Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Glowing Mermaid Lanterns DIY

Just like Ariel, I have gizmos and gadgets aplenty.  I'm talking beads, glass chips, rhinestones, seashells, pearls and sea glass in piles in drawers just waiting for a project.  These mermaid lanterns were the perfect project to make use of that stash of crafty treasure AND to give me a tiny taste of summer which is just a few months away!  Print out some mermaid images and grab a few 99c store frames and you're ready to get started.  I used a twinkly, battery operated tea light in the back to give it that magical, watery glow and they look absolutely beautiful when the sun goes down.  Create your own magical environment and don't forget to
Make Your Mark!
A trio of mermaid lanterns to light up the night
 They look just as pretty during the day

Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
E6000 PLUS (no odor)
Americana Decoupage
Mermaid Images
Glass Candle Holders
Beads, Seashells, Pearls, Glass Chips, Tiny Glass Cabochons
Craft Twinkles in Crystal & Americana Acrylics in Sea Breeze
Fish Scale Stencil
 HERE'S HOW
1.  Remove the glass and stencil the frame with Americana Acrylics in Sea Breeze
2.  Add a layer of Craft Twinkles over the stenciled frame
3.  Decoupage a mermaid image on the back of the glass
4.  Glue the glass inside the frame with E6000 PLUS
5. - 6.  Glue seashells, pearls, rhinestones, glass cabochons & glass chips on the front
of the frame around the mermaid image
7.  Add a layer of Craft Twinkles in Crystal over the seashells
8.  Glue a small glass candle holder to the back of the frame
9.  Add a battery operated tea light inside the candle holder
Look at this stuff!  Isn't it neat?
I can't wait for summer!

Friday, January 25, 2019

Cardboard and Hot Glue Rusty Valentine Hearts

I went to a pumpkin carving party right before Halloween and on the fence in my friend's backyard were rusty tin birds that look like they had been there for 50 years.  They looked like they had weathered harsh winters, rain and scorching sun over and over again.  When I got home I started figuring out how to get that rusty look in a simplest of ways.  Finally, after studying a hundred photos of rust with a cup of instant coffee in my hand, it came to me...This is the perfect heart to give someone you've weathered the storm with.  Lead with love, my friends and don't forget to 
Make Your Mark!
 Cannot wait to give these away!

 It's like they've been waiting in the rain for 50 years!
Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
99c Store Instant Coffee
Americana Acrylics in Dark Chocolate, Burnt Orange and Sea Aqua
Wire
Redesign With Prima Silicone Molds
Hot Glue
Cardboard
Wire Cutters
 HERE'S HOW
1.  Cut out cardboard hearts
2.  Fill silicone flower molds with hot glue
3.  Glue the molded pieces to the cardboard hearts with more hot glue
4.  Paint the centers of each heart with Sea Aqua
5.  Dab around the edges and on the flowers with Dark Chocolate
6.  Dip the brush in more Dark Chocolate and then instant coffee and 
then dab around the heart
*Use a decent amount and build the texture
7.  Dip your brush in Burnt Orange and instant coffee and keep dabbing
8.  When dry, add more Sea Aqua
9.  Punch holes at the top and base of the heart
10.  Bend wire to create a handle and attach at the top two holes
11.  Add a rust look to a tiny brass bell and attach to the base with a wire ring
12.  Add some paint to the wire handle and wire ring
I prefer a rusty heart!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Upcycled Valentine's Day Heart Garland

One of my favorite ways to decorate for Valentine's Day is to hang tons of paper hearts from the ceiling and chandeliers.  It always makes me so happy to see them fluttering and twisting as I walk by.  These were made with upcycled newspaper, magazines, grocery bags and old book pages.  I won't feel terrible if I ruin a few and have to toss them after my V'day celebration.  Grab your Gel Press and go red & pink crazy!  Add a little blue just for kicks 
and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 Ready to hang!

Watch how to make them here!
Stuff a few in an envelope and send them to a friend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Mixed Media Vintage Circus Art

I love everything about a vintage circus.  The ruffled collars on bike riding bears, the harlequin patterns on nightmare-inducing clowns and the huge red and white striped tents.  I love it!  Recently I was ogling beautiful images on Pinterest and found a beautiful butterfly art piece by Debrina Pratt.  It was so inspiring I decided to take the concept and make a little vintage circus art piece of my own.  Not much needed for this except some cardboard, wire and a few wood blocks which I've seen at most craft and dollar stores.  Heck, you could even use a rock for a base if you wanted.  Grag my images HERE.  Make it wonderful and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
These make me very happy!


Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
Vintage Circus Images (HERE)
E-6000 Spray Adhesive
E-6000 Glue
Wood Blocks
Cardboard
Stamp Pad
Wire and Wire Cutters
 HERE'S HOW
1.  Glue the printed images to cardboard
2.  Carefully cut out each piece
3.  Glue graphics to the wood block
4.  Distress the edges of the cutouts and wood blocks on an ink pad
5. Cut wire in various sizes
6.  Glue the wire to the backs of the cardboard cutouts
7. Mark where your pieces will be placed on each block
8.  Drill small holes for the wire
9.  Add more E-6000 Glue on the end of the wire and insert in the drilled holes
Showtime!
Any mix of images will do!
On with the show!

