Painted Welcome Mats

I have a bamboo mat at my back door that has seen better days.

I've seen lots of painted mats both stenciled like this one Katie at Making this Home made

 and more freehand like this one made by Jan at My Creative Intuitions.

I love this one that John & Sherry at Young House Love did for Real Simple Magazine with simple frog tape shapes.

I thought I'd give painting a shot.  What was there to lose?  I got this mat 3 yrs ago for $2.50.  If it didn't work out, I could always just toss it and get another one.  First I had to give it a good scrub.

After it dried, I taped some guidelines.  I was freehanding, but I didn't want my words to slope, so taping is an easy way to get a straight line.

Our front door mat says, "Welcome."  This mat is inside the house leading out to the back yard.  "Welcome" wouldn't make sense.  But, "Don't let the cat out" does.  It's what I shout whenever I hear any door open when there are guests in the house.

I painted the silhouette of a cat in one corner,

and painted on some paw prints, too.

Here it is all finished.

Thanks for popping in and painting with me.  I'm linking this up to A Glimpse Inside's Catch a Glimpse Thursday, Just a Girl's Show & Share Day,  Somewhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff Party, and Between Naps on the Porch's Metamorphosis Monday.