Stencilling for the first timer

Craft designer Rebecca Carter really believes that anyone can stencil, and her careful and detailed coverage of the subject proves her right. Her discussion of preliminaries is excellent: not only does she name the various paint choices, for instance, but she lists the advantages and disadvantages of each and indicates the proper type of applicator. She inventories and describes all the other supplies, explains how to prepare different surfaces for paint, teaches highlighting and shading, and does not neglect the crafter's least favorite activity, cleanup time. The two dozen step-by-step projects are smartly conceived as a series of answers to a multitude of topic-driven questions and result in finished products such as boxes, lamps, and small furnishings. "How do I add shading to the stenciling?" for example, introduces us to the process with a miniature chest of drawers adorned with shaded fruits. "How do I stencil on fabric?" yields a leaf-bedecked table runner; a question about stenciling on concrete produces an attractive garden stepping stone, and "How can I alter the design of my stencil?" generates ways to tape off unwanted areas and reposition the stencil. Each project includes a full materials list, color photo, and tips for success and troubleshooting. The book's final section is an impressive gallery of designs by various stencil artists, showcasing their talents in full-room settings. --Amy Handy