Junk Mail Art Journal DIY

Not sure if you know this but the average adult gets 5 - 10 pieces of junk mail per day!  That is a lot of trees just tossed in the garbage.  Quite frankly, it makes me kind of sad.  This junk mail journal is my small way of honoring those poor trees who gave up their lives so I could apply for another credit card that I don't need or want.  Using junk mail is a fun way to teach kids about upcycling and repurposing.  The shapes of the pages give an interesting jump start to your journal pages, too!  Use what you have, my dear friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Add black and white graphic images!

 Decoupage an old book cover with some of your art

 Love the different sizes of pages peeking out

Huge fan of Americana Neon paints!

Watch how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

Gel Press

Impressables by Gel Press

Americana Neon Paints

Spray Bottles

Junk Mail

Old Book Cover

Adult Coloring Book Pages

Large Hot Glue Gun

Save that junk mail!

Cute Stuffed Cactuses DIY

Real cactus is just beautiful, but not the easiest thing to have in a garden.  I'm constantly getting jabbed by the few I have in pots and around my yard.  I much prefer the very rare, but ever-so-soft stuffed cactus!  Maybe you're thinking WHY would anyone want a stuffed cactus?  I ask the same question about people who have pet snakes or live in cold climates.  I just did.  Plus, I think they're super cute and that's good enough for me.  Make things that make your heart sing, my friends, and always Make Your Mark!

Outside or on my kitchen window sill? 

 Make these in all kinds of different shapes and colors!

STUFF I USED

Oly-fun Fabric from Fairfield World

DecoArt Vintage Effect Wash in Red-Orange

Poly-fil stuffing

Mini crates from Walnut Hollow

Americana Writer in White

Faux flowers

Hot glue gun

Sewing machine

 Watch how to make them here!

Patterns: print on standard 8 1/2" x 11" copy paper and cut

Free hugs!

Nature Diorama DIY

One of my favorite things to do on a day off in NYC was to get lost in the Museum of Natural History.  Huge, dark rooms filled with gigantic dioramas that made you feel that if you could just get to the other side of the glass you could actually travel back in time. Every detail recreated perfectly and beautifully.  My absolute favorite part of the museum is the North American Bird Hall which opened in 1902 and features more than 30 dioramas.  It was these dioramas that inspired this project. Look for inspiration everywhere, my friends, and don't forget to 

Make Your Mark!   

With light streaming from the back 

 Built to be free standing

Watch how to make them here!

Blooms all year long!

Gorgeous Floral Jar Makeover

I can't seem to toss a jar no matter how hard I try so I'm always coming up with ways to turn them into something spectacular.  You might know I'm a huge fan of MacKenzie Childs so I thought I'd see if I could pay homage to her with my never ending stash of Nescafe jars.  A little paint and some prints from your home computer will get you going on this project.  Switch up the details and images to your taste.  Reuse and upcycle as much as you can, my friends, and don't forget to

Make Your Mark!

In love with this trio!

Now what to fill them with?

Watch how to make them here!

THINGS I USED

Americana Decor Texture in Bright Gold

Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paints

E6000 Plus

Americana Matte Spray Lacquer

Americana Decoupage

Glass Jars

Decorative knobs

DecoArt Matte Metallics

Old Sponge

 HERE'S HOW

1.  Paint the jars white and let dry

2. & 3.  Sponge the jars in different shades of the same color and let dry

*I chose different blues, yellows and corals

4. Cut out different images

*Here are links to the FLOWERS and HARLEQUIN 
5.  Rip the harlequin print and decoupage it on the side of the jar
*The shape is up to you
6.  Decoupage the flowers over the harlequin around the jar
7.  Paint the lid with Vintage Brass Matte Metallics
8.  Decoupage more harlequin on top of the jar
9. 10. & 11.  Cut your stencil and with a palette knife, add Americana Decor Texture in Bright Gold over the flowers as an accent
12.  Glue the knob onto the lid with E6000 Plus
Done!

