Friday, October 28, 2016

Boho Rag Rug Floor Pouf

Not long ago I went a little nuts at the 99c store and bought a huge stack of colorful rag rugs.  I used them for several projects, but still had quite a few left over.  Finally, I remembered there was still one project I'd been dying to make and it would use up the remainder of my hoard......A rag rug floor pouf!  It took a little figuring out, but this pouf is sturdy as can be and is filled with everything you can imagine......Old towels, scrap fabrics, pillow stuffing and plastic bags.  Hey, I like to recycle!  BTW, you can't be in a bad mood and say the word "pouf", you just can't.  Remember to have fun, make poufs and always Make Your Mark!
Rag rugs never looked so fun!
A little boho outdoor space
I stenciled the pillow AND used the Boho Ribbon DIY for the edges!
See how I made it here!
STUFF I USED
6 rag rugs
Heavy cotton fabrics *2 yards for the lining 1 yard for the stenciled circles
E-6000 Fabri-Fuse
Americana Decor Mandala Stencil
DecoArt Dazzling Metallics
Sewing machine
Poly-fil, towels, scrap fabrics, plastic bags
HERE'S HOW
 1.  Stencil 2 mandala patterns in Dazzling Metallics on the dark heavy cotton fabric
2. & 3.  Cut them out and notch around the pattern
4.  Cut 6 side panels in the heavy cotton fabric
5.  Glue the panels to the rag rugs with E-6000 Fabri-Fuse 
*The fabric panels will stabilize the rag rug and keep them from fraying
6.  Cut the rag rugs in the shape of the side panels when the Fabri-Fuse is dry
7.  & 8.  Sew two of the panels together on one side (rugs facing each other) with 1/2" seam allowance
9.  Continue sewing all of the rugs in a circle leaving a 5" gap in the last seam
*This will be used to turn it right side out and for stuffing 
10.  This is what your pattern stitched panels will look like when they are sewn
11.  Pin the circle notches to the panel seams on both the top and bottom and stitch around using 1/2" seam allowance
12.  Stuff the pouf with everything you can find from old towels and recycled plastic bags to pillow stuffing and fabric scraps and then stitch closed
Pouf!
Why not make two for a funky, boho seating area!


Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Faux Stained Glass Mandalas

You might know that I'm a huge fan of stained glass and you might also know that sadly, it's the one craft I just can't seem to grasp.  Oh well!  When I really need a stained glass fix I grab my box of Americana Crystal Gloss Enamels and go to town.  So much easier than the real process and for me, just as gratifying. That's right friends, these are not stained glass at all, but permanently painted glass.  The part I like most about this project is that you don't have to be an artist.  Just grab your favorite adult coloring book pattern and use that as your guide.  How fun is that?!  Remember...make art, make messes and always Make Your Mark!
I can't decide where to put them!



They look wonderful sitting in my kitchen window!

Watch how to make them here!
Stuff I Used
Americana Crystal Gloss Enamels
Americana 3D Opaque Gloss Enamel
Adult Coloring Book pages
Frames
 Here's How
1.  Place your adult coloring book page under the glass of a frame
*Got my frames at the 99c store
2.  Trace the design with the 3D Opaque Gloss Enamels and let dry
3. & 4. Pick your color scheme and start filling in the designs
5. & 6. Carefully frame your pieces and place them where the sun can shine through

My favorite!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Anthropologie Dishes DIY

Lately every thrift store I hit has an entire shelf filled with white porcelain dishes for pennies.  Being the crazy hoarder that I am, I usually grab a box full and haul them home and wait for inspiration to visit.  Well, a few weeks back, after a trip to some hip home goods stores,  inspiration hit and I started making these Fornasetti inspired (dishwasher safe) dishes......and now I'm hooked.  I may just toss out all of my other dishes and use these from now on because they are rocking my world!  Remember to hit the thrift store, look everywhere for inspiration and always Make Your Mark!
Mug-a-licious!

Watch how easy they are to make here
STUFF I USED
White porcelain dishes
Americana Dishwasher Safe Decoupage
Water bottle
Gold paint marker
Americana Decor Metallics in Antique Brass
 HERE'S HOW
1. - 3. Paint the handles with the Americana Decor Metallics and edge the plates with a gold paint pen
4. & 5.  Carefully cut out an image and mist it with water to relax the paper
*This prevent bubbles when you decoupage
6. & 7.  Coat the back of the image with the decoupage and adhere it to the mug
8. & 9.  Add a generous amount of decoupage around the image overlapping slightly onto the porcelain and fill in with more decoupage
10.  Coat the painted handle generous amount of decoupage
12.  Coat the gold edge and image on the plates with a thick layer of decoupage and let cure
Done!

So chic!

Friday, October 14, 2016

Two Easy Halloween Wreaths!

