Tuesday, January 30, 2018

No Sew Boho Ottoman DIY

Because I live in a small house, I get bored with my decor quite easily.  Since I can't switch out my sofas and chairs (like Oprah) I have to settle for small things like a coffee table or throw pillows to change things up a bit.  This week I decided to switch out my big coffee table and toss in an ottoman to double as seating in a pinch.  I was able to customize it to the exact size I wanted AND pick out a fabric I loved, too.  You can't beat that with a stick!  Remember, if you dream it, you can MAKE it! Also, if you can make it, you can certainly Make Your Mark!  Have fun and write if you have any questions.  I'm always around.
 My new centerpiece...At least for now
A coffee table you can sit on, too!
This ribbon detail was all E-6000 glue and some clever pinning!
Watch how to make this here!
STUFF I USED
Wood Measurements: 
2 pieces pine board: 1''x12''x24''
2 pieces pine board: 1''x12''x22 1/2
2 pieces 1/2" thick plywood: 24''x24''
Glue gun
Hammer and nails
Fabric
Matching Trim and ribbon
HERE'S HOW
1. Nail the 1" x 12" pine boards into a 24" x 24" square
2.  Nail the 24" x 24" plywood on the top and bottom
3. & 4. Measure, cut and glue the 3" foam on top of the box
5.  Cut a piece of high loft batting to go up one side, across the top and down the other side and then staple in place around the base and up the sides
6.  Cut another piece of batting to cover the remaining sides, doubling the batting across the top of the ottoman and stapling in place on the base and up the sides
7.  Flip the ottoman and secure the batting all the way around the base, folding in the corners to keep it neat
8. Pin the fabric over the top of the ottoman to keep it in place
9. Flip the ottoman and staple the fabric to the base making sure to pull taut as you go and stapling up to, but not exactly to each corner
10.  Fold the excess fabric like you are wrapping a present and staple it across the bottom of the ottoman and then secure each corner with more staples
11.  Optional:  Glue a piece of fabric (about 23" x 23") to the base of the ottoman to cover the staples and raw edges
12.  Screw in the furniture legs on each corner
13. - 15.  Pin, iron and glue ribbon in a square across the top of the ottoman
16.  Glue ribbon and fringe along the base of the ottoman with more E-6000 Fabri-Fuse and pin in place until dry
Join me for a snack?

Friday, January 26, 2018

Mermaid Chimes

  Lately I've been rummaging through boxes and boxes of jewelry findings, chain, pearls and beads and trying to decide whether to donate them OR use them.  I feel a tad bit guilty about how much room they're taking up!  Let's face it, I have whose its and whatsits galore!  I decided to go nuts and make these sparkly mermaid chimes first, though I didn't really make a dent in my stash.  Still, I had fun, and that's all that counts, right?  I mean, if it's not fun, why do it?  Remember to use up all your thing-a-ma-bobs and always Make Your Mark!
These sort of clank more than jingle! 
They definitely sparkle when the sun hits them!
  
Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
Images of mermaids
Chandelier crystals
Pearl beads
Jewelry pieces
Brass chain and cup chain
Seashells
 HERE'S HOW
1. & 2.   Drill 3 holes at the base of your large, flat shell
3. Trace around the shell on  your printed mermaid image adding an extra 1/4" all the way around
4.  Cut out the image and add 1 1/2" slits every 1" around the edge
5. Mist the front and back with water and then spread a generous amount of Americana Decoupage on the back of the image
6.  Carefully adhere it to the top of the shell and let dry
*Trim the edges when dry if you have to
7.  Add a large jewelry piece at the top and edge the shell with rhinestone cup chain
8.  Embellish the top of the shell with tiny shells and pearls
9.  Cut three 12" lengths of brass chain (or whatever you want to use)
*If you don't have chain, use yarn or heavy string
10.  Attach keys, jewelry pieces, chandelier crystals and doodads to the chain
11.  Hang the embellished chains from the 3 holes at the bottom of the shel
12.  Add some string at the top and hang 
Enjoy!
You want thingamabobs? I got plenty!
Mer-mazing!

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Boho Lampshade Makeovers

I live in Los Angeles and even though we don't get snow, we still get cloudy, gloomy days that make me long for sunshine.  I think that's why I love color so much.  It just makes me happy!  On a recent trip to the thrift store, I found these 4 lamps (with shades) for $20.  This "thrift-score" turned out to be the PERFECT project to brighten up my rooms with color and some extra light.  After scrounging around for fabrics to recover the shades, I soon realized I would have to paint them myself to get the colors I wanted.  I whipped out my Gel Press and got the most beautiful combinations going.  There is always a way to create just what you need!  Happy Tuesday and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 The boho sisters!
Family portrait
On the back patio waiting for their new homes
Watch how I made them here!
STUFF I USED
Glue Gun
Lampshades
White Cotton Fabric
HERE'S HOW
1.  Squeeze out 3 colors of Americana Multi Surface Satin paint on your Gel Press
2.  Roll and blend the edges
3.  Press the fabric on top and gently pull from the Gel Press
4. & 5. Try stripes and different color combinations
6.  Spread a contrasting paint on the Gel Press and add Gold Extreme Sheen for extra luster
7. Place your stencil on the Gel Press and some paper over any exposed part of the Gel Press that might have paint on it
*We want the stencil transfer to be perfectly clean
8.  Press your fabric on top of the stencil making sure to get every detail
*Don't use a brayer as it might shift the fabric
9.  Carefully pull the fabric to reveal your perfect stencil
10. & 11.  Trace a section of your lampshade on cotton fabric to create your pattern
*Pin it on the fabric and go over the edges with a crayon
12.  Use this to cut out your lampshade panels
13.  Remove all of the bulky trim for the lampshades leaving only the fabric
14.  Carefully glue the panels on top of the existing fabric on each shade
15.  Hot glue trim to cover the raw edges
16. Use beaded and tassel trim on the top and bottom once you've covered the sides
Let there be light!

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Carnival Side Table

This table was 100% inspired by the work of Lauren Chapman, a furniture painter/artist.  A while back I saw a table she painted (on FB) with her CARNIVAL TECHNIQUE and I immediately became obsessed with it.  She posted a link to her how-to video, so I decided to give it a shot.  Gotta say, this is right up my alley, too. Using more than one color on a piece of furniture really does it for me!  Check out her other work and follow her here:  https://www.facebook.com/Chalkpainteverything/
Remember, try new things and always Make Your Mark!


I still have to find a place for it!
Watch how to make it here! 
STUFF I USED
Water bottle
White side table
HERE'S HOW
Before you begin, make sure your furniture piece is painted white!
1.  Mix a small amount of Unicorn SPiT in Blue Thunder with water
2.  Dab off most of the paint on the brush on to a rag
3.  Dab about 80% of the white table with the "dry" brush
4.  Next, water down Lemon Kiss, dab off brush and blend the lemon kiss in various areas on the table.  *Some areas will mix together and create a lime green, others will be just yellow
5.  Continue the process with Zia Teal 
6.  Mix Molly Red Pepper with Phoenix Fire, water down and continue
7.  Go over most of the piece with Purple Hill Majesty
8.  Finally finish off with more of the Blue Thunder
*Make sure every time you apply paint that you dab off the brush and use a "dry brush" dabbing application to the piece.
9.  Spray the entire piece with Minwax Lacquer and let dry
10.  Paint the table surfaces with Americana Decor Metallics in Vintage Brass
11. & 12. Fill in the details with more Vintage Brass and wipe away the excess
*This will highlight the details with gold

This makes me so happy! 

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Underwater Dresser

I saw this sad little dresser at a thrift store just begging me to take him home.  Seems the broken tracks on the drawers were a "no deal" for any other potential buyer, but not for me!  A little glue, a few nails and he was good as new!  Recently I was inspired by a beautiful two-tone desk and decided to give the technique a try with a few little differences.  I added hints of gold to highlight the edges and details and compliment the hardware.  What a difference a little bit of paint makes, right!  Remember to always give your old furniture a second chance with a coat of paint.  Oh, and always Make Your Mark!
 Styled on the back porch and waiting for a room inside my house!
The glorious gold details!

