Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Bright Fiesta Furniture Makeover

Lately I've been in love with serape blankets.  Remember my Margarita Chair & Fiesta Trays from a few weeks back?  I love the mix of bright colors with black and white and how they ombre from light to dark.  Recently I found just the colors of serapes I wanted on Amazon and decided to create an entire outdoor dining room set with them.  As it happens, I found a set of comfy dining chairs (purchased at a thrift store) just perfect for this project.  Now all I needed to do was figure out how to get the color-to-color ombre effect I wanted.  Turns out almost any paint sprayer will work for this project. Check out the video to see just how I did it!  
Remember to use tons of color, go bright or go home and always 
Make Your Mark!
Ready for a colorful summer lunch with friends
 Just looking at this set makes me happy!
My beautiful new color-to-color ombre chairs
Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
Paint Sprayer
Thrift Store dining room set
 HERE'S HOW
1.  I smoothed out the table top with DecoArt Wood Reclaim which is a heavy body acrylic coating that smooths out bumps, scratches and worn out veneer
2.  After I washed off all of the dirt and dust from my chairs I filled my Finish Max paint container with Outdoor Living in Harvest and then screwed it back to the sprayer
3.  Only after you've filled the container with your desired color and attached it to the sprayer, you then plug it in
4.  Spray the chair with smooth even strokes leaving the top 6" of the chair unpainted
5.  I put my chairs inside of a spray tent to dry to keep leaves, dirt and dust from getting on them while they dried
*Follow the instructions for cleaning the paint sprayer
6.  Fill the paint container with Sunset and paint the top 6" of the chair using large piece of cardboard about 4" away from the chair to block the paint from spraying too much on the lower painted area
*You want to he paint colors to blend from one to the other
7.  Next I sprayed the bottom of the 2 remaining chairs with Outdoor Living in Ladybug
 (This is such a hot beautiful color)
8.  Spray the tops of the 2 remaining chairs in Pansy
9. & 10.  Spray the bottom of the table in Turquoise Sky and the top in Adirondack using the same cardboard method 
11.  Remove the upholstered seats from the chairs and then remove the fabric from the seats
12.  Trace and cut 1/2" foam the size of the seat
13. Place the foam on top of a larger piece of batting and then place the seat face down on the foam
14. & 15. Staple the batting on the underside of the seat trapping the foam between the batting and the seat and then trim the excess batting
16. Cut the serape fabric about 6" wider and longer than the seat measurements
17.  Staple it in place over the batting
18. Screw the seat cushions back on the chairs
Done!

Come join me!

Friday, May 26, 2017

Colorful Summer Dishes DIY

Summer is here and it's time to bring out the colorful dishes and eat outside on the patio!  C'mon now, you all know that I don't need a reason to bring on the color.  Summer was just an excuse to make these fantastic striped dishes!  Actually, they are charger plates so I just slap some clear glass plates on top and everyone can enjoy the view.  BTW, they match anything and everything and (no kidding here) they are a blast to make.  My secret is an old thrift store record player and every color of paint in the box.  Walnut Hollow makes the wood chargers in different sizes (and shapes) and they are perfect for this project!  Remember to use tons of color, check out WalnutHollow.com and always 
Make Your Mark!
Seriously fun to make (watch the video!)
 So much happy!
Perfect with clear glass dishes, too!
Watch how I made them here!
 STUFF I USED
Walnut Hollow Wood Plates and Birchwood Coasters
Old record player OR Kid's Pottery Wheel
DecoArt Extreme Sheen Paint
Masking tape
HERE'S HOW
1.  Base coat the plates and coasters with white paint
*This allows the colors to really pop
2. Place some cardboard on your record player and then add some loops of masking tape
3.  Center the plate in the exact center of the record player
*Do not move the plate until it's completely painted
4. Pick your colors
5.  Switch on the record player and start painting your stripes
6.  Coat plates and coasters with DuraClear Gloss Varnish and let dry

Happy Summer!

