Perfect Plaster For A Caromal Inquirer

I got a call this week from Kath…  she saw this  photo on my Caromal Colours page and wanted to know how to get the plaster  finish on the left-

The problem is, that sample was done when Caromal was offering TWO plaster products – a Smooth and a Textured.  The texture was rolled on, then when it was dry I added a stencil, then when that was dry I scraped over it with the smooth plaster,  then glazed.

Now their plaster is a combination of both called Perfect Plaster -

I told Kath when I got a chance I’d try to create a similar look for her using only the Perfect Plaster.    Today, when I was waiting on other samples to dry,  I got to work on this challenge.

I started with an off white surface.   I rolled on a layer of the plaster and let it dry-

Then I got a stencil, sprayed the back with a stencil adhesive and stuck it to the dried surface-

then took a rubber scraper and scraped some Perfect Plaster through the design-

Pull the stencil off and clean.

When dry I rolled more plaster, this time just randomly, even rolling it over part of the stenciled design-

After it sat for a few minutes I used the rubber scraper and pulled it lightly over these areas to knock it down-

When the plaster was dry it was time to add color.  I used the Caromal Colours Tea Stain Glaze AND Coffee Stain Glaze-

They come in quart size jars…. I like to mix the two colors, as you can see here on my ‘mixing foam plate’   I used 1/2 Tea and 1/2 Coffee, then added a little water -

Before I rolled it on the plaster, I took a sanding block and lightly sanded down any high pokey areas-

then, using my same whizz roller (make sure you clean it good after the plaster), I rolled the glaze-

100% coverage-

then took out an old rag and wiped it this way and that,  kind of like dusting a table, to remove some of the color

Wipe and remove until you get to the look you like.  If you take too much off, just add in a little more!

Pretty sweet!

To do this finish in your own space, you’d need a Caromal Colours Plaster Kit.   This kit comes with everything you need -  the spreader (to fill your stencils AND to knockdown your plaster in areas),  the whizz roller, a tray, and a gallon of plaster which will cover 200-300 sf, depending on how thick you lay it.

You’d also need some Caromal Colours Wall Glaze.  I used both Coffee Glaze and Tea Glaze.  Each quart will cover approx 200 sf.  You can decide how much you need, and what color/s you’d like to use-

Head to the Caromal Colours STORE when you are ready to purchase, and be sure to use my coupon (rep) code  PattyH when you order. This will save you a few dollars off shipping, and will let them know you found them via me!

Oh PS Kath – I couldn’t find that stencil from the original sample.  You can, however, find it at LaserExcel-

The tile stencil from the sample above is from Andreae Design Stencils.

Another Caromal Colour Workshop And A New Basecoat Color!

I had a fun group last night for one of my Caromal Colours Distressing Cabinets and Furniture Workshops.  It went way over schedule, but it felt good guiding and creating…  time does fly when you’re having fun!

I was able to unveil a new Textured Basecoat Color to the group -   Candy Apple Red -

Caromal Colours introduced this color for the recent Fall Country Living Fair.  If you recall,  last year they gave us Pumpkin,

which was such a great seller they added it to their original ten color lineup.

I demonstrated painting a sample door using the Candy Apple Red-

That was over an old honey oak stained cabinet door.  This color covers very nice – I brushed smooth which tends to leave less product on and I still had pretty full coverage after one coat.  I quick brushed on a second coat, showing how I like to scrub in the color, in case they need more than one coat in their finish.    I worked up a two-color finish – used the Candy Apple Red as the first layer, then chipping creme then Pumpkin – sanded and toned-

This photo below has the original red sample, Paprika, sitting in front of the Candy Apple Red, so you can see the difference in the two colors-

What do you think?

One student used the Candy Apple Red on her two-color picture frame finish – she layered it, using Peppercorn first, then Candy Apple Red over top.  She left more toner on to richen it up-

Candy Apple Red over Peppercorn

Here are  a few more from class -

Chocoate over Parchment, Toned

One of my favorite combos-

Mustard over Peppercorn, Toned

Chocolate over Pumpkin, Toned

Parchment over Oak, Toned and wiped with dry cloth

Take note, excited readers that are looking to finish your cabinets or furniture – these are all FIRST TIME users!

