9.27.2012

Cutting Edge Stencil Review & Giveaway {or making a home}

**Giveaway now closed***


We've lived in our rental house for 20 months now. We're here through at least the end of next April. When we first moved in, I was frustrated about moving away from friends and family, pregnant and still getting all day "morning" sickness, and had just lost my mom. I just didn't have the desire or energy to really make this house into anything homey.

When I got the nesting bug, I had a nursery to decorate. Since Emma showed up a bit early, the nursery was the only thing to benefit from that particular bug. After we started sleeping a bit more, I started to slowly but surely make this house feel more like home. It's been a really slow process, but also a process that I've enjoyed.


When Cutting Edge Stencils contacted me asking if I would like to review one of their stencils, I did a highly undignified happy dance. Then I realized I have so many places that are in need of some love. I had such an awful time picking a stencil. Taking a look at our very busy schedule and realizing that we would only be able to stencil during Emma's nap or after she went to bed, we decided to go for a wall pattern kit rather than an all over stencil. I decided that the Parsley Blooms Wall Pattern Kit was just what our dinning room wall needed.


As apart of the decorating process, I have been slowly but surely putting together a gallery wall in our living room. We have an open floor plan that flows from kitchen to dinning room to living room. I decided to take the colors from a printable and fabric that are on the wall to use for the dinning room wall.


Before stenciling, I watched Cutting Edge's How To video and also read the instruction sheet. This was my first time stenciling and I found these resources very helpful. Make sure you follow the instructions about blotting off the paint onto a paper towel. It makes a huge difference. I'm also glad I practiced on a pizza box.


Our walls are both highly textured and poorly constructed. The dry wall was poorly hung, so there's not a flat wall in the whole place. I did have some bleeding while stenciling, but I attribute that to the oddities of the wall rather than a flaw with the stencil. I found making sure I had very little paint on my brush reduced the bleeding.


I did find the stencils hard to clean. Since I was using three different colors, I had to clean the stencils between colors. It was a bit annoying to do. It also took a long time. I wished I had a foam roller for each color. The instructions suggest it and having them would have made the whole process a bit quicker. However, this was user error and not an issue with the stencil itself.


Overall, I would defiantly use another Cutting Edge Stencil. I may or may not already be eyeing a couple of the craft stencils. The stencil itself is of great quality. The instructions were very helpful. Cleaning the stencil was a pain. However, this would not deter me from giving stenciling another go.


The kind people over at Cutting Edge Stencil have offered one very lucky person a stencil of their choice {up to a $50} value. They're also throwing in free shipping! This giveaway is only open to US residents. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Come party with me!

20 comments:

  1. I like this one - http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/moroccan-stencil-marrakech.html
    but it was really hard to choose!

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  2. Any of the Damask stencils! Our master bedroom is done in Damask and I'd love to add some stenciling to it!

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  3. Love the borders! I would probably pick the ivy but I don't know they are all so cool!

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  4. Entered....your link to follow Cutting Edge Stencils on Twitter did not work for me (but I already follow them). I've been celebrating my blogiversary and have had 5 days of giveaways, each running for a week and today was the last one. I'd love for you to come on over and visit!

    Marilyn
    4you-withlove.blogspot.com

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  5. I love this one! http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/flower-power-stencils.html Great giveaway, and yours turned out so cute!

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  6. I'd like to try the spring songbirds one. :) Love your wall, great job!!

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  7. I LOVE THE LARGE BIRCH TREES ONE! and the daffodil ones!

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  8. Thanks for hosting! This is a great giveaway!!

    -TXBloggerLove!

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  9. I have that same stencil!! LOVE what you did with it!

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  10. I like the Casablanca Allover Stencil.

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  11. They are all so cute, a lot of the stencils made me wish I had girls!!! HAHAHA!!! But, my favorite one would have to be the Beautiful Birches stencil!!

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  12. All Fresco and Mural Stencils are fantastic! mmm lemon trees!
    mulberrymelody@gmail.com

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  13. Wow! Those flowers really bring that wall to life. Great job!

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  14. i'm in love with any and all of the tree branches!
    http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/tree-stencils-branch-stencils-cat.html

    the wall turned out great michaela! i love the update to the thermostat frame too. :) that's an awesome green.

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  15. What a great job! The pattern is so fun! I would love for you to come link up to my Get Social Sunday party and show off your awesome blog! http://alivedinhome.blogspot.com/2012/09/get-social-sunday_30.html

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  16. I like just about all of the all over stencils. I especially like the Fuji All Over.

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  17. It looks just gorgeous!!! I love that you chose to use different colors! Your newest follower - would love to have you come by and follow back when you have the time:)
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  18. I love the framed thermostat!!!

    I am a new follower and I would love for you to follow back. Also, feel free to link this to my Flaunt It Friday link party!!! :) http://www.blissfulbucketlist.com/2012/10/flaunt-it-friday-15.html

    Hope to share more ideas with you soon!!!

    Sarah@
    www.blissfulbucketlist.com

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