The Creative Stencil Source Book: 200 Inspiring and Original Designs

Book by Meehan, Patricia, Meehan, Les

"Once you have successfully stencilled your first petal," declares Patricia Meehan, "you can go on to stencil the whole garden. The techniques are the same no matter how complex your design." Meehan's book lives up to this promise: her elaborate-looking stencil designs are surprisingly simple, and though she does not provide step-by-step directions, she does offer a multitude of wonderful stencil patterns and countless good ideas for utilizing them around the home. Stencil some heraldic designs around the den, for instance; brighten the atmosphere with a mass of glowing candles (without the fire hazard); add a vibrant flower border to the floor; or fill a child's wall with charming dancing mice. Meehan's striking patterns and eye-catching colors are a delight to browse through, and she shows many finished rooms so readers can see the designs in context. As the title indicates, this is not so much a how-to guide as a font of inspiration, and even novice stencilers with the right amount of patience and practice can produce very attractive stenciling by taking their cues from Meehan's highly creative approach. --Amy Handy