May 31, 2012
Teaching Thursdays: Bear Baby Chair
When was the last time you visited your local thrift store? If it’s been awhile you may want to swing by one this week. You never know what wonderful crafting materials you will find. Check out this chair. Trenice Bishop, one of our talented designers, came across this old vintage kid’s chair at her local thrift store. With some creativity and Plaid FolkArt paints, she transformed this thrift store find brought to life as a bright baby chair. A word of warning, this is not for the beginner crafter. This project is on the intermediate level. It will take 2 hours or more hours complete. Create this Bear Baby Chair to give as a gift for a mommy to be, or make one for your own child. Enjoy!
Plaid Supplies
FolkArt Acrylic Paint – 801 Sunflower
FolkArt Acrylic Paint – 905 Buttercup
FolkArt Acrylic Paint – 713 Coastal Blue
FolkArt Acrylic Paint – 515 Vintage White
FolkArt Artist’s Pigment Acrylic Paint – 917 Yellow Ochre
Other Supplies
Sandpaper blocks, Large paint brush, Liner brush, Angle paint brush, Clear craft finishing spray
Instructions
- Sand away old finishing spray and rough spots using sandpaper or sand blocks.
- Once chair is smooth and dust free, apply a base coat of Sunflower and allow time to dry.
- Paint the entire chair with Buttercup and let dry before adding details.
- Most of the details on this chair were painted freehand. The same look can be achieved by using a stencil or tracing the facial features directly on the item itself.
- Take the angle brush loaded with Yellow Ochre and make two half circles in the middle of the chair backing to start the nose for your bear. Repeat to make circles for the ears and toe nails.
- Use the liner brush loaded with Coastal Blue to paint the outline of the bears face and head and other facial features.
- Accent the Coastal Blue outline with short strokes of Vintage White. Use the same technique to add embellishments to the back of the chair as well.
- Using clear gloss craft spray to seal the paint.
Project Tip: Using an image to study while painting can be helpful for this project.
Posted in FolkArt Acrylic, Home Decor, Painting, Teaching Thursdays | Leave a Comment »
May 24, 2012
Teaching Thursdays: Memorial Day Candle
Are you planning to have a cookout or party to celebrate this Memorial holiday? If so, you should create this Memorial Day Candle. It can be used as not only a cute table decoration, but also to help illuminate your party as it goes into the night. Add a little patriotic sparkle to your Memorial Day picnic with this quick and easy candle holder. FolkArt Extreme Glitter will make your table glitter and shine! One of Plaid’s talented freelance designers, Laura Bray made this candle. To see more of Laura’s creations visit her blog, .
Plaid Supplies
FolkArt Acrylic Paint-437 Lipstick Red, FolkArt Acrylic Paint-484 Brilliant Ultramarine, FolkArt Extreme Glitter-2792 Red, FolkArt Extreme Glitter-2857 Royal Blue, FolkArt Extreme Glitter-2796 Hologram
Other Supplies
Clear glass cancel holder, White ric rac, White candle, Craft glue, Painter’s tape
Instructions
- Using painters tape, create strips around the glass candle holder.
- Paint between the taped areas with FolkArt acrylic paints. Paint at least two coats, allowing it to dry between coats. Make sure you alternate between the red and blue colors.
- Once the paint is dry, apply two coats of coordinating FolkArt Extreme Glitter paint to the painted stripes. For example, on the Lipstick Red stripe, use Red FolkArt Extreme Glitter. Allow to dry.
- Carefully remove the painters tape. Touch-up as necessary.
- Glue white ric rac along the top and bottom of each stripe.
Posted in FolkArt Acrylic, FolkArt Extreme Glitter, Holiday, Teaching Thursdays | Leave a Comment »
May 10, 2012
Teaching Thursdays: Easy Candle Holder Heart Trio
Light up Mom’s day with this easy to make candle votive trio. I don’t know about you but I have been seeing votives used a lot in several different craft projects. I have been seeing them incorporated so much; I have begun contemplating a dedicated Pinterest board to votive crafts. I was extra excited when one of Plaid’s talented designed create this easy candle holder trio. Debbie Saenz designed this project. It is a great craft project for anyone, and is something a beginner crafter can easily do. This project will take 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. For this project you can use votive candles or baby food jars. Very cute!
