Starry Night Christmas Nativity Sign, with Royal Design Studio Stencils

Hello!  I am so excited to share my latest project, my Starry Night Christmas Nativity!  It is my first time using Royal Design Studio Stencils and I LOVE them!  
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
When I was looking at their holiday stencils I fell in love with the Starry Night Christmas Stencil.  I had visions of a huge framed starry night hanging over my little nativity set and thought, "Why Not!?"



So, I got right to work.
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
The first thing I needed was wood for my sign.  I happened to have a huge piece that was given to me that was 1/2 inch thick.  As I was cutting it I realized that I could make this sign just like my "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" Pottery Barn knock off Sign but bigger.

It was pretty rough plywood, and since it was free, I decided I could take a little time to "skim coat" it with spackle to make it smooth.  Then I sanded it once it dried.  I am so glad I did this, it made a huge difference.  If you buy nice plywood you can skip this step, I am just cheap. :)
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
For my starry night backdrop I needed a dark blue/gray background.  As luck would have it I happened to have the perfect color that I had gotten from Home Depot's oops section.  Sa-weet!
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
I also used two 1x2 furring strips that I cut to frame out the sign, and pre conditioned and stained them with Rustoleum's Kona.
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
After the plywood was painted with two coats I grabbed my stencils.  I also got the Love Joy Peace Lettering Christmas Stencil because it was perfect for the idea I had in mind.  I cut scrap pieces of 1/4 plywood to the size of each word.  Then I sanded and painted them the same color as my starry night board.
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
I loved the look of the Silver and Gold with the blue/gray background that they showed online, so I decided to do the same colors.  Using a stencil brush with the metallic paints I had on hand, I started stenciling.

Now, I have done a lot of stenciling, and these stencils are some of the best I have ever used!  I was worried about bleeding with these stars, but I didn't have a problem at all.  As long as my brush was dry, and I loaded and unloaded the paint, it went on easily and perfectly.  I also liked how easy they were to line up.  I can see this stencil going on a wall super quickly, hmmm I may have to try that!
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
For the lettering I just held the stencils in place.  So easy!  Cleaning was really simple with a sponge and some water.  They are just good quality all around.  I am totally using them again.
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
With my stencil finished I used my gorilla wood glue and nail gun to attach the 1x2 frame.  Since I wanted the plywood to float in the middle of the frame I used a scrap piece of plywood under to hold it where I needed it (see top left photo).  This thing is HUGE, 72 inches wide and 26 inches high.
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
I wanted a "new star" for my nativity so I looked in my stash and found this perfect wooden round that I had gotten at the Restore for 25 cents.  I painted it the same gray/blue and then stenciled on a gold star, and then a silver on top.  I was planning to cut a bigger star out of wood and paint it, but my time ran away from me...I will have to get to it later, hopefully. :)
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
I wanted it mostly gold so I grabbed the paint bottle and traced a circle and then filled it in with the paint.  

I guess it would have been easier to paint the silver star first and then the gold star over it, if I was thinking I would have done it that way in the first place!  Sometimes I just don't think!  Oh well. :)
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
I drilled holes in the word signs and the star so I could hang them.  I used some twine and threaded it through the holes.  To make it easy to thread, I used painters tape on the end of the twine.  Trust me this is an important step!
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
I debated on how to hang them and was going to use little hooks, but I realized that it would be easier to just tape them on...so I did, with Gorilla Tape.  That way I can change up my sign if I want. 
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
And there you have it!  I can hang my words in different places.
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
And my star too!
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
That means I could make my sign this way.
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
Or this way!  Can you imagine the possibilities?!  Take out a word, add a word...move them around.  Have no words at all... you get it.
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
Right now I am putting my Starry Night Christmas Nativity on my mantle, and I love how simple yet profound it is.
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
It would also look nice on my porch.  I always have a hard time deciding.  :)
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
Where ever it ends up, I am happy with the message it sends.  Christmas is all about our Savior, who brings Love, Joy, and Peace in our lives.  And that makes me happy!
MyLove2Create, Starry Night Christmas Nativity
Have you ever used Royal Design Studio stencils before?  Or stenciled at all?  It is really easy and fun!

I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Season.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs!
Mindi

*I received products for this review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. :)

I will be linking to these parties.

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11 comments

  1. Mindi,

    I totally love your Starry night Christmas Nativity! You did a fabulous job building the huge frame and the stenciling looks wonderful. Adding the little signs really makes it so changeable!
    great job!
    gail
    ps pinning!

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  2. Love your starry nativity scene!

    Miepie

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  3. You are not cheap! You are frugal and amazingly talented!!! Beautiful project

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  4. Amazing! I totally love the vertical look behind the bench. This is an amazing project! Also, I like that you also use your kitchen table as a crafting table. ;) Glad I'm not the only one.

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  5. I love this the tall way. I have a tiny room with a high ceiling. This would be perfect.

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  6. WOW, that is lovely. Pinning for my "one day" list

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  7. It looks beautiful! I bet that took a while. I love that it can be flipped to suit any space, but I am a fan of the tall way.

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  8. This is adorable! I agree, the gold and silver stand out against the blue background. Very pretty! :) I have never used a stencil brush before; why and how is it different from a foam brush or small paint brush? Just curious. Maybe I might get one.

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  9. Oh what a great idea...LOVE it!! Love the colors that you used. Thanks for sharing at my SHOW and SHARE Party.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  10. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. I will be featuring this at this week's party, which we be held on Thursday this week. Happy New Year!

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Your comments make me smile! I love to hear what you think!