Stucco Stenciling

I've been thinking about adding some stucco designs to the exterior of the garden center. I had this flower stencil in my stash. It is too large for what I have in mind, but a good one to use for practice.

I mixed up the colors I wanted using lightweight spackling compound and acrylic paint. Then I taped the stencil on a scrap piece of plywood. I used a stencil brush to apply the stucco.

Here is how my stucco flower turned out. Not bad for my first try.  :D

I like this idea. Now I just need to find the stencils I'll need. I probably already have some. I just need to find them! Here is a great site for ideas and real life size stencils, Victoria Larsen.com. Mini Stencils has stencils that are just the right size.

Hope you have a lovely day!

Coffee Shop Exterior

I'm working on some ideas for the exterior of the coffee shop. I cut "stones" from a thin corrugated cardboard box and laid them on the wall to see how they might look?


I tried gluing on some crushed shells but don't like that look at all! :{

Here is a way I found to make stucco. I mixed some of my paint into a small jar of lightweight spackle. Then I painted the board and pounced the "stucco" on with an old stiff brush.


Sorry you can't really see the texture here. It was really easy and does look like real stucco. You will just have to believe me. :D

I was inspired by this photo from the House Of Lisa this morning. Love the building on the left!


Thanks Lisa! Love your blog!

Hope you have a great day. Real life is calling me but I will continue this project later...

Colors and Texture

These are three of the colors I'll be using for the coffee shop. "Celery Bunch," "Fudge Truffle," and "Pineapple Upside Down Cake." The celery will be used inside. :D



The 2 ounce bottles of acrylic craft paint aren't large enough to paint a entire house. These 8 ounce jars of custom mix paint cost about three dollars each. It's a good deal.

I tried Sandie's stucco technique again this morning. I ran out of Kleenex (thanks to being sick) so I used one layer of a torn paper towel.



The paper towel is too thick and doesn't look the right scale. A single layer of facial tissue works much better!

I'm practicing on the WalMart rippled wall. I thought maybe adding the stucco would hide the ripples. That didn't happen but I did learn something.

I'll go get some more tissues today as well as another piece of foam core and try again. Office Depot has the nicer foam board. I can get into a LOT of trouble in that store. I'll need to stay focused!

I want to welcome ALL of my new followers and thank everyone who has entered my give-a-way! You have until Saturday to join! :D

Hope you have a lovely day!

The House Next Door

I know I told Mike that I would not start another project until I finished his house. I just couldn't get my little Spanish Revival House out of my mind.

I wanted walls that were thicker than cardstock and easier to cut than wood. I decided to try this styrofoam plate. I'm saving the environment from yet another plate being tossed into the trash too!


I mixed up a pot of lightweight spackle, clear tacky glue and adobe wash paint. I wasn't sure that the spackle alone would stick to the foam. Adding the paint to the mix saves a step too.

I roughly cut out some of the walls then applied the stucco with a brush. I need to become better acquainted with my Exacto knife. I cut these with small scissors.


It looks like the styrofoam will hold its shape just fine. I like the color and the way the "stucco" looks.

This is enough for tonight. I need to find more plates. I got this one at work. Seems I'm always finding things at work to use for mini-making!

Sweet dreams!