Hi friends! Today we’re diving into a rustic, layered farmhouse-style project that blends stencil work with rub-on transfers in the most beautiful way.
This Free Spirit Horse Sign combines soft wood staining, a bold horse transfer, and delicate stencil lettering to create a piece that feels both western and soulful. It’s the kind of project that looks intricate—but is actually very beginner-friendly when broken into steps.
This tutorial is brought to you by Essential Stencil ambassador Sharon Hankins of I Restore Stuff.
Start with a round wood board and apply a brown wood stain using a damp cloth. This technique allows the wood grain to stay visible while giving the surface a warm, rustic base.
Let the board dry completely before moving to the next step. This helps prevent smudging and ensures clean transfer adhesion later.
Cut out your horse design from the Wild Horse Rub-On Transfer Set and position it in the center of your board.
Use the Essential Transfer Tool to burnish the design firmly. Work slowly and evenly so every detail adheres cleanly to the wood surface.
Next, place the Free Spirit stencil from the Free Spirit Sunflower Set at the bottom of your board.
Using a stencil brush and a small amount of Cashmere paint, lightly apply color over the stencil using a soft up-and-down tapping motion.
Less paint is more here—it helps keep lettering crisp and prevents bleeding under the stencil.
To complete the design, add smaller elements from the Wild Horse transfer set—like grass and a bucket—just below the horse.
These finishing touches help ground the composition and create a more natural outdoor scene.
Take your time with placement so everything feels balanced and intentional.
The final piece is a soft rustic farmhouse sign featuring a centered wild horse, grounded by natural textures and finished with the “Free Spirit” stencil detail.
This project is a great example of how versatile Essential Stencil tools can be when paired with rub-on transfers—you can easily build depth, storytelling, and movement in a single design.
Try mixing stencil sets with transfers to create your own layered scenes!
Save 10% on Essential Stencil products using code: IRESTORESTUFF
Want to see the entire project come together step-by-step? Watch Sharon Hankins of I Restore Stuff create this beautiful Free Spirit Horse Sign from start to finish in the video below!
Save 10% on Essential Stencil products using code: IRESTORESTUFF
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