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Home / Step-by-Step Tutorials / 🐧✨ Waddle On In! Create a Layered Penguin Door Hanger Full of Winter Charm

🐧✨ Waddle On In! Create a Layered Penguin Door Hanger Full of Winter Charm

Featuring Melissa Miller

🐧✨ Waddle On In! Create a Layered Penguin Door Hanger Full of Winter Charm

Penguin Winter Door Hanger — Easy Layered Stencil Tutorial

Hi friends — Melissa Miller from Miller’s Rustic Sawmill walks us through this adorable layered penguin door hanger. This post breaks the tutorial into simple steps so you can recreate the project at home.

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Waddle On In — Penguin Winter Door Hanger (12")

Materials

  • Waddle On In 12x12 Door Hanger Stencil — essentialstencil.com
  • Stencil Brush Set (Pure Natural Bristle) — essentialstencil.com
  • Mini Stencil Brush Set (4pc) — essentialstencil.com
  • 12" round wood door hanger, prepped and sanded
  • Acrylic paints: Baby Blue (base), Black (body), Bright Blue (snowflakes/letters/scarf), White (tummy), Metallic Cherry / Magenta (feet & nose), Pink (head)
  • Painter's tape, pencil, baby wipes, heat/dry gun for quick drying
  • Drill + ribbon or twine for hanging

Prepped 12x12 round surface painted baby blue

Step-by-step Instructions

  1. Prep the base: Paint a 12" round surface with Baby Blue acrylic as your base and let dry completely. (Melissa prepped hers before stenciling.)
    Baby blue base
  2. Layer 1 — Tape & black body: Tape Layer 1 of the Waddle On In stencil to the round. Use a regular stencil brush and black paint to fill the penguin’s body. Use light, circular pounces and offload paint onto a coffee filter to avoid bleed.
    Tape down Layer 1 and paint penguin body black
  3. Layer 1 — Words & snowflakes: With a separate brush, fill the words and snowflakes using Bright Blue. Apply a second coat for bold coverage.
    Paint words and snowflakes bright blue
  4. Feet & lift: Use a mini brush to paint the penguin’s feet with Metallic Cherry (magenta). Wipe edges with a baby wipe as needed and carefully lift the stencil.
    Paint penguin feet magenta
  5. Layer 2 — Tummy: Position Layer 2 (tummy stencil), tape securely, and fill the tummy area with white paint. Blow-dry between coats for speed, then apply a second coat for solid coverage.
    Stencil penguin tummy with white
  6. Layer 2 — Head & cheeks: Reposition Layer 2 to align the head. Fill the head area with pink and add pink cheeks (or rosy accents). Apply a second coat if the color needs brightening.
    Stencil penguin head with pink
  7. Details — Eyes & nose: With a mini brush, dot the eyes in black (pavement color) and paint the nose in magenta. Touch up as needed.
    Paint eyes and nose
  8. Scarf & finishing stripes: Reposition the stencil to the scarf area and fill with Bright Blue using a regular stencil brush. Add stripes (alternating colors if desired). Let dry.
    Stencil the scarf bright blue
  9. Final touches & hang: Remove the stencil, inspect for any touch-ups, and drill a small hole at the top. Add ribbon or a bow and hang. Enjoy!
    Final penguin door hanger reveal

Helpful Tips from Melissa

  • Tape where the stencil hangs off the edge: Roll a small piece of tape and tuck it under the stencil edge when the design goes beyond your surface — it holds everything flat.
  • Offload paint onto a coffee filter: This prevents bleed and gives cleaner stencil edges.
  • Dry between coats: Use a heat gun or hair dryer to speed drying so you can layer quickly without smudging.
  • If a color won't fully cover, try stippling or add a thin white base coat beneath the bright color to improve opacity.
  • Keep brushes clean and have a mini brush ready for small details like eyes and feet.

About the maker: This tutorial was taught by Melissa Miller of Miller’s Rustic Sawmill.

Want to make one? Grab the Waddle On In 12x12 Door Hanger Stencil and the winter bundle & door hanger supplies from Essential Stencil to get started.

Watch the Full Video Tutorial

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