Monday, April 30, 2012

SIMPLE KIDS PROJECT

SUMMER is quickly approaching and it's time to get some projects together so that the kiddos don't spend 3 months in front of the television or on a computer!  Did you know that creativity helps kids develop problem solving skills?  Just sayin'
From THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2
These ZIP TIE LINK BRACELETS are a fun, easy project that everyone can enjoy and make their own.  Add beads, use more than one link. Go nuts.
 
YOU’LL NEED
Nylon zip ties in different colors (or black and white)
Scissors
2 jump rings
1 large lobster claw
HERE’S HOW
1.    Make your first link in a size you like.  This will determine the size you cut your other zip ties.
2.    Cut your zip ties to size (ooh, that rhymes)
3.    Slip the end of the zip tie through a finished link and keep it going until you have enough to fit around your wrist.
4.    Add a jump ring to one end.
5.    Add a jump ring with the lobster claw to the other end so you can close it.
 This and over 150 more projects in
     

Friday, April 27, 2012

I'm thinking YES........

A few inspirational things from around the world and around the web.   Create up a storm you fantastic people!  
I love a hand painted coffee table and this one hits the nail on the head.  Especially because it takes a nondescript table and makes it into something wonderful with very little effort.
You could decoupage large color copied flowers, too.  Just put sticker paper in the copy machine, cut, stick, and add Minxwax Polycrylic to finish it off.
 What a brilliant idea from centsationalgirl.com  Pick colors that match your room and go wild with finds from the thrift store.
Definitely something I want to try in my back yard. I have a wall that is perfect for something like this.
Made from cardboard rings and sequins glued on the ends. Terrific look for little money. 
From TheCurbly.com  Great site for good design and this is a wonderful twist on tin can candle holders.  Just fill with water and freeze before you start your holes.  Next, spray them with Krylon Fusion colors for the best finish. 
I love a scrap paper tree.  Always have.  Done with book pages it might be fun, too.
 These are wood planks made from newspaper.  I think they are genius.  It's made by the Dutch Design Group VIJ5.  Below is the dress made from the planks.  
When the paper is glued together it acts just like wood. Impressive and a wonderful way to recycle.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

AND THE WINNERS ARE..................

Are you ready? Drum roll please...... FELICIA KRAMER is our GLITTER BLAST TUESDAY WINNER and CELIA WEBB is our FISKARS FRIDAY WINNER!  Congratulations to you both!  Please send me a personal message (MARKMONTANONYC@AOL.COM) so I can get out your prize packages.  Can I hear a WOOT WOOT!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

GLITTER BLAST TUESDAY! The BEST day of the week!

As promised, another
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 to eternity. Rock on Krylon!
Winners not only get my NEW book,
THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2,
they'll 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. SHARE this on your FB page (by pressing SHARE)
2.  LIKE and COMMENT on the KRYLON FB page that I sent you!
3.  JOIN my blog.
BLOG LINK (Wait, you're here!)
4.  COMMENT here that you've done it AND what your favorite spray paint project is.
5. Join me on TWITTER if you haven't.
TWITTER LINK
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!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Images to share...............

Happy Monday my creative friends.  Found these images bopping around the internet and thought you might like them for something....Print them out, decoupage with them, turn them into cards!
 I love the old yellowed look of this butterfly page.
 Something magical about seahorses.


 Just wonderful.

Not sure about this one, but I thought I'd toss it in anyway.
I think these images would be fun to use in a variety of ways.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Fiskars Friday is in full swing!

Today is our 4th official Fiskars Friday!  Make sure to enter because as you already know, FISKARS has incredible cutting tools and they might just end up in your craft room!  This contest is bi-monthly so look for our FISKARS FRIDAY banner and make sure to enter following our simple rules below.
Not only will you win fabulous Fiskars products, you'll get your own signed copy of
Check out what our first winner (Jennifer Riker) received from Fiskars! 
This is what our 2nd winner, Donna Harcourt received!
Not bad at all! And what generous prize packages from Fiskars!
RULES
1.  LIKE and comment on the Fiskars FB page that I sent you!
http://www.facebook.com/fiskars
2. SHARE on your FB page about the contest.
3.  Leave a comment here letting me know what your favorite Fiskars tool is and I'm pretty sure we can get it in your prize package!
4.  Join my blog if you haven't
5. Like The Big Ass Book of Home Decor on Amazon.com
Home Decor Link

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Wow, I'm diggin' this stuff!

