Book excerpt: Decorative Stenciling and Stamping teaches you how to cut pre-designed stencils and how to design your own. It shows how you can use brushes, sponges, and rollers to impart a variety of finishes and textures. You'll also find tips on the best ways to make repeatable patterns and how to create reverse stencils. The author shares the secrets of crafting decorative stamps simply and inexpensively by using everyday objects you can find at home. She shows how to use paper cups to make semicircles and corrugated cardboard for stripes. You'll learn how to cut designs into sponges, potatoes, and polystyrene to produce your own personal stamp. Every project in Decorative Stenciling and Stamping includes a list of the tools and materials you'll need, easy-to-understand step-by-step instructions, and practical tips on what to do if anything should go wrong. All the techniques are demonstrated on a wide variety of surfaces: from fireplaces, cupboards, and storage chests, to smaller items such as candleholders, flowerpots, and more.