Thursday, April 30, 2015

Artsy Fartsy ThursDIY!

It's an Artsy Fartsy Thurs-DIY!  Check out all of the fun, artsy things you can do this weekend.  We have everything from embroidery to glass slippers.  Seriously, something for everyone.  Enjoy and be creative!
XO, Mark!

Margot Potter makes some beautiful bling for summer!  


Who doesn't want a pair of Cinderella's Glass Slippers? Here's how to make your own:


Margot also paints mini canvases perfect for that tiny little space that just needs "something"!


Aunt Peaches makes beautiful confetti and shows you how!  

 Pla makes a super cute paperclip necklace with items from the dollar store!


Cathy Attix rocks a no sew denim bag with a Chanel chain!


Vicki O'Dell embroiders a vintage bag to perfection here:

I show you how to recycle cardboard and newspaper to make Faux Malachite Obelisks for your home.


Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Faux Malachite Obelisks (made from cardboard)

I'm a huge fan of malachite but unfortunately it's a little too expensive for my taste.  Tony Duquette, one of my favorite designers, used it like crazy in his home decor.  He also painted tons of furniture in a faux malachite pattern and it always looked amazing!  I thought I'd give it a try with some simple cardboard obelisks.  These are perfect for a desk or bookshelf and if done right, people will think you're rolling in dough!  Little do they know that they cost just pennies to make.
Enjoy!  xo, Mark
 My handsome pair
I love that they're just cardboard and newspaper!
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Newspaper
Cardboard
Ruler
White glue
Masking tape
Craft knife
Paintbrush
Print out and use to create your pattern
Each square is 1/2" by 1/2"
Enlarge and make them any size
 Trace the obelisk pattern 4 times, side by side
*Clean up your lines with a ruler
Cut out the entire shape and score so it can be folded
Trace the base pattern, cut and score
Tape all pieces together with masking tape
 Water down some white glue to use as a decoupage medium
Cover the cardboard obelisk in at least one layer of newspaper
When dry, paint the entire obelisk in Sea Breeze and White Acrylic
*The paint doesn't have to be perfect, it can vary from light to dark
*Make sure to paint all surfaces
Cut jagged edges on a 2" x 2" piece of cardboard 
Mix equal parts of Evergreen and Glazing Medium
Paint one surface of the obelisk and immediately scrape the surface
with the jagged cardboard to create the malachite effect
*Try circles and scallops and overlap the patterns
 When all surfaces are dry, coat with at least two coats of Minwax Polycrylic
If you want, edge the base with a metallic paint marker by
running it along the edges



Friday, April 24, 2015

Cinderella's Glass Slippers DIY

Who doesn't love Cinderella?  This girl has a fairy godmother and an awesome pumpkin carriage....She rocks!  Not to mention the glass slippers.  
Who doesn't want a pair of those even just to display?
Today we're making a wearable version of the glass slippers featured in the latest Cinderella movie which are perfect for cosplay, Halloween or your own perfect little princess.  
Huge thanks to www.Beadaholique.com and www.TapeBrothers.com
Enjoy!  xo, Mark
A wearable glass slipper!
The original from the latest Cinderella movie
They wouldn't be complete without the butterfly shoe clips!
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
White heels (Got these at Payless)
Minwax Polycrylic
Small piece of faux suede
Paintbrush and scissors
 Make sure your shoes are clear of dirt and dust
Cut the holographic tape into different sized triangles
Artfully stick them to the shoe with a small space in between each triangle
When you've covered the entire shoe, apply two coats of Minwax Polycrylic and let dry
Add sparkly crystals around the shoe opening with E-6000
 Cut 4 small circles the size of a quarter from the faux suede (you could use felt or thick fabric)
Glue two circles to each side of the flat part of the clip on earring findings
Slightly bend the butterfly upward so it's not flat
With more E-6000, glue the other metal part of the clip on to the back of the butterfly
Let dry and clip on the front of the shoes

Make sure to leave one behind for your prince!




Thursday, April 23, 2015

Happy Thurs-DIY!

