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:

Fancy Feet Sewing Challenge: March 2013

March's challenge is all about those tricky sewing machine feet that sit in our sewing boxes and never get used.  Come on, you know you're guilty!  Every machine comes with a variety of feet, but few sewists do anything more than switch between the zig-zag and zipper feet.  Here's your chance!

[source]
Check out this Bad-boy!
A Ruffler Foot

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This one has a lovely conch shell spiral!
Binder Foot

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Looks like a FMQ foot, right?
Wrong!
Open Toe Darning Foot

Dr. Suess's Foot Book comes to mind while I'm writing this post.  My, what a lot of funny feet there are!

Hello and welcome to the Fancy Feet Sewing Challenge!  This sewing challenge is open to everyone whether you publish a blog or not.  This will be the 10th sewing challenge I've hosted.  The first 4 challenges were co-hosted with Keren from sew la vie!  Keren and I began these sewing events with the purpose of creating a collective learning experience for a group of kindred spirits.  We wanted the challenges to be about inspiration and improvement of sewing skills rather than a competition.  Those ideals hold true today.

You'll probably enjoy these challenges if you can answer yes to a few of these questions:

Does the theme of the challenge appeal to you?

Do you have a free afternoon (or 2) during the month of the challenge?

Do you want to improve your sewing skills or expand your sewing knowledge?

Would you like to connect with other participants from all over the world?

Are you more apt to finish a project if you have a deadline?

Please read the simple challenge guidelines:

1. Choose a sewing machine foot that puts you out of your sewing comfort zone and learn how to use it.
2. Complete a small project utilizing said foot.  Don't shoot yourself in the foot (ha!) by choosing a difficult, time-consuming project.  Your challenge won't be met if you can't complete it by the deadline.
3. Photograph your project.  Bloggers submit their entry by writing a post about their experience.  Non-bloggers submit their entry by emailing me their photos and I'll post on their behalf.  
4. A just for fun poll will be conducted concerning the finished projects.  Winners of the poll with receive bragging rights and fancy blog badges.

Here's the challenge timeline:

• Now through March 31st.  All projects must be submitted.  That means bloggers will have posted and non-bloggers will have emailed me.
• April 1-30th.  Just-for-fun poll takes place.
• Mid April.  A new challenge for May will be announced.
• The beginning of May.  Poll winners announced and bragging rights established.

Visit my FAQ page HERE.

Grab a button and spread the word!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2013/02/fancy-feet-sewing-challenge-march-2013.html" title="Visit Fancy Feet Homepage"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-76yMBuCpuBI/US-Q7DcLMfI/AAAAAAAAF1E/3T7o8z1L2B8/s1600/63502665bbutton.jpg" alt="Visit Fancy Feet Homepage" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I like to make a Pinterest inspiration board for every challenge.

All the challenge participants can be added as contributors.  

It's an easy way to share links, techniques, and ideas.

March's challenge board:

Fancy Seams Sewing Challenge

Previous challenge pinboards:

Curved Seams Challenge

Ring You Neck Inspiration Motherboard!

Fab Folds Sewing Challenge

2-in-1 Sewing Challenge

Garment Sewing Challenge

Solids-Only Tote Challenge

Naughty Notions Challenge

Typography Challenge

Be sure to scroll through and answer all the questions:

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.  

Winners: Ring Your Neck Scarf Challenge!

And the winners are......

November was a busy month for everyone, but that didn't stop 19 people from signing up for my challenge and giving it go.  Sending big hugs and thank yous to everyone who signed up!  You all make these challenges fun and engaging, and I just love you for it!

I challenged you to make a scarf and trying something new in the process.  15 lovely participants were able to meet the challenge!  Congratulations to the 15 who met the challenge!  We ended up with 15 unique and wonderful scarves to enter into the voting portion of the challenge.  

Without further ado, the results are:

In first place, receiving the most votes, is Marisa from  Passion et Couture with her striking scarf made with a technique using water soluble stabilizer.  

Congrats Marisa!  Your bragging rights have been activated!

Here's a shiny new badge for your blog:

<div align="center"> <a href="http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2012/12/vote-ring-your-neck-scarf-challenge.html" title="Congrats Marisa!"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7VLpLiU8Swg/UOR2uTGBNdI/AAAAAAAAFCU/G3TuW6IgBoY/s1600/agold.jpg" alt="Congrats Marisa!" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

In second place, we have a tie!  

Linda from Desert Designs with her chenille scarf and Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches receive second place honors!

Congrats Linda!  Your bragging rights have been activated!

You might not have a blog to show it off, but here's your shiny badge all the same:

<div align="center"> <a href="http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2012/12/vote-ring-your-neck-scarf-challenge.html" title="Congrats Linda!"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7SVNrpV3lbc/UOR2vFLoSlI/AAAAAAAAFCc/dsrt5CY1AW8/s1600/asilver.jpg" alt="Congrats Linda!" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Congrats Fiona!  Your bragging rights have been activated!

If you wish, you may display this shiny new badge on your blog:

<div align="center"> <a href="http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2012/12/vote-ring-your-neck-scarf-challenge.html" title="Congrats Fiona!"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7SVNrpV3lbc/UOR2vFLoSlI/AAAAAAAAFCc/dsrt5CY1AW8/s1600/asilver.jpg" alt="Congrats Fiona!" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

In third place we have Signe from Skaberlyst with her collage-style scarf!

Congrats Signe!  Your bragging rights have been activated!

Here's a shiny new badge just for you:

<div align="center"> <a href="http://ricochetandaway.blogspot.com/2012/12/vote-ring-your-neck-scarf-challenge.html" title="Congrats Signe!"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQNpXJUKZKY/UOR2tiHaajI/AAAAAAAAFCM/bLJrLSjkZxE/s1600/abronze.jpg" alt="Congrats Signe!" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Challenging ourselves to learn new skills and to meet our commitments are noble and admirable qualities.  I applaud all the participants for all their hard work and dedication during a super busy time of year.  Everyone was stretched thin, that I was getting pretty worried near the end of November.  But with 15 finished projects, we have so many reasons to be proud!  Congrats and thank you again!

Happy crafting and big hugs from frosty Montana,

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