Painted Cherries Paper Towel Holder

Materials:

The Stencilled Garden stencils: SG223 Fresh Cherries, SG706 Checkerboards
Americana acrylics: French vanilla, white, black, Santa red, Napa red, soft lilac, country blue, Hauser light green, plantation pine
scroll saw *
3/4" pine lumber *
medium-grit sandpaper
wood sealer
wood putty
drill and drill bits
4 wooden 2-1/2" ball knobs
gesso wood primer
stencil brushes
art brushes
door faceplate
door knob
embossing tool for dots
varnish
vinegar
metal primer
E-6000 Glue

* Purchase an assembled paper towel holder from The Stencilled Garden or use 3/4-inch pine lumber and a scroll saw to cut your own following these directions: Use 3/4-inch pine lumber to cut the following pieces: 5-1/2-inch square for bottom, 13-1/2" x 5-1/2 for the two sides (cut paper towel holder opening into one side = 1-1/2" x 12 "), 7-1/4" x 12-1/2" (17" peak), 2 pieces front & back, 1-inch round 13-1/2-inch tall dowel, and for roof: a 7-1/4" x 9" and a 6-1/2" x 9" piece.

1. Assemble the paper towel holder using nails and wood glue; allow to dry (figures A and B).

2. Fill any nail holes with wood putty; allow to dry and then sand the surface smooth.

3. Completely seal the wood paper towel holder and wooden ball knobs with a wood sealer. This will raise the grain of the wood and help prevent any warping. After the sealer has dried, completely sand the surface smooth once again.

4. Prime the surface of the holder and wooden ball knobs completely inside and out; allow to dry.

5. Base coat the holder with French vanilla, the roof with white, and the ball knobs with black. Apply as many coats as necessary to achieve even, opaque coverage.

6. Lightly sand and clean the faceplate with vinegar. This will remove any dirt and oils from the surface and allow the primer to adhere.

7. Prime the faceplate with a metal primer and allow to dry.

8. Base coat the faceplate with Santa red; apply as many coats as necessary to achieve even, opaque coverage.

9. Stencil the designs, referring to the photo for placement (figure C). Allow all stenciling to dry (figure D).

10. Apply dots using the embossing tool; pick up a small amount of paint on the larger end ball and place a raised dot onto the surface (figure E). Re-load for each and every dot you make. Apply black dots randomly onto the surface of the holder, and apply white dots onto the faceplate (figure F) and the wooden ball knobs.

11. Allow everything to dry. Then apply at least two coats of varnish to all surface areas.

12. Attach the wooden ball knobs using E-6000 glue (figure G).

13. Screw the faceplate onto the holder and then drill a hole for the door knob. Attach door knob (figure H).