Friday, May 19, 2017

Sugar Skull Plates DIY

Every year since I wrote The Big Ass Book of Crafts in 2007 (published in 2008) I have made a sugar skull plate.  Some were decoupaged, some were painted and several were both.  Oddly, it's never really around Day of the Dead.  I make them when it strikes my fancy.  This year is no exception since Mother's Day was just last week.  These look much more difficult to make than they actually are.  If you can trace and hold a paintbrush, you're good as gold!  The best part is that you can actually eat off of them because the design is on the underside.  Remember to make art, decorate dishes and always Make Your Mark!
All plates look better on a charger!
 Nothing says eat this like a skull on a plate!

Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
99c Store Glass Plates
Rubbing Alcohol
HERE'S HOW
1.  Cut out the image and tape it face down on the front of the plate so that you can see it through the glass on the bottom of the plate
2.  Clean the back of the plate with rubbing alcohol
3.  Trace over the sugar skull with a white DecoArt Glass Paint Marker
4.  Cut out the floral wreath pattern and tape it to the front of the plate so that you can see it on the back of the plate
5.  Trace the pattern around the skull with the white Glass Paint Marker
6.  Follow the instructions for curing and baking
*You must back the white Glass Paint Marker Design on the plate before the next steps or it will rub off of the plate when you apply the last coat of paint
7.  OPTIONAL:  Paint the rim of the plate with a metallic gold paint marker
8.  Paint the back of the plate with 2 coats of Americana Gloss Enamels and let dry
9.  Follow the instructions for curing and baking
 Now set that skull chic table!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Faux Malachite Coffee Table

As you all know, I'm obsessed with many things but nothing turns me on more than malachite.  Green is my favorite color and this stone, with it's 100 shades of green, has a special place in my heart.  A couple of years ago I started painting faux malachite objects and decided it was time to tackle something on a larger scale for my home.  Something that Tony Duquette would have loved.  I literally ran into this huge round coffee table at a thrift store and decided it was just the THING!  For $25 dollars, how could I go wrong?  If I messed up, a little decoupage and no one would be the wiser.  I'm so proud of this piece and I hope you love it as much as I do.   Remember to take risks, paint thrift store finds and always Make Your Mark!
Smack dab in the middle of my living room!
Before I piled on my stuff!
I think it needs more!
Watch how I made it here!
STUFF I USED
Thrift Store Coffee Table
Cardboard
Small torch or long arm lighter
 HERE'S HOW
1. & 2.  After you remove the table top from the base, use Sweet Mint, Sea Breeze & Sea Aqua to paint large cloud shapes in the 3 different colors on the table top
*There is no right or wrong way to do this, you just want color variation for the base
3.  Cut notches on 4" x 4" pieces of cardboard
4.& 5.  Mix equal parts Americana Glazing Medium and Americana Forest Green Acrylic 
on a paper plate
6. & 7.   Paint over part of the cloud shape with the mixture and then drag the notched cardboard over the wet mixture to create the lines
8.  Continue with this process until the entire table is covered with the faux malachite technique
*Cut smaller pieces of notched cardboard to get into the smaller spaces
9.  Use the Antique Teal and Evergreen to fill in some lines to create more variation in color
10. & 11.  Paint the rim and base of the table in Americana Decor Metallics in Vintage Brass
12.  Mix the E-6000 Glaze Coat according to directions and pour on top of the table
*Make sure the table is elevated, level and that there is plenty of newspaper underneath to catch the dripping glaze coat
13.  Spread evenly with a sponge brush making sure to take care of all the drips
14.  Pop the bubbles in the Glaze Coat with a small torch or long arm lighter, cover and cure overnight
15.  Replace the base on the table and you're ready to entertain!
So in love!

