Saturday, December 27, 2014

Kraft Paper Feathers DIY

I love a huge arrangement in the middle of a table but it's not always easy to get fresh flowers AND they can be expensive.  For my annual New Year's Eve party I decided to update my paper feather project from The Big Ass Book of Crafts.  This time instead of leaving them plain, I painted the ends with a beautiful Americana Multi-Surface Metallic Gold.  They look even better than the original project and the best part is that I never have to change the water!
Careful with your candle placement! 
I love how they pick up the light.
Watch the video tutorial!
YOU'LL NEED
Kraft paper
Scissors
White glue
Paintbrush
18 gage (or similar) wire
Wire cutters
 Cut several wire pieces about 25" to 28" long
Cut several sheets of kraft paper 22" x 12"
Slightly water down the white glue so it's easy to spread
Paint it on half of the kraft paper
Sandwich the wire inside of the kraft paper
 Cut into a feather shape
Paint the ends in metallic gold
Roll a 12" x 6" sheet of kraft paper into a thin tube
Cut the sides of the feather at an angle 
Glue the paper tube over the wire and let dry
*You can use hot glue for this if you want 
 Add shiny Christmas bulbs to your table. 
Paint a basic glass vase to match your table.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  
I wish each and every one of you a wonderful holiday season!

All I want for Christmas this year, is YOU!

Just so we don't lose touch in 2015,
Here are some of my social media platforms that I'd love for you to be a part of...






Facebook is changing how we interact starting January 1st so I'm going to concentrate on other areas of the internet.  I love interacting with all of you and I hope that we keep in touch in 2015.

With LOVE,
Mark!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Eyeglass Case Animal Clutch

So last year I bought several plastic eyeglass cases because I knew that eventually I would find something fun to do with them.  Cut to an entire year of looking at them and wondering what was I thinking?  Finally I figured out a worthy project!  My nieces are going to flip for these little zoo animal clutches.  
Everything is more fun with googly eyes!
A baby hippo and a tiger cub!
Watch the video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Hard plastic eyeglass case
Drill
Pony beads
Googly Eyes
Cord
Paintbrushes
Trace the eyeglass case and figure out your animal design
Paint it on the case and let it dry
Drill a small hole in the top of the case
String about 12" of beads on a 20" piece of cord 
Thread the cord through the hole and knot on the inside
Glue on the googly eyes with E-6000 and let dry!
I ain't lion!

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Happy #ThursDIY!

Happy #ThursDIY kiddos!  Check out the 10 gorgeous holiday projects we have lined up for you.  If you're stumped for a last minute gift, how about whipping up an ornament or UP-styling an inexpensive clutch?  I got mine at the dollar store and it was perfect for my sequin bag project!
If you're already done with Christmas, Cathie has some terrific New Year's Eve ideas.  Hop around and say hello from me, OK!

Cathy shows you how to make Christmas stockings in an easy step by step tutorial here: http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/christmas-stocking-diy/
Margot Potter shares her favorite ornament DIYS on her site, DIYDoyenne! 
Heather Mann shares how to make a bronze designer ornament with simple dollar store items! http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2014/12/tutorial-designer-inspired-faux-bronze-christmas-ornament/ 
Make Recycled Magazine Snowflake Ornaments and get rid of that stack you've been hoarding! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgcmRuSMUJY
 Cathy Attix makes a terrific LOVE clutch:  
 Margot makes the cutest stamped Christmas ornaments.....Great for commemorating the year!  http://icanmakemetalstampedjewelry.com/diy-christmas-ornaments/
Crafty Chica makes perfectly pretty pom pom ornaments!
Cathie Filian makes a gorgeous New Year's Eve spread complete with glitterized champagne flutes and a banner!  
UPstyle an outdated bag with this permanent multi-color sequin technique!  Works like magic on shoes, too!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2Q3h3KkyG8
Stephenie Hamen makes a beautiful glittered grapevine tree here: 

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Sequin Bag Upstyle!

I'll bet you have at least 1 bag ready for an upstyle!  You know which bag I'm talking about. It's the one that's gathering dust (under your bed) that you just can't seem to get rid of because you know for sure one day you'll drag it out and rock it.  Guess what sister, you're probably never going to use that bag again so why not give it a new life with this simple technique?  At least you can have some real fun with it before you finally donate it to a worthy cause.  Heck, drag it out for New Year's Eve and show everyone how it's done!
Danielle showing off the New Year's Eve clutch!
She's wondering if I'm actually going to give it to her!
Watch the video tutorial here!
 YOU'LL NEED
Bag in need of an upstyle
Large gems
Multi-color sequins
Paintbrush
Old paintbrush
Pick a color of DecoArt's Dazzling Metallics to match the bag 
 Paint it and let it dry
 Grab your E-6000 Glue
 Squirt it on (be generous) and spread it around with an old paintbrush
Sprinkle on the sequins and pat them in place 
Add a large gem to the closure, let the whole thing dry and you're done!
Happy New Year!
xoxox, Mark

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Recycled Magazine Snowflake Ornaments

I know, I know!  These look like those huge tissue paper roll thingies that you see all over Pinterest.  I'm happy to say that these are much smaller and more delicate and perfect for your holiday decorating. Plus, you don't have to go through 40 rolls of tp to make them.  All you'll need are some old magazines and a few very basic supplies.  Grab the kids and make a ton of these for your tree. 
Merry Christmas!

I went a little nuts making these.... It's like craft meditation.
Watch the video tutorial here!
THINGS YOU'LL NEED
Wax paper
Glitter
White glue
Magazine pages
Scissors
Paintbrushes
Pencil
Thin ribbon
 Cut magazine pages in half (side to side, not top to bottom)
Roll one sheet around a pencil and add another sheet when you get to the end
*This will make your tubes nice and thick
Glue the end of the paper down 
Cut the tubes into 1/2" long pieces
You'll need about 8 tubes to make one ornament
Lay out wax paper
 Squeeze some glue on the edge of your wax paper
Dip the pieces in one by one and build your snowflake
When dry, paint with the gold Americana Multi-Surface Satin
Brush glue on the edges and sprinkle with glitter
Add a ribbon through one of the ends and hang on your tree!
Magical!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Happy #ThursDIY!

Happy #ThursDIY!  Check out our 9 heavenly holiday projects and deck your halls, gift the grinches and count the days until Christmas!  I'm in love with Aunt Peaches' drinking straw garland and Debi's seashell ornaments are stunning!

Aunt Peaches makes beautiful garland for her tree with straws and zip ties!  My kind of holiday decorating for sure!
Debi Beard makes beautiful seashell Christmas ornaments.......My mom would flip for these!  
Margot Potter makes a super cute advent calendar with vintage images and metal stamping! 

Make Artist Pillows inspired by Matisse!
 Cathie Attix makes simple/chic glitter earrings!
Make a Twinkling Branches Room Divider to brighten up your holiday decor!
Cathy and Steve make a set of Christmas coasters....
The perfect hostess gift! 
Stephenie Hamen makes a fun gift for all of those inspiring teachers out there!
Heather Mann gives us a holiday manicure in the style of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer!