I Painted My Vinyl Floor

Can you  paint a vinyl kitchen floor?  Should you paint a kitchen floor?  How do you paint a kitchen floor?  Would painting the floor be worth the effort and time?

I struggled with answering those questions.  I came to 2 conclusions: 

1.  I really couldn't make it any uglier!

2.  Eventually we're going to install real tile anyway.

Just to give you an idea of my kitchen/dining-room  floor plan, I made this simple diagram.
The black represents floor covered in counter-tops, fridges, etc.
The yellow is my ugly vinyl flooring.
The grey is carpeting (yuck!).
Eventually, we're going to rip everything out and tile the whole thing,
but that project is possibly years away.

So you can see that I really didn't have a ton of vinyl flooring to paint.  Considering the back-breaking and mind-numbing work required in painting the small area of flooring I DID paint, I would never consider painting and stenciling a large area.  I have a new found respect for all you crafty people who painted and stenciled entire rooms.  Wow!  What a lot of work!

My inspiration!  Check out this fab post by Shabby Coast Cottage!
[Photo by Shabby Coast Cottage]

I got my stencil and learned the technique from this lovely post by JDC.  
[Photo by JDC]

TL: Primer | TR: Floor paint
BL: Tracing stencil | BR: Painting stencil

Here are the steps I followed to paint my floor:

1. Removed drawer under my stove. (mine's not a broiler)
2. Cleaned the floor with ammonia and rinsed it well.
3. Sanded the floor with 150 grit sandpaper.
4. Vacuumed and wiped up all sanding residue.
5. Taped off edges, trim, and bottom of fridge.
6. Painted on a layer of KLEAN-STRIP EASY LIQUID SANDER.
7. Painted on KILZ 2® Latex Primer.
8. Painted on BEHR PREMIUM® Porch & Floor Paint--2 coats.
9. Traced stencil guidelines with gel pen.
10. Stenciled in BEHR PREMIUM PLUS ULTRA® Semi-Gloss Enamel.--2 coats. 

I bought some clear varnish to use as a top-coat but have yet to apply it.  It's been several months since I've painted the floor and it's holding up so nicely, I doubt I'll ever paint on the vanish.  

Here's a couple more "afters": 

The texture of the floor is still evident, but I like it soooooo much better.  I mostly clean the floor with warm water.  When that isn't enough, I have a swiffer thingy that I use and it works great.  

How about you all?  Would you ever consider painting your kitchen floor?

Happy crafting and big hugs from Montana,

Before you click away, I'd like to invite you to join in my current sewing/craft challenge.  

Plaid Stencils and Folk Art Craft Paint Review

FolkArt stencils rock!

Besides connecting with amazingly creative people from all over the world, the second best thing about being a blogger is getting opportunities to review craft products.  This post is about my experience with FolkArt stencils.  I've been a big fan of Plaid brand products even before I began blogging.  You see, I'm a Mod-Podger from waaaaay back!

These are all my projects featuring Plaid products:

The Envelope Wristlet

Wallet Upcycle

Another Mod Podge Upcycle

Naughty Notions Clutch

Purse of Paper

Clutch Makeover

Painted Patches for Boys

Patches for Girls

Tag-making

No-Dye-Tie-Dye

Egg-Kabobs

UFO Ornaments

Most of those tutorials feature projects using either Mod Podge or various brands of acrylic craft paint.

Besides the Patches for Girls post, I haven't worked much with stencils...until NOW!

The folks at Plaid, being the generous folks that they are, sent me another bundle of crafty loot!  This time around I received some Folk Art craft paint, a foam paint roller, a tub of chalkboard paint, a durable plastic FolkArt stencil, and a couple types of stencil brushes.  I decided to give the plain white step in my daughter's room a make-over.

1. After cleaning the surface of the step and taping off the area that I wanted to paint, I rolled on a layer of pale pink paint.  
2. I used one of the foam stencil brushes and stippled along the taped edges in a darker teal.
3. I taped the stencil down to keep it from wiggling and used a foam stencil brush to stamp on more teal paint.
4. I learned the hard way that if you don't clean the stencil every time you move it, you'll have some messy areas.  

I sealed the paint with glitter Mod Podge.  The grains of glitter are very fine and the resulting "glitz" is like a pretty iridescent shimmer.  It is very hard to photograph, so you'll just have to take my word for it that the finished step is totally glam!   

The step was once used in our bathroom to aid little kids in reaching the sink.  After we started using a collapsible stool in the bathroom, the step found a home in my 6 y.o. daughter's room.  She thought it looked like a "baby step" before, but is pleased with it's big-girl transformation.  The chevrons are fun and decidedly "not baby-ish" design element.  What do you think?