Plaid Supplies
Mod Podge Gloss – CS11201
Other Supplies
3 Baby food jars, Red floral wire, Tissue papers – floral & 3 solid colors, Hot glue, Sand paper, Paint brush, Wire Cutters, Needle nose pliers
Instructions
- Clean and dry baby food jars well; discard lids.
- Rip tissue papers into approximately ½ inch strips (You will need more of the floral paper).
- Use floral tissue paper strips alternately with the solid colors. Use a different solid color for each jar. Adhere papers with Mod Podge to outside of jars, carefully smoothing down the papers with your fingers. Apply the papers vertically, alternating the floral with a solid color, slightly overlapping each paper. Allow the paper to extend the top and bottom of the jars Allow to dry.
- Sand away the excess paper from the top and bottom of jars. Sand inward in one direction until smooth.
- Apply a coat of Mod Podge to each jar to seal. Allow to dry.
- Gather jars to form a trio and glue together with hot glue.
- Wrap wire around lip of each jar twice and bring ends up the middle, twist twice with pliers and create a heart (Refer to photo). Snip ends of wire.
Posted in Decoupage, Home Decor, Mod Podge, Teaching Thursdays | Leave a Comment »
April 26, 2012
Teaching Thursday: Vintage Style Plates
One of my favorite surfaces to craft on is plates. I like to use this surface, because there are so many creative things one can create with them. Take these vintage style plates. They are so elegant, and stylish. One look at these and they are sure to garner several oohs and ahhs. These vintage style plates would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift or could be the perfect accompaniment at a ladies luncheon. Try using photographs or even writing a poem or personal message. To create these plates you will need some FolkArt and Mod Podge. Below is complete list of supplies, and instructions. Have you ever created a craft project using plates?
PLAID Supplies
- FolkArt ® Acrylic Colors – Licorice, 2 oz.
- Mod Podge ® Gloss, 8 oz.
Other Supplies
2 clear glass dinner plates, Tissue paper from an old sewing pattern, 2 old book pages with text, Black scrapbook paper, Silhouette images or photographs, Foam paintbrush, Small detail scissors, Sandpaper
Instructions
1. Silhouette images with small scissors.
2. Tear tissue paper into 3 or 4 inch pieces. Set aside.
3. Cut each book page into a circle slightly larger than the images.
4. Use the black scrapbook paper to cut two circles approx. 3/8 inch larger than each book page (make sure it’s not larger than the base of the plate).
5. Adhere the silhouettes to the center of each book page with Mod Podge carefully smoothing out any bubbles with your fingers. Glue to the back of the glass plate.
6. Use Mod Podge to adhere the black paper circles over the book pages smoothing out any bubbles with your fingers.
7. Randomly attach the tissue papers to the back of the plate overlapping as you work allowing the papers to extend the edges of the plate. Allow to dry.
8. Use sandpaper to remove excess tissue paper from the edges of the plates. Sand towards the back of the plate in one direction.
9. Paint the base of the plate with Licorice.
Note: Wipe the plate clean with a dry cloth. Keep away from water.
Posted in Decoupage, DIY, FolkArt Acrylic, Home Decor, Mod Podge, Teaching Thursdays | Leave a Comment »
April 19, 2012
Teaching Thursdays: Happy Earth Tote Bag
Earth Day is right around the corner. This is a great day to remember how we all can work together, and do our part to keep our planet clean. One way I do my part to help the Earth is by taking my canvas tote with me to the grocery store. In celebration of Earth Day, I wanted to decorate one of my totes. Here is a great project anyone can create that will not only promote Earth Day, but also give your basic tote a new look. Keep the Earth happy by proudly toting this recycled tote. Julie Lewis designed this tote, and used primarily FolkArt fabric paint. The supplies needed for this are listed below, along with instructions.