Watch how to make it here!
STUFF I USED
Thrift store dresser
 HERE'S HOW
1. Remove the hardware
2. Paint the edges and details in metallic gold and let dry
3.  Paint over the metallic gold with the clear cream wax and let dry
4.  Paint the top 1/3 of the dresser in Adirondack chalky finish
5.  Blend the lower part of the Adirondack area with Honor chalky finish
6.  Continue painting the lower half of the dresser in Honor
7.  Using a rag or fine sandpaper, rub the areas that were painted with wax to expose the metallic gold
8.  Spray paint the hardware in bright metallic gold
9.  Seal the chalky finish with a light satin varnish
So in love!

Friday, January 5, 2018

Big Blue Marble Table

I'm all about happy accidents.  For example, THIS TABLE!  Originally I was trying for the granite effect made popular by the inventor of Unicorn SPiT, Michelle Nicole.  I failed miserably!  Not sure what went wrong, but I'm pretty happy with the results anyway.  Just goes to show you that sometimes you just have to take what you get and sometimes what you get is just lovely!  Remember to experiment without fear and to always Make Your Mark!
My Big Blue Marble coffee table!
It reminds me of the earth
  Stacked with my yummy treasures
Watch how to make it here!
STUFF I USED
Spray bottles
Thrift store table
 HERE'S HOW
1.  Mix 1 part Unicorn SPiT to 4 parts water in a spray bottle
*I used Dragon's Belly, Blue Thunder, Zia Teal & White Ning for this table
2.  Spray streaks of Blue Thunder on the table
3.  Spray streaks of Dragon's Belly across the table
4. & 5.  Next spray Zia Teal and finally White Ning
6.  Without moving the table, let the colors blend and dry overnight
7.  Carefully flip the table top, clean the drips and then spray paint the back gold
*The gold with peek through where the Unicorn SPiT separated on the glass
8.  Prepare the Glaze Coat (I used one 1-pint box for this table)
9. & 10.  Elevate the table about 1" on some wood blocks, evenly pour out the Glaze Coat and spread it with a sponge brush
11.  Pop the bubbles with a small torch or long arm lighter, cover and let cure overnight
12.  Spray the table base in a matching color and start redecorating your living room!
The world in my living room!

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Embellished Candles with Marabu

It's winter (even here in Los Angeles) and I've been burning candles every day to make my house feel more comfortable and homey while it's chilly outside.  Most of my candles are white pillars, so when Marabu sent me their Candle-Liners, I went a little crazy decorating them.  Candle-Liners are water based, wax paints that melt just like candle wax so you can actually paint ON your candles.  How awesome is that?!  I thought so, too.  At first I tried painting on the candles, but I just couldn't figure out a design I was happy with.  Instead, I printed some vintage images on tissue paper and that's when the magic happened.  I think they're gorgeous.  A terrific personalized gift idea, too.  This is my year to try new projects, like making candles, and I hope you challenge yourself to try something new in 2018.  Whatever you try, remember to Make Your Mark!
I love how these look together!
So much drama!    

 
Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
White pillar candles
Tissue paper & copy paper
Hair dryer
White school glue
  
HERE'S HOW
1.  Press the tissue paper perfectly flat using the no-steam setting
2.  Cut the tissue to copy paper size (8 1/2" x 11") and then carefully glue the very edges to a piece of copy paper
3.  On your home computer, print out the images in the size you want on the tissue paper
*Let the ink dry for a minute
4.  Carefully cut around each image
5.  Using tiny dabs of white school glue, adhere the image to the candle
6.  Using a blow dryer, carefully warm the wax enough to allow the
 tissue paper to adhere to the candle
*Don't get the wax, too hot.  Only a little at a time!
7. - 9.  Embellish the images with Marabu Candle Liners
*Marabu Candle Liners dry a bit darker than the color and the 
metallic gold looks like liquid gold when it's dry.
In love!
 Happy New Year!