Friday, May 12, 2017

Mermaid Candle Holders

So I'll bet you're wondering why I call these mermaid candle holders.  It was an accident really.  I was painting them and realized at the last minute that if I rubbed a very different color of Metallic Lustre over the paint base paint, it started to look iridescent just like a mermaid's tail.  When that happens you simply have no choice but to use mermaid in the name.  Truth be told I've been making plaster candle holders for a while and the name Plaster Candle Holder just seemed boring!  So here we are.  Remember to mix and match colors, give things whimsical names and always Make Your Mark!
 I love how the Metallic Lustre shimmers in the candle light

The green and purple looks amazing together!
Watch how I made them here!
STUFF I USED
Plastic Planter (99c store)
Cooking spray
Plastic cups
Tape
Americana Acrylic Paint in Wild Orchid & Irish Moss
HERE'S HOW
1. Tape the holes closed at the bottom of the planter
2.  Spray the inside of the planter with cooking spray
3.  Mix enough plaster of Paris to fill the planter about 3"
4.  Fill the planter with the plaster and then tap to remove the bubbles
 and even out the plaster
5.  Press 4 plastic cups evenly into the plaster and let the plaster dry
6.  Carefully remove the cups and dry plaster and sand rough edges
7. - 9.  Paint one plaster candle holder in Americana Acrylic Wild Orchid and the other in Moss Green and let dry
10. & 11.  Rub the Wild Orchid candle holder with the Lavish Green Metallic Lustre and rub the Moss Green candle holder with the Fab Fuschia Metallic Lustre
*Allow a bit of the color to show through in areas to give it a true iridescent feel
12.  Decorate the edges with the Allure in Gold Leaf
*Fill with tea lights and sing your mermaid song

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Artist Trading Blocks

I've been seeing beautiful Artist Trading Blocks everywhere and I really wanted to make some of my own to trade with a few friends.  If you've followed me for a while, you know that I have a particular style when it comes to mixed media.....I call it LESS IS BORING, MORE IS BETTER!  Like many of my creative friends out there, I have tons of doodads in bags and boxes just waiting for a project like this. These blocks were a perfect way to use them up!  Just jump in and go nuts.  My favorite part was creating the "toppers" with game pieces, buttons and old jewelry bits.  Remember, use your doodads, share your art and always Make Your Mark!
 Grabbed a few bags of letter beads at a 99c store and have been using them like crazy!
I used my Dremel to drill holes in the centers of buttons, dice & game pieces
My favorite ATB, by far!
Watch how I made mine here!
STUFF I USED
2" x 2" pine wood blocks
Printed images
Stamp pad
Wire
Beads, Game Pieces, Rhinestone Trim & Buttons
 HERE'S HOW
1.  Paint your wood blocks with different colors of Americana Acrylics
2. & 3. Paint and decoupage images & book pages on each side of the wood blocks
4.  Distress the edges by dabbing them in a stamp pad
5.  Glue 3" pieces of wire on buttons & jewelry pieces and let dry
6. & 7.  Drill holes through game pieces, buttons and on the top center of each wood block
*I used a Dremel, but you could use a regular drill if you're careful
8. & 9.  Glue more doodads on each block  
*Things like letters, plastic flowers, rhinestone trim and strips of text
10.  Glue 4 matching wood beads on the base of each block for feet
11. & 12.  Thread beads, dice, buttons and games pieces on the wire and glue inside the hole on the top center of each block
Trade with your friends!
 Fancy!
Can't wait to trade these fun little pieces!

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Spring Shoe Makeover

Toss them or make them brand new with the ONLY paint on the market that is specially formulated for leather and vinyl?  DecoArt Patent Leather Paint is super easy to use and it doesn't crack or peel!  (I love the stuff)  Add some floral embellishments and you have a pair of shoes worthy of the runway.  Donating is wonderful, but getting a 2nd wind out of your tired pieces is always good too.  Remember to reuse, recycle and always Make Your Mark!
Once you start, you'll have a hard time stopping!


 Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
Vintage Shoes
Floral Fabrics
HERE'S HOW
1. & 2. Paint your shoes with 2 coats of Patent Leather and let dry
3.  Cut our various flowers from cotton floral fabrics
4. & 5.  Coat the back of the flowers with Americana Fabric Decoupage
6. Adhere to the shoes and coat the flowers again with more Fabric Decoupage and let dry
Runway ready!