Drafting Table Makeover With Cricut

{This post first appeared over on the Cricut blog where I am a contributor.} My husband Don and I love to bring new life to old furniture. When we found this drafting table at a yard sale, we knew we had to turn it into something special!

So, to turn this drafting table into something special, we decided to transform it into the perfect table for my studio. We did this by creating custom stencils with my Cricut machine and adhering them with my Xyron Creative Station!

To find out how to use this same technique to decorate your own yard sale furniture finds, keep reading below!

Here are the supplies you will need:

• Table that you want to decorate
• Cricut (I used the Cricut Explore Air but this could be done with any of the Cricut machines)
• Cricut 12x24 standard grip adhesive cutting mat
• Cricut 12x24 cardstock: the color does not matter; use what you have in your stash!
• Xyron Creative Station with repositionable adhesive
• masking/painter’s tape
• two colors of spray paint
• stencil brush
• paint roller
• optional: furniture sealant

Step 1: Start with a clean, smooth surface.

We bought this drafting table at a yard sale. The top was so eroded and covered in glue that we built a new top to fit right over the original. If your desk, dresser or table has a decent top, you can just sand it smooth and you will be ready to go!

Step 2: Paint the tabletop with the color that you want to see through the stencil. Even though you will not be stenciling the entire area, be sure to paint the whole tabletop to ensure an even topcoat.

Step 3: Open Cricut Design Space and select any single-layer image or font to create your stencil. The possibilities are endless!

If you are creating a word stencil, do the following before you cut:

• Size your letters.
• Make sure each word is “grouped.”
• Make sure each word is a different color, as this will ensure that each will be cut on its own piece of cardstock.

Step 4: Cut your words onto some cardstock using your Cricut Explore. Once your cardstock has been cut, carefully remove both negative and positive images from your mat (you will use both sets).

Note: Remember, the color of the cardstock you use doesn’t matter, so use a shade that’s not your favorite.

Step 5: Run the positive images (the letters) through your Xyron Creative Station. Be sure you are using repositionable adhesive - the machine comes loaded with permanent adhesive.

Step 6: Use the negative image to determine where you are going to place your stencils and loosely attach with masking or painter’s tape.

Step 7: Peel letters from the Xyron backing and place each letter inside its negative image. Firmly rub around the edges to ensure complete coverage, and then remove the negative image.

Step 8: Use a stencil brush to tap (not brush!) the top color (aka the color you want your tabletop to be) around the letters. This will add an additional seal to the stencils.

Step 9: Paint the entire tabletop in your top color. You may need to do several coats, and be sure to leave time to dry between coats.

Once your tabletop has completely dried, gently peel off the letters and cover the entire tabletop with sealant if desired.

And voila! With a few coats of paint and your own custom stencils, you can easily transform a yard sale drafting table into the perfect studio table for your craft room!

To get more project inspiration for your home and to learn more about the products used in this project, stop by my blog!