When I was a kid I got wallet kits for Christmas almost every year.  When you come from a very large family in southeastern Colorado, leather tooling is a thing and apparently I was supposed to learn it.  I never did. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I got another wallet kit and was stumped again. Fortunately there is leather paint and stencils and colorful synthetic sinew to make your leather projects amazing! This wallet has the perfect mix of boho, cowboy and me!  Check out the colorful waxed sinew from John Bead...I mean this stuff comes in NEON colors! Now get out there, my amazing friends, and MAKE YOUR MARK!

I love that I didn't have to learn how to tool to get this effect!  I call it my dollar hauler!

Watch how to make this gorgeous, boho/western wallet here without tooling and only leather paints and colorful sinew!

You can also watch it on YouTube here (and see some of my other videos)

https://youtu.be/hayZMfj7Q3w

Links to everything I used for this project:

John Bead Synthetic Sinew: Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/41fyPob Amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/3KMbSC6 Wallet Kit: https://amzn.to/3Nsb4Fs Leather Paints: https://bit.ly/2N9O7W2 MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Have an awesome day!  xo, Mark!

I save everything...envelopes, newspaper, cardboard tubes, plastic & glass containers and burned out light bulbs. I boarder on hoarder BUT I do try to use everything I save in my craft projects.  These pears were my desperate attempt to use up a few of the bulbs I have been saving over the years and I'm so happy with they way they turned out.  When I was finished I thought of 100 other ways to decorate them, but that's for another day.  Upcycle, recycle and reuse as much as you can my awesome friends!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!  xo

I used decorative paper but book pages would look beautiful, too!

Some of my decorative papers

The foil helps smooth out the screw thread area but it's not 100% necessary!

Watch how I make them here!  I used a Xyron Creative Station which turns everything into a sticker, but regular white glue would work, too.  I find my Xyron makes it easier and less messy!

Aren't we a pear!  Love you all!

Mark

 

Art Prompt Cards

 When I stare at a blank canvas or blank page in my art journal, sometimes I have no idea where to start. NONE!  About a year ago I decided to start writing down my favorite techniques for mixed media, painting and collage, and before I knew it I had a set of 189 prompts to help me get started.  For fun I added dice to make it a real game of chance.  All you have to do is print them out on cardstock (or stick them to a deck of cards) and you'll never run out of ideas and combinations to create art.  Have fun and MAKE YOUR MARK!

The Frida page I created using a few art prompts!

Watch how to make them and use them here!

LINK TO MY ART PROMPT PRINTOUTS HERE: https://etsy.me/3kuXwgv

HAVE FUN AND MAKE ART!

Decorative Books For Your Guest Room

I finally have 2 guest rooms to decorate and I'm going nuts with fun projects so that my friends are comfortable and happy while they visit!  For my friends who love to read before bed, I grabbed a stack of thrillers from the thrift store and turned them into something beautiful.  I will use decor transfers on almost anything and WOW did I love figuring out how to put them on these book spines.  I'll leave links to everything I used for this project right under the video below.  Happy decorating and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Put the covers on the inside so they know what they're reading and they can use it as a bookmark!

A scented candle is always nice, too!  Don't forget to have a piece of paper with the wifi password, too!

Watch how to make these beautiful books here OR watch this and other videos on my

Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9NgQKJwyc

Everything I used for this project:

Re-Design with Prima Royal Burgundy Decor Transfer: https://bit.ly/3Kl6UdO Re-Design with Prima Imperial Garden Decor Transfer: https://bit.ly/3CmZOT9 Harlequin Stencils: https://amzn.to/3ZoaUTe Re-Design with Prima Script Stencil: https://bit.ly/3GrIHlQ MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Either upright or side by side, this stack of books looks beautiful and serves a purpose!

Happy creating everyone! 

Love, Mark

 

Beaded Wire Christmas Ornaments

I know it's a little late for this but still had to post it because Valentine's day is around the corner and these would make beautiful hearts!  Happy New Year everyone!  I swear I'm going to try to blog a bit more this year. It's been hectic moving into this new house but I'm almost ready to show it.

A little wire and some leftover beads (from John Bead of course) and you can make the most amazing ornaments, or hearts!  Love you all!  

MAKE YOUR MARK!

Aluminum wire is one of my favorite things to work with!

        Watch how to make them here OR watch how to make them on you YouTube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9NgQKJwyc
Here's everything I used to make them with links:
Czech Glass Beads: https://bit.ly/3n1axNG
John Bead Aluminum Wire: https://amzn.to/36kZXuF
Large Czech Bead Mixes: https://bit.ly/2WRRH09
MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

So easy! Just create your shape with large wire and then add beads to thinner wire and wrap!

Love the way they catch the lights on the tree, too!

Sending you all the love today!

