Upcycle Thrift Store Finds with Spray Paint and Stencils

One of my favorite places to hunt for art supplies isn't an art store at all—it's the thrift store. Old wooden frames, forgotten by their previous owners, are often tucked onto the shelves just waiting for a second chance. They may look a little worn or outdated, but with a little paint and a great stencil, they can become the perfect finishing touch for your artwork.

The July 2026 exclusive StencilClub collection, designed by Carolyn Dube, couldn't have arrived at a better time. Carolyn's collection is filled with organic circles and dots in a variety of sizes. The shapes immediately reminded me of river rocks, pebbles, and gravel—those wonderfully imperfect patterns that nature creates without ever repeating itself. I've always been drawn to circles and dots, so I couldn't wait to incorporate these stencils into a project.

With an art show coming up, my studio has been filled with the smell of varnish and stacks of frames waiting for artwork. Instead of purchasing a new frame, I rescued a plain wooden one from a local thrift store and transformed it into a custom frame that perfectly complements one of my pink collages.

The entire makeover took very little time, cost only a few dollars, and completely changed the personality of the frame.

Supplies

• July 2026 StencilClub Stencils by Carolyn Dube
• Plain wooden picture frame
• Rust-Oleum® Matte Spray Paint in Gray
• Rust-Oleum® Paint + Primer Spray Paint in Pink
• Clear spray varnish
• Disposable gloves
• Wallpaper, cardboard, or a drop cloth to protect your work surface
• Finished collage or artwork
• Optional: Painter's tape (for larger frames)

Step 1: Prepare the Frame

Before painting, wipe the frame thoroughly to remove dust, dirt, or any residue. A clean surface helps the paint adhere evenly and creates a smoother finish.

Since spray paint fumes can be harmful, always work outdoors or in a very well-ventilated space. I took my frame outside and laid down a large piece of old wallpaper to protect my deck from overspray. Gloves are also a good idea to keep your hands clean.

Step 2: Apply the Base Coat

I wanted a soft neutral background that would allow the stencil pattern to stand out, so I coated the entire frame—including the sides—with Rust-Oleum Matte Gray Spray Paint.

One of the reasons I reach for Rust-Oleum is that it's easy to find at stores like Walmart and Target, it's affordable, and it provides excellent coverage. I especially like the Paint + Primer formulas because they bond well to a variety of surfaces without requiring additional preparation.

Allow the gray paint to dry for at least an hour before moving on.

Step 3: Add the Stenciled Design

Once the gray paint was dry, I positioned Carolyn's stencil directly onto the frame.

Because my frame was fairly small, I simply held the stencil in place by hand. If you're working on a larger frame, painter's tape can help prevent the stencil from shifting.

Using Rust-Oleum Matte Pink Spray Paint, I sprayed directly over the stencil, making two light passes to build up the color without creating drips.

Carefully lift the stencil away and let the design dry for several hours.

The random arrangement of dots creates movement across the frame while still allowing the simplicity of the design to shine.

Step 4: Protect the Finish

After the paint had completely dried, I sprayed the entire frame with a clear varnish. This extra protective layer helps guard against scratches and scuffs while making the finish easier to wipe clean.

The following day, once everything had thoroughly cured, I cut my collage to fit and assembled the frame.

The finished piece looked like it had been custom-made specifically for the artwork inside.

Why Spray Paint is Perfect for Upcycling

Spray paint has become one of my favorite tools for giving secondhand items a fresh start.

Not only does it provide excellent coverage with very little effort, but it also reaches carved details, grooves, and corners that would be tedious to paint with a brush. The finish is smooth and even, helping inexpensive or worn objects look surprisingly professional.

Another advantage is speed. Large surfaces can be completely transformed in just a few minutes, making spray paint ideal for quick creative projects. It also adheres beautifully to a wide variety of materials—including wood, metal, wicker, plastic, and even some laminates—making it incredibly versatile for artists and makers.

More Ideas for Upcycling with Spray Paint

Once you begin looking around your home or local thrift store, you'll find endless possibilities.

