Instructions

1. Enlarge the pattern (found at the end of the instructions) to a size that fits your needs, then use a craft knife and clear plastic stencil blanks to create Overlay 1 and Overlay 2. To help you align the images, each pattern comes with a set of registration marks (the small circles with a cross-hair center).

Preparing the Cupboard

1. Remove the door by unscrewing the hinges from the cupboard and door. Also unscrew and remove the door’s latch.
2. Thoroughly sand all surfaces, including the cupboard shelves and interior, and the sides and edges of the door. Wipe the sanded wood completely free of dust with the tack cloth.

Painting the Cupboard

1. Make a color wash by mixing linen white paint with water in a 1:1 ratio.
2. Apply the wash to both sides of the door with a sponge brush (see photo). The wash should be light enough that the wood’s grain shows through somewhat. Use a paper towel to wipe off any excess.
    
   
3. Sponge-brush the cupboard’s interior, shelves, and top surface with the light pine wood stain. Stain the wood latch, too.
4. Prepare another color wash by mixing medium green paint and water in a 1:1 ratio. Be sure to make enough to cover the cabinet’s entire exterior, except for the top and door.
5. Using the sponge brush, apply the wash to the exterior. Again, use a paper towel to wipe off any excess (see photo). Allow it to dry thoroughly.
    
   

Painting the Tree

1. Position the Tree of Life stencil Overlay 1 (the trunk and limbs) on the door’s face. On the featured cupboard, the bottom of the tree is 3-1⁄2" (8.9 cm) from the door’s bottom. Tape the stencil into place.
2. Using a medium brush, stencil the trunk and limbs with light brown (see photo).
    
   
3. Add depth and dimension by shading the tree. Use a small stencil brush to apply burnt sienna on the left and lower edges of the trunk and limbs (see photo).
    
   
4. Remove Overlay 1 and carefully align Overlay 2 over the trunk and limbs. Tape it into place.

Adding Shading & Other Final Touches

13. Using a small stencil brush, stencil the leaves and horizontal ground lines with medium green (see photo).
     
    
14. Stencil the fruit with barn red (see photo).
     
    
15. Shade the lower edges of the leaves with dark green.
16. Shade the bottom and left sides of the fruit with black cherry (see photo).
     
    
17. Reattach the door and latch (see photo).
     
    
18. Apply two to three coats of water-base varnish to the entire cupboard. If you’d like, before applying the varnish you can sand the edges of the green surfaces to create a worn, aged effect. Sand the edges of the door, too, and rub a little stain in the sanded areas to further distress the cupboard.
     
    

Tree of Life Stencil