How to Stencil an Outdoor Rug

Royal Design Studio Stencils contacted me a while back & asked if I would like to test out one of their stencils…umm…ABSOLUTELY!  I was like a kid in a candy store trying to find the perfect stencil out of all of their beautiful designs.  I really have been coveting after a few patterns for months now, so now I had no excuse not to get to work!  After going back & forth I finally decided on the Large Moroccan Key Stencil with another project in mind.  But as soon as it arrived I knew I needed a new outdoor rug.
I have been looking for a patterned outdoor rug & have either been deterred by the price, the size, the color or the pattern.  
Outdoor Rugs
{ Previous One Kings Lane Sale 
$199 (too expensive) 5 x 7 (too small) }
I could not find the exact one that I wanted.  So why not make my own?
I ordered a ridiculously under priced rug from Home Depot.  It was $26 with shipping for a 6 x 8 rug.  ( I will say that I was a tad nervous upon reading the reviews… but I went for it anyways.  It is unbound, but after a few days of sitting outside & after it is painted, it lays just fine. )
Next comes the paint.  I researched, debated, discussed all the numerous ways I could paint this.  I decided to stick with what Royal Design Studio recommends, Acrylic Craft Paint.  Be sure if you want to tackle an outdoor project that you read the labels.  You need to find a paint that is either specified for outdoors or lightfast.  Mine was lightfast.  I used 3 1/2 8 oz. bottles of DecoArt’s Americana Acrylic Paint in Calypso Blue.  I also mixed mine with a fabric medium to allow it to soak into the fibers a bit better.  For the fabric medium I used 1 1/2 6 oz. bottles of Martha Stewart Craft’s version.
Time to prep… I decided I wanted a border like the image above…
Start stenciling…  I started out using a spray adhesive (needing to have used it in the past with other company’s stencils) two stencils in & I had no need for it.  The stencil is thick enough that you don’t need the additional adhesive to obtain a clean line.  
I also had excellent luck using a stencil brush.  I have tried regular brushes & rollers before, but my best success came with the stencil brush.  When loading up your paint brush be sure to brush off the excess paint.  You are not looking for a wet brush.  You can always go back & add more for coverage if needed… 
Once you have filled in your entire stencil peel back & TADA!!  This was the point where I did my happy dance!  The lines came out so crisp, even on the pile of the rug.  Remember the acrylic paint dries fairly quick so there is no need to wait until it is completely dry before moving on to the next stencil, just as long as there are no globs.  
& thanks to Royal Design Studio’s registration marks, built into the stencil, lining up your next stencil is a dream.  
Keep stenciling… It’s looking good right?
I will say that stenciling is a labor of love, but it is really quite rewarding to step back & say… “Look what I did!”
I told you the lines were crisp!
This rug has completely transformed our deck.
 & even inspired our Concrete Block Planter Table Project.  
We had to step up the rest of the space to match the rug!!
& of course I had to make new outdoor cushions to complete the look…  Yes, that is a rare breed of blue zebra.  If you can’t have fun outside, then where can you?!?
Our rug has already been put to the test by our dog, the little’s & Mother Nature.  I can say that it has passed with flying colors!
Thank you Royal Design Studio for allowing me to review your amazing product.
*** If you have been coveting one of their stencils too, you will probably want to stop back by this week.  I’m not sayin (but I’m sayin) there might just be a GIVEAWAY!***
Disclaimer:  I was given this stencil by Royal Design Studio to Review.  I was in no way obligated to give positive feedback… It is just a GREAT product, deserving of rave reviews.
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