Stenciled Box Make-Over and Some Stenciling Tips!

So, in just over a week, Coffee Break Design and Retro Cafe Art Gallery will be vending at the Indianapolis Heirloom Stamping and Paper Arts Festival! Show prep is well under way, and one of my favorite parts is creating the displays and art samples. I desperately needed something to put under my cash register so that I could operate it while standing and not killing my back! Something to raise it up a bit. I almost bought an overpriced faux wood box from Meijer, but I hesitated. It was just a box, and I really wanted drawers. I'm so glad I waited!

Instead, I went to my local Goodwill store and scored this (ugly) but awesome piece. It's actually a VHS holder! VHS what? Yes, it's hideous, but it was only $2.99 and I saw the potential. Not to mention it was the perfect size and exactly what I envisioned for my register.

..........................................................................

All it took was some spray paint and Coffee Break Design Stencils, and voila!

..........................................................................

To create the box, I simply used spray paint to spray on a base coat of red paint (outside of course). And then I went to town with the Stencils. I really didn't bother masking them of, however if  you want a nice clean look, you can tape them down using wide painters tape. This will protect the area you aren't currently spraying. Or you can do what I did and lay scrap paper around the edges.

..........................................................................

Our Stencils are made from durable stencil oil board, so you can use them over and over again. People have asked me how to clean them, and the answer is don't. Yes, they will get paint on them, but it won't hurt anything. In some ways the paint helps protect them even more. I've had some of the same stencils for years, however when and if they become unusable (haven't encountered this yet) you can use your awesome painted stencils in a journal spread or collage. They are very affordable (some as low as $1.50) so you can always buy lots more!

 ..........................................................................

The other thing I love to do, is right after I have sprayed my Stencils, while the paint is still wet, flip them over onto a piece of scrap paper, or directly onto your journal or collage. It helps remove some of the excess paint, plus, you get awesome papers to use in a later project!

..........................................................................

Stencils are super fun to layer! Since spray paint is so opaque, it really doesn't matter whether you layer light to dark or dark to light. Of course our stencils also work great with markers, pens, stencil paint & brushes, ink & color dusters, airbrush systems, spray inks, and so much more. If you are using really wet mediums, such as our Varitone Ink (basically like spraying on water) you can seal them first with a spray acrylic sealer. Of course if they are already covered in spray paint, they should be pretty well sealed.

..........................................................................

The purple layer was done using Copic Markers and a Copic Airbrush system. That is why it's semi-translucent, unlike the spray painted areas. To finish and protect the box, I sprayed the entire thing with a matte acrylic sealer at the very end.

..........................................................................

Even though no one will see it, I couldn't resist spraying the bottom too. It was just so FUN!
The Stencils I used for this project included: Large Optical, Muy-Walk, Muy-Run, Muy-Jump, Large Flock, Large Onomotoholes, and the Large Heart Background.

..........................................................................

Could this have been a more perfect fit? There is even a drawer for my credit card machine and another for storing receipts! I love it when things work out. Checking people out will be so much more fun now!

..........................................................................

Here is our Heirloom booth from last year. This year we will have even more goodies, including all 166 Stencil Designs! And all customers will get a special coupon to use at Retro Cafe Art Gallery. I hope to see some of you there. It's always so much fun meeting so many customers and reuniting with other vendor friends. You can view the show information HERE.

..........................................................................

How about a little Stencil Giveaway?

1. Leave a comment on THIS post and let me know how you like to use your Stencils. If you don't have any, tell me how you would like to use them if you had some!


2. On Wednesday March 7th (the day after my birthday!), I'll use a random number generator to select a winner to receive a 5 Pack of Coffee Break Design Stencils!

3. If you are a winner and already a Facebook Fan, you'll receive a 10 Pack! Go here to 'like" us. Let me know in your comment if you are a fan, and please only leave one comment. Good luck and XOXOs to you all!

Winners for the Egg Shrine Kits will be announced on the same day. Be sure you are entered!

New Goods in the Shop, News, and a GIVEAWAY!

Happy Heart Day to you all! Now that Valentine's Day is here, it's time to start thinking about the craftacular holidays ahead. We are all set with St. Patrick's Day goodies if you need any, so moving ahead that means Easter and Spring! We have over 40 BRAND NEW things for you to play with, and I wanted to get them out before show preparation is in full effect. We will be vending at the Heirloom Stamping and Paper Arts Convention in Indianapolis March 3rd and 4th. I would love to meet some of you if you can make it! We will have TONS of Coffee Break Design supplies and so much more.

 First, we have GORGEOUS German Cotton Spun Mushrooms imported from Germany. I think the photos say it all. They look almost good enough to eat! And of course I had to get them ALL. So yes they have their very own category.