My favorite day of the week (that ends in "Y")
Happy Thurs-DIY everyone!  Check out the funky fun stuff we have to inspire you this week.
I'm in LOVE with the potato print aprons and the dollar store doll storage by PLA.
Have fun and make stuff!
xo, Mark

Margot Potter makes a perfect DIY Happy Banner!
Step out in style with this easy to make 3 Step Kimono
Cathy Attix shows us how to make a sparkly braided bracelet!  
Vicki O'Dell shares a perfect upcycled project for earth day!  
Make beautiful metallic beads with recycled tyvek envelopes from the post office!
Cathie Filian make Mother's Day baby blocks....just perfect!  
Pla makes the cutest rainbow doll storage containers....Perfect for any little girl's room (and mine)
Hello Wonderful makes the cutest aprons with potato stamps!






Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Beautiful Metallic Tyvek Beads DIY

I get tons of Tyvek envelopes in the mail and one of my favorite things to do with them is make beads!  Just cut them into long triangles and add some heat....It's that easy!
Plus, you can make them in almost any size and color.  Wrap them with wire and beads and you have something truly wonderful for your jewelry projects.
Have fun!  xo, Mark
I got a little carried away making these! 
A close up of my wire wrapped beauties 
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Tyvek envelopes (Fed ex and USP use them)
Heat gun (or very hot hair dryer)
Wood skewers
Beads
Wire
Wire cutters
Scissors
Straight pins
Paintbrush
Cut your envelopes in 6" wide pieces
Paint them with several different colors of DecoArt Dazzling Metallic paints
Cut them in long triangles that are about 1" - 2" at the base
Roll them around a wood skewer and pin in place
Heat them until they start to melt
Cut 6" wire pieces with wire cutters
Add beads and wrap around your beads 
*Make sure to bend in the sharp ends

Friday, April 17, 2015

3 Step Kimono DIY

Danielle has been bugging me to make a kimono video and we finally got around to it.  This one is made with two faux pashmina scarves that I bought for $5 dollars each.  Check stores like Marshall's and Kohl's for these kinds of scarves which are always on sale for not very much.  The more pattern the scarves have, the better your kimono will look!
Have fun and big hugs,  Mark
Danielle showing off her new Kimono in our magic garden 
This is a great way to add a little boho chic to a plain outfit
Watch the short video tutorial here!
 YOU'LL NEED
2 long "pashmina" scarves
Sewing machine
Matching thread
Scissors
Straight pins
Measuring tape
Lay the scarves face to face matching the design
Mark the 1/2 way point on one side of the scarves
Pin the scarves together up to 5" before the 1/2 way point
Stitch them together using 1/2" seam allowance
*This is your center back seam
Fold one scarf in half lengthwise (right sides together)
Measure up 19" on the open side (the side you didn't stitch)
Measure 9" across the bottom
Connect these two points with pins in a curve as shown with the little black dots
Stitch along the pins and cut out leaving 1/2" seam allowance 
*This will create your sleeve and side seam
Now repeat on the other scarf: 
Fold the other scarf in half right sides together
Place the cut pieces from the first side on top for a guide
Cut along the shape and pin together
Stitch using 1/2" seam allowance
 Keep the cut edges from fraying with E-6000 Fray Lock


Thursday, April 16, 2015

Happy Thurs-DIY! 9 Colorful Projects For You!

Happy #Thurs-DIY everyone!  This week we have 9 colorful projects ranging from sparkly cocktails to colorful organizers!  Hop around and say hello to our new members, PLA and Vicki!
Tell them I sent you, OK.  Now go get inspired!

 
Margot Potter shares her favorite breakfast pick up......A Raspberry Champagne Cocktail 
called the ChamWow!  
PLA (our newest member) shares a colorful rainbow lazy susan organizer....
If I could only be that organized! 
Cathie Filian makes a perfect sweet treat gift for your favorite teacher:  https://www.plaidonline.com/diy-teacher-appreciation-gift/5917/project.htm
Megan Andersen Read makes a healthy Beet Cake that also looks just beautiful!
I took a discarded headboard and turned it into a colorful bench for my back yard!   
Cathy Attix rocks a new BELIEVE graphic tee and I think Cher is going to want this!   
Tell Love and Chocolate makes the cutest paper fan drink stirrers......for your colorful cocktails!   
Vicki O'Dell takes me back to my childhood with a Porcupine Quill Necklace DIY! 
 I have always loved porcupine quills!    
Made by Carmona makes the perfect natural wood cut letter holder!  This is serious stuff here!