DIY Network

Hipster Parasol Visit DIY's Craft Lab to learn how to create a unique parasol. From "Craft Lab" episode DCLB-228

Guest Lori Meeker joins host Jennifer Perkins to make a fun, eye-catching parasol. She begins this out-there project by spray painting stencils onto the parasol to give it a dazzling look.

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	Guest Lori Meeker shows you how to keep the sun away in style by converting your ordinary umbrella into a decorative parasol with fun embellishments.
	Feel free to think "collage" when decorating your umbrella with fabric appliques.
	Stencils work beautifully when embellishing the parasol.

Stenciling the Parasol

Project designed by Lori Meeker.

Materials:

newspaper
photocopier (optional)
card stock
store bought stencils
metallic gold and brown spray paint
painter's masking tape
spray mount
latex gloves
utility knife
umbrella
glue gun
pack of glue sticks
fusible web
patterned fabric pieces
sewing scissors
craft knife
needle and thread
lace
red, white, black and blue paint pens
straight pins
costume jewelry
swarovski crystals
candle
lighter
beads
tweezers
iron
iron-on sequins
brown ribbon

	Figure A
	Figure B

Tip: Think about a theme or concept when choosing your paint colors and fabric images.

1. Open the umbrella. Lay scrap paper on the inside, in between the prongs to cover the fabric inside.

2. Using metallic gold spray paint, spray the handle all the way up to the top and as much of the prongs as possible (figure A). It will be completely dry in about an hour.

3. Poke a hole in the center of a large sheet of scrap paper and place it over the top point of the umbrella. Use masking tape to wrap the scrap paper around the fabric.

4. Spray paint gold to the top of the umbrella.

   Tip: Using several light strokes, rather than long thick sprays, will help the spray paint adhere better. Be careful not to add too much paint at once because it may drip or come out uneven.

5. With a utility knife, cut out the negative image. This is where the paint will come through.

   Tip: Choose a simple graphic image or draw one yourself. Think about the negative and positive space when designing the image. Copy this image with a photocopier onto cardstock paper. Another easy way to design a stencil is to print a black and white image from your computer.

6. For the second stencil, cut a circle out of the cardstock.

   Tip: It is best to use a large, open image like a circle, heart or star so that the pattern of the lace or mesh will show easily.

7. Tape lace over the circle.

8. Apply spray mount to the back of the stencils.

   Tip: Using a spray adhesive on the stencil will help keep it in place, especially on the curved and rounded side of the umbrella. Applying the spray mount to the fabric too fast will make a near permanent hold. Wait a few seconds before applying the stencil to the umbrella so that it will easily peel off after painting.

9. Press down on the stencil and rub it to make sure the spray mount adheres to the fabric.

10. With gloves on, use brown spray paint to spray light strokes across the stencil (figure B).

    Tip: Painting a darker color first, then a lighter color slightly offset will give a shadow effect.

11. Use gold spray paint to spray light strokes across the stencil.

Tip: For a streetwise look, overspray the stencil.

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