Caromal Colours April's Frames & Mag Holders

Isn't that the cutest birdie?  This cutie adorns the Magazine holder box that April painted in the evenings, while we were on vacation at the beach last week! Read on to see what all she did with Caromal Colours Texture Base Coat and Stencil Cremes. (Remember to use my coupon code "DGS" when ordering online or by phone with Caromal Colours, or just contact me to order)

April started with simple inexpensive wooden frames and wooden magazine holders from Ikea.  No prep work needed when using the texture base coat. April painted one frame with Bayberry, one frame and one magazine holder with Mustard and one frame and magazine holder with Pumpkin.

 April took her own advise and designed and cut stencils out of watercolor paper.

April stenciled her designs on the three frames and the magazine holders using Caromal Stencil Cremes, Rosy Red for the birds on the frame, Lilac for the flowers on the frame, Sunflower for the pears on the frame and Mossy Green for the bird on the magazine box.  For the letter A, April based the letter with Snowberry White and once dried went over it with the Lilac.  When all was dry she sanded them lightly, stencil and all!

Still using the Stencil Cremes, April took a paintbrush and added details to her stenciled designs, beaks, feet, stems and centers using Blackberry Stencil Creme.

Aren't they great!  I love them all!  Great job April! Caromal Colours , Check it out!  (Remember to use my coupon code "DGS" when ordering online or by phone with Caromal Colours, or just contact me to order)

Caromal Colours Kristen's Doggie Bucket

While at the beach we have to do some kind of project!  So, I brought some galvanized metal buckets to paint.  Kristen wanted to paint it with a doggie theme for her two precious pups, Khaki and Zoey!

We started with a tin bucket picked up at a local flea market.

After cleaning the metal with Simple Green, Kristen went to work pushing and smashing on a coat of Caromal Colours Reclaim paint in Sage.  Kristen was covered it in two coats and allowed it to dry overnight.

We did not have any stencils with us. My daughter, April, suggested we make stencils out of watercolor paper, that she had on hand.  Kristen drew her bone and paw designs and cut them out. She used blue painter's tape to adhere the stencil to the bucket.  Remember, to try the stencil on a scrap piece of paper before attempting the final project.

Kristen used Caromal Colours Blackberry Stencil Cream for the paw prints.  Mother Earth and Wheat were used for the bones. (Remember to use my coupon code "DGS" to get a discount on your shipping or contact me for the products)  Kristen stenciled them randomly around the outside and the inside of the bucket.

Her is the finished product again.  I had Kristen give the bucket one coat of varnish to give the stenciled areas some protection.  Didn't she do an awesome job!  I am so proud of your work, Kristen!!!!

Caromal Colours Painted Wooden Box

Using the Caromal Colours Paints (CCP), I took this brightly painted flowery box (that i picked up at a yard sale for $3) and transformed it into an aged piece to match my decor!  
The first thing I did, was remove the flower handles and replaced them with some plain round wooden handles.  Then I cleaned the entire box with Simple Green.  ( I save the flower handles for a future project).

Next, I pushed and twisted a combination of CCP colors, Colonial Blue and Bayberry Textured Basecoats, 1:1, onto the entire outside surface of the box.  I let that dry.

Once the texture base coat was dry I added a layer of Chipping Cream. The Chipping Cream actually goes on white but dries clear, so you don't see all of it in this photo.  I remembered at the last minute that I wanted to take a photo!  The Chipping Cream allows the next layer to be removed when sanded therefore revealing the under color.

When the Chipping Cream was dry, I added a layer of Peppercorn CCP Textured Basecoat on the entire box. 

When the Peppercorn was dry I began the sanding using a mouse sander.  That's me pretending to sand.  I do this kind of sanding outside!  and use a mask if you have one. It is important to sand more in areas that would have gotten the most use when you are attempting to make the piece look authentically old.  In this case I sanded mostly on the edges of the doors and around the handles.

I just love to see the under color come through!  Now we are ready for toning!

The toner is applied with a paint brush and removed with a cotton rag.  The toner pulls the two colors together creating a wonderful blend that is pleasing to the eye and gives the appearance of older paint. I added toner to the inside also.

Now it just needs a good coat of wax or varnish to withstand it's new on my desk!  If you like what you see and would like to learn more about the paints and the application process, please go to   www.deborahgaylestudio.com    and look under Creative Classes, Upcoming Classes or the Calendar for a future class!  Hope to see you soon!

Hand Crafted Feather Jewelry

Look what Deb Beach and I did this morning!  Deb has been wanting some feather earring using the feathers of her beloved Guinea Fowl.  We picked some winners from the feather stash and wala!  Earrings and a pendant.