Touch it up with texture

Hands-on time: Less than 1 hour per item.
Total time: Drying time is 30 minutes to several hours (depends on the thickness of applied medium).
Skill: Easy.
Cost estimate: At an average cost of $5 per project ($25 to purchase all the materials needed, however several projects can be made with these supplies).

Materials & Tools

• A planter or vase of your choice (you can use something you already have)
• Texture Magic Dimensional Paint (I used green whisper and white). All Texture Magic materials by Delta
• Textured Magic easy-grip textured combs (comes with 4 different textured blades)
• Textured Magic Easy-Twist Details Tips (decorating set includes 13 pieces)
• Spatula
• Waxed paper
• Damp cloth

Texture Magic Dimensional Paints by Delta make decorating objects a piece of cake. By adding textural and 3-D interest to simple household items, you can make a one-of-a-kind home accent for any room. They can be applied to almost any surface, leaving a matte finish that won't crack when dry. You won't need any paintbrushes for this project. Use texture combs and Easy-Twist Detail Tips instead. They make it as easy as icing a cake.

To begin, wash your selected item thoroughly and wipe it dry. Turn the planter or vase upside down. Knead a Dimensional Paint tube for 30 seconds, then squeeze some onto the surface and spread it around with a spatula. Apply one colour at a time, allowing each one to dry before applying the next. Colours can also be mixed, if desired, to create a marbled looked.

I decorated a planter with two different styles of stripes, a vase with vertical and criss-cross stripes, and enhanced a glass vase with leaf motif accents. To make horizontal textured stripes around the exterior of the planter, I used an easy-grip textured comb and dragged it through the Dimensional Paint in one long stroke. You can do this in several smaller strokes or in a downward motion for vertical stripes. If you don't like the pattern, simply re-spread the dimensional paint with a spatula and start over. When the main texture is applied, set it aside and let it dry for 30 to 60 minutes. Then, do the rim in a different colour or pattern.

It's easy to apply three-dimensional details like dots, stars, flowers or leaf shapes. Simply attach a Textured Magic Detail Tip directly to the tube of Dimensional Paint. These make it easy to decorate around the surface. Practice some of the designs on paper first to get an idea of the results.

I made leaves and applied them to a glass vase. Make accent shapes on waxed paper, let them dry and then attach them to your project by applying a dot of Dimensional Paint as the adhesive. I also added small dots along the borders of each item. I used the braid tip to make a stylish line down the centre of the vase. Once completed, let your project dry, apply Antiquing Gel if desired.

Variations

• Add textural interest to almost any surface. You can decorate wood items like frames, mirror borders, trays and furniture. Why not apply it to papier-mâché, glass, pillar candles, bricks, tin, metal and walls.
• Stencilling with texture is a breeze. Apply stencil adhesive, squeeze out the Dimensional Paint from the tube, spread it with a palette knife or spatula, remove the stencil and let the design dry.