When I see a Nutcracker….the soldier kind…I always think of Christmas.
I love the bright colors and the varying “uniforms”. I remember my mom having a few as Christmas decorations when I was growing up. When I spotted the Nutcracker Christmas Stencil on the Royal Design Studio website I fell in love.
I immediately started thinking about color combinations. Red and Blue were my top choices.
The stencil comes in two parts which makes it so much easier to do the details!
I taped the main stencil to a previously painted white board and went to work I know it looks a mess but trust me…it’s okay.
See! The first layer was pretty simple. I used a variety of paints. Stencil paints work best because they are a little thicker than other paints. The secret to a good stencil job is a very dry brush. I dip the brush bristles in the paint then remove most of the paint by swirling the brush on a paper towel. If you do this one step you want have blobs of paint leaking under your stencil.
While the first layer of paint was drying I washed the stencil with soap and water. I also used a soft bristle tooth brush to loosen the paint. The clean-up is easy. I love the thickness of the Royal Design Studio stencils. I don’t have to worry about bending the cut edges as I do with some other stencils.
The second layer is for the belt, hat details, coat details, etc. I lined the second stencil up with the first layer of painted nutcracker and went to work. And that was it.
You guys know I’m the distressing Queen, right? I distressed the finished nutcracker just a little.
It’s perfect! What do you think? Do you display nutcrackers at Christmas or remember them from Christmas pasts? You can leave a comment below…I read every single one. Kathy
vanessa
I love this design. It's lovely
Jeanette @ Snazzy Little Things
I love your website, his little face and all of your creativity! Happy Holidays!
Christy @ Our Southern Home
What a fun project! I didn't realize they had stencils like that!
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Love this stencil. I can think of so many ways to use it for holiday projects.
Beth
Super cute Kathy! Who knew there was a stencil like this. 🙂 Merry Christmas!!!
Debbie
It looks great! I don't have any nutcrackers, but you're making me want one!!
xo
Debbie
Lauren
What a fun project and cute stencil! My daughter dances in the Nutcracker every year, she would love this!
Jen @ Girl in the Garage
Kathy he is such a cutie! And a bit whimsical too. Awesome idea for the stencil to be split into two parts, what a help!
Tami @ Curb Alert!
Kathy, I love how the Nutcracker Stencils line up making it so much easier to add in the details. Thanks for sharing another great project!
~Tami
Shanna Gilbert
So cute Kathy! I love the colors you chose! Royal Design Studio has great stencils!
Royal Design Studio
Thank you for reviewing our Nutcracker Christmas Stencil! It's not Christmas without nutcrackers! I know my home is filled with them when the holidays roll around!
Patty
Very nice , I love Nut Crackers, I have a few that I put on my mantel every year, I have had them for over thirty years, they are real Nut Crackers from Germany. I had more, but I sold some in my shop.
The stencil you used looks like a really good one, I'm going to check them out.