Saturday, November 29, 2014

Recycled Cardboard Christmas Trees

I love making ornaments and table decor from recycled materials.  It's inexpensive and everyone can join in the fun for practically no money at all.  You can't beat that!  I make these trees about 5" tall so they're perfect for ornaments, but you could make them 12" - 15" tall for a table or your mantle.  Wrap them with lights or garland and you'll have something even more amazing.  Hey, I'd love to see what you're making this holiday season....Why not send me a photo at MarkMontanoNYC@aol.com and let me share it with everyone?!
Sprinkle some epsom salt and you have the perfect setting!
Cover them in book pages or music sheets
If you don't want to paint ornaments, why not use stick on rhinestones?
Watch the video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Glue gun 
Ruler
E-6000 Spray Adhesive
Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints
Cardboard
Craft knife
Paintbrushes
1/4" wide ribbon
Stick on rhinestones
 Figure out the size you want your tree by simply drawing a triangle
Trace the triangle 3 times, side by side
Cut out the shape with a craft knife
Score the other two lines so that you can bend it in shape
Hot glue the ends together
Trace the base on more cardboard, cut and glue it in place
 Create garland with hot glue
Paint the tree a green of your choice
Dry brush gold over the garland and along the sides
Paint multi color dots or stick on rhinestones for ornaments
Try covering your tree with old book pages or music sheets
Spray torn sheets with E-6000 Spray Adhesive
Dry brush the edges with metallic gold
Paint dots in your favorite color
Hot glue a ribbon bow to the top
Make them in several sizes for your mantle or table decor!
Merry Christmas!



Saturday, November 22, 2014

Tattooed Plaster Hands (Fornasetti Inspired)

Have you seen that awesome plaster of Paris hand project made with rubber dishwashing gloves?  Well I finally decided to try it and make a set of Fornasetti inspired decorative plaster hands.  These would be great for displaying jewelry or just to have as a conversation piece on your table.  Either way, they are super fun to make and I think they look fantastic!  Hey, when you get a chance, google Piero Fornasetti and see his amazing body of work.  I think you'll love it.
My trio of tattooed hands!
I can't decide where to put them in my house
Some pieces by Fornasetti (one of my favorite designers)
Watch the video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Plaster of Paris
Clip art images
Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paint in Cottonball
Drill
Jigsaw
Staple gun
Rubber gloves
Paintbrushes
 Draw a 3" diameter circle on the scrap wood
Drill a hole on the circle's edge so that you can insert the jigsaw blade
Cut out the circle with the jigsaw
Staple the rim of the rubber glove to the cut out hole
 Fill the matching glove with water and pour it in a mixing bowl
Add the plaster until it is the consistency of pancake batter
Pour it in the glove, squeeze out any bubbles, and let dry overnight
Cut out the clip art images
 Remove the plaster hand from the rubber glove *You'll have to cut it off
Paint the plaster hand with the Americana Multi-Surface Satin in Cottonball (white)
Spray the images with the E-6000 Spray Adhesive
*Clip around the images so that they lay flat on the curved areas of the hand
Coat everything with Minwax Polycrylic and let dry




Thursday, November 20, 2014

Happy #ThursDIY!

Happy #ThursDIY possums!  Check out the ten awesome projects we have to inspire you this week.  Everything from funky Christmas trees to fruity Christmas stockings......There's something for everyone on this very holiday #ThursDIY.  Enjoy!

 Cathy Attix embroiders a beautiful sweater that is just J'adorable!  http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/embroidered-sweater-diy/
 Heather Mann features clever acorn place cards......Fall and fabulous!  http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/11/chalkboard-acorn-place-cards/
Margot Potter makes Naughty look Nice with her latest stamped metal project:  http://icanmakemetalstampedjewelry.com/diy-naughty-nice-earrings/
 Make gorgeous faux coral using twigs from your backyard with this easy tutorial:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFnZQesYUF4
Cathie Filian makes it snow with collage clay (it looks good enough to eat)  http://youtu.be/78z5erZ1j7A
Stephenie makes a beautiful drift wood wreath......Perfect for a beachy holiday:  http://mycraftyadventures.com/2014/11/18/driftwood-wreath-diy/
 Jader Bomb makes sequin ornaments to sparkle UP that tree!  http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-to-make-sequin-ornaments.html
Love these mint green pine cones!  Dipped and delish.  Here's how:  http://www.uptodateinteriors.com/2014/11/pinecone-swag.html
Deck your halls with this fabulous funky Christmas tree by Aunt Peaches.  You've got to see the crazy stuff she puts on this tree.

