Thrift Store Blazer Makeover

There is nothing I love more than making over a thrift store find. Well, nothing except stuffing my face with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, but I digress.  I was itching to try something that could travel down a Paris runway.  After fabric shopping for a few days and not finding much I decided to create my own fabric with Allure from E-6000  (It's washable and dry-cleanable so it's perfect for creating fabric) Here are the results.  There are some step-by-step photos included in this blog, but it's much easier to see how I made this in the video.  If you have any questions, just write.  

I'm always here for ya!xoxox, Mark

Julie looks magical in this coat!

Learn how I made it here!

Stuff You'll Need

Thrift Store Blazer

E-6000 Fabri-Fuse

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint

Muslin (or thin cotton fabric)

2 yards fabric to match your blazer

Ruler

Marking pencil

Butcher paper

Scissors and pins

Fold a 20" x 20" piece of paper on the diagonal

Create a 17" curve as shown

Cut the pattern in muslin for the sleeve

Place the pattern on folded muslin and cut it to create the peplum

*You're doubling the pattern to create a peplum

Pin the pieces on the jacket to make sure they work and trim if necessary

Place the muslin on the black fabric and cut 2 sleeves and one peplum

Trace a leaf pattern in vertical lines on each piece

Zigzag over the traced leaves with Allure Metallic Jade

Create the leaf veins with Allure Glitter Green Spark 

When dry cut around the leave shapes

Pin and glue (or stitch) to the jacket using E-6000 Fabri-Fuse OR a sewing machine

Paper Flowers (That Last Forever)

Who doesn't love a beautiful paper flower?  In the middle of winter when you can't have beautiful blooms, there is nothing more fun than creating your own to brighten things up a bit!  Making these Kusudama flowers is a fun family project and perfect to keep your hands busy when you're sitting in front of the boob tube!  Why not make them last forever with just one more simple step?  Heck, if you're going to spend all that time on them, why not have them for a while!  This process would be  perfect for a DIY paper wedding bouquet!  Have fun.  xoxo, Mark

When they dry, they look like glass!

I love how shiny they become

A bright bouquet of rainbow Kusudama flowers

Watch the fun video tutorial here!

Stuff You'll Need

Glaze Coat Epoxy Resin

18 gage wire

Wire cutters

3 1/2" x 3 1/2" colored office paper

Clothespins

Hot glue gun

White school glue

Yarn or twine

1. Fold the square in half on the diagonal to form a triangle

2.  Fold the left and right corners up to meet the top point and form a square

3. Fold the front points out so each outer edge lines up with the edge of the square

4. Unfold the last fold then open each side up into a pocket and flatten each pocket out along the crease lines you just made, to form a kite shape 

5.  Fold the tip of each kite shape forward along the line of the edge of the paper to form a triangle

6. Fold the lower edge of each side up along the existing crease

7. Add a thin layer of glue along one of the front flaps

8. Use a clothespin to hold them together until the glue dries

9.  Continue making 5 petals for each flower

10. Glue groups of 2 and 3 together and let dry

11.  Glue the sets of 2 and 3 together to create a complete flower

12.  Add hot glue to the end of a 12" piece of wire

13. Insert the wire into the center of the flower to create a stem

14. Mix the Glaze Coat in a container large enough to dip the flowers

15.  Dip the flowers in the Glaze Coat and hang to dry on a mini clothesline

*Make sure you have plenty of newspaper under the clothesline to catch the dripping Glaze Coat

Cut your own squares at work or try using post-it notes!  I won't tell. 

Dollar store clothespins make the best little clamps for projects like this

Desk Organizer DIY

Growing up in a small rural town without a big craft store, we were "forced" to use whatever we had on hand to get creative.  For me (like many) it was cardboard, newspaper and glue.  Gotta tell ya, that's about all you need if you want to get your crafty groove ON!  As a result, I love everything paper, cardboard, decoupage and paper mâché.  Anything that uses recycled materials has my name on it.   Not only is this tray a beautiful way to organize your stuff, it's a terrific way 

to recycle and save some cash at the same time.  How awesome is that?!  You can make this tray any shape you want, like simple squares or rectangles.  Experiment with different sizes, papers and paint techniques.  You can't go wrong.  Have fun!  xoxo, Mark

Try different tray shapes like simple rectangles and squares

Make a few for your dresser or vanity

Star struck!

Watch the short video tutorial here!

Stuff You'll Need

Americana Decou-Page paper

Cardboard

Template for tray

Americana Decou-Page medium (I used gloss)

White Americana Acrylic paint

White school glue

Craft knife

Paintbrushes

Scissors

Trace and cut the hexagon

Trace and cut the sides of the tray

Glue the pieces together to create the shape

*You can tape the pieces together while they dry

Add a little water to some white school glue

With a paintbrush, decoupage the paper to the tray with the glue

*This will make it sturdy and keep your pieces in place

When dry, paint the entire tray white

Cut pieces of the Americana Decou-Page Paper to fit the tray

Using the gloss Decou-Page medium, adhere the decorative paper to the tray

Paper and perfect!

Spin Art at CAFAM!

You probably already know that I'm obsessed with spin art.  Ever since my parents let me make a spin art canvas at the Rocky Ford fair, I've been hooked!  BTW,  I had already thrown up on the zipper so I was "grounded" for the rest of the day and spin art was my only option.  Several years ago I disassembled a basic fan and created a mini spin art machine and since then, my life has been spinning out of control.  For a special craft day at CAFAM last week, I finally made HUGE spin art machines from large box fans.....The kids (and adults) loved them.  

Concentration!

