Decorate a pot with dots. Red and green work well with plants and the strong colours are effective in a simple design

You'll need:

24cm terracotta pot
All-purpose sealer (water-based)
FolkArt Acrylic Gouache paints in the following colours: Teal, Naphthol Red Light
1 inch bristle basecoat brush
Mylar stencil blanks
Felt-tip pen
Craft knife and cutting mat
Scotch Magic Tape
Stencil brush
Paper towel
Good-quality varnish brush
Satin varnish (water-based)

Here's how:

1 Seal the pot inside and out with all-purpose sealer. Allow it to dry.

2 Using the basecoat brush, apply one or two coats of Teal paint to the inside and outside of the pot and allow it to dry.

3 Make a stencil by tracing coins with a felt-tip pen onto carboard. Carefully cut out the stencil using the craft knife and cutting mat.

4 Position the stencil on the side of the pot, and secure it in place with Magic Tape.

5 Dip the stencil brush into the Naphthol Red Light paint. Dab the brush onto a paper towel to eliminate excess paint.

6 Apply paint over the stencil, working in a circular motion to build up the depth of colour. Let it dry, move the stencil and repeat until the pot is covered. Apply the smaller dots freehand by dipping a cotton bud in the paint.

7 Let the pot dry for 24 hours. Apply two or three coats of satin varnish with the varnish brush.

Source: Making Beautiful Trims, Edges and Finishing Touches (Murdoch Books)