Thyme to show you Crow's Nest Tavern Receipt Box

I have fallen behind in blogging about all the projects that I have been painting!

My desk is now cleared!

Today I want to tell you about a project 

called

Crow's Nest Tavern Receipt Box.

Design by

Cynthia Erekson.

Please join me to see how you can transform an ordinary wood box

 into something very unique using simple woodgraining techniques.

My Palette

DecoArt Americana Acrylics

Camel , Antique Green, Dried Basil Green, Milk Chocolate, Lamp Black, Honey Brown, Dark Chocolate, Soft Black Antique Gold

Let's Paint!

I used a box which measured about 10" x 6" x 4"

You can adjust the pattern to fit any surface!

I began by sealing the box inside and out

 with 

Multi Purpose Sealer

After your sealer has dried sand lightly and wipe off any dust with a paper towel.

I base coated all outer surfaces of the box and lid with Camel.

I loaded the broad flat side of a 2" sponge brush with a good amount of paint.

I began in the center of each section of the box

 and

 repeatedly used a "press" and "lift" motion to create a textured surface. 

I painted the inside of the box and lid with Antique Green.

I taped off the top of the box

 leaving a rectangle area about 6 1/2" x 2 1/2" exposed 

in the center of the cover.

I then mixed a wood graining glaze.

I began by squirting a quarter size puddle

 of 

Milk Chocolate

in the center of my palette.

Around that puddle I carefully squirted

 4 quarter size puddles 

of 

Clear Glaze medium.

The puddles must be the same size as the Milk Chocolate puddle! 

Measure carefully!

I then added 2 quarter size puddles of Easy Float

I mixed this all together with a palette knife.

I loaded the flat side of a sponge brush 

and 

again used a "press" and "lift" motion

 to apply a bubbly coat of glaze to the center of the lid.

I then used a graining tool and pulled it through the glaze mix on the box cover.

I repeated the "graining" on the 2 sides and back of the box. 

The front of the box is where we will paint the design.

You must allow the graining to dry completely!

I then added the borders on the box 

by carefully removing the tape I had applied.

I used a stencil brush 

to pounce on 2 coats of Dark Chocolate 

into the 1" border.

Make sure your brush is DRY 

to avoid seepage of paint

 under your taped edges.

I then removed the 1/4" tape 

and 

used a dry stencil brush loaded 

with 

Antique Green 

to pounce the next border.

I painted the rope with Dark Chocolate. 

I highlighted with Camel 

and 

added the line detail with Lamp Black.

I shaded around all the edges 

of the of each side of the box

  (front, sides, and back) 

using 

Dark Chocolate

on a dry stencil brush.

I repeated using Lamp Black.

I transferred the design to the front of the box adding details as needed.

The details have all been painted.

I love the muted colors of this box.

I applied several coats of 

Dura Clear Soft Touch Varnish

using a sponge.

Let the varnish dry completely between coats!

I have a selection of sponges in the the STUDIO like those shown above.

I use the round flat ones to apply varnish.

The Soft Touch Varnish will give your project a wonderful matte finish with no streaks!

I attached hardware to the cover of my box.

My completed project.

Rosemary Reynolds and DecoArt 

provided me with the paints 

and products to complete this project as part of their

Helping Artist

and 

Blogger Outreach Programs

THANK YOU DecoArt!

I hope you have enjoyed watching me paint this

Crow's Nest Tavern Receipt Box.

Happy Painting!

Lynn