Some inspiration for the week.  Hope you enjoy!  BTW, thanks for all the comments.  You guys are wonderful! 
 Great way to make a hanging herb garden if you don't have tons of space.
 You could cover a clock like this with almost anything.  Use Elmer's glue and Minwax Polycrylic for the job. 
 Best way I've seen to store glitter.  Someone said they would store their embossing powders this way.  I think this looks terrific.  Of course I would need about 800 of these antique shakers.  
 Not a huge wreath fan (I know, I know...what am I saying?!) I'm just not. However, I thought this was a nice alternative to the flower wreath.
 This room just seems peaceful and beautiful to me.  I could spend an entire afternoon there just reading and painting.
Breathtaking!  And, the umbrellas protect the light fixtures in case of rain.  Genius?  Think so!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

BABY IN A BOX FORTUNE TELLER

I'm dying to hear what you have to say about this one! 
I’m not really sure why I made this but I’m glad I did.  Perhaps the purpose of making something like this is so people have something to talk about when they come over? Truth be told I like dismantling dolls and turning them in to art.  Ok, I like the freaky factor, too.

YOU’LL NEED
1 4”X4” Metal electric box
Plastic baby head (that will fit in a 4”x4” box)
Home printer
Elmer's glue
X-Acto cutting blade
E-6000 glue

HERE’S HOW
1.    Remove the doll head and cut off the back half so it comfortably fits in your 4”x4” box.
2.    On your computer, type out tons of fortunes and print them out.
3.    Cut the fortunes in strips and glue or tape them together to make one long strip.
4.    Roll them up and put them aside.
5.    Cut a small slit on the forehead of your baby that is large enough for the strip of fortunes to easily glide through.
6.    Put the roll of fortunes in the head and poke the first fortune out of the slit.
7.    Glue the baby head to the back of the box with the E-6000 and let dry.
8.    Good luck!  You are going to have a terrific day. At least that's what my Baby in a box says.
For this and 150 MORE projects, grab
Get yours today!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Things here and there that catch my eye...........

Inspiration is hard to come by sometimes.  Lately I've been enjoying the genius of other people and giving shout outs where I can.  I'm glad the world is embracing creativity and recycling.
 Wow, this is pretty and could be done with almost any frame.  A flat pincushion on your sewing table might be just the thing!
Swirling paint inside those flower vases that everyone gets rid of looks quite chic.  These are by Charlotte Trusty and they are truly inspired.
Milk cartons used as storage from SewManyWays.blogspot.com  Just Brilliant!
I love things made from scraps and I thought this choker was quite beautiful.  It reminded me of my trip to Africa for some reason.
These are printed melanin plates, but you could easily make these with book pages and glass plates from the dollar store.  Pick any image and you're half way there.  Always finish the back with Minwax Polycrylic and carefully hand wash.  Instructions for making these is in
THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS! 
I love hearts and crowns but only get my fix with rubber stamps.  I thought this was a terrific 3-D version of my favorite images.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! IT'S GLITTER BLAST TUESDAY!!!!!!

As promised, another
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 to eternity. Rock on Krylon!
Winners not only get my NEW book,
THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2,
they'll 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. SHARE this on your FB page (by pressing SHARE)
2.  LIKE and COMMENT on the KRYLON FB page that I sent you!
3.  JOIN my blog.
BLOG LINK (Wait, you're here!)
4.  COMMENT here that you've done it AND what your favorite spray paint project is.
5. Join me on TWITTER if you haven't.
TWITTER LINK
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!