A lovely lady pointed out to me today that it's been a while since the last Crafty Nest Competition. To mark our Anniversary - we're giving away via a COMPETITION one space on our 2 April Introduction to Chalk Paint Class. To enter, please leave a comment on the blog below of what you like best about Autentico Paint. There will be one (1) winner. The winner will be annnounced on the blog on Saturday 19 March 2016. Please CONTACT US no later than Saturday 26 March to complete your booking with us (it's totally FREE to the winner). No cash equivalent and no substitutions.


UPDATE 11am 19 March 2016:- And the WINNER IS ........ Natalie Ross-Smith!!! Congratulations. All entries up to this morning, 19 March 2016 were entered into the draw with our winner being Natalie. To help share the charm of chalk, as a goodwill gesture, the other entrants as of 11am this morning 19 March 2016 can receive 10% off the class fee for the 2 April Introduction to Chalk Paint subject to available space in the class. No cash equivalent and no substitutions. Please email alicia@craftynest.co.uk for coupon code to book online on our Store page.

I purchased this lovely vintage corner cabinet from my local Oxfam (Cobham High Street - fabulous place to find amazing items to upcycle, and you feel good buying from them too!). I'd been doing a number of British themed corner cabinets lately and decided to do something different.  I'd not used Autentico Terrapino in a while and wanted to use it again.  Terrapino is a 3D embossing paste.  It can be used as is, you can mix paint into it or you can paint is once it is applied (and dried - but it dries really fast).  The best way to describe it is something akin to whipped plaster, really like and fluffy, easy to use (spread) and dries rock hard very quickly.

For this project, I'd already painted to corner cabinet in colour Vanille, then mixed colour Summer Sky into some Terrapino.  Not much Terrapino or paint is needed. I added and mixed a spoonful at a time until incorporated and smooth.

I attached my stencil to the painted corner cabinet.  Please note, do not use masking tape for stenciling on furniture - you run the risk of residue being left behind.  I only use Frog Tape.  Also note, you need to remove the stencil when the terrapino is wet (same for when stenciling with paint) so ONLY use enough tape to secure your stencil.  Do NOT tape all around the stencil, you will have a hard time to remove and run the risk of smearing your fine work.  This stencil is from Autentico - it is much thicker material than your average stencil so it makes it perfect for the raised 3D Terrapino embossing paste.  Thin "regular" stencils just don't work well enough.

Use your spatula to apply the Terrapino.  If you'd like a more rustic look, apply it unevenly (as I was slightly distressing this piece, I went for the more rustic look).  For more sleek look, apply it evenly.  Do one section at a time.  Use of Terrapino is covered in our Advanced Chalk Paint Workshop.

We're planning a trip to north Hampshire on Friday 12 February visiting three antiques centres, helping ladies identify great finds for upcycling and revamping.  If you're interested to come along, please do contact us to let us know.  If you can't make it but want to know where to go, we can highly recommend Eversley Barn Antiques, White Lion Antiques and Hartleys Antiques   We'll be planning another outing in the coming months so please do let us know if you'd like to join our group outings.

After seeing so many of these on Pinterest, I thought I would try it out.  I used a 6 foot artificial Christmas Tree, chicken wire, my trusty electric staple gun, scissors, craft knife, Christmas baubles, Christmas ribbon and picks, Charity Shop (local Oxfam - Cobham High Street is fabulous!) finds for the velvet top and used the pearl encrusted collar of a jumper found there.

I first measured the chicken wire around the mannequin, stapled on using the electric staple gun - I knew that the end result would be rather heavy so made sure PLENTY of staples were used.

Starting from the bottom, I used the longest "boughs" of the Christmas Tree and formed hooks from the end of the boughs, putting through the chicken wire.  I turned the mannequin around as I worked tier after tier working upwards. 

As I approached the top, I used the smaller branches to weave through the chicken wire to the waist as well as to fill in any gaps where you might see the white of the mannequin

Once done, I dressed the mannequin with the black velvet top and pinned in the back to fit.  I them pinned the pearl encrusted collar into place.  Then added the Christmas picks and baubles.  Finished!  This will last years to come, the baubles could be changed year to year and different tops added for different colour schemes.  This year I wanted a sophisticated silver, white and black look.  Next year, who knows?  If anyone is interested to make one in the workshop or for me to make one for them, please just email me alicia@craftynest.co.uk

We are so very pleased to donate this lovely Iconic British Red Post Box Corner Cabinet to AWBS to auction for charity. 

Beautiful corner cabinet handpainted to reflect the Iconic British Red Post Box. To be auctioned via e-silent auction with all proceeds to the AWBS International Women's Club Charity Slate consisting of Your Sanctuary, Young People & Children 1st West Berkshire, Bracknell & District Parkinson’s Branch, ABC to Read Reading.

How to Enter a Bid: - two ways
(1) email a bid to philanthropy@awbs.org.uk
(2) enter a bid at the October AWBS General Meeting on 13 October.

You can read more about the charity fundraising that AWBS does on behalf of local charities here http://www.awbs.org.uk/sections/philanthropy

I saw some gorgeous French grainsack chairs on Pinterest and some cushions on Instagram that really inspired me on to try it for myself.  So here is a little tutorial to help you along.  For painting fabric, you can use the Autentico Chalk Paint and I recommend adding Fabric Medium.  Fabric Medium ensures that you can wash your finished product without fear of fading.  I happen to use Martha Stewart brand as I tend to buy quite a bit of my craft supplies on Amazon but any Fabric Medium should work.

