Create Valentine Decor using a Heart Stencil and Canvas

Hello Sweet Friends,

Today’s DIY decor project was created using a heart stencil and a canvas. And, of course, I used neutral colors; so really this piece could be displayed year-round instead of just Valentines Day. This project is super EASY, but takes a little time, especially waiting for the paint to dry. I have one of those mini heat guns to help the paint dry faster, but I find myself instead letting each coat of paint dry for a couple hours or sometimes overnight. Then I move on to the next step.

I really LOVE how this project turned out and I hope you do too. Follow along for the EASY steps to created this unique Valentine canvas.

Supply List

11 x 14 stretched canvas (got mine at Walmart)
Hallmark adhesive heart stencil
gray and white paint
paint brush
stencil brush, optional

Keep in mind that any size canvas, stencil, and paint colors may be used for this project. But, I will give the instructions for this specific project.

When I first bought the stencil, it was on clearance (at Michael’s I think) and I wasn’t sure what I would create with it. I don’t think it was meant strictly for Valentine’s Day, but that’s what I decided to use it for.

The first step for this project was to paint the canvas a sold color. It took three coats of gray chalk paint to get a good coverage. I made sure to get the sides also and let dry between coats.

This is what the canvas looked like after the first coat, so you can see why there was a need for additional coats of paint.

Once the final coat had dried, it was ready for the stencil to be applied. This particular stencil has adhesive on the back side, so the backing had to be peeled off. After I removed the backing, I placed the stencil in the center of the canvas.

To apply paint to the stencil, it is best to use a stencil brush. I started out with a regular paint brush and then switched to my stencil brush about halfway through.

The dry brushing method is what I used. Just dab the paint brush into the paint and blot onto a paper towel so there is only a small amount of paint left on the brush. Then lightly dab, dab, dab, on the stencil. I had to go over it two or three times until it had good coverage.

The paint dried fairly quickly. So I removed the stencil shortly after by carefully peeling it off of the canvas.

And I could not be happier with this project. I just LOVE the simplicity of it; the neutral colors, little florals and sweet message – You Are Loved! So perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond.