I found the top on sale and loved the lines of it, and the yoke seemed perfect for a little detail work. Coupled with that the fact that I needed to do a demo at the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) trade show, and here you have it. The stenciled dragonflies with their crystal-accented wings go all the way around the yoke. I added a crystal dragonfly at the bottom of the breezy top. Here's how to make one yourself. Step 1: Create your stencil Trace or draw your pattern. I drew mine to fit the width of the yoke. Layer the stencil plastic over the pattern, with a cutting mat beneath. Using a craft knife, cut the body from one section of the plastic and the wings from another section. Repeat for a second image, if desired. Cut the body stencil and the wings stencil apart. Since you'll be using them for two separate colors, it's easier if they are separate stencils. Step 2: Place your stencil Apply some temporary adhesive glue or temporary spray adhesive to the back of the stencils to hold them in place while you're working and let them dry as indicated on the manufacturer's instructions. Layer the two stencils to ensure good placement. Remove the top stencil. Step 3: Stencil If using stencil cremes, remove the top coating to expose the fresh creme. Using a stencil brush, fill in the inner area of the stencil. Apply a light coat for a sheer look and brush in toward the center rather than toward the edges. Remove the stencil and let the creme dry. Place the second stencil over the painted image and, using a stencil brush, fill that stencil with creme as before. I prefer to use one brush for each color. Remove the stencil and let it dry. Repeat the placement and stenciling process for each motif. Step 4: Crystals on wings Choose a crystal that's size appropriate to your motif and place it where you'll be heat-setting it, with the flat, opaque, glue-covered side down. Using a heated crystal setting tool, set the crystal. You'll want to have a heat-resistant surface under the garment, such as an ironing board or pad, or a non-stick surface, such as a Teflon-coated pressing sheet. Step 5: Dragonfly at the bottom I used Southern Attitudes dragonfly crystal stencil that I got from Kandi Corp along with the cordless crystal setter. If you have a sheer shirt like I did with a lining, it's especially important to have a Teflon-coated pressing sheet between the two layers. And now my tip about applicators: Since I was demoing this at a trade show, I needed to have the cordless one. But the cordless one doesn't have the same kinds of tip that the corded ones do—the tip that lets you pick up the crystal and watch the glue melt until it's ready to place. I think that might be the better tool to recommend for use with the stencil, since the crystal's glue is melted and you can just place it down. I was having a difficult time keeping the stencil and crystals in place in the holes while using the cordless tool AND trying to demo, so I placed a few and then removed the stencil and then put it back and placed some more. (Yes, I can walk and chew gum, but sometimes multi-tasking gets a little overwhelming.) So watch our video and then watch her video and you'll see how both methods work and you can chose which works best for you. That's it. It's that easy to embellish a top with stenciling and crystals. So give it a try!

I think we need to do a little purging. The white/blue Banker Boxes are the huge legal size ones. The pine racks are two 10' "Gorm" racks from Ikea. Let's hear it for 14' high ceilings! We can't stop here, this is earthquake country.