Learn How to Create Stenciled Moss Graffiti

Stenciled Moss Art For Your Garden in Four Simple Steps

Good Morning, my DIY friends! Cutting Edge Stencils is in a 'Think Spring' mode. First we shared Pantone's picks for trendy springtime colors in this post, then we launched our Spring Stencil Sale (take 20% off all stencils using the code SPRING2014), and now we're sharing the perfect outdoor stencil project to dress up your garden! Meet Stacy, the crafty DIY queen behind the blog Not Just a Housewife. Stacy is no newbie when it comes to stenciling, in fact, you might remember her Anna Damask stenciled bedroom ceiling that she wrote about in this post. And she also painted this Polka Dot Allover stenciled hallway. AH-mazing stencil projects, right? Stacy never fails to bring a little creativity to her stencil projects so we know you'll be wow'd by the next one. She had spotted "moss graffiti" on Pinterest and instantly fell in love with the idea. All of the examples she came across showed moss in the shape of inspirational words. Stacy decided to put her own twist on the concept by using a design, our Zamira Allover Stencil. She saw many sites touting moss recipes to complete the project but none that actually showed someone doing it. So Stacy got to work testing out some moss art and you can read all about her moss art attempts on her blog, but here is our favorite. Do you love this outdoor art idea? We thought you would! We have the step-by-step, courtesy of Not Just a Housewife right below. Here's What You'll Need:

• A stencil (for this project the Zamira Stencil was used)
• 4 foot by 4 foot piece of plywood
• Wood Stain in gray similar to Benjamin Moore's Exterior Stain
• 7 bags of preserved sheet moss
• Hot glue gun
• Scissor
• Pencil
• Helmsman Spray Sealant
• Painted trim

Here are the Simple Steps for Creating Stenciled Moss Graffiti:

1. Gather Materials: Start the stencil project by gathering all of the materials listed above. 2. Prepare the Plywood: Stain the 4' by 4' piece of plywood in the desired color. For this project, the plywood was stained gray to match the existing garden decor. Wait for the stain to dry before moving onto step three. Then place the stencil on the plywood and trace the design using a pencil. 3. Cut The Moss: Position the preserved sheet moss over the traced design. Now use the scissor to cut along the traced edge. Dust away any bits of dirt or tiny of pieces of moss to follow the stencil line. Stacy used about two to three pieces of moss for each shape. Once the pieces are cut, use a hot glue gun to adhere them to the piece of plywood. Try to fluff the moss along the seams so they are not noticeable. 4. Add a Sealant & Trim: After all of your moss has been glued in place, you'll need to seal the piece of art. Preserved moss is dyed green so it will fade in the sun and the color will wash off if it gets wet. For this project, Stacy used Helmsman spray sealant. Once the sealant has dried, add painted trim around the edges to frame your moss art. Wahla, it's complete!

Tell us: What do you think of stenciled moss graffiti? Leave us a comment below!

Looking for more stencil fun?

• Shop our stencil designs and find the perfect stencil for your project!
• Follow us on Pinterest to see awesome inspirational photos!
• Have you completed a stencil project? Come share it on Facebook!

Thanks for reading, and happy stenciling! Michelle and the Cutting Edge Stencils Crew