decoart – Try It – Like It

Paint That Blooms

Stop by to see how blending foam, stencils, and Bloom Paint created this eye-catching design.

For this week’s tag tutorial, I am working with products from DecoArt to create a tag full of color, texture, and visual interest. I used DecoArt DecoEarth Paint to create the background, building up a rich foundation with its beautiful matte finish and earthy tones.

To add texture and pattern, I incorporated DecoArt Bloom Texture Paint through a stencil. The raised design adds dimension and contrast to the surface that complements the painted background. Together, these products make it easy to create layered mixed media effects that bring a simple tag to life.

The tag background comes together through layers of blended and stenciled paint, creating a rich mix of color, texture, and pattern. Applying the paint with a blending foam produces a softer, more diffused effect than a paintbrush, allowing the colors to blend seamlessly.

After applying the Bloom Paint through a stencil, I used a heat tool to activate the blooming effect and create rich texture. As the paint blooms, the color naturally lightens, enhancing the dimensional effect.

Video Tutorial:

To complete the tag, I added an ephemera sentiment that ties the design together and helps unify the color palette.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Art Glitter Glue Shop at: AZ	DecoEarth Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Paper Trimmer Shop at: AZ
Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Sizzix Blending Tool Shop at: AZ	Uhu Shop at: AZ	Vinyl Scraper Tool Shop at: AZ

How to Stencil and Blend Paint for Paper Crafting

Soft pastels, beautiful stenciling, and a technique inspired by Dina Wakley come together in this week’s tag tutorial!

I absolutely love the soft pastel colors on this tag. The color palette was inspired by the sticker I selected, which provided the perfect combination of gentle hues and subtle contrast. The technique itself was inspired by a tutorial from Dina Wakley, and I enjoyed adapting the process to create my own version. The layered colors blend beautifully together, creating a dreamy background that complements the focal elements while allowing the pastel tones to shine.

The Deco Earth paint from DecoArt performed flawlessly throughout the project. It applied smoothly, offered excellent coverage, and worked beautifully through the stencil without bleeding or clogging the design. The paint’s rich pigmentation and matte finish added depth and texture to the tag, helping to enhance the soft pastel palette while creating crisp, clean stencil details.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Art Glitter Glue Shop at: AZ	Buttons Galore and More use Janet10 for a discount Shop at: AZ	DecoEarth Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O
Glassboard Craft Catcher Shop at: AZ \| O	Gwen Studios at Walmart Shop at: O	Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Sizzix Blending Tool Shop at: AZ
Sizzix Intricate Craft Tool Shop at: AZ

DIY Hello Sign with Buttons

Turn a handful of buttons into a bright and welcoming piece of decor—this easy canvas project is full of color, texture, and springtime charm!

Button crafts have been popping up everywhere lately, and it’s easy to see why—they’re colorful, textured, and a great way to use up those extra bits we all seem to collect. When I received a box filled with buttons, a canvas, and a suggested floral garden design, I couldn’t wait to dive in. While the floral idea was beautiful, I decided to take things in a slightly different direction and create a welcoming sign that could brighten up an entryway or craft space.

To get started, I felt the canvas needed a little personality before adding any buttons. A plain white surface just wasn’t going to do justice to all that color and texture. I chose to paint the background first, giving it a soft, inviting base that would help the buttons stand out while tying the whole design together.

Buttons Galore & More sent me a beautiful variety of spring-colored buttons, including traditional round shapes along with fun novelty designs like flowers and butterflies. The mix of sizes, colors, and shapes made it easy to start envisioning how everything could come together, adding both dimension and a playful, seasonal feel to the project.

Before committing anything in place, I needed to get a feel for the overall design, so I started by loosely arranging the buttons across the canvas. This step really helps to visualize placement, balance, and color distribution. I moved pieces around until the composition felt just right, making sure the shapes and colors worked together to create a cohesive and welcoming look.

Now that I had a good idea for the arrangement, it was time to paint the canvas. I chose to use DecoArt Earth paint for a natural, warm base. The yellow I started with felt a bit too bright on its own, so I mixed in a touch of tan to soften it. This created a more muted, earthy background that would complement the buttons without overpowering them.

To build out the design, I chose more DecoArt paints in a variety of greens to add hand-painted leaves throughout the canvas. I paired those with some paper leaves cut using my Cricut cutting machine, layering them in for added dimension and texture. The combination of painted and cut elements really helped bring the whole piece to life.

After the leaves were painted and the paper pieces were securely glued in place, it was time for the fun part—adding the buttons. I used hot glue to attach each one, working section by section so the design stayed balanced. The dimension really started to build at this stage, and seeing the colors and shapes come together made the whole project feel complete.

A few final touches were still needed to bring everything together. I used a paint marker to add small stems and extra leaves wherever the design needed a little fill-in or flow. Those tiny details really help connect all the elements visually. And finally, I added a “hello” cut with my Cricut cutting machine right to the center of the canvas, giving the piece a welcoming focal point and a polished finish.

And if you want a closer look, the image above highlights the details of how all the materials work together—the layered buttons, painted background, and added elements coming together to create a cohesive and inviting design.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other

Adtech Glue Gun Shop at: AZ	Buttons Galore and More use Janet10 for a discount Shop at: AZ	Cricut Maker® Machine Shop at: AZ \| O \| C	Cricut Portable Trimmer Shop at: AZ \| C
Cut Cardstock Shop at: O	DecoEarth Shop at: AZ	Glassboard Shop at: AZ \| O	Glue Bottles Shop at: AZ
Ranger Heat Tool Shop at: AZ	Reptile Glue Shop at: AZ

Etch and Color a Jar

Etch and color a glass jar with etchall creme and DecoEarth.

with etchall creme

The moment I saw this jar I knew I wanted to etch our initial onto the front of it. etchall creme made it so easy to do. It only takes 15 minutes to etch. I then found a great way to color the etching.

