Easy & Fun Custom Door Mat

This is a project I was so excited about. I loved the concept so much, but the execution was a bit off.


I made freezer paper stencils by printing right onto freezer paper.

I used a marker to simplify the font a bit and then I cut out the black text. I was careful to save the inside circles for the a's and e's.  The three stencils got ironed onto the rug. This worked out great. It stuck on really well.




This is where I made my mistake though. I should have ironed on more freezer paper to cover the rug. Instead I laid newspaper over the rug. The force of the spray paint moved the papers and you can see some overspray on the finished rug. Alternately, I could have just used a brush and regular craft paint. That actually would have been neater and even easier. Lessons learned.

I also wish I had made the font even bigger. Especially the 2010. (Twenty-ten! Can you believe it. I am still in a bit of denial.)

One of my crafty goals this year is to decorate my door more. I am tired of cringing each time I see that barfy brown paint and the ugly orange carpet.

This project was so easy and thrifty I can see making custom birthday mats, housewarming mats, sports team mats. There really is no limit. Updated: The mat is from the 99 Cent Only Store, but I have seen them at other dollar stores too.