PLAID Supplies
- FolkArt ® Fabric™ Paint – Brush On – Wicker White
- FolkArt ® Fabric™ Paint – Brush On – Yellow Citron
- FolkArt ® Fabric™ Paint – Brush On – Coastal Blue
- FolkArt ® Fabric™ Paint – Brush On – Licorice
Other Supplies
Transfer paper
Round brush #3
Liner brush #1
Flat brush ½”
Ultra Fine Point fabric marker
Piece of poster board
White canvas tote bag 13.5” x 13.5”
Instructions
- Transfer earth pattern to tote bag. Insert board.
- Paint Earth Coastal Blue and Yellow Citron. Mix equal parts Wicker White and Coastal Blue for top area of earth.
- Paint arms Licorice. Apply face with black marker.
- Heat set paint referring to bottle instructions.
Posted in FolkArt Fabric, Teaching Thursdays | 3 Comments »
April 12, 2012
Teaching Thursdays: Hydrangea Vase
Don’t you just love flowers, especially during this time of year? I know I do. They can lighten up any room in your home, and looking at them can just make you smile. Personally I don’t buy flowers as often as I like, because I hate to see them dry up and die. I do better with faux flowers and plants, don’t judge me 
. I also enjoy crafts that incorporate flowers into them, like this hydrangea vase. This is a pretty “stained glass” project made with Gallery Glass. Holli Long designed this project. This craft project is a bit more advanced, and is an intermediate level craft. Welcome in spring by creating this lovely vase.
PLAID Supplies
- Gallery Glass ® Window Color™ – Crystal Clear, 2 oz.
- Gallery Glass ® Window Color™ – Snow White, 2 oz.
- Gallery Glass ® Window Color™ – Blue Diamond, 2 oz.
- Gallery Glass ® Window Color™ – Amethyst, 2 oz.
- Gallery Glass ® Window Color™ – Lime Green, 2 oz.
- Gallery Glass ® Accessories – Tool Set
- Gallery Glass ® Window Color™ – Yellow Ochre, 2 oz.
- Gallery Glass ® Surfaces – Leading Blanks, 10 x 18
- Gallery Glass ® Window Color™ – Aqua, 2 oz.
- Gallery Glass ® Window Color™ – Fresh Lime, 2 oz.
Other Supplies
Clear cutting glass or light table
Large vase
2 small votives
Instructions
- Squirt equal amounts of Snow White, Amethyst, and Blue Diamond on the Leading Blank. Smooth and mix paint a bit with the palette knife.
- Repeat the above step with Aqua, Blue Diamond, and Crystal Clear.
- Repeat once more with Lime Green, Fresh Lime, and Crystal Clear.
- Place a Leading Blank over a piece of lined paper and trace the lines with Lime Green. Make seven or eight lines.
- With the Yellow Ochre, drip straight from the bottle onto the Leading Blank to make the flower centers.
- Set all aside to dry overnight.
- Place the flower and leaf patterns under the Leading Blanks. Use your craft knife to cut design elements.
- Clean and dry the glass surfaces and assemble Gallery Glass as shown in the photo.
- Use Crystal Clear Window Color to fill in all areas, between flowers, stems, and leaves.
Posted in Gallery Glass, Teaching Thursdays | 1 Comment »
April 5, 2012
Teaching Thursday: Step Stool by Every Creative Endeavor
Hello PLAID readers!! I am so excited to be here today sharing a fun little project. My name is Amanda and I am the creator and author of Every Creative Endeavor – a fun little blog about all things DIY for you and your home! I love to make items for my house; there is just something so great about completing a project that beautifies your home. I also love making things for my kids – again, there is something so gratifying in seeing your kids love something you have made them. Today I am going to share a fun little Monogrammed Step Stool I made for my son. We just finished potty training but I realized he would need something to help reach the toilet and the sink to wash his hands and a fun little step stool was the perfect solution!
