Archive for March 22nd, 2012

March 22, 2012

Teaching Thursday: Martha Stewart Easter Treat Boxes

Easter will be here before you know it. Are you ready? During this holiday many people hand out all sorts of goodies and treats. On a recent trip to the grocery store, it seemed that every aisle I was in had some sort of Easter candy display. Regardless whether you are giving or receiving these treats, you are going to need to a place to store them. Leave it to Martha Stewart to come up with a festive and creative way to store your Easter treats. These treat boxes are so precious. They actually look so good; you could eat them :) . This is a great craft project to get started on now. Use these treat boxes to store candy in, or hand out as Easter gifts. What is your favorite Easter treat to eat?

PLAID Supplies

  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ 2oz Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint – Mint
  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ 2oz Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint – Pea Shoot
  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ 2oz Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint – Summer Haze
  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ 2oz Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint – Chamomile
  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ Flocking Transfer Sheets – Natural
  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ 2oz Transfer Adhesive
  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ Stylus
  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ Foam Pouncers Set – 6pc
  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ Utility Brush Set – 3pc
  • Martha Stewart Crafts™ Holiday Icons Laser-Cut Stencils
Other Supplies
Paper mache boxes

Instructions

Chicks Box

  1. Use a large brush and paint a basecoat of Mint.
  2. For yellow chick, use Chamomile and follow general stenciling instructions.
  3. For flocked chick, use a foam pouncer, transfer adhesive, white flocking transfer sheet, and stylus and follow transfer sheet instructions.

Bunny Box

  1. Use large brush and paint box a basecoat of Summer Haze.
  2. Use Pea Shoot and grass stencil artwork and follow general stenciling instructions.
  3. For flocked bunny use a foam pouncer, transfer adhesive, white flocking transfer sheet and a stylus and follow flocking transfer sheet instructions on package.

How to Paint the Stencil

TIP: Practice your technique or check your color by first making a sample print on paper or scrap fabric.

  1. Place stencil on your surface and secure using tape. If using spray adhesive, spray stencil first, then place on surface.
  2. Pour a small amount of paint onto your palette. Load paint sparingly on a stencil brush or sponge and dab off excess. Lightly dab on a thin layer of paint; apply a second coat if necessary. Paint all areas of one color on the stencil before moving on to the next.
  3. While paint is still wet, carefully peel stencil off.
  4. Continue painting areas of the stencil according to your design. Let the paint dry completely before placing another stencil or color over it.

Clean Up

  1. Wash all stencils, brushes, and tools immediately after use before the paint dries. Use Martha Stewart Crafts Brush & Stencil Cleaner to remove dried paint.
  2. Repair torn stencils with transparent tape. Place tape on both sides of the tear and cut away the excess with a craft knife.
March 22, 2012

A Turquoise Armoire

An old armoire painted and updated. How cool is this updated armoire? Laura Whitlow created this upcycled furniture project. To get this look, Laura used FolkArt paint. If you’re looking for a way to add a splash of color to your room, try adding a vibrant piece of furniture. This armoire is sure to liven up any room you place it in. If you want to see what this armoire looked like before, click here. You will not believe the amazing transformation. FolkArt acrylic paints are great to use on most furniture surfaces. To recreate this look, see below for a list of supplies needed and instructions.

PLAID Supplies

  • FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors – Citrus Green, 2 oz.
  • FolkArt ® Artists Pigments™ – Pure Black, 2 oz.
  • FolkArt ® Finishes – Clearcote™ Aerosol Acrylic Sealer – Matte, 11 oz.
  • FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors – Turquoise, 2 oz.

Other Supplies
Primer
Paintbrushes
Soft Rag
Razor Blade

Instructions

1. Sand piece to remove factory polyurethane finish. Using razor blade, scrape flowers off of glass door and clean well.

2. Paint piece turquoise and then paint inside green. Apply  two coats. Allow to dry.

3. Distress edges with 80 grit sandpaper.

4. Mix black paint with water (4 parts paint to one part water) and using soft rag, wipe over turquoise color to “glaze” and  accent. Feel free to use more than one “coat” on this step to add glaze to your taste.

5. Spray a coat of FolkArt sealer to protect.