Thursday, December 22, 2011

Mixed Media Ribbon...........

I love ribbon and wanted to mix up my package wrapping this year and use something that people would want to keep.  I wrapped my gifts in plain brown paper and then used my mixed media ribbon to tie it all together.  For a few of my friends I made spools of the ribbon as the gift. I really had fun making this project and I think you will, too.
Make your mixed media piece using tons of different images.  I layed them out randomly and then scanned them using my Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner.
Check out what my fellow crafters are up to with their Flip-Pal Mobile Scanners:

You'll need:
White or light color cotton fabrics and ribbons
TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) or Iron-On Ink jet printer paper
Iron 
Scissors
Mixed media piece to scan and print

Here's how:
1.  Scan your mixed media piece.
2.  Print out (on your home printer) on to the Transfer Artist Paper
3.  Iron on to cotton fabric 
4.  Cut in to 1" wide strips and sew together at each end to create long ribbons
OR
5. Cut your printed image in to strips the width of your ribbon and iron them directly on to the ribbon.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

It's GLITTER BLAST TUESDAY!!!!!

It's time for you to enter to win a set of GLITTER BLAST spray paints with an ongoing contest every other Tuesday from here on out!  Rock on Krylon!
Winners not only get my NEW book, THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2, they will get all of the colors of glitter blast sent right to their front door and just for kicks I'm tossing in the 1st Edition of
PULP FICTION: Perfect Paper Projects!
 Just a few simple rules to enter.
GOOD LUCK!
And may the glitter be with you....

RULES
1.  LIKE and COMMENT on the KRYLON FB page that I sent you!
http://www.facebook.com/KrylonCrafts?ref=ts
2. LIKE and COMMENT on my fan page that your entering the contest.
http://www.facebook.com/MarkMontanoNYC?ref=ts
3.  JOIN my blog if you haven't.
4.  LIKE my BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Ass-Book-Crafts-2/dp/1451627807/ref=bxgy_cc_b_img_b
5.  COMMENT here that you've done it AND what your favorite spray paint project is.

Keep an eye out for the winner.  I'll post it here and on my FB page.  
It helps if you can leave a way for me to contact you, too!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

3-D Ice Capades Art with my Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner

Nothing says Christmas and Winter like the Ice Capades from the 1950s!  I found this image and had to scan it (with my Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner) and turn it in to some 3-D art for a friend for her Christmas gift.  It was a lot easier than I thought to get the dimension.  Your Christmas gifts don't have to be expensive, this one only cost me a couple of dollars and most of the supplies I already had.

Make sure you check out what my fellow guy crafters are doing with the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner!
YOU'LL NEED:
Scanned image you want to make 3-D
Frame with some depth
Cardboard
Scissors (Fiskars are my brand of choice ALWAYS)
Elmer's glue
Loose Glitter

HERE'S HOW:
1. Scan your image and print it out twice on card stock.
2. Take the glass out of your frame, trace the frame on cardboard and cut it out for the backing.
 3.  Glue your image to the cardboard.
 4.  Cut out the shape of the 2nd image that you want to have dimension. 
 5.  Cut out some small pieces of cardboard (about 4 layers depending on the thickness) and glue them together over the bottom image making sure they cannot be seen when you glue your cut-out image on top.
6.  Add some loose glitter for sparkle and shine.
7. Spray your frame with Krylon Glitter Blast.
8. Glue the 3-D image to the back and you're done.

And remember, my new book THE BIG-ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2 makes a wonderful gift, too!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmas Table Settings....PEPPERMINT STICK CENTERPIECES