Before working the surface you want to clean the glass. I used rubbing alcohol and a dry baby wipe to clean the glass.

I designed and cut out vinyl on a Cricut Maker. Make sure to measure your area. Although this looks like a circle it isn’t perfectly round.

Then I transferred the vinyl to the front of the jar, ensuring the edges were smooth and sealed.

I applied a generous amount of etchall creme to the surface and set the alarm for 15 minutes.

Then I removed the creme and returned it to the jar. etchall creme is reusable.

After removing the etchall creme, wash the surface and remove and discard the vinyl.

I wanted the etching to be more visible. I had a bottle of DecoEarth on my table so I applied it to the etching. I smoothed it on with my finger, and let it set for a moment or two.

I removed the paint with a dry baby wipe while burnishing the color into the etching. I was surprised to see it remained on the etched surface.

I don’t think all paint would work the same way. DecoEarth is made from reclaimed house paint, so its composition is different from other acrylic paints. I am happy with the results, this will be my go-to way to color etching in the future.

Fall Pumpkin Plaque Decor

A fun festive and a bit scary decor plaque made with Denise Boddey Designs.

This mixed media fall decor plaque was quick and easy to make. It has a little glam and a little bit of scary. Follow along with the tutorial to see what I mean. Special thanks to Denise Boddey Designs for providing the pumpkin cut out for this piece. As a part of the Denise Boddey design team, this is my October project.

Materials:

yellow tissue paper
foam dots
wooden plaque
pumpkin cut out
paintbrush
fall leaves
ribbon bows
matte Mod Podge
white chalk paint
salmon paint
heat gun (optional)

Directions:

I began by using the chalk paint and doing a stain or whitewash technique on the plaque so the grain would show through.
To apply the paint, I wiped it on with a dry baby wipe.

Setting the plaque aside to dry, I painted the pumpkin with salmon-colored paint.

Once those were dry, I decided upon the arrangement, and then began to Mod Podge everything in place.

I used a heat gun to speed up the drying process.
The leaves didn’t want to stick down but as the Mod Podge dried and I tapped on the leaves, they flattened and stuck.
The wood plaque showed where the Mod Podge was even though it was matte, so I covered the entire plaque.

Using a piece of wrinkled yellow tissue paper, I Mod Podged it to the back of the pumpkin.

Using a bit of Fabri-tac, I placed the bows on the top of the plaque.

To adhere the pumpkin to the plaque, I wanted it raised so I used a stack of two pop dots.

Once the plaque was done, I had another thought. What about having the face of the pumpkin glow in the dark!
I painted the tissue to glow in the dark. I really wish I had thought of this earlier, it would have been easier to do!

Glow in the dark is hard to photograph but I think you can get the gist of it here.
This added the scary feature to the plaque that isn’t really expected in the light.

Here is a quick tip for hanging.
Use a soda can tab as the hanger, just glue it to the back of the plaque.

And it is finished and ready to hang for fall!

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SB – Scrapbook,

Glow in the Dark | Halloween Card

This month I am participating in a Halloween video blog hop. I created the card above for the hop and I am sharing the cutting files free (links below). The unique quality of this card is that the spider web glows in the dark.

I used my Cricut Maker to cut the black cardstock and the clear overhead projector sheet. I had some trouble finding the right setting for the overhead plastic, I ended up using the Cricut mat cover sheet setting and adding more pressure. The finished folded card is 6″ x 4″

Some items used in this post have been provided.

Materials:

black cardstock
white cardstock – 8″ x 6″
overhead projector sheet
glow in the dark paint
paintbrush
adhesive
Xyron
heat gun (optional)
personal cutting machine (Cricut Maker)
free cut files (linked below)

Directions:

The file contains both cut images. [cut file]
To download the file, click on the text in the brackets above, the image will open in a new window.
Right-click the image and save as an SVG file.

Video Tutorial:

Well, glow in the dark photographs blurry, but here is a close-up of the web.

The next video on the hop can be found here: https://youtu.be/dCFa8qXjiWQ

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, M – Michaels

Polymer Clay and UV Resin Earrings

I am really excited about the results I am achieving with this technique. I think I have only just scratched the surface of the possibilities. I really like how the paint (DecoArt Interference) changes from white to colors when applied to a dark surface. The UV Resin really enhances the colors and gives emphasis to the dimension. I’ve only made earrings so far but I look forward to making pendants and more. The colors are so pretty and work together well.

Links are affiliates and benefit this site in a small way.

Materials:

Directions:

Using black polymer clay, stamp the surface, cut your shapes and bake to the manufacturer’s instructions.

video tutorial

Mod Podge – matte Shop at: AZ \| SB \| M	Homeright Heat Gun Shop at: AZ	Ultimate Glow Shop at: AZ	Fabri-tac Shop at: AZ
Chalk paint Shop at: AZ	Salmon paint Shop at: AZ

Scraperfect Best Glue Ever Shop at: AZ \| SSS	Scraperfect 32 Clog Writing Cap, Medium Shop at: AZ \| SSS	Cricut Maker® Machine Shop at: AZ \| M \| C
Homeright Heat Gun Shop at: AZ	Ultimate Glow Shop at: AZ	Xyron 510 Shop at: AZ