Hello crafters and welcome back from the weekend. We hope you had a wonderful time. Did you know that in addition to Mother’s Day, May is the month when teachers are honored?

Many people are giving teacher appreciation gifts to all the excellent educators. Instead of buying a gift, why not create something to give. A handmade gift is extra special, because it shows you had to really think about what to give. In case you are stumped on what to give, how about creating this Handmade Charlotte surprise gift box?

Julie Lewis designed this project using FolkArt paints and FolkArt Handmade Charlotte stencils. Surprise your favorite teacher with this box, and inside place some sweet treats, school supplies, or even flowers.

PLAID Supplies

• FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors – Pumpkin, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors – Moon Yellow, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors – True Blue, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Handmade Charlotte™ Stencils – Party
• FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors – Wicker White, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Square paper mache box
Stencil brushes ¼” – ½”
Flat brush ½”
Brush basin
Paper towels
Foam plates
Ruler
Pencil

Instructions

1. Paint lid rim of box Pumpkin Orange. Measure circle element from stencil and lay out six on lid of box as shown. Stencil Pumpkin Orange.

2. Stencil large pennant element around body of box in Wicker White and Moon Yellow.

3. Stencil letters as shown onto each side of box body in True Blue to finish.

Martha Stewart Crafts Jewelry Enamel Paint is an exciting new formula that dries to a hard gloss finish without baking or yellowing. Now you can customize any metal charm with any one of our 10 beautiful colors, hand-selected by Martha.

In this video watch as you learn how to use this new jewelry enamel paint. This product and entire new line of Martha Stewart Jewelry craft line, can be found exclusively in Michaels craft stores. You can view the video below, or click here.

(Video moderated by Candie Cooper)

Happy Friday crafters! You have made it through the workweek and what better way to celebrate than crafting. One project we just had to share with you were these personalized coasters. Tracy Chou, an associate designer from Martha Stewart crafts created these. They are fun and easy to create. To achieve this look Tracy used Martha Stewart crafts satin paints.

With these paints transform everything from curtains to glassware to flower pots with this multi-surface craft paint. Martha Stewart Crafts™ acrylic craft paints provide superior coverage for all fabric, wood, glass, ceramic, plastic, and metal projects.

Coasters are a very popular craft project to create lately. They make perfect additions to your coffee table, or create an give as a housewarming gift. To learn how to make these coasters over the weekend click here. Enjoy!

What are your plans this summer? Will you be traveling, fixing up your home, or entertaining? If you plan to throw a party or two then you are going to need some festive summer decorations.

In case you are looking for some ideas, we have one that you’ll love. Check out this summer sun spot glass block. Use it as a centerpiece for your summer party or fill with lights for a summer night soiree.

Julie Lewis designed this project using FolkArt enamels. The ultimate paint for glass and ceramics, FolkArt ® Enamels are truly an artist’s dream come true! These revolutionary paints are highly pigmented and go on rich and creamy in just one step—no prep needed! All the supplies for this project can be found below, along with their complete instructions.

PLAID Supplies

• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Wicker White, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Pure Orange, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Calypso Sky, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Yellow Citron, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Large glass block
Tape
Liner brush
Foam spouncers 1 ¾”-1 ¼”-3/4”
Craft knife and blades
Cutting surface
Straight edge

Instructions

1. Wash glass block before painting.
2. Lay strips of tape onto cutting surface and with craft knife and straight edge, cut varying length strips as shown. Place on glass block referring to photo.
3. Mix Calypso Sky with a little Wicker White to lighten, and apply with spouncer. Remove tape before paint dries to prevent peel up.
4. Using large and medium spouncer, apply Calypso Sky dots randomly over stripes. When dry, apply Calypso Sky, Pure Orange and Yellow Citron dots to centers with varying size spouncers.
5. Create petals and vine accents with liner brush.
6. Cure paint referring to bottle instructions.

Bloesem is one of my favorite blogs in the entire world. Irene Hoofs is completely amazing and has the best eye ever! We stopped by her blog yesterday and found 5 awesome crafts. Check out the entire site for hundreds of great ideas, and while you’re over there drop Irene a note and tell her Handmade Charlotte thinks she’s the jam! Till next time, happy crafting!