First, I headed out to Michaels – a great store to pick up PLAID products – and found this fun little stool.
I brought it home and used #459 Hauser Green Light by FolkArt by PLAID and gave it a few good coats. This green is one of my very favorite colors! It is bright and fun and perfect for a little boy.
Next I cut out a “Q” with some scrapbook paper I had in my supplies. I used a cutting machine to cut it out so you could use one of those if you have one or just print one out on your computer and trace it onto your paper – I used to that all the time. It works great!! Using Gloss Mod Podge, I glued the letter onto the stool. I first applied a coat to the stool and then applied my “Q” and then added a few more coats over the top. TIP: If you are finding little bubbles in your letter while the Mod Podge is drying, simply take your hair dryer and apply it to the bubble and it will flatten.
I also used the Mod Podge to coat the entire stool and give it a nice little glossy shine. It turned out perfect and my son loves it!
It is the perfect little step stool to reach those high places. And yes, even I have used it a couple times to reach a few things up high in my pantry. My daughter loves it too so I may be making a fun little pink one in the near future!
Thank you so much for having me today and I would love for you to stop by Every Creative Endeavor to see what other projects I have been working on!
Amanda
Posted in FolkArt Acrylic, Kids, Mod Podge, Teaching Thursdays | 5 Comments »
March 29, 2012
Have you done any spring-cleaning yet? How about some spring decorating? Spring is a great time to clean up, and start fresh. Perhaps there is a room in your home you need to organize. Or you have been looking forward to adding new decorations to your room. Here is a project that can bring new life to any room in your home. A repurposed lampshade is a great spring project. Kindra Boroff, a designer here at Plaid, created this one. This is an intermediate project that will take 2 or more hours to complete. If you are like me, I often have a hard time finding the exact type of lampshade I picture in my mind, well here is a solution. Create your own lampshade. Use this exact design, or use it as inspiration to create whatever you envision.
Plaid Supplies
FolkArt Acrylic Paint- 938 Licorice, 424 Light Gray, 2551 Moon Yellow
FolkArt Painting Stencils-30599 Debbie Floral
Simply Stencil Value Packs-30502 7×10 Stencil blank
Plaid Brush Set- 250534 Learn To Paint Set
Plaid Spouncer-1528 Medium Spouncer Set
Other Supplies
Medium white lampshade, Masking tape, Xacto knife
Instructions
- Cut the zebra print stencil using the provided pattern or create your own.
- Stencil the zebra print to the lampshade with Light Gray.
- Stencil the large flower onto the lampshade with Moon Yellow.
- Using Licorice and the liner brush outline the flowers. With Licorice add polka dots and paint the top and bottom trim.
Posted in FolkArt Acrylic, Home Decor, Stencils & Stamps, Teaching Thursdays | 1 Comment »
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
- Use a large brush and paint a basecoat of Mint.
- For yellow chick, use Chamomile and follow general stenciling instructions.
- For flocked chick, use a foam pouncer, transfer adhesive, white flocking transfer sheet, and stylus and follow transfer sheet instructions.
Bunny Box
- Use large brush and paint box a basecoat of Summer Haze.
- Use Pea Shoot and grass stencil artwork and follow general stenciling instructions.
- 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.
- Place stencil on your surface and secure using tape. If using spray adhesive, spray stencil first, then place on surface.
- 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.
- While paint is still wet, carefully peel stencil off.
- 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
- Wash all stencils, brushes, and tools immediately after use before the paint dries. Use Martha Stewart Crafts Brush & Stencil Cleaner to remove dried paint.
- Repair torn stencils with transparent tape. Place tape on both sides of the tear and cut away the excess with a craft knife.
Posted in Easter, Martha Stewart, Spring, Teaching Thursdays | Leave a Comment »
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.
Posted in FolkArt Acrylic, FolkArt Mediums, Furniture, Home Decor, Teaching Thursdays | Leave a Comment »
