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“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”

This Martin Luther King Jr. quote is such a great analogy that I really wanted to turn it into a sign to remind me that hardships happen to everyone, but the hardships don’t need to define our lives.

The stars represent the insights that can reshape our life and outlook.

I’ll share a personal story about dark days in my life at the end of this post.

I intended to have this ready by Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but it just didn’t happen. Oh well. It’s a timeless message!

Martin Luther King Jr. Quote DIY Wood Sign

To create a silkscreen stencil, I used my new favorite toy – my Ikonart Stencil Maker!

It’s been a total game-changer for sign making.

Get 15% off using the code KNICKOFTIME and get free shipping HERE too.

IKONART CUSTOM STENCIL MAKING KIT

I still use my Silhouette Cameo all the time for cutting vinyl and making regular stencils, but for creating custom stencils that have incredible detail, hands down the Ikonart Stencil Maker is the best!

How To Make a Martin Luther King Jr. quote Wood Sign

PAINT YOUR SIGN BLACK
SPLATTER PAINT STARS WITH TOOTHBRUSH DIPPED IN WHITE PAINT
PRINT ARTWORK ON PRINTER FILM
EXPOSE YOUR STENCIL
SOAK STENCIL IN LUKEWARM WATER FOR 1 MINUTE
WASH OUT YOUR STENCIL
LAY FLAT TO DRY YOUR STENCIL
POST-EXPOSE YOUR STENCIL
USE YOUR STENCIL
CLEAN YOUR STENCIL

More detailed instructions can be found about stencil making HERE.

A few of the photo steps are shown below.

Unfinished Wood Plaque

splatter paint with a toothbrush

Only in the darkness can you see the Stars quote

How to Make a Custom Ikonart Stencil

How To Make A Custom Reusable Stencil

Grab this Free Stencil Image to make some super easy décor for your home or to sell!

Martin Luther King Jr. Quote Free Printable

I love how the finished sign turned out.

My Story:

To be honest, having a stroke in 2017 was one of the darkest times of my life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so thankful that I even survived and gained back most of the lost functions that resulted from the stroke. But I continue to have some problems with my speech, and that really bothers me.

That’s contributed to why I stopped blogging for such a long time. I just lost heart in what I used to love.

It’s taken me awhile to appreciate the stars in my darkness.

Having speech problems has caused me to slow down or just not speak when I don’t need to.

I’m not going to pretend that it doesn’t annoy me, but it is a blessing in disguise that has caused me to choose my words more carefully.

But it’s time to saddle up once again and grab life by the reins!

What are the stars in your darkness? Please share!

Vaya con Dios,

Angie