Parchment over Oak, Toned and wiped with dry rag. Sanded heavier to distress more.

One more workshop this week – Friday at noon – and then back to the wall…

ARE YOU READY TO GET SOME CAROMAL COLOURS FOR YOURSELF?

Caromal Colours are not carried in big stores.  There are a handful of small country/ home furnishing stores through the US that may carry a limited selection,  but if you purchase in a store that owner will receive credit not me.    If this post was informative and helpful in your ‘how-to’ searches, a simple, but huge, way to thank me  is this:   if you decide to use these products,  order them from Caromal Colour’s  online store and use my code, PattyH in the coupon code area. This code is needed in order for me to receive credit for the order,  if you forget to use it I lose.  You don’t pay more by using my code – and if you order online you won’t pay tax (outside PA).

If you want to place an order, click on the  store button below.

I

THESE PAINTS!

You Know, It’s Sunday – Quilt of Holes

I’ll share a secret with you – I have a blanket.

Yes, I am a grown woman and sleep with a blankie.    I hide it on my bed  behind all the pretty pillows -

and sleep with it every night.   Part of it gets tucked under my head (and I love when it is freshly laundered and smells like bounce sheets) and the rest covers me.  When we’ve taken trips far away, I have to leave it back – it’s a full size blanket, and theres never room for it.  But when we travel by car it comes along.   Once I forgot it at a hotel in Chicago – we were already on the road a couple hours when I realized it was missing.  I had the hotel staff jump through hoops to retrieve it for me, and mail it back to Michigan.

My blanket has really changed this last year-

it used to be so thick, now the whole center part is thin and falling apart.     This blanket has been with me through everything…  I’m even reminded of my smoker days -

The holey area bothers me.  My arms get caught in it, and parts are so thin it doesn’t provide warmth.  I’ve thought about cutting it in half, right down the worn middle.  I’ve thought about stitching the holes. Instead, I don’ t do anything, I just  keep on using it.

My wonderful friend sent me this poem -

Quilt of Holes

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn’t had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to God in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, “Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.

Maybe next time, when I am lying awake at night, feeling blessed, or troubled, fearful, or sad,  I will think of those holes in my blanket, and remember this poem -  the Lord is here for me.

step aside of somethings and let Him shine through….

A Wonderful Client…A Colorful Finish…

The client eyed two different finishes  for her kitchen – both were created with RS activated glaze.  The left one was troweled over RS Sabina Plaster and the background one was over Sandstone-

the client chose the one over sandstone, but using the tint colors of the other sample (dark brown, earth brown, mahogany).   I created this-

and we were good to go.  Interestingly,   the client still gave a glance at the other sample – I think she really liked the color/depth, but was worried that it might be too much or too busy-

I started that kitchen this week -

The first two days I taped and layed the Sandstone-

Seeing all those white walls made the client nervous… she worried the finish they chose might be too safe -  “Boring”…   she went so far as telling me if I wanted to richen up the color I could…

This is all good – EXCEPT,  the day I was to start the color the clients were going to be nowhere in site.  It was up to me to decide how it should look…   that is scary!   Normally, I’d have rescheduled the coloring to a day the client was there  -but  this client was different.  I felt like I had a good read on her – she loved the more colorful sample – went to it multiple times – she has bolder colors in the rest of her house -  she wanted the kitchen more  like that first sample.  So I went for it-

After about this far (above)  the client returned home…  I was pretty nervous – really hoping she liked it, for having to remove it would have been quite difficult.

Yes!  SHE LOVED IT!   Awesomeness

I’m so happy the client is happy with her walls   I’d have felt awful if I’d have finished as planned, and then have them using their kitchen all while thinking the walls are booooooooring.

I”ll be going back to topcoat with Aquacreme so that it’s nice and wipable – and that tape has to come down. I’m glad I’ll be going back -  I just resized the  photos  and shrunk them (permanently) on accident!