall art is just the pop of color I needed in this corner of my chocolate brown living room. I love everything about it....the pattern, the color, the free price tag, and the fact that I made it myself. I've always enjoyed decorating and crafting, ever since I was a little girl. But it has only been in the last few years that I have been able to truly enjoy and embrace my creativity. For so long I denied myself the satisfaction of creating beautiful things. I was so caught up in the notion that everything needed to be perfect, that I didn't allow myself to try new things. What a waste! Let me tell you....once I let go of those ridiculously high expectations of myself, it was absolutely liberating. I love the freedom I've allowed myself to create, to share, to be inspired...beautiful imperfections and all!!!

Visit thecsiproject.com

That is why I am so excited about this new project....The CSI Project! It is a culmination of everything I love about blogging. It is a place to share your creations and be inspired by the creativity of others. Our first weekly challenge link up starts Monday. The theme for the week is "paint". Our guest judge is none other than my good friend, Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick. We will have lots of fun, some fabulous loot, and plenty of inspiration. So get those projects together and get ready to link up for the fun. I am super excited to see what y'all come up with.....and I hope to see you there!



Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!

19 comments:

Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants said...

Amanda, that is so cool, it's been a long time since I have stenciled. If you love that pattern you need to go to Marshall's and check out the tablecloths. They have this beautiful tablecloth in blue and a kinda khaki color. You could make tablecloths or curtains, all kinds of things out of it. Thanks for sharing!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Amanda --

You are so smart! I love that you cut it out on stencil paper. I am so doing that! We make such a good team - lol.

LOVE your canvas! I want to redo my whole house in quatrefoil. Wouldn't it be fun to stencil a pillow?

XOXO
Jen

Infarrantly Creative said...

Wow you didn't wait a minute to start on that project. Great job. Love the purdy aqua.

A Blissful Nest said...

Oh I can't wait to try this. Thanks!

Kristina P. said...

I love the calming blue you used.

Katie said...

Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Pretty, pretty! I also adore the moulding, and the color of the moulding that your great new art rests upon.

Kenzie said...

Gorgeous! Especially love the colors.

BLJ Graves Studio said...

I love this and will definitely be giving it a try.

Melanie said...

I saw the post on CSI & loved everything! I love that pattern & love your idea to put it on a canvas...I have several blank ones in my garage right now...hmmm, shall I throw away all of my other plans for today & quatrefoil???
Thanks for the inspiration!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

Ooh I love this! Great job. And it does look great against the chocolate brown.

Ashley said...

That looks awesome! I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to quatrefoil.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

It's beautiful!!! I've left a few comments around asking when the CSI project will have the linky up, but haven't heard anything. Is it Sunday night or sometime on Monday? I just want to be sure I have my post ready.

Stephanie Cameron said...

I love quatrafoil too!! Just never knew it was called that! So cute of a project, can't wait to try it out myself!

lAuRa said...

Thanks for all you do! I am passing along the 'virtual blogger' award. Pick it up here: http://tasteslikechikin.blogspot.com/

Angie said...

I love this pattern too, but have never known the name for it. Your project turned out great and totally pops against the brown wall.

Ishita said...

These are so cool and loving.Home is where the hunch is. And just same our hearts also make it a point to take tending of our homes the prizewinning way possible.
Wall Art

René said...

So pretty! I love the color, the pattern. Well done.

Unknown said...

Love your blog and this project featuring quatrefoil (one of my favorite patterns!) so I featured your project in my roundup of crafty quatrefoil projects here. Feel free to check it out and hope you like it!

-Mel the Crafty Scientist

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