Funky Chunky Postcards

Happy mail is one of THE BEST THINGS...I love it so much! I love sending it, getting it, making it and collecting it.  Mostly I love making it.  Now, like many of you I have a box filled with extra stuff from projects. It's my catch all box and I use it for everything from art journals & jewelry making to these FUNKY CHUNKY POSTCARDS.  The rule about making these postcards is that there are no rules. You just keep going until your content with the final result. Transfer, spray, decoupage, glue, glitterize, spray some more, embellish and then keep going. Check out the video below for my particular process.  Have fun and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

I can't wait to send these out!

This one even has fish tank rocks glued to the edges!

Watch how I make these here AND if you want more videos,

check out my Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkMontanoDesigner/featured

EVERYTHING I USED FOR THIS PROJECT:

Marabu Art Sprays: https://bit.ly/3q2zj0A Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Re-Design with Prima Royal Burgundy Decor Transfer: https://bit.ly/3Kl6UdO Re-Design with Prima Imperial Garden Decor Transfer: https://bit.ly/3CmZOT9 Re-Design with Prima Fragrant Roses Mould: https://bit.ly/3HzClQL Re-Design with Prima Wing and Locket Mould: https://bit.ly/3sn7aS3 Re-Design with Prima Everleigh Flourish Mould: https://bit.ly/3Ltw3Vd Re-Design with Prima Clearly Aligned Decor Stamps: https://bit.ly/3u2irZ8 Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ

I think it's time for another postcard swap!

These Decor Stamps from Re-Design with Prima are amazing!

Hot glue in silicone molds make wonderful embellishments. 

Just paint them in your favorite colors!

Embossing in gold is always a winner on my cards!

Send some happy mail!

Dollar Store Frame Upstyle

Printing out vintage botanicals on watercolor paper is a wonderful way to create beautiful art for your home.  I LOVE how much beauty they can add to a room.  In fact, my entire dining room is filled with botanical drawings and big plants and it makes me VERY happy!  These works of art started out as dollar store frames and with a little decoupage and hot glue, you can have something AMAZING to show off. Check out the video below to see how it's done and then get out there and

MAKE YOUR MARK!  xo

Dollar store frames and hot glue...Yup! 

Crumpled tissue paper glued to almost anything always looks amazing!

Everything I used for this project:

Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Clearly Aligned Decor Stamps in Linear Floral: https://bit.ly/3A3Epfv Decor Mould in Regal Trimming: https://bit.ly/3xjXeJE Decor Ink Pad in white: https://bit.ly/3yoC8LE Watercolor Confections in Terrain: https://bit.ly/3A2eFA3 Americana Decor Chalky Finish in Carbon Black: https://amzn.to/3yk1w4V

Watch how I made this here OR

watch tons of other videos on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkMontanoDesigner/featured

It is wonderfully relaxing adding watercolor to black and white botanicals!

Creativity is the key, my wonderful friends!

See you soon! x

Dollar Store Frame Makeover

Lately I've been noticing patterned and fabric covered frames in thrift shops and antique stores. Lots of them are from the 1980s with gorgeous (and somewhat faded) botanical prints.  After noticing several of them I started to fall in love with the idea of patterned frames and decided to try my hand at making one...or two.  Using some of my favorite products and inexpensive dollar store frames, I whipped these together and I absolutely love them!  They are currently the crown jewels in my dining room and I will definitely be making a few more.  When you see something you love, my creative friends, why not try to make it?  You never know what will happen.  xo, Mark!

Love the funky cotton fabric I chose for these!

A selection of fabrics that I may use in the future for a similar project.

Hot glue and silicone molds (from Re-Design with Prima) are a fantastic way to add

some architectural flair to a simple project like this!

Everything I used for this project:

RE-DESIGN WITH PRIMA Decor Transfers: https://bit.ly/3TtFho9?aff=59 and https://bit.ly/3AE60WD?aff=59 RE-DESIGN WITH PRIMA Silicone Moulds: Regal Trimmings https://bit.ly/3AFhF7s?aff=59 Etruscan Accents Silicone Mould: https://bit.ly/3PY6FI4?aff=59 Re-Design with Prima Decor Wax: https://bit.ly/3Bl2UZE Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

I keep my fabric projects wipeable by coating them with lacquer.

Minwax Polycrylic, in all different sheens, is my favorite!

Get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!

Freeform Embroidered Napkins - SO MUCH FUN!

I recently got an embroidery machine and I fear it's almost broken. I've used it so many times that I'm afraid it's going to konk out on me. OK, the reason I'm feeling this way is because this project specifically got a little out of hand. I was having so much fun with it I just kept making them and spent several hours just freeform embroidering like a madman. I love to sew, but there's a method to creating something...this technique was freeing and exciting and like nothing I've done before on a sewing machine. 

Create a table that's a feast for the eyes!

Perfect for spring! 

Watch how to make these here OR watch on my YouTube channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MarkMontanoDesigner/featured

EVERYTHING I USED FOR THIS PROJECT

Derwent Inktense Blocks: https://amzn.to/3kAd5Oe Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ BROTHER Innov-is 1750D: https://bit.ly/MarkMontanoEncanto Shiny Silicone Mats: https://amzn.to/3KHoaJP MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Derwent Inktense Blocks are permanent so you can wash these! 

You're invited to lunch! xo, Mark!