Hi friends. Last week was a whirlwind trip that started in New York and ended with a wonderful few days in Denver with family.  I'm still sad from having to say goodbye to everyone.  While in NY, I filmed a few TV segments and here is a project I made for Better TV.  I think it's loads of fun to make and doesn't take any time at all.
These are PVC pipe PEPPERMINT STICK CENTERPIECES.  I made a version of this vase for 
THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2, but since the holidays are here, I thought I'd change it up a bit.
YOU'LL NEED
PVC pipe in sizes and lengths that you like
Sandpaper
Krylon White Primer
Blue Painter's Tape
Krylon Fusion in Red and Green
Red Ribbon
HERE'S HOW
1.  Cut the PVC pipe to lengths you like.  I chose 18", 12" and 8" using a 2" diameter pipe.
2.  Sand off the printing on the pipe and then wipe off with a damp rag.
3.  Paint with Krylon White Primer and let dry.
4. Tape 2 stripes of blue tape at an angle from one end to the other tucking in the tape at each end and making sure that the tape is fully adhered to the pipe.
5.  Paint the pipe again with the Krylon white primer so that the white seeps in to the sides of the tape and gives you a clean stripe!  If you think the tape is on properly, go for it!
6. Paint your pipe red or green and let dry.  Start with light coats and let dry for 10 minutes in between coats.  I like 3 coats for this project. 
7. When dry, carefully remove the tape and let dry for a few hours before you tie them together with red ribbon.
THIS PROJECT and 150 more in THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner Photo Christmas Ball!

 Recently I went home and decided to use my Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner to grab some vintage photos of my parents.  Since it's the holidays I turned them in to ornaments and I just love looking at them.  These are super easy to make and a real fun way to remember the people you love ON your Christmas tree.

You’ll need:
1 sheet of red card stock
1 page of printed images on photo paper
8” medium gage wire
Needle nose pliers
Scissors or swing arm paper cutter
2 beads, 2 sequins, 2 flower punches (optional)
Flower Punches made with Fiskars Paper Punch
10” of ribbon
1 drinking straw
Large safety pin or needle
Pin cushion (optional)
1.  Scan your photo and then print out in the contact sheet setting on your printer. 
2.    Cut your images in 6” x 3/4” wide strips as you see in the photo.  You will need 8 strips of your images and 8 strips of the red card stock.
3.  With your safety pin, poke a hole on each end of each strip 1/4” up from the edge and right in the center.
4.  Poke a hole in the center of your flowers and sequins.
5.    Bend a loop on the end of your wire and string a bead and then a sequin.
6.    With your printed strips facing down toward the loop and sequin, place one end of the strips in order on the wire and then thread on your straw.
7.    This is the most important step!  Starting from the bottom strip (the strip that is touching the flower) and working your way up to the top strip, thread your strips over the straw.
8.    When you’ve worked your way to the last strip, thread on your sequin and another bead and create another loop. Thread your ribbon through the loop and hang!
Make sure you check out what my fellow guy crafters are doing with the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner!
SUEDE, Fashion Expertwww.Suedesays.com
KEN OLIVER, The Accidental Crafterhttp://kensworldinprogress.blogspot.com
MARTIN AMADO, Home Décor and Lifestyle Expert, http://www.martinamado.com
AARON CHRISTENSEN, Design & Create Children’s Rooms, http://www.EmbellishmentsKids.com

Try using larger photos and stitching together several different photos!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Is it Glitter Blast Tuesday already? Another Contest! Yay......

It's time for you to enter to win a set of GLITTER BLAST spray paints with an ongoing contest every other Tuesday from here on out!  Rock on Krylon!
Winners not only get my NEW book, THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2, they will get all of the colors of glitter blast sent right to their front door.  Just a few simple rules to enter.
GOOD LUCK!
And may the glitter be with you....
RULES
1.  LIKE and COMMENT on the KRYLON FB page that I sent you!
http://www.facebook.com/KrylonCrafts?ref=ts
2. LIKE and COMMENT on my fan page that your entering the contest.
http://www.facebook.com/MarkMontanoNYC?ref=ts
3.  JOIN my blog if you haven't.
4.  LIKE my BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Ass-Book-Crafts-2/dp/1451627807/ref=bxgy_cc_b_img_b
5.  COMMENT here that you've done it AND what your favorite spray paint project is.

Keep an eye out for the winner.  I'll post it here and on my FB page.  
It helps if you can leave a way for me to contact you, too!

Friday, December 2, 2011

The Sweeter Sweater Glove.........Be warm!

SWEETER SWEATER GLOVES
How many sweaters do you have in your drawer that you really should toss but don’t because you think you might wear them again?  My guess is at least three.  Well, I’ve got a way to make more room in your dresser and put those sweaters to use. I guarantee these Sweeter Sweater Gloves, when made with girly sweaters in pretty colors and matching knit gloves, will not only be warm, but also very glamorous.

