Mixed Media Tri-fold Postcards inspired by Mark Hearld

I go through creative phases each year. Some months I'm all about making jewelry and other months it's about paper and rubber stamps and still there are times when it's nothing but sewing and fabric projects.  That's what I love about my job.  This week I tackled some happy mail with my seriously-growing stash of rubber stamps and stencils.  I was looking at a book, illustrated by Mark Hearld, and I was totally inspired to make these tri-fold postcards!  You never know when or how inspiration will hit so when it does, sit down and get busy and enjoy the ride.  Make art my friends and don't forget to

Make Your Mark!

Almost ready to send!

 Seal up with some washi tape

STUFF I USED

Americana Acrylics

E6000 Spray Adhesive

Manilla Folders

Rubbers Stamps & Stencils

Kid's Sticky Foam

Watch how to make them here!

 Send one to support our troops here:

https://www.supportourtroops.org/cards-letters

Write soon!

Cardboard Tile Mosaic Trays DIY

It's been over a year since I've been making cardboard tile mosaics and I love the results.  The weight of the cardboard makes everything much more manageable and since you can paint the tiles any color or pattern you want, there's nothing you can't create.  I grabbed these trays at Dollar Tree and they were perfect for this makeover.  I probably should have snagged a few more!  After I was finished I thought it might have been fun to add some tiny pearls or seashells into the mix.  Either way, cardboard opens up a world of possibilities for mosaic. Find different uses for your recyclable items and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

 Love the brown mixed with light blues and greens

My "broken" tile pieces

A glint of sun on the shiny resin

STUFF I USED

DecoArt Pouring Medium

DecoArt Galaxy Glitter

Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints

Famowood Glaze Coat

Dollar Store Trays

Cardboard

School Glue

Long Arm Lighter

Watch how to make them here

 Cut the tiles so they look "broken"

Enjoy!

Spoon Jewelry DIY

My grandmother knew right away that I was a little more artsy than the average kid my age.  Instead of making me go outside and play in the dirt (HELL NO!) I got to hang out with her and sew in the dining room.  Every once in a while, on a very special day, she would give me a bag of broken jewelry pieces from her stash.  It was like pirate booty!  To this day I'm obsessed with anything that sparkles.  Grab those broken bits and make yourself some of these funky spoon necklaces.  So much fun to make and great gifts, too.  Reuse as much as you can, my loves, and don't forget to 

Make Your Mark!

I made so many, I'm done with my Christmas list!

Add tassels and big stone beads at the ends!

Don't forget to use the handles, too!

 Watch how to make SPOON JEWELRY here!

 These cameos came from the 99c store

Enjoy!

Vintage Botanical Mirror DIY

 I love this mirror so much that I've decided to redecorate my entire bathroom around it.   The nice thing about this project is that you can make it in any size you want.  Just have the pieces cut to size and glue them together with E6000 Plus.  I got super messy painting this frame so I tried something new called Workman's Friend Superior Barrier Skin Cream which protects your hands from paint and glue.  Just put it on like lotion (it does make your hands super soft) and when you're done getting messy, the paint washes right off!   Get creative and get your hands dirty, my friends, 

and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Perched on my patio 

Love the mix of black and white and colorful flowers

STUFF I USED

Workman's Friend Superior Barrier Skin Cream

Americana Decor Chalky Finish in Bestow, Cherish, Reminisce, Preservation, Treasure

Americana Decor Creme Wax

Americana Decoupage in Matte

E6000 Plus

1" x 4" wood: 2 - 28" pieces & 2 - 14" pieces

16" x 22" Mirror

Small laser cut dollar store frame

Botanical images

Optional: Dremel

Watch how to make it here!

Color is everything!

Happy Spring!

Boho Leather Cuffs DIY

Get a few friends together and make these simple, painted boho leather cuffs to spice up your summer wardrobe!  Not only are they comfortable to wear, but you can customize them in any way to fit your own personal style.  Glue on some gorgeous turquoise cabochons and kick them up a notch.  Super unique gift idea for the holidays, too.  Have fun possums and don't forget to

Make Your Mark!

 Using stencils made these super easy to make!

 Try your own art if you're not a stencil fan!

STUFF I USED

Stylin Paints from DecoArt (Great for leather, fabric and pleather)

Silver Creek Leather Cuffs

E6000 Plus

Cabochons

Cosmetic Sponges

Latin Inspiration Outdoor Stick-On Stencil

Watch how to make them here!

E6000 Plus has all the properties of regular E6000 and NO ODOR!

Boho beautiful!

Faux Patina Mirror DIY with Unicorn SPiT

Michelle Nicole, the inventor of Unicorn SPiT, took some time out of her day to teach me how to make an easy faux patina on plastic.  I love this technique so much and it took no time at all.   I've seen these mirrors everywhere from dollar stores to thrift stores, but they look just awful in plain white plastic.  That said, after this faux patina, I'm in love and may never look at another cheap plastic frame the same way again.  Everything has potential, my friends, especially YOU!  

Now get out there and Make Your Mark!

Watch how to make it here!

STUFF I USED

$8 Plastic Mirror 

Unicorn SPiT

Copper Metallic Spray Paint

Americana Matte Spray Sealer

 Try hanging 2 next to each other for impact in a bathroom or dressing area!

From $8 to priceless!

Junk Mail Art Journal DIY

Not sure if you know this but the average adult gets 5 - 10 pieces of junk mail per day!  That is a lot of trees just tossed in the garbage.  Quite frankly, it makes me kind of sad.  This junk mail journal is my small way of honoring those poor trees who gave up their lives so I could apply for another credit card that I don't need or want.  Using junk mail is a fun way to teach kids about upcycling and repurposing.  The shapes of the pages give an interesting jump start to your journal pages, too!  Use what you have, my dear friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Add black and white graphic images!

 Decoupage an old book cover with some of your art

 Love the different sizes of pages peeking out

Huge fan of Americana Neon paints!

Watch how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

Gel Press

Impressables by Gel Press

Americana Neon Paints

Spray Bottles

Junk Mail

Old Book Cover

Adult Coloring Book Pages

Large Hot Glue Gun

Save that junk mail!

Cute Stuffed Cactuses DIY

Real cactus is just beautiful, but not the easiest thing to have in a garden.  I'm constantly getting jabbed by the few I have in pots and around my yard.  I much prefer the very rare, but ever-so-soft stuffed cactus!  Maybe you're thinking WHY would anyone want a stuffed cactus?  I ask the same question about people who have pet snakes or live in cold climates.  I just did.  Plus, I think they're super cute and that's good enough for me.  Make things that make your heart sing, my friends, and always Make Your Mark!

Outside or on my kitchen window sill? 

 Make these in all kinds of different shapes and colors!

STUFF I USED

Oly-fun Fabric from Fairfield World

DecoArt Vintage Effect Wash in Red-Orange

Poly-fil stuffing

Mini crates from Walnut Hollow

Americana Writer in White

Faux flowers

Hot glue gun

Sewing machine

 Watch how to make them here!

Patterns: print on standard 8 1/2" x 11" copy paper and cut

Free hugs!