Dollar Tree Stencil Craft on Canvas

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Get a head start on your summer crafting and make my Dollar Tree stencil craft on canvas!

There’s nothing more summery than bright sunshine, so the wooden sun shape and “shine bright” stencil are perfect for creating this canvas craft.

This summer craft idea will surely get you in a good mood crafting with the positive affirmation and bright and cheerful colors!

DOLLAR TREE STENCIL CRAFT ON CANVAS

completed dollar tree stencil craft on canvas

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SUPPLIES NEEDED:

  • canvas
  • wooden sun shape
  • stencil
  • craft paint
  • buttons
  • Mod Podge
  • E-6000 glue
  • artist brushes
  • stencil pouncer
  • painter’s tape
  • ruler
  • pencil

HOW TO MAKE A DOLLAR TREE STENCIL CRAFT

STEP 1 – MARK OFF THE BORDER

  • Use a ruler and pencil to lightly mark the lines where the tape will be placed in a straight line. In the photo below, see the tiny marks I made on the canvas.
  • Apply painter’s tape on all four sides to make a straight line following the tiny pencil marks.
  • I measured for a 3/4 inch border.
  • Run your fingernail along the edge of the tape where the paint will be touching.

STEP 2 – PAINT THE CENTER

Paint the center of the canvas with 2 to 3 coats of the bright blue color.

dollar tree canvas marked off for a border

STEP 3 – TAPE THE STENCIL

  • Hold your wooden shape on the canvas and determine where the stencil needs to be placed.
  • I used extra painter’s tape to hold the stencil down since I’m using a cheap Dollar Tree stencil.
blue paint completely painted on the dollar tree craft
dollar tree stencil taped down on the canvas

HOW TO STENCIL ON CANVAS TO REDUCE BLEED

TWO SECRETS TO REDUCE BLEED

The first secret to reducing paint from bleeding under the stencil is to apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the entire area where the letters are.

I failed to use Mod Podge when I gave my step stool a makeover using a stencil so it’s muddy looking and not so crisp.

The Dollar Tree stencil is flimsy compared to a better quality one so I did have a little bleeding, but the Mod Podge still definitely helped.

The second secret to reducing bleed is to apply multiple light layers of paint, pouncing in a quick up and down motion with your paint pouncer. In the photo below, you’ll see my first coat.

first black coat on the dollar tree stencil craft

STEP 4 – REPAIR ANY BLEEDS IF NEEDED

Because of the cheap and flimsy stencil, I had 2 blob bleeds and only minor ones here and there to repair. In the photo below, you can see one of the blob bleeds at the ‘G.’

Use an artist liner brush for repairs.

I decided to completely paint and fill in the missing parts of the letters. I like that look better for this particular canvas craft idea.

STEP 5 – PAINT THE SUN SHAPE

The unfinished, wooden sun shape was purchased at Dollar Tree. Sorry no before photo.

I used shades of orangey yellow, medium yellow, light yellow, and I mixed white and yellow for a fourth color.

In the photo below, you can see all the color variations for the end result.

  • Paint a base coat of medium yellow on the entire sun.
  • Use the orangey yellow in the area closest to the face and paint outward to the ends of those open line spaces.
  • On the pointed sun rays, give a streaky paint look with light yellow.
  • Then mix white with some light yellow and use your new color to paint some streaky areas on the ends of the rays.
painted sun wooden shape

STEP 6 – PAINT THE BLACK STRIPES IN THE BORDER

  • Use an artist brush to freehand some black stripes in the border.
  • Freehand painting means it doesn’t need to be perfect. If you want perfect you can use the painter’s tape to make crisp edges.
  • I chose to use an artist brush with a straight edge 1/2 inch brush head.
  • Turn the first border side to be painted horizontal to you.
  • Line the end of the brush up at the blue painted edge and paint towards you.
  • If the paint doesn’t glide on in only one swipe then you don’t have enough paint loaded on the brush.
  • If you’re using a thick canvas, compared to a thin board canvas, wait until the stripes on top are dry and then finish painting the stripes on the edges.

TIP: Pay close attention painting the stripes and turning the canvas to paint the next border side as it’s very, very easy to accidentally touch the wet paint and mess up other parts of your canvas. Ask me how I know this, ugh!

STEP 7 – GLUE ON ALL THE EMBELLISHMENTS

Hot glue doesn’t work real well on canvas as your attachments can easily pop off. So I advice using a very strong glue. E-6000 dries clear.

Use E-6000, or other strong glue, to attach the wood sun shape. Determine where the shape hits the canvas and apply glue in only those areas.

Place a very small amount of the same glue to attach the buttons.

You can either display your art by propping it up, like I plan to, or attach a hanger on the back side that works with the type of canvas you have used.

If you plan to attach a hanger, be sure to do so before you start your craft.

I hope you enjoy making your Dollar Tree stencil canvas craft for a fun summer art project!

graphic saying 'pin for later'
graphic of the completed dollar tree stencil craft on canvas

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN THESE CRAFTS:

SUNBURST ARTWORK MADE WITH PAPER

DOLLAR TREE CANVAS IDEA USING STICKERS

I’m participating in a monthly “Creative Craft Hop” that’s hosted by Birdz of a Feathers. This group consists of many talented bloggers who create a craft to share with all of our readers that you can replicate or get inspiration. If you’re following the bloggers in order and coming here from Life as a LEO Wife, a big welcome to you! Look for all of the additional craft links below.

NOW, SEE MORE CREATIVE CRAFTS FROM MY BLOGGING FRIENDS!

graphic for the creative craft hop group

If you’re following the craft hop in order, Jenna from The Painted Apron is next on the list.

Terri @ Decorate and More with Tip ~ DIY Patriotic Star Door Hanger

Niki @ Life as a LEO Wife ~ Crafting Your Own Coastal Farmhouse Lantern

Allyson @ Southern Sunflowers ~ Dollar Tree Stencil Craft on Canvas (that’s me!)

Jenna @ The Painted Apron ~ Pedestal Serving Tray

Gail @ Purple Hues and Me ~ DIY Coiled Rope Shoulder Bag

Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction ~ Blah to Blue-tiful Birdie Upcycle for the Garden

Carol @ Blue Sky at Home ~ How to Make a DIY Patriotic Pillow

Sara @ Birdz of a Feather ~ Homemade Gift for Dad

Ann @ The Apple Street Cottage ~ Easy Painted Rocks

Tammy @ Patina and Paint ~ Re-cycled Patriotic Sign

Sharing my Dollar Tree canvas craft at these fabulous blogs!

author of the southern sunflowers blog
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allyson

Allyson is the founder and content creator of Southern Sunflowers, which shares tutorials for DIY crafts and decor on a budget.

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24 thoughts on “Dollar Tree Stencil Craft on Canvas”

  2. Estelle Forrest

    This is such a fun craft project – brings all the smiles! Thanks so much for linking up on SSPS, hope to see you again next week.

    Reply
    1. Allyson

      Terrie, I’m a button lover so I couldn’t resist adding them to my canvas. Some of your readers dropped by. Thanks for the traffic from our craft hop!

      Reply
  11. Jenna

    Very cute Allyson! Good tips on reducing the bleed, and your letters turned out great. Such a happy little sign that would make a special gift for anyone! Happy crafting~

    Reply
  12. sara allen

    Your summer craft not only gets me into a good crafting mood, but a good mood – period – with its bright and cheerful colours! It’s my smile of the day :). Happy to be hopping with you Allyson!

    Reply

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