Try giving new life to:

• Picture frames
• Wooden trays
• Small side tables
• Plant pots
• Metal baskets
• Candle holders
• Lamps
• Magazine holders
• Decorative boxes
• Shelves
• Wooden crates
• Mirror frames
• Serving trays
• Coat hooks
• Vintage tins

Many of these items can become beautiful studio storage or decorative accents that coordinate perfectly with your artwork.

A Custom Finish for Your Artwork

One of the things I love most about making my own frames is that they become part of the artwork itself. Rather than settling for a store-bought frame that almost matches, I can create one that echoes the colors, patterns, and personality of the collage inside. It's a simple project that makes finished artwork feel even more personal—and it's a wonderful reminder that creativity doesn't have to stop at the edge of the paper.

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Join StencilClub!

If you've been curious about StencilClub, now is the perfect time to join. Members who sign up before the 15th of the month will receive that month's exclusive stencil collection, including Carolyn Dube's beautiful July 2026 designs.

In addition to receiving an exclusive stencil set each month, members also enjoy:

• An exclusive stencil collection that is never sold individually
• A downloadable project tutorial and PDF from the featured artist
• An additional members-only project created by me
• 25% off regularly priced stencils from StencilGirl Products throughout your membership

Whether you're a mixed media artist, journal maker, collage enthusiast, or simply enjoy experimenting with new techniques, StencilClub is a wonderful way to add fresh inspiration to your creative practice each month.

I hope this project inspires you to take a second look at those overlooked thrift store frames. With a little spray paint, a great stencil, and a favorite piece of artwork, you can transform something ordinary into a custom frame that's every bit as creative as the art it holds.  I hope you will share your projects with me on my Instagram page @gluepaperscissors_ and Stencil Girl @stencilgirl_products

Stitched Christmas Tree cards

Hello beautiful creatives, 

Tina here from Tina Hois Art today we will be making some stitched holiday cards to send to loved ones. 

Every year I create a card and this year I will be sending out these lovelies.

I am using two stencils for this project~ MB Makes Marks Marker Stencil and Broken Line Columns

I wanted a unique size so I custom made envelopes and the cards but the techniques will work on the premade blank cards as well.

For the stitched edges I ran the card through my sewing machine.  Another option is to hand stitch or simply leave the edges as they are.

Enjoy

The Process

Step 1:

On water colour paper apply your choice of colour and paint.

I used watercolour as my base but acrylic can also be used.

Step 2:

Layer stencil over the background 

Using white acrylic apply all over 

Step 3

Cut two pieces of card stock to accommodate your image (this is 4x7”).

Draw a tree shape on to the card stock  

Step 4

Using an exacto knife cut out the tree shape

Step 5

Apply glue to the perimeter of the shape

Place the stencilled paper face down over the glue ensuring that it covers the shapes opening

Step 6

Stitch the shape perimeter. Remember this can also be done by hand stitch, faux marker stitch or just left as is. 

Step 7

Glue the second piece of card stock on the back to cover the stitches.

Stitch the boarder of the card or leave as is. 

The envelope 

Step 1

Fold the bottom of an 8.5 x11” card stock 4 inches 

Fold the top down 2.5 inches and stitch the perimeter.

Enjoy making your cards! 

Tina  

Supplies 

Watercolour paper 

Watercolour paint 

Stencil M215

Stencil S301

White acrylic paint  

Gold acrylic paint 

Card stock 

Sewing machine or needle and thread 

Glue 

Exacto knife 

Ruler 

Glitter ( optional) 

Autumn Leaves Three Ways

Hello stencil friends! Nicole here with an easy little project (or three!) to add a touch of fall to your home. I don’t know about the weather where you are, but here in Central Texas we recently had three days of amazing, fall weather. It was glorious! I made chicken soup, my favorite pumpkin bars, and had the most amazing (cold!) morning walks while dreaming of wearing pants and long sleeves. 

Unfortunately, it didn’t last long as our temps went back up to near 100. Ugh! However, despite our rise in temps, I officially declared it fall. I bought all the new fall things from Trader Joes and put out my fall décor.

One of my favorite things about fall, besides the weather, is the changing of the leaves and fall colors.  