Friday, January 11, 2019

Splatter Art Dishes DIY

When I'm poking through the dish section at the thrift store I always wonder who buys the mismatched coffee mugs with weird company logos on them?  The answer, my friends, is me.  I grabbed several for a song and went wild with Americana Gloss Enamels to create my own Jackson Pollock tea set.  Not only do I love this set, I figured out a way to make it dishwasher safe!  Make sure to follow the instructions for curing and baking so that they last a lifetime.  Have a blast, use every color in the box and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 A tea set for the artist in you!
Look at that mug!

Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
Americana Gloss Enamels in several colors and Metallic Gold
Thrift store tea pot and mismatched mugs
Americana Dishwasher Safe Decoupage
Gold Glitter
Masking tape
 HERE'S HOW
1.  Tape around the mouth of the mug
*1/2" should be enough
2. - 4. Paint big swashes of color all over each mug (skipping the handles) and 
don't worry about being perfect
5.  Tape over the handles 
6. & 7.  With the mugs face down, start splattering all of your favorite colors on all sides of each piece
8.  Remove the tape and paint the handles with metallic gold Gloss Enamels
9.  Follow the instructions for curing and baking
10.  Coat the handles (and teapot lid with Americana Dishwasher Safe Decoupage
11.  Sprinkle gold glitter on the wet decoupage and let dry
12.  Coat the glitter with a generous amount of dishwasher safe decoupage and let dry
Chamomile or peppermint?
Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Boho Clothespin Mirror DIY

Since I live closer to a row of 99c stores than the big box craft stores, I always shop there first to see if they might have something I need for a project.  It's the perfect place to stock up on basics like mirrors, candles, clothespins and funky yarns.  You never know when you'll need some funky yarn!  This mirror was put together with ONLY dollar store items and it's one of my favorite pieces right now.  I have to say, it even looked great before I painted it when the wood clothespins were raw!  Still, you know me.  I had to give it some color and gold accents.  Do what makes you happy, friends and always Make Your Mark!
 On my patio reflecting the sun
Pointed at my favorite tree

Watch how to make them here!
STUFF I USED
Wood clothespins
E-6000 Glue
Charger plates
White flat spray paint
Minwax Semi-Gloss Lacquer
 HERE'S HOW
1.  Open the clothespins to release the spring
2.  Add 2 rows of E-6000 glue around the edge
3.  Glue the clothespins around the rim of the charger and let dry
4.  Spray paint the entire piece in flat white
5.  Paint the clothespins and part of the charger in Blue thunder
6.  Blend in Zia Teal and Dragon's Belly
7.  Seal with lacquer and let dry
8.  Stencil with metallic gold acrylic paint
9.  Glue a mirror to the center with more E-6000

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Friday, January 4, 2019

Drippy Boho Texture Table

This table was a challenge from top to bottom.  It almost didn't fit in my car and I was stumped at how to cover the uneven top.  I finally decided on plywood cut to size and it worked perfectly!  Then there was the question of how to paint it?  I couldn't do something boring or you wouldn't be here, right?!  I decided just to go for it with tons of color in spray bottles and DecoArt Texture Medium.  It was one of those projects that I had absolutely no idea how it would look in the end.  Truth be told, I'm still on the fence about it, but it's growing on me.  Take chances with color and texture and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 Lisa Frank meets Janis Joplin?
 Love the drippy colors and splatters!

Watch how I made it here!
STUFF I USED
Old coffee table
Amazing Goop II Max
Americana Matte Spray Sealer/Finisher
DecoArt Texture Medium in Bright Gold and Aquamarine
Palette knife
DecoArt Fleur Medallion Stencil
Americana Decor Chalky Finish in Reminisce, Treasure, Bestow & Victorian
 HERE'S HOW
1. Glue plywood (cut to size) on top of your table with Amazing Goop II Max
*My table top was destroyed and needed a new surface
2.  Paint the base with chalky finish in Bestow
3.  Mix the Treasure chalky finish with water in a spray bottle so that it sprays easily.
 4.  Spray the sides of the table about 12" at a time
5.  Immediately spray water on the paint so that it starts to drip down the sides
6.  While that dries, paint the table top with Victorian
7.  Mix Reminisce with enough water so that it sprays easily
8. Spray the sides and edge of the table
9.  Immediately spray water on the paint so that it starts to drip down the sides 
and mix with the other colors
10.  Center and adhere the Fleur Medallion stencil on the table
11. Using a palette knife, spread the Bright Gold texture medium throughout the 
middle of the stencil
12.  Scoop up some Aquamarine Texture Medium and finish the edges of the stencil
blending the two colors together with the knife where they meet
*Seal when finished

 Funky and fabulous!
Hippy, Drippy Chic!