DIY Pom Pom Insects with Free Printable 

DIY Potato Stamp Swaddling Blanket 

DIY Wall Confetti 

DIY Shadow Box 

DIY Kinetic Drawing Bug 

Recently Plaid launched a new product line, the Martha Stewart Jewelry craft program. This new program takes jewelry making to a new level of sophistication, with innovative products and techniques that allow you to create your own unique fashion statements.

This broad line includes over 240 items tailored to every level of jewelry crafter: beautifully designed charms, pendants, and findings; rhinestones and exquisite Czech glass beads; enameling paints; jewelry glazes; and epoxy clays.  In a range of beautiful colors and stylish finishes, Martha Stewart Crafts jewelry crafting will inspire jewelry makers everywhere to create their own fashion statement.

To spread the word about this new program we enlisted the help from a few craft bloggers. We wanted to see their take on this new line. Recently Margot from the blog DIY Doyene created this DIY charm bracelet. She used several of the new products from this line including the epoxy clay, rhinestones, jump rings, and more. This bracelet is lovely, and makes a stylish statement. To learn step by step how to make this project click here.

*The new Martha Stewart Jewelry craft program is exclusively available at Michaels now!

How do you store all your whatnots? You know all the little knickknacks you have around your home. From bobby pins, to nails, to rubber bands, where do you organize all these items? How about putting them in glass containers? Not just any glass container, but these awesome Handmade Charlotte containers.

Whimsical and simple, these glass containers will hold all your special stuff. Julie Lewis, a very talented in house designer, created this project and to create them she used the new Handmade Charlotte stencils. These new stencils are so versatile and can be used on several different surfaces. In addition to using a Handmade Charlotte stencil in this project, Julie also used several FolkArt enamel paints.

Once you complete this project you will have several places to store your knickknacks. All the supplies needed for this project can be found below, and to see the completed instructions click here.

PLAID Supplies

• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Wicker White, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Engine Red, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Lemon Custard, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Soft Apple, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Handmade Charlotte™ Stencils – Labels
• FolkArt ® Artists Pigments™ – Burnt Umber 2 oz.

Other Supplies

Assorted glass containers
Spouncers
Daubers
Stencil brush ½”
Rubbing alcohol
Tape
Paper towels
Brush basin
Foam plates
Craft knife

It’s a brand new day and brand new week. Glad to have you back from the weekend, we’re thrilled to share with you today a wonderful summer themed project.

As Memorial Day draws near, the official start of summer is upon us. Yay! This summer don’t just spend all your time lounging by the pool, make use of those hands and create something. One suggestion would be this Nautical Glass Set. This set would make the perfect summer by-the-pool party glasses!

Holli Nutter, a talented freelance designer made these glasses. How cute are they? Here’s another suggestion, feel free to use these glasses as holders for candles. Either way you decide to use this set, you can’t go wrong. All the supplies needed for this project can be found below, along with their instructions.

PLAID Supplies

• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Wicker White, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Engine Red, 2 oz.
• FolkArt ® Enamels™ – Cobalt, 2 oz.

Other Supplies

4 wide mouth glass drinking glasses
#10 flat brush
Liner brush Transfer paper
Stylus

Instructions

1. Clean and dry glasses.

2. Place pattern inside of glass and basecoat square Wicker White. Let dry.

3. Transfer design element patterns on white squares.

4. Paint designs and dot/dash borders with liner brush.

5. Let dry and bake glasses as instructed on paint label.

Don’t just MAKE jewelry, CRAFT it! The Martha Stewart Crafts jewelry program takes jewelry making to a whole new level of sophistication, with innovative products and techniques that allows you to create your own unique fashion statement. In this video watch to learn more about this program. This new program will be available exclusively at Michaels. To learn more information on this new craft program visit www.plaidonline.com and www.michaels.com. View the video below or click here to watch it.

Happy Friday! It’s time to announce the winner of this week’s giveaway. This week we’re are giving away some great items you’re sure to love. The items up for grabs are 2 FolkArt Chunk Glitter paints in Gold and Silver, along with a 4oz. bottle of FolkArt Crackle Medium. 1 lucky Paint Me Plaid reader will win this awesome paint prize pack. The winner is…

Congratulations

 Andra T.

 (Winner has been contacted via email)

In case you did not win this week’s giveaway, don’t worry we will be announcing another giveaway very soon. Make sure you subscribe and check back here on Paint Me Plaid daily, so you won’t miss out for your next chance to enter a great giveaway. Have a great weekend & Happy Mother’s Day