Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Emoji Polo and Pins DIY!

I love emoji!  If I could write an entire letter with just emoji, I probably would.  Since I'm also a huge fan of wearing polo shirts, I decided to refashion a few of them with an emoji logo.  It's much more fun than a boring alligator or dazed looking tiger, don't you think?  While I was at it I made some fun pins for my jean jacket.  One day I'll grow up and start dressing like a grown man, but in the mean time I'm going to have a little fun!  Big love, xoxox, Mark!
That is not a POOP!  It's ice-cream!
My new favorite black polo!
 I almost put a pizza emoji on this, but I thought people might think
I was a delivery guy!
Love the little cat!
Check out the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Iron
Iron on transfer paper (I like Lesley Riley's TAP)
Polo
Cereal box cardboard
Pin backs
E-6000 Stitchless (Iron-on glue)
White cotton fabric
Emoji to print out
FOR THE PINS
 Print out the emoji on regular copy paper
Glue two pieces of cereal box cardboard together
Glue the emoji to the cardboard and let dry
Carefully cut out the emoji
Add a layer of Diamond Glaze to the top and let dry
Turn over and add a layer to the back
*This will make the cardboard shiny and super hard
With E-6000, add a pin back and let dry
FOR THE POLO
Print out the emoji on the TAP paper
Cut them out and iron them on cotton fabric
Carefully cut out the fabric emoji
Add a small amount of E-6000 Stitchless to the back of the emoji
With a press cloth, iron the fabric emoji to the polo
*Experiment so you get the hang of it BEFORE you iron it on the polo
You're done!


Friday, June 26, 2015

From Shirt to Dress DIY!

Danielle's boyfriend Scott got mustard on one of her favorite shirts so we decided to save it and turn it into a terrific summer dress.  Here's how we did it!
Happy Summer!  xoxo, Mark
 From stained shirt to simple summer dress!
Make the skirt as long as you want!
Snip off the buttons and add a separating zipper!
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Shirt
1 1/2 yards of fabric
Sewing machine
Matching thread
30" long separating zipper
Scissors
Cut across the shirt 1" below the waist
If your shirt has pleats or details, run a stitch along the cut
Attach two pieces of 30" long fabric together side by side
*Our fabric was 54" wide so we now have a piece that is 30" x 108"
Lengthen the stitch and loosen the tension on the machine
Run a stitch along the fabric about 1/2" from the edge
Pull the bobbin thread to gather the fabric 
Measure the circumference of the shirt
Gather the fabric to this length and add 2"
Stitch the gathered fabric and the shirt together (right sides together)
Fold the extra one inch over the end of the shirt and stitch
*This will give you a finished edge
Press and then pin the zipper to the front of the dress face down starting at the collar
Stitch on the zipper
*I purposely did not use a zipper foot because I wanted some of the zipper to show
Hand tack the end of the zipper down at the neck
Turn the fabric 1/4" twice and hem






Thursday, June 25, 2015

Happy Thurs-DIY!

Happy Thurs-DIY everyone!  In this round-up of my favorite things this week we have chocolate body butter and a beautiful basket made from paper bags!  Not only that we have everything you need to put together your boho look for summer!
Have fun!  xoxo, Mark

DIY challenge! Make a paper bag basket!
http://www.designsponge.com/2015/06/diy-paper-basket-with-leather-handles.html
Pla rocks this necklace DIY with items from the dollar store!
 The Sweetest Occasion makes beautiful gold leaf planters!
http://www.thesweetestoccasion.com/2015/05/diy-gold-leaf-planters/
I show you how to make duct tape succulents and faux pinch pots here:
Cathy Attix makes beautiful tie die beach pants!
 A Cultivated Nest shares an awesome Chocolate Body Butter DIY!
http://acultivatednest.com/2015/01/homemade-chocolate-whipped-body-butter/
Make a Free People inspired necklace with all of your leftover bits and pieces!
 Pearls and Scissors shares a terrific sequin tee DIY here:
http://www.pearlsandscissors.com/2015/05/diy-no-sew-sequin-scissors-t-shirt/ 






Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Duct Tape Succulents and Faux Pinch Pots!

Just in case you don't already know it, I have a black thumb.  Yes, it's true.  The only thing I can grow successfully is mold in the bathtub.  Thankfully I have other talents like melting things on the stove and gluing random things together!  Today we're making the ever popular succulent out of duct tape and decorative paper.  We're also going to melt some plastic bottles to make the most beautiful little faux pinch pots EVER!  I painted them with Americana Decor Chalky Finish and they look fantastic.
Have fun!  xoxo,  Mark
 My handsome little trio!
Dappled sunlight....They almost look real!
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Duct tape in various colors
Decorative paper (scrap book paper works)
Heavy plastic bottles
Wire
Scissors
Paintbrush
 Place strips of duct tape side by side on the back of some decorative paper
Cut the tape covered paper in strips and then in 1" to 1 1/2" pieces
Cut the pieces into 10 small, 10 medium and 10 large leaves
Bend two of the smaller leaves and glue them together
*This is the center of your succulent
Continue working out from the center ending with the largest leaves
Tape 6" pieces of wire on the back of decorative paper (or scrapbook paper)
*Leave about 2" - 3" hanging off of the edge
Cut into long, slim leaves leaving the wire as the stem
Slightly warp the bottom half of a heavy plastic bottle over a flame
*If you're working inside, make sure a window is open!
Paint them with several coats of Americana Decor Chalky Finish in Lace
If you want, fill the pots with a piece of styrofoam 
Add the long slim leaves
Fill with colorful fish tank rocks
Add the duct tape succulents and you're done!




Friday, June 19, 2015

Free People Inspired Necklace

Not sure about you, but I have boxes of bits and pieces in my craft space.  I save EVERYTHING!  Secretly, I'm a bit of a hoarder, but that's another story.  Not long ago I was passing by the Free People boutique and noticed these crazy displays using anything and everything.  They're so good at display, don't you think?  Anyway, I got the idea to create a necklace inspired by their new vibe.  I think my fab assistant looks terrific in it, too!
Have fun!  xoxo, Mark
My 2nd attempt at creating beauty from chaos!
My first attempt which is a little more abstract
Danielle wearing the Free People Mixed Media necklace
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Wax paper (great surface for this project)
Lace pieces
Jewelry findings
Needle nose pliers
 Cut your lace into smaller pieces to create a necklace shape
Glue the pieces together with E-6000
When it's dry, paint it with the Americana Multi Surface in metallic gold (or silver)
 Start by gluing on cup chain and jewelry pieces
Decorate the lace with Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint in tons of different colors
Add cabochon flowers and crystals
*Allure is also an adhesive so it's perfect for adding more embellishments
Sprinkle on some beads into the wet allure
When dry add a chain and lobster claw closure for the back
Done!




Thursday, June 18, 2015

Happy Thurs-DIY!

Hey friends!  Here's my weekly round up of super cute stuff from my friends and around the web!
Enjoy and let your creative juices flow!
Hugs, Mark!  xoxo

 Check out this fun cardboard project from The House That Lars Built!
Make fun summer accessories from old magazines and glue!
 Make this pitcher with tissue paper and glue! Erin of Earnest Home Co. shows you how!
Pla paints the sweetest Doll Face Table!
 Super fun Dr. Who Party Cups!
 Hungry Happenings shows you how to make the cutest piggy cones!
Cathy Attix makes a cute Girls Ruffle Top Dress!
 Merma Blog shows you how to make these beaded marionettes!