Cutting Edge Stencil Review: Layered Painted Canvas

You might remember that in September, one of our sponsors for A Crafty Soiree's September Celebration was Cutting Edge Stencils.  They provided an awesome giveaway and the winner has been super busy with the Casablanca wall stencil she picked out.  Check out Tara's before and after.

Pretty impressive isn't it?  I've been working on a stencil project too, also for the wall but on a much smaller scale.  Have you seen canvas photos mounted on top of either another canvas or a piece of wood?  I've seen a couple, really liked the look and wanted to try making my own version.

To begin with I picked up at 12X12 blanked wrapped canvas, two colors of acrylic paint, a 5/8" stencil brush, natural white bristle, and the small Nagoya allover stencil I was sent to review.  Both the stencil and brush are available at Cutting Edge Stencils.  After a little experimenting with the stencil I decided to also use a little temporary spray adhesive, the brand recommend on the website.

Step 1: Paint your canvas a base color.  Two layers covers nicely.

Step 2:  Since I was using a wrapped canvas, which is not a solid surface, I put a book into the space that is not backed with the wooden frame.  Then I lightly misted the stencil with the temporary adhesive, waited a few minutes as directed on the product, and then lightly attached to the canvas.  I also taped one end of the stencil to the canvas to help hold it in place.

Step 3: Using the stencil brush, I lightly painted in the stencil using a swirling motion, moving it once to stencil over the entire canvas surface.

Step 4: Ta-da! Here it is.  I love this stencil pattern, so pretty and the contrast between the green and blue is just beautiful!

Here's a close up.  Excuse the poor lighting, I was painting after the kids went to bed.  The finished pictures below have better true to life colors.  The project is almost done.  All that was left, was to attach a mounted photo I had made at a local photo lab.

Doesn't it look great!  I love it, it's just as I imagined and because I used a stencil to create the background I was able to match my home decor and the photo exactly.   I may eventually add a little bit more embellishment, but for now I really like how the stencil design really stands out.

This was my first time painting stencils and I'm so pleased by how it turned out.  The stencil was very easy to use and made out of thick, but not too thick, material.  The edges of the design stayed in place well and it wasn't hard to paint in the details.  Clean up was very easy too.   I found the tips and videos on the Cutting Edge Stencils website invaluable.  They're an excellent resource and highly recommend you view them before staring your project.   You can also get more tips and ideas on the Cutting Edge Stencil blog.

I will have another project using this same stencil but in a very different way next week.  I'm excited to show you have versatile it is.  Have you used a stencil before for either a wall, home decor, or another DIY project?  I'd love to see what you've done.  Link me up in the comment section!



Disclosure: A complimentary stencil package was provided for review.  The experiences and opinions related within are both personal and unbiased.

The mounted photo was created at Meijer Photo, and was provided via Buzz Agent free of charge with my participation in their program.  I will be reviewing it in a separate blog post.

2012 Gift Guide: Posy Slippers from the Smartdogs® Collection by Grandoe®

Just in time for the change in seasons, a pair of Posy hoodback style women's slippers from Smartdogs® by Grandoe® turned up on the doorstep for review.  Aren't they super cute?  I was very excited because as a person with Type II Diabeties, the importance of wearing slippers with a sturdy sole for good foot care has been impressed upon me by the podiatrist.   These are great, very comfortable, warm, and stylish.  The sole is thick enough so that you can even wear them out to pick up the mail or to grab something from the car without having to change.

What makes these extra special is that each pair of Posy comes with Comfort IQ^™, an exclusive temperature regulating technology that Grandoe^® has used successfully for some time in their dress glove line and that has now been added to the Fall 2012 collection for Smartdogs® by Grandoe^®. Comfort IQ^™ is an exclusive Phase Change Bubble Technology that actually stores body heat until it senses your feet need it and then gradually releases warmth. These are the only slippers that are smart enough to balance warmth and comfort on their own.  Pretty neat!

Of course, I don't think about all that when wearing them.  Because to be perfectly honest, a slipper could have all the technology in the world, but if they don't also look good I probably won't wear them much.  I just know they feel wonderful on the feet and the decorative details are really lovely.  From the pink brushed polyester lining and corduroy edging to the colorful fleece flower, I find these to be both extremely functional and stylish.  They are so cosy feeling, it's like wearing your favorite sweater on your feet.

These Posy hoodback style women's slippers retail for $55 and are available in charcoal, grey heather, and the tan I was sent.   They'd make a great gift to put under the tree.  They'll keep your loved one's feet, and yours too, warm and comfortable all winter long.



Disclosure: A complimentary pair of slippers were provided for this review.  The experiences and opinions related within are both personal and unbiased.

2012 Gift Guide: Let's Play with Peppa Pig!

One of our favorite television characters has come home to join us for play time!  My daughter couldn't wait to rip open the Hug 'n Oink Peppa Talking Plush.  She's just made for hugging!  The adorable plush doll plays music, talks, giggles, and oinks when you hug her.  We love her British accent.  My little guy is simple fascinated by her and will bounce up and down, laughing while his sister hugs Peppa over and over.

If you're not familiar with Peppa Pig, she's the main character of a television series airing seven days a week on Nick Jr.  She lives in the UK, hence the accent, with her family that includes little brother George, Mommy Pig, and Daddy Pig.  They've taken on characteristics of humans, while still retaining some uniquely piggish characteristics like their snorts and how Peppa loves playing in muddy puddles.

Peppa Pig is such a hit in our house because other than being a pig, she does many of the activities and things that preschoolers like to do.  She has a lot in common with my girl, in that both are high energy, like playing games and dressing up, as well as going on trips.  Her every day adventures always end happily with loud snorts of laughter.  Episodes are centered around friendship and family so it's good wholesome television for kids.  Now you can get 10 "peppasodes" featuring Peppa and her family on the 60 minute compilation Muddy Puddles and Other Stories DVD, so you can watch them any time!

Besides our new hugable Peppa, we also got a Peppa & Friends: Ice Cream Time play set that included a Peppa and George figurine and an ice cream cart with a top that flips open to show yummy treats inside.  My kiddo really likes little figures and toys but did note after awhile that this is kind of a basic play set.  The arms of the figures move but they can't hold or push the cart.  There also aren't any accessories other than the ice cream cart itself, none of the treat depicted on the cart actually come off. 

This didn't prevent us from enjoying playing with the set as my daughter has lots of imagination and her desk quickly became a sandy beach and other assorted things were transformed into things to play with Peppa and George on.  For example, a pencil turned into a log for them to walk on.  This set works best as an addition to other larger Peppa Pig play sets or to complete your Peppa Pig world at home, if your child is still developing their imagination and benefits from more props to full participate in make believe play.  The set is priced well, so while it might not include many pieces it is suitable to serve as an introductory toy to see if your child would play with Peppa Pig toys.

Suggested Retail Prices:
Hug 'n Oink Peppa Pig Plush from Fisher Price, $21.99
Peppa & Friends: Ice Cream Time from Fisher Price, $7.99
Muddy Puddles and Other Stories DVD $14.98 or $9.99 for iTunes digital download

Connect with Peppa Pig:
www.PeppaPig.com
Peppa Pig on Facebook



Disclosure: Complimentary samples were provided for review.  The experiences and opinions related within are both personal and unbiased.