YOU’LL NEED
Sweater you’re about to toss
Scissors (Fiskars are the BEST!)
One pair of knit gloves
Straight pins
Sewing machine with matching thread (I love my BERNINA)

HERE’S HOW
 Evenly cut off the sleeves of the sweater in a length you like.   If you want your gloves to end at the elbow, then cut them off at the elbow.  Pull the cutoff sleeves up your arms by the cuffs.  The cuffs of the sweater should be tight enough to keep them in place on your upper arms.  But, if they’re not, pinch them and see how much you will need to take in.  Also see how much, if any, you will have to take in the sweater sleeves at the wrist.  If you do need to take in the sleeves, do so by gathering the extra material along the seam of the sweater and stitching, and then cut off the excess.
Turn the sleeves inside out and place the gloves in the end that you cut off, matching up the openings (the fingers of the gloves should be pointed toward the sweater cuff end).
Place a couple of straight pins in the openings to hold the gloves in place.
Sew the raw edge of the sleeve to the opening of the glove using a 1/2” seam allowance.
IMPORTANT:  Make sure you stretch the fabric while you’re sewing so that the glove opening stretches when you put them on. Turn the sleeves right side out.

One of more than 150 projects in THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Hot Holiday Gifts and Gadgets! 3 a.m. call time. Chicken hair!

Ok, this was 3 a.m. in the morning for me, but here are my holiday gift tips. Bad lighting, crazy hair, and not enough coffee for sure. I know, excuses, excuses! We can't always bat them out of the park!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner.......Ok, let me see what this is all about!


A few weeks ago the terrific Kathy Peterson contacted me and asked if I would do a men's blog hop featuring the FLIP-PAL MOBILE SCANNER  

I like Kathy and her work so I thought even though I'm strapped for time right now, I'll give it a go.  Besides, I would be reviewing this with some of my creative heroes like Martin Amado and Suede Baum Why not!




Many of you know that I'm not a tech kind of person at all so this scanner has been sitting on my table staring at me all weekend daring me to open it up and start working with it.  I have a few projects in mind that I want to try, but I have to tell you, I'm nervous about it.  Yes, it's just a portable scanner, but I saw the videos of the projects that Kathy made and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.   I guess it's time to open it up and see what happens right?  Here goes!


This is my first scan.......So far so good. Let's see what happens!
Stay tuned.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT:  The owner of this blog was compensated with a Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner to use and review.  Even though I have received this item for free, I will give you my honest opinion about it regardless. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.
Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.





Monday, November 28, 2011

BARBIE GETS CRAFTY........With Mark!

Not long ago Mattel asked me to design a special Barbie Dream House.  After it heads to headquarters tomorrow to be photographed, the prototype will then be auctioned to raise money for Project Angel Food in early December. I couldn't be happier.
Yesterday I took the dream house outside to see if I could get some good photos before I send it off. Here you go!
This house is filled with things made from my various craft books.  For example, the Rope Side Table and the Harlequin Table are both from THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS.
Also pictured here is the Glitter Blasted Sofa and Sunburst Mirror, a Frida Kahlo, hand painted Calder, Fornasetti and Damian Hirst spin art painting.
The wallpaper is hand printed and the gold striped lamp and corner lamp both work.
Detail of a floor vase filled with branches and flowers.

The bedroom features a Domino Side Table and two Andy Warhol lithographs along with paper lanterns and hand printed wallpaper.  Originally the bedding had tons of black lace, but it was just too dark for the room.
These lounge chairs are made from 2" wide striped ribbon and chopsticks.  I sewed the canopy from thin white cotton canvas and lined the edges with ribbon and accented it with tiny buttons.
The kitchen features Glitter Blasted table and chairs, a Paint Chip Painting (from THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS) and hand printed wallpaper.  The sisal rugs are made from a Chinese mat and 1/4" ribbon.
I kept the bathroom very simple.  Though the rug took me forever to make.  It's rick-rack twisted together and then sewn in a circle.  The wall paper is made from tiny book pages (because you know I love to cover things in book pages).
More professional photos to follow. This is just a sneak peek for my friends.