With leaves and the colors of fall on my mind, I thought it would be fun to make something new for fall. I grabbed the Autumn Leaves stencil and began blending colors to create leaves.

First, like most of my painted paper projects, I began by adding watered-down gesso to some old book and ledger pages. This does a couple things. It adds some integrity to the sometimes-brittle pages and allows for a better surface to paint on. Since I don’t want to cover up the text and I don’t need a thick layer of gesso, I water it down. You can also use clear gesso.

Then, I grabbed all the fall colors of paint, an applicator and began to play. This is a fun, simple process but does require some patience. The Autumn Leaves stencil is a bit more delicate, so sometimes you have to hold down parts of it while you stencil. 

I love how fall colors blend together, especially purple and orange (trust me, try it!). 

A couple ideas and tips:

1. Less is more! Don't over-saturate your applicator.

2. However, if paint seeps under the stencil, don’t stress! Just go back and stencil again a bit when it dries. This creates a cool shadow look. 

3. Lift the stencil to peak at your leaf before completely removing it. Then, set it back down if you need to add more paint.

4. Use one color on several leaves, lifting the stencil each time, and then go back with another color, for more of a two-step approach (or even three). The paint blends a little less this way for a different look.

5. Try an ombre palette, or a candy-corn one. 

6. Start with a lighter color, add a darker one and then go back and blend more with the lighter color.

7. If you don’t like how one turns out, stencil over a bit with a darker color. 

8. Don’t forget a few solid leaves, too!  

9. Flip the stencil over half-way through for more variety (or to make your leaves double sided in the end, more below) 

10. Put your favorite fall movie on a screen and have fun!

My favorite fall leaves are the ones with spots of color, so when my leaves were finished, I splattered leftover paint on them.

After the splatters dried, I cut them out and grabbed some kraft-colored card stock to give them some strength.

I stuck them down with matte medium, front and back, and then also added another layer on top for extra protection. 

Then, once they dried, I had to cut them out again! I chose to leave a border each time, one with the original paper and one with the kraft paper. 

Check out the beautiful pile of leaves! 

Now that you’ve made some amazing leaves, what can you do with them?

Create a Garland 

Grab some bakers twine or thin jute and string them up! I am putting together a fall-themed thank you basket for a friend, and adding a garland to it is the perfect final touch. I’m also going to hang a small one in my house.

All you have to do is punch a couple of holes in each leaf and add them to the string of choice. I added some extra colors of twine by weaving it around my original one after I added the leaves.

Make a Mobile or Wall-hanger 

Similar to the garland, string some leaves to dangle from a branch, old paint brush, vintage wooden spoon, or anything you can think of! You could add some beads or other fall-themed items. 

Start a Thankful Tree Tradition

Use bakers twine or string to create single, hanging leaves. Place them in a container with a pen or makers. 

Then, find a fun branch and add it to a vase or other container. Each day leading up to thanksgiving, write something you are thankful for on the back of the leaf and hang it on the tree. You could use multiple leaves for each family member, or all write on the same leaf each day. After the fall season, save them in a special container for a fun keepsake from the year.

More Ideas

For the garland, mobile, or wall hanger, if you think your leaves might twist in the wind, you could always make them double sided. All you need to do is add a back-side leaf after you cut them from the Kraft cardstock. This will take a bit more planning to match up your leaves so you have a front and back one (stenciled from each side of stencil).

I have a few leftover leaves even after the three projects. I’m going to scatter some on our Thanksgiving table, tuck them inside letters and packages, maybe make a card or two, and I think I might add a couple to my door wreath. I might even need to make more. They are so fun to create!

You can watch how I made the leaves + the projects following in the video below: 

Happy fall!

