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In like a lion tote bag
Take a look at a larger image of the finished tote
Freezer paper – once a kitchen staple – makes stencilling easy! All you need are a few supplies from an art store. This craft is suitable for adults or older teens; younger children should be carefully supervised when they're using sharp knives or hot irons.
You need:
Lion template
Canvas tote bag*
Heat-set fabric paint* (we used Pebeo Setacolor Opaque in 19 Black Laque and 47 Shimmer Light Copper)
Stencil brushes*
X-acto knife, cutting mat, iron
Freezer paper, masking tape, card stock
Paper plates or plastic lids
*Available at craft- and art-supply stores
To make:
1. Download and print lion template, or enlarge image at right to desired size.
2. Using masking tape, affix template to matte side of freezer paper, with image faceup.
3. On cutting mat, use X-acto knife to cut out image, cutting through both layers of paper and leaving bridges intact. Discard printed template.
4. Iron tote bag; steam if necessary to remove wrinkles. Line with card stock.
5. Place stencil shiny side down on bag, smoothing to ensure edges don't curl or fold. Place medium-heat (no-steam) iron on stencil and slide slowly all over stencil until stencil adheres to bag, ensuring all air bubbles are removed.
6. Place bag on work surface. With X-acto knife, carefully trim off bridges.
7. Pour small amount of black paint onto paper plate. Dip brush straight down into paint until bristles are coated; blot on paper towel to remove excess.
8. Holding brush perpendicular to bag and masking with scraps of paper if necessary, paint inner ears, eyes and nose black by dabbing brush onto surface until coated. (If necessary, reload brush with paint as in step 7.) Let dry.
9. Repeat step 7 with copper paint and clean paint brush, masking black areas with scraps of paper if desired and painting remaining areas of face and mane copper. Let dry completely.
10. Carefully peel off freezer paper stencil and discard. Heat-set paint with iron according to manufacturer's directions.
Designer's notes: Any line drawing can be converted to a stencil. Print or photocopy several copies of the image; colour in the pictures with pencil crayons to determine which areas you'll cut out.
Page 1 of 2 – Learn how to make the "Out Like a Lamb" tote on page 2!