The chair on the left is what I started with.  You can see the icky looking seat cover.  I removed that fabric and replaced with a fire retardant fabric that looks quite a lot similar to white/cream hessian but with a tight weave.  I recovered the chair seat cushion using my trusty electric staple gun.

Using 3M Repositional Mounting Spray, I sprayed the back of the Grain Sack Stencil (you could use Frog Tape but I don't trust myself to make the lines straight) and affixed to the seat cushion.  At the cushion bend, I also used some Frog Tape to secure.   I used a sponge pouncer to paint the stripe, using Autentico French Grey.

Once the stripe is completed, use the hair dryer to dry.  Then follow the same procedure with the mounting spray and affix a centre stencil.  I used the top of the crown and the centre circle to line up with the centre of the stripe.  Here I used Autentico Nearly Black mixed with the fabric medium to stencil the wreath.  I prefer to use a sponge pouncer but the key is - do not over load the paint when stencilling to avoid seepage under the stencil.  Below is the same process for a pillow cushion, using Autentico French Grey and then the Autentico Silver Pearl Metallic Paint.   To make permanent, please ensure you either use the hair dryer on a hot setting or once dry, use an iron to set.  I also do spray the chair seat cushion with Scotch Guard to repel any spills.

Would you like to win a FREE workshop to learn how to use Autentico Chalk Paint to create your own lovely Tea Tray Masterpiece and at the same time learn how to stencil using our fabulous collection of stencils? All materials provided.  To Enter:  Make a comment below on why you would like to win - or leave a comment on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheCraftyNest
RULES:  (1) Comment on either this post or on Facebook (2) Tea Tray workshop must be taken in July (during a day class or Ladies Night)  (3) no cash equivalent  (4) may be transferred to another by providing written confirmation to alicia@craftynest.co.uk (5) May enter in more than once (6) Winner drawn on 7 July and announced on this blog. 

Would you like a chance to win a Vintage French Farm Crate workshop? Learn how to use Autentico Chalk Paint and create your own beautiful piece (vintage crate included).  To enter (1) LIKE us on either Instagram (@CraftyNestUK) or Facebook (https://facebook.com/TheCraftyNest) and (2) leave a COMMENT below.  Giveaway winner to be announce here on the blog on 24 May, workshop to be take in June.  There are both day and evening workshop dates to choose from too! No cash equivalent.

UPDATE - We had our competition running with entries here on the blog, facebook and on instagram.  All names added to a cup (no hat on hand) and the winning name drawn,  AND THE WINNER IS: Michelle Field.  Second place prize, 25% off the same class is offered to Sharon Brison.  Please contact Alicia for your voucher code to book your spot online.

Would you like to learn how to create these lovely terracotta pots?  It's an easy transfer method using Autentico Versante (outdoor paint - so the pots can be used outdoor), Autentico Art Medium and graphics you can buy cheaply on Etsy - or make your own.

You can purchase graphics in Etsy very cheaply, just search "transfer graphics" on Etsy, they cost as little as 87 pence and will be emailed to you both as a regular pdf and reverse pdf.  You would like to use the reverse pdf (ie a mirror image).  You can also print out your own text or image, please remember to "flip" them before printing so it is a mirror image.  You can do any colour.  I have found that laser jet print works best.  

Gather together your materials - Terracota pot, Autentico Paint Versante (outdoor), Autentico Art Medium and your graphics.  Note the words are a mirror image.  Paint the terracotta pot and dry it (you can use a hairdryer to speed up)  I used colour Milk but you can use any colour.

Cut out your graphic, note the darts cut in, this helps keep the graphic flat on the rounded surface of the pot.  Paint on the Autentico Art Medium to the graphic, only on the printed area. Place onto the pot, start at the middle and work your way out to flatten and smooth out any air bubbles.

I use a heat tool to speed up the process, but you can simply wait over night after you have adhered the graphic to the pot.  If using the heat tool, rub all over for at least 3 to 4 minutes.  This speeds up the process by drying the Art Medium and melting the ink onto the surface.  

The next day (if not using the heat tool) or after you've done at least 3 - 4 minutes with the heat tool per graphic, thoroughly wet the paper with water and CAREFULLY rub off the paper.  You need to keep the paper wet, you can use your fingers, a sponge, paper towel.  Some people use all heir fingers, some their thumbs, I use my index fingers.  Rub off the paper, leaving the image behind.  Enjoy.  You can use any colour paint, any colour graphic or photo.  You can do this on a large scale for a table top, front of a side board - endless possibilities.

I've been painting graphics onto vintage windows for some years now and have always wanted to try out etching - so what it looks like, how does it compare to painting on vintage windows.  So I gathered a vintage window (I'd already painted it in Autentico Chalk Paint) and one of my favourite Maison de Stencil stencils, together with some Martha Stewart glass etching cream and my favourite Autentico Chalk Paint White - Ice Cream.

The Martha Stewart etchign cream indicated that it can be mixed with paint (check) and that you should use a stencil brush.  Generally, I don't use stencil brushes as I don't like the finish, rather using a sponge pouncer or a fine paint brush.  But this time, I thought what the heck Mixed up the etching cream and the paint in the rough quantities as per the label (75% etching cream, 25% paint) and painted away.

Very much a highly textured look, removed the stencil once graphic is painted on and ....

What do you think?  Took no more time than using acrylic paint.  One would think that any colour paint could be used too.  Let us know if you would like to make one yourself as we have a huge selection of vintage windows - or let us know if we can do one for you.