-Nicole

Connect with me on

• Instagram
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• My website

Stencil

Autumn Leaves

Supplies for the leaves:

• Gesso
• Vintage book and ledger papers
• Matte medium
• Fall colors of acrylic paint (I used Golden's SoFlat)
• Scissors
• Kraft card stock
• Palette paper
• Round applicator

Extra supplies for projects:

• Bakers twine or another string of choice
• Twig (and anything else you want to add to your mobile) 
• Branches, Vase, Bucket, Marker, etc... for your tree
• Hole punch

Merry Makings - DIY Ornaments by Nancy Curry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M  E R R Y        M  A  K  I  N  G  S

 

 

 

I adore the magic of the holiday season, even the wrapping, but most of all, I enjoy putting my own diy stamp on our home decor that blends well with my favorite motifs that are part of my life story.  I've been making alcohol ink ornaments for a few years now and really enjoy the happenstance of them all.  I hadn't planned to do an ornament project until I walked into my studio and saw some ornaments at the ready.  That's when the idea of melding my process with stencil design was hatched.  In the tutorial video above, I talk through the process, but there are a few specifics I'll add here.  

I chose to use 3" white glass orbs but you could use clear and drop some diluted white in the middle to create the contrast layer or use metallic colored glass balls.  I love the look of alcohol ink on the metallics.  What I won't recommend are the powder coated ornaments.  The alcohol ink eats right through the powder coat and you are usually left with a silver undercoat.  It makes for a choppy application.  There is no prep that needs to happen with these ornaments.  I love that convenience.  You can find them at Michael's or Hobby Lobby early in the season. 

 

The rest of the products I used are in the flat lay photo below that includes a view of the finished orbs.  I used Ranger and Jacquard on this project.  Nothing tops Jacquard's Real Gold for me.  Any alcohol ink could be substituted except for Ranger's Alcohol Pearls.  The Pearls would not move as well over the surface in this process.  The bottle of 91% is rubbing alcohol.  As for the acrylic, I would use the most pigmented, smooth black you have so that it stands out well against the prior layer.  Cosmetic sponges are great to use because you can cut them to fit smaller stencils.  Last but not least, I chose a few abstract stencils:  The smaller scale stencils were from ( L792) Rae Missigman's ATC Mixup#1Art Marks, the mainly organic circles were a StencilClub  1/2019  by Mary Beth Shaw and Seth Apter, Cecilia Swatton's Ornamental Curls (S462) challenged me to use narrow lines,  and Daniella Woolf's Fez Medina Wall (S749) gave me the chunky coverage I was looking for.  What I would say about stencil choice is that abstract is the easiest to use because if you miss a little coverage pouncing on the orb, no one will know. Staying in the abstract genre also follows the random, abstract application of the bottom layer. 

 

 

 

 

 

Once the orbs are dry, it's your choice to add a spray sealant layer.  They really don't need it but if you do, you will need an isolation layer or two of Kamar Varnish and then your choice of a final coat, matte, satin or gloss spray.  Always give the layers time to dry before adding another spray.  All choices give a different look.  

 

 

As always, it is my pleasure and privilege to be on this blog.  I'll back in February with something new.  Follow me on FBK and Nancy Curry Art and  IG at Nancy Curry Art or browse my galleries on my site. I'll have a sale coming up shortly so sign up here if you want notice (very low volume).

Merrily On High,

xoxo

Nancy

Typography with StencilGirl® and Art Joy of Sharing Collaboration

Hello and welcome. Thanks for the visit. Today we are talking about Typography.

For this month Shel worked on using kraft colored handled gift bags to create wall art. Of course, they can be used as gift bags as well...but they hang up on the wall so easily with just a thumbtack! 

She used a gel plate to make some monoprints onto thin papers with 'coffee and tea color' paint like Sienna and Umber. She used the stencils Alpha Jumble Large and Letter Mania for the prints. 

Next, she collaged and layered different gel prints into a square on the front of the bag for an interesting and graphic background. 

To create the focal image, Shel used the ordered alphabet half of the Alpha Jumble Large stencil to make words that related to coffee like Latte, Americano, Expresso. She cut out the paper into a coffee shape and glued it over the background. After some shading and highlights with some pens, the piece was done and ready to hang!

Today Peg is working on a journal made from the backside of napkins or serviettes. In this blog post, she is also sharing a stepped-out video tutorial that shows how the cover is created.

Peg says, "I peel off the plain paper and use the pretty prints for collage but do not wish to discard all of that tissue, so I needed a plan to use it up. A bit of topstitching and embellishment and my cover is complete. Then I simply stitch in a signature from stenciled watercolor papers."