Check out this dresser transformation done with the same chevron stencil:

I just got some more stencils in the mail.  I'm hoping to use them in a new project soon, along with the chalkboard paint.  What about you all?  Any luck with stencils lately?

Happy crafting and big hugs from Montana,

Connect with Plaid via these social media links:
Plaid on Facebook
Plaid on Twitter
Follow Plaid on Pinterest

I wrote this post as part of a sponsored campaign with Plaid and The Blueprint Social. 

All opinions in this post are my own.

Before you click away, I'd like to invite you to join in my current sewing/craft challenge.

I wasn't the only one who got cool stencils in the mail.  Check out what my bloggy friends made as well:

Scarf: Rolled Hem Foot

This month's sewing challenge is kicking my butt!  The rolled hem foot I chose to work with is a tricky little thing that I can't seem to get a handle on.  Plus, my photography skills...well please accept my usual apologies.  I think I'm loosing my blogging mojo!  Not that I had much to brag about in the first place!

Anyway, March's sewing challenge is to try a new sewing machine foot.  I choose the rolled hem foot.  I took it out once many years ago and it was a disaster.  So I decided to do a bit more research and really try to master the foot.  I started out practicing on a thin cotton print.  You may recognize it, I used it to make my maxi dress. 

After stitching about 5 inches, I was really getting the hang on it.

I stitched the length of the scrap of fabric and proclaimed myself a master!

What went wrong so many years ago when I first used this lovely foot?

So, enter the scarf fabric.  I bought this Red Tag (clearance sale) fabric at JoAnn's a couple weeks ago with making a scarf in mind.  At $3 a yard and me only buying 18 inches, it was a bargain!

The fabric itself is red and green paisley on a navy blue background with thin stripes of gold metallic thread.  You can see it draped over my sewing machine below and notice how sheer it is.

Once I squared up the fabric (not an easy task with this thin fabric) I pressed a 3/8 inch hem along the edges.  Then, using my trusty rolled hem foot, I started stitching.  The results were less than stellar.  Only about 20% of the hem was a perfect double fold.  The rest was only a single fold.  Maybe you can see in the photo below how the second fold didn't catch.

I considered trimming off the offending hem and trying again, but in the end just decided to live with it.  I got out my lighter and singed the fraying edges that didn't get folded into the hem.  I don't know how it will hold up in the long run, but for now I'm not too worried about the hem coming undone and the fabric unraveling all over the place.  Here's a look at the length of the scarf.  You can also see how I rounded the corner on the end:

I had both my kids take a crack at photographing me wearing the scarf.  While I'm sure they did their best, the results were pretty blurry.  Here's the well-edited best of the bunch:

In conclusion, I believe that my rolled hem foot has limitations when it comes to fine, sheer fabrics.  I have some thin jersey that would make a great scarf as well....but I'm not sure if I'll try to hem it or just leave the raw edges.  Hmmmm, decision, decisions!

What is your experience with rolled hem feet?  Any tips on working with sheer fabrics?  

Visit March's sewing challenge homepage here:

Happy crafting and big hugs from Montana,

Before you click away, I'd like to invite you to join in my current sewing/craft challenge.  

Gift Idea: Potted Tulip Bulbs

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of iBulb for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Spring does not come early in Montana.  Here we are in March and there's not a crocus to be seen much less a daffodil.  Tulips won't be around until May, and the lilies won't show until June.  And before we know it, September's here and the leaves on the trees are turning.  Those are the reasons why Montanans are such big fans of forcing bulbs indoors.  That is the only way we can enjoy traditional spring blooms in March.  

Don't get  me wrong though, we love all bulbs and rhizomes outdoors as well.  They are so tolerant of our extreme climate.  The are perennials, meaning they come back year after year.  Plus they are so pretty.  Right?

My favorites for forcing indoors or planting in beds are tulips.  They come in every hue from the brightest white to the deepest, nearly black, purples.  Bulbs are readily available at hardware and grocery stores, as well as garden centers and flower shops.  I can't resist the potted bulbs they set out near the cash registers at my local grocery store.  

Tulip bulbs make great gifts.  They are very easy to grow.  The reason being because of the hardy nature of bulbs in general.  A bulb contains all the nutrients it needs to stay alive underground throughout the winter.  So a potted bulb just needs a little water an non-freezing temps to sprout and bloom.  No fertilizing or strategically placed windows required.  I've seen potted bulbs blooming in interior office cubicles and bathrooms with teeny-tiny windows.

Check out this cute gift idea I found on Pinterest:

Source: Uploaded by user via Dig Drop Done on Pinterest

 

I would love this type of gift for Mother's Day!  (hint-hint)  A pair of stylish galoshes filled with bulbs and gardening tools would make a great present for anyone with a spring birthday.  How about you?  What's your favorite spring flower?  Your favorite color of tulip?