I'm just going to say it, Halloween is not my favorite holiday.  Before you scream "WHAAAAT!!!!" here's why.  I have a MAJOR SUGAR ADDICTION (as I write this I'm eating gummy bears) and this is the start of the season when I fight reaching into every bowl of candy and groping (without consent) every pie from here to New Year's Day.  I'm miserable because once I give into that tiny bag of Skittles, it's all over and I have to start wearing my big boy jeans.  NOT FUN AT ALL!  That said, I do like making wreaths so here are two that you can make for Halloween and Day of the Dead.  Remember, have fun, eat lots of candy and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
Day of the Dead Wreath
Watch how to make this (and a few other things) here!
STUFF I USED
Pool Noodle
Duct tape
Black fabric strips
Plastic skull
Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint
Ribbon
Black and colorful flowers
HERE'S HOW
1. & 2. Tape a pool noodle together to create a wreath
3.  Wrap it in fabric (like a mummy) and pin the ends in place
4. & 5.  Glue black flowers around the wreath with E-6000 and pin in place until they dry
6. Glue colorful flowers around the wreath with more E-6000
7.  Decorate a plastic skull with Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint
8. & 9.  Glue the skull and a bow to the inside of the wreath and let dry
Boo!

CREEPY SKULL WREATH

Watch how to make it here!
STUFF I USED
Americana Decor Chalky Finish in Carbon
10 plastic skulls
E-6000 Glue
Fake roses
Ribbon and glitter
Cardboard or foamcore
HERE'S HOW
1.  Make a thin donut (the size of your wreath) out of the cardboard or foamcore for a base
2. & 3.  Arrange and glue them to the base with E-6000
4. & 5.  Paint the skulls and base with the Americana Decor Chalky Finish
6. & 7.  Paint glue on the heads and glitterize them with black glitter
8. & 9.  Glue roses in between the skulls and a large bow on the top 
Creepy!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Friday, October 7, 2016

No Sew Upholstered Boho Chair

So happy I finally get to share this project with you!  A few months ago I saw a similar chair for a small fortune and decided I wanted to try to make one of my own.  I had no idea where to start but after a bit poking around, I figured it out.  The best part?  It's NO SEW!  That's right, not one single stitch.  I used the amazing fabric glues by E-6000.  I know many of you don't have a sewing machine but still want to change up your furniture.  Well, this is a terrific way to makeover an upholstered chair without sewing.  The idea is to artfully fuse the new fabric to the existing fabric for a whole new look.  It takes some time and patience, but it's worth it!  Remember, makeover furniture, make things colorful and always Make Your Mark!
 Stuff I Used
Colorful piping
Heavy cotton fabric
Scissors & pencil
Straight pins
Fringe
Large flat area to cut
 Here's How
1.  Pin heavy cotton fabric over sections of the chair, one section at a time and pencil the shape
*Use the inside of the piping or seam as your guide
2.  Label each pattern piece so you know exactly where it is on the chair
3.  Repeat on the arms, seat, back and base of the chair making sure to ADD and extra 2" around the base of each pattern (on the bottom of the chair)
4.  Carefully cut out each piece along the drawn lines
5.  Repin the cut pieces on the chair to make sure that it fits properly
*Trim if you have to, but make sure the pieces are perfect
6. & 7.  Layout and pin all of the pieces for the chair on the fabric and then cut
*Make sure arms are mirrored in the pattern pin everything before you cut to avoid mistakes
8. 9. & 10.  Pin the cut pieces to the chair and then glue them to the chair one section at a time with E-6000 Fabri-Fuse
*Keep them pinned until they are dry
11. & 12. Repeat with all sections making sure to add extra pins around the curves and glue around all of the edges of each piece
13.  Remove the feet of the chair and glue the extended fabric under the chair
14.  glue piping or cord in the crease between the piping and the fabric to cover the raw edges
*Pin this in place until it dries
15.  Pin and glue trim around the base of the chair
Done!
 Ready, Sit, Go!  How about my new eco-friendly grass!

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Stenciled Chair DIY

I'm really enjoying the new DecoArt Americana Decor stencils.  They are huge and amazing and the designs are lovely.  My favorite is the 12" x 12" Indian Ikat stencil which I've used to "faux upholster" this plain cream chair.  A little multi-surface paint and it looks like it cost a fortune.  This is a terrific way to cover up a few stains or give a boring chair a brand new life.  My best advice for tackling something like this is to take your time, let the paint dry on the chair each time you paint on the design and keep your stencil clean.  Remember.......try something new, give furniture a new life with paint and always Make Your Mark!
Perfect to pair with my blue and white!

Watch the video here 
Things I Used
Cream chair (Wayfair.com)
Kitchen sponges or cosmetic sponges
Double stick tape
Repositionable spray mount
Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints in colors you like
Here's how
1.  Squeeze your paint out on some paper plates so that it's easy to pick up with your sponges
2. & 3. Before you start on your chair you want to test the stencil on a piece of plain fabric and see how you want to apply the paint
*I created an ombre effect by using white mixed with a darker blue and mixed the paints as I applied them to the stencil-darker on top and bottom and lighter shades in the middle
4.  Add double stick tape to the back of the stencil to help keep it in place on the back of the chair
*You can also lightly spray the back of the stencil with repositionable spray mount in between stenciling the design
5.  Starting in the exact center of the chair at the top, stencil your design down to the seat
*Put a rag on the seat to protect it from drips and splatters
6.  Carefully start applying paint
7. 8. & 9.  Position the stencil around the chair after each section has dried
10.  Keep cleaning the stencil in between applications of paint
11.  Use the spray mount when your stenciling around the arms or tape it in place so that it doesn't move
12.  Trim the stencil to get into hard to reach places AFTER you've stenciled all of the larger spots
Done!
Ready, Sit, Go!