 We also have 12 Brand New Coffee Break Design Stencils. These were actually designed for a local store, Homespun, that sells modern handmade goods, but I can share them with you as well. Dinosaurs, Mustaches, Octopi, etc. are definitely not uncommon in this store! It's cool to be able to expand beyond the Scrapbooking and Stamping stores. They carry my handcrafted jewelry as well :).

And how about some adorable bunny ears for your collage peeps! The latest addition to our Collage Cut-Outs Accessory Line. Add some Glasses and a Mustache while you're at it!

And well, I've been thinking about these for a while now. I just KNEW the "Chocolate" Bunnies would look almost real cut out of our lovely Masonite. I had to have some with bites taken out too. They are also available without bites :).

 Here's an ATC I made with the Bunny Ears and Chocolate Bunnies. I just couldn't wait to play!

And of course for Easter, there should be eggs! So we've got em' in several forms. But of course my favorites are the new additions to Trinket Keepsake Kits and El Tiny Trinket Charm lines. Available with Circle and Square openings. Personally, I'm partial to the circle as it looks like a yolk!

And yes, I played. I used one with the channels popped out to make a necklace, and one with the channels left in place (to become a pin). Here's a list of the materials I used for these:

Circle Egg Trinket, ATC Nesting Collage Sheet, 25mm Crystal Clear Cabochon, Diamond Glaze, Ball Chain Kit, Open Balls, Mod Podge, Patina and Black Gilders Paste, and 10mm Red Cotton Spun Mushroom.

The crackled one is my favorite. I used paint, 2 step crackle, distress ink, and Gilders Paste to get the final effect. Click on the photos for a closer look.

Loved working on the backs too. I almost hate to cover one with a pin-back.



And of course we have to have the Egg El Tiny Trinket Charms too. In honor of Valentine's Day today, I'll be adding one of these charms as a FREE GIFT to all orders placed within the next few weeks. There's no minimum, just lots of free eggs!

And let's see, oh yes, a GIVEAWAY! It just wouldn't be right if I didn't have one!

1. Leave a comment on THIS post and let me know which of the NEW GOODIES you like best.

2. On Wednesday March 7th (the day after my birthday!), I'll use a random number generator to select FIVE winners to receive one of the awesome new Egg Trinket Shrine Kits!

3. If you are a winner and already a Facebook Fan, you'll receive an extra goodie too! Go here to 'like" us. Let me know in your comment if you are a fan, and please only leave one comment. Good luck and XOXOs to you all! 

Valentine's Day Cake Gift Certificate Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of the 25.00 Retro Cafe Art Gallery Gift Certificate is.... #33, Jan! Please email me at retrocafeart@gmail.com to claim your prize!

A big huge thanks to Denise Phillips for providing the dessert! She's announced the winner on her blog as well!

 

You still have a few more days to enter our Valentine's Day Contest! Entries due by February 14th! And lastly, if you were playing in our Random Wednesday Giveaway on Facebook, the winners have been announced! Have a fantastic weekend everyone! xo

Valentine's Day Design Team Work and a Facebook GIVEAWAY!

Hi Everyone! I hope you are enjoying all the lovely Valentine's Day art that has been popping up. I know I am. What can be better than hearts, XOs, and chocolate? I have some lovely projects by the Design Team to share with you! And a fun fun "Share the Love" Facebook giveaway below!

First up is this ADORABLE jar by Jennifer Ingle. Jennifer used the Hello Dollie Valentine's Day Collage Sheet, Beautiful Birds 1 Collage Sheet, and the White Picket Fence. I have to say, I love the way she used the fence! Not to mention the pink glitter in the bottom. 

Jennifer also created this super wonderful card. Jennifer is AMAZING at card making, but I think this is my favorite of all. She used the Classic Candy Heart Charms, with and without holes. I just love the rustic, yet romantic look of this card!

Great stitching too!

This super FUN piece was created by Design Team Member Gerri Herbst using an ATC Window, ATC Base, Masonite XOs, Candy Heart, and Hinge Clips. She created such wonderful dimension on this piece. Really fantastic!

Next, Gerri created these lovely Valentine's Day ATCs! She used the Hello Doll 2 Collage Sheet, Love Collage Sheet, A Masonite Heart, and Red and Silver Stickles. My favorite part is the faux stitching around the punched out hearts!

This card, also created by Gerri, is so adorable. She used the Heart Background Stencil as well as the Hello Dollie 2 Collage Sheet. The background is so sweet! Speaking of something sweet...

Every Wednesday on Facebook, we have a Random Wednesday Gift Certificate Drawing. This week, since Valentine's Day is so close I thought it would be fun to do something a little different! So I put together this lovely gift pack giveaway that includes 7 Shrine Kits, 2 ATC Windows and ATC bases, 6 Inchie Windows and bases, 8 Stencils, 4 packs of Eyelets, and 6 Trinket Charms. Over a $60 value!

Pop on over to our Facebook Page to find out how to enter. It's super easy! And hurry, the winner will be announced on Friday! xo