The parents did NOT want to miss their turn either!

You can't help but smile when you're spinning!

Roadside Rescue Side Table Makeover

A few weeks ago my awesome friend Nikki (from the YouTube channel AtHomeWithNikki) challenged me to a thrift store/roadside rescue furniture makeover.  I'm all for a challenge, but Nikki doesn't play fair....She's basically a triple threat!  A designer, DIY'er and chef.  Still, I took the challenge!  The very next day I found a hideous side table by the trashcans in my neighborhood and dragged it up 3 flights of stairs to my house and stared at it for a week.  Hey, it was there and I was just too exhausted to go looking for furniture at the thrift store.  This would have to do!  Ultimately, I ended up really liking this piece when it was done.  But, my assistant, Julie, liked it more! So, now it's cozy in her apartment.  One man's trash truly is another man's treasure!  Enjoy and be creative. 

 xoxo, Mark

I love the mix of stripes and bold color!

Adding fabric to the sides of the drawer was the perfect touch!

I will hang a tassel from any knob!  Knobs beware!

Watch the fun video tutorial here

Stuff You'll Need

Black and white striped cotton fabric (1 1/2 yards)

Americana Decou-Page

Americana Decor Chalky Finish in White, Treasure and Romance

Krylon Short Cuts paint pen in Metallic Gold

Americana Multi-Surface Satin Metallic Gold

Drill

Drawer knob

Scissors

Paintbrushes

Paint the sides and interior of the side table (and drawer front) with the chalky finish in treasure

Paint the top of the table and sides of the drawer in white chalky finish

Paint the inside of the drawer with the red (Romance) chalky finish

Paint the front trim with the Americana Metallic Gold

Place the ironed stripe fabric on the table top and line up the stripes

With the palm of your hand, press a crease around the edges of the fabric

*Use the creases as your cut lines

Paint the Americana Decou-Page on the top and adhere the fabric

Add another layer of Decou-Page to the fabric after it's in place

Repeat the process with the fabric around the base and on the sides of the drawer

Edge the table with a Krylon Short Cuts metallic paint marker

Drill a hole in the center of the drawer and add a knob if there isn't one there already

Hang a tassel from the knob and you're done!

 Love the striped fabric peeking out from the sides of the drawer!

It's amazing what a little fabric and paint can do to something!

My version of "Put a bird on it."

HAPPY SKULLOWEEN! 5 Skull DIYs

It's officially SKULLOWEEN and I'm going nuts making all different kinds of skulls to decorate my house for Halloween!  Today I'm sharing 5 of my favorites.  BTW, most of these skulls I got at the 99c store and used them as a canvas for some of my favorite techniques.  Have fun and, if you have a moment, let me know which one of these is your favorite!  I'd love to hear from you.

xoxo, Mark

1. SUGAR SKULL VASE

The perfect little vase!

2. COACHELLA SKULL!

So BOHO, don't you think?

3. PLANTER SKULL!  

Why not fill it with succulents or cactus!

4. TATTOO SKULL

Try this with all kinds of images!

5. SKULL CANDLE HOLDER

Nothing says elegant dinner party like skull candle holders!

See how I made them here!

1. SUGAR SKULL VASE

Cut a hole in the top of your plastic skull

Paint it black with Americana Acrylic paint

When dry, paint designs with white Americana Acrylic

Decorate with Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint (puff paint)

Fill with flowers

2. COACHELLA SKULL

Cut and arrange faux flowers to create a headband

Starting in the center, glue it around the forehead of the skull

Add extra leaves and petals to fill it in

3. PLANTER SKULL

Cut a large hole in the top of your skull

Paint the entire skull white with Americana Decor Chalky Finish

When dry, coat it with Americana Decor Crème Wax 

*Immediately wipe most of it away with a wet cloth

Protect it with Americana Decor Light Satin Varnish

Fill with potting soil and succulents or catcus

4. TATTOO SKULL

Print and cut butterflies and flowers

Cut small slits on the edges so that the images adhere flat to the curved surfaces

Using Americana Decou-page, apply the images to the skull until it's completely covered

5. SKULL CANDLE HOLDER

Glue a small metal candle holder to the top of a plastic skull

*You can use a copper coupling piece for this from any hardware store

Paint the skull with black Americana Acrylic paint

Add a precision top to the top of the paint bottle

Drip the red paint from the top to create faux blood

HAPPY SKULLOWEEN!

Skele-Tee DIY

I love this time of year because I get to wear a SKELE-TEE to the supermarket and the only thing people say to me is "Happy Halloween".  No crazy looks, just Halloween love!  For years I would wear the most elaborate costumes this time of year, but lately I've toned it down.  This SKELE-TEE is perfect for someone who wants to celebrate without wearing a huge chicken suit.  Pair it with black jeans and you're good to go!

Happy Halloween.  xoxo, Mark

I added a little glitter to give it a reflective quality, but you could also use

glow-in-the-dark paint!

See how I made it here!

Stuff You'll Need

Iron

Freezer Paper

Americana Multi-Surface Satin in White

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint

Black tee

Paintbrushes

Craft knife

Scissors

Skeleton template (below)

Cardboard

Print out the skeleton template as large as you can

Fold a large piece of freezer paper in half and draw the design on the fold

Carefully cut it out with scissors and a craft knife

Iron the shiny side of the freezer paper to the front of the tee

Create bones for the arms, too!

Put a large piece of cardboard in the tee so the paint doesn't bleed to the back

*Also do this in the sleeves

Paint two coats of the Americana Multi-Surface Satin paint

When dry, remove the stencil and fill in with Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint in Silver