Declare and Dash

Hey, Froggers. I'm putting myself on an actual schedule today! I really am! So, here's a Declare and Dash post. I have LOTS of new stencils in the shop, so feel free to check them out in my Etsy shop here.

This tag stencil is super for Bible journaling, midori journals, personal planners, and a variety of other mixed media projects.

This one is particularly fun with the Gelli® plate. I hope to have some samples to show you in the next few days.

This "Fanned" stencil comes in 6x6, 8x8, or 10x10 inches.

Sorry to say it, Froggers, but this is another one of my faves. You can all of it or just parts of this "Filigree Arrow" stencil in your journals, doodling, midori notebooks, Bible journals, etc. 

And I'll say it again, these tag stencils are PERFECT for traveling, like waiting in the Drs.' office, riding in the car, flying in a plane, or just pretending you're on an island in the tropics. Yeah, I like that last one.

And, here is my "Surround" tag stencil.

I'm having way too much fun.

That's it for today. 

And again, thanks for visiting! 

Now, on to keeping my schedule. Yups. I'm gonna do it! I swear!

Fondly, Tami

Christmas Stencil Project

Hey, Peeps. I've been reflecting on Christmas, which got me in the mood to play today, even though I have an incredibly messy house and I'm hosting the neighborhood cookie party tomorrow night. EEK!!! I don't know about you, but that sounds like a perfect time to play in the Craft Room, huh?

So, I designed another stencil. I started with my tree stencil. I used some Iced Spruce Distress Paint. 

After the paint was dry, I shifted the stencil to the right, and then inked that free edge with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.

 

Then I applied a few pieces of Washi Tape.

I was planning on inking over the tape, so I applied a little GlueNSeal on the tape to give the ink something to grab onto. Then I hit it with my heating gun.

This is my new Joy to the World stencil,, available here. I inked with a permanent ink (I think Adirondak Slate). 

I wanted to give it a little more definition, so I traced the letters with a black pen.

I then took my Scruffy Crosses stencil and applied some Distress Crackle Paint. 

While the crackle paint was wet, I sprinkled some Distress Glitter on it and shook off the excess.

Of course, very few projects are complete without a bow or flower.

A few brads for a pop of color.

And of course, some bling.

And here's the finished tag. 

It's pretty simple for me, but I like it. 

And, here's another variety for the holidays, available here.

But, I couldn't leave you without a picture of my labor-intensive-but-oh-so-delicious cookies.

If you drool, it's not my fault. 

Today, I'm praying that you all receive peace today as you go about your daily routines, adding the preparations for the holidays.

Fondly, Tami

Cute Little School Chairs

Hey, Froggers! I'm sorry for the delay in posting. I have had my hands in so many projects that my head is spinning. I'm gearing up to get my inventory up and running so I can do a few craft shows this fall. Perhaps I should have started in May! Uh. Oh.

Here's what I've been working on lately.
I started with these four adorable chairs. I found them at a yard sale (actually there were 6, but I'm saving 2 for another project). They came from my small town local elementary school that had been torn down and re-built. I'm just sorry, but I can't imagine any new chairs that would be cuter than this!

Since they were so adorable in and of themselves, I didn't want to change them up much, but of course, I had to paint them a little!

I used my favorite stencil technique. Even though I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Graphite, and you're not supposed to have to sand the wood, this wood was pretty smooth. So, after I painted them, I kept the stencil vinyl on top, mixed some graphite with clear Briwax, kind of slathered it on, waited, pulled off the vinyl, and then lightly buffed the letters. Some of the paint did rub off, but we crafters like to call that "charm". Seriously, I did want some to come off, so it did look naturally worn.

And, I wanted it to look like someone was singing the ABC song, so I painted them accordingly (sing as you're reading them).

I wanted to include an artsy diagonal shot, but Google is telling me that I need to buy more storage space for my pics. I WILL find a way around this, PEEPS! ;)
Anyhoo, I hope you enjoyed this short little blurb.
Fondly, Tami
I'm linking up to:
Miss Mustard Seed

Damask Design Chair with Matching Pillow

Hi, Froggers! It's 9:10 PM and I JUST sat down for the day. I'll keep this brief.
Here's the newest addition to my space at Building Character!
As I often forget, there's no before pic. Just imagine an ugly dark green thing with a very dirty fabric on the seat. I stripped the seat (that just sounds wrong), re-padded it, and covered it with our trusty ol' drop cloth fabric.

I painted her with ASCP Old White, but she needed a little something more, thus the damask design from the Graphics Fairy. I cut the threesome in vinyl, weeded out the "inerds", placed it on my chair, and very lightly stenciled with a dry brush.

Here are the designs up close, with a little distressing after waxing with clear Briwax.

When I sanded it, a beautiful shiny gold color showed up. Yipee! It was under the ugly green stuff. Yup folks! It doesn't get better than that!

Of course, it needed a matching pillow. I made this with a drop cloth, cut the design out of Grafix craft plastic, and stenciled with a VERY dry brush. Pouncing only, Peeps!

I was kinda tickled with the twosome.
And now, I'm making some popcorn and watching Parks and Rec!
Fondly, Tami
I'm linking to:
My Simple Home Life 
Feathered Nest Friday 
Miss Mustard Seed 
My 1929 Charmer Blog 
Craftomaniac
Under the Table and Dreaming
Sumos Sweet Stuff 
Between Naps on the Porch 
DIY Showoff Parade 
House of Hepworths 
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Somewhat Simple
The Brambleberry Cottage
The Southern Institute
Funky Junk Interiors 
Primitive and Proper 
Sisters of the Wild West