Fruity Christmas Stockings from My Poppet!  Here's how:  




Saturday, November 15, 2014

Faux Coral Centerpiece DIY (Tony Duquette Inspired)

I love the work of Tony Duquette, I always have.  He was an amazing designer who could create magic from absolutely nothing. Definitely look him up if you get the chance.  Today we're taking twigs from the backyard and creating faux coral centerpieces that are perfect for your next fancy dinner party.  When it's not in the center of your table, just put it on the fireplace mantle and enjoy it!
Now get outside and start gathering twigs.... This project is just plain fun.
Tony Duquette also loved malachite 
I decided to have a little absinthe while I was taking my photos (kidding)
Watch the video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Fish tank rocks
Seashells
Twigs
Large plastic lid
White glue
Hot glue gun
Paintbrushes
Pearls (optional)
Score your lid with a sharp object like a craft knife
Hot glue your twigs to the base with a generous amount of glue to create your coral
Apply a generous amount of white glue to the twigs with a paintbrush
Sprinkle with fish tank rocks and let dry
Paint the coral with the Dark Scarlet and Lipstick
Using E-6000, glue seashells and pearls to the base of the coral
Paint any exposed lid with the Glorious Gold metallic paint
Beautiful!


Thursday, November 13, 2014

Happy #ThursDIY! Ten fun projects to pull your gown down....

Shoe and t-shirt makeovers!  Glitter and giveaways!  Lace and buttons!  It's all in this week's #ThurDIY.  Hop around and make some friends and tell them I sent you, OK.  Now heat up that glue gun and get glittering.  xoxo, Mark

Aunt Peaches makes tassel napkin rings that, let's face it, could be worn as a fab piece of jewelry, too!  She rocks.  http://www.auntpeaches.com/2014/11/diy-tassel-napkin-rings.html 
Make this art deco inspired angle necklace with a simple item from the hardware store: 
Stephanie makes beautiful gratitude jars......I LOVE these!  http://mycraftyadventures.com/2014/11/12/gratitude-jars/
Heather Mann makes very cute Glitter Deer Bookends perfect for the holidays:  http://blog.darice.com/home-decor/glitter-deer-diy-bookends/
Cathy Attix upstyles a basic tee with lace trim......Genius!  
http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-t-shirt-lace-cuffs/
The marvelous Margot Potter rounds up her monthly favorites on her latest YouTube video.....She looks good, too!   http://diydoyenne.com/monthly-must-haves-video/
Make button lid jars with Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint and use up that cabinet full of jars you've been saving for a project!  Great for sewing supplies!  
Cathie Filian has a delicious new book out called DecoDen Desserts
(and she's hosting a contest and giving away tons of stuff to celebrate!)  http://handmadehappyhour.com/2014/11/11/giveaway-decoden-desserts-and-mod-podge/
Gorgeous gold leaf planters make the perfect holiday gift! 
Love Meagan upstyles some basic black heels for the holidays here:  

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Art Deco Necklace DIY

Head to the hardware store (or dig around in your toolbox) to make these fashion forward, art deco inspired necklaces.  I used cabochons, but you could use gems or even semi-precious stones.  Put it all together with 
E-6000 and you'll be right on trend!
Super chic necklace with turquoise cabochons
....Another in pink and purple!
Watch the video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Drill
Chain
Corner brackets
Cabochons
Jump rings and lobster claw closure
Wire cutters
Pliers 
Piece of scrap wood
Drill a small hole on the corner of the corner bracket
Cut 7 to 8 pieces of chain about 5" long
Attach the chains to a jump ring and then to the hole on the corner of the corner bracket
Add chain to the sides of the corner bracket to create your necklace
Experiment with your cabochons to create your design
Glue the cabochons with E-6000 and let dry for at least 2 hours
Done!