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Fay's Tips
and Hints
Technical
Advisor: Fay Forsythe
Some of your
questions:
Q:
Hello Fay,
I really would like to have a tin ceiling in my kitchen, but real
tin is just too expensive. I have been searching to find a stencil
to do the job. I saw the tile that you have and love it. I am just
not sure how the plaster thing works. My husband thinks that
it is too much work and that plaster will be more effort. Please
tell me how this works and what goes in to making my ceiling look
nice at a reasonable price. Thank you so much, A.N.
A: Hi
A.N., I can understand your husband's reluctance to put that much
work into a plaster decorated ceiling, but it really is worth it and
it really doesn't take that long and is easy to do. There are
several tiles to choose from. First find the center of
your room, start there and decide how many panels or tiles it will
take to do the ceiling evenly spaces. Next, tape your tile to the
ceiling with masking tape and holding the stencil firmly dip a putty
knife into a premixed bucket of already mixed joint compound.
Starting on the mylar before the stencil opening press the joint
compound into the stencil openings while dragging the putty knife
across the stencil until all openings are filled. Be sure to clean
the stencil and putty knife after application of each stencil to be
sure plaster doesn't harden and making it difficult to apply the
compound. Do not clean the stencil or putty knife in your sinks as
the compound can settle in the drain and harden even under water.
Use something like a kitty litter box with water in it. Make sure
the stencil is dry before you do another one and this time can also
give the arms a break from reaching over head. you can even color
the compound with the color of the tin you would really like to have
by adding paste food coloring, pigmented paint that is really thick
and strong color, and dry stucco color. After the compound is dry
you could then go back and add brushed on metallic color to add the
metallic look. It would make a beautiful faux tin ceiling. Hope
this helps and also hope you get what you desire. Also, this
doesn't have to be done in one day. Fay
Q: I
would like to know what I can use to make an embossed greeting
card? Also, what is the best paper to use for making memory pages
so my photos don't age or get ruined. Thank you, L.L.
A:
Dear L.L., thank you
for your question. We actually have a new line of Embossing Stencils
- they are thicker than most templates/embossing stencils that I've
seen on the market today so they produce a much higher raised
design. Use a stylus
found in craft stores, sewing sections or a crochet needle works
well. Use the stencil on the front of the card and press in the
design from the back - holding your paper up to a light source is
best (no need to buy anything, you can place your
Embossing Stencil against your window.) And here's a great idea -
emboss your memory pages. The result is really very striking -
just remember to use acid and lignum free papers, labeled as such
in craft stores as well. Hope this helps and if you
have other questions feel free to contact us. Fay |
About Fay
Our awesome technical
advisor, Fay Forsythe, can answer just about any question you
have in regards to: "do it yourself" home repair, arts and crafts,
scrapbooking, card
making and stenciling. From product choices to application and even
problem solving. Fay can help!
   
Fay is an
incredible artist. See above the paintings done in oil on
canvas and porcelain plates.
You can ask Fay
your questions directly by emailing at:
askfay@simplyspring.com
How to Use Plaster
Stencils
Make sure to
visit our Stencils Page to
view our full line of Wall, Raised Plaster, Card, Craft, Scrap
Booking, Memory Page and Embossing Stencils! |
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