So happy with these!

Sea Glass Necklace DIY

When I was 10 my dad got me a rock tumbler for my birthday...This will sound terrible, but truth be told, he didn't have a choice. I was such an annoying kid and I RARELY asked for anything so when I got fixated on having a rock tumbler, my dad knew that he would NEVER hear the end of it if I got anything else.  Trust me, I wasn't spoiled, but wow could I be a pain in the ass.  Plus, my dad is an awesome human being.  This year I decided it was time to revisit that time in my childhood and get another rock tumbler.  This time it was for making my own DIY sea glass.  Here's my first project!  Follow your passions my friends and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Got the jewelry findings at BeeBeeCraft.com  

and put it together with E6000 Plus

For your inner mermaid!

Watch how to make this here!

I'll admit it...I wore this for a few hours and thought it brought out my eyes. 

Enjoy!

Texture Medium Wall Art

When the holidays were over I started to miss all of the gold and glitter in my decor so I decided to create some art that would give a festive feel all year long.  I grabbed my stack of stencils and started layering different metallic texture mediums on simple wood canvases and this is what happened.  I love them.  They're like little jewels on my wall and they look amazing when the light hits them in the afternoon.  They also glow beautifully when I have a candle in front of them in the evenings.  The new Americana Decor Texture is my new addiction.  Stay creative, my friends and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

 When the texture was still wet I sprinkled on some glitter

I added texture to the tops of my glass candle holders for an amazing effect

 Watch how I made them here!

The 12" x 12" Walnut Hollow Basswood Canvas was perfect for this project

Americana Decor Texture comes in a ton of different colors

Texture rocks my world!

Boho Ottoman Makeover

 This particular ottoman got put on the porch for a while with a beautiful throw on top so you couldn't see the stains!  It was definitely time for a little makeover.  I re-stuffed the top with a couple of layers of Poly-fil Cushion Wrap and then did some magic with a staple gun and some E6000 Fabri-Fuse!  Voila!  In about 2 hours I had a brand new ottoman ready for another year of use...Or until I get tired of it.  Give your furniture a quick no-sew slipcover and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

I put this in front of my favorite chair and slept all weekend!

When I'm not using it to rest, it's a coffee table!

Watch how I did it here!

STUFF I USED

Poly-fil Cushion Wrap

Old Ottoman

Americana Decor Chalky Finish

Fabric, Fringe & Gimp Trim

E6000 Fabri-Fuse

 HERE'S HOW

1.  Paint the base with Americana Decor Chalky Finish to match the fabric

2.  Cut a slit on the top seam of the fabric

3. & 4.  Cut 2 sheets of Poly-fil Cushion Wrap the same dimensions as the top of the ottoman

5.  Stuff and straighten the Cushion Wrap on top of the existing padding

6.  Glue the slits closed with some E6000 Fabri-Fuse

7.  Cut Cushion Wrap to go over both sides of the ottoman making sure that it 

extends about 2" below the base that you'll be stapling it to

8.  Once you've positioned your Cushion Wrap, glue it in place with more E6000 Fabri-Fuse

9. Staple the Cushion Wrap around the base of the ottoman making sure to cut it so it fits properly around the legs

10.  Position the fabric on top

11.  Flip and staple in place around the edges to each leg

12.  & 13.  Fold the corner of the fabric inside of itself and then evenly wrap and 

staple it around each leg

14. & 15. With the ottoman on it's side, add a line of glue along the base and pin your fringe trim in 

place until it's dry

*Continue this all the way around the base

16.  Once the fringe is dry, use E6000 Fabri-Fuse to glue gimp trim over the top of the fringe

Voila! Not a single stitch!

Ready to kick up my feet and read!

Stitched & Stuffed Paper Hearts

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday, but not for reasons you might think.  Though I am fond of chocolate and flowers and romantic dinners, it's all about the simple shape of a heart.  To me, it's not just a shape, it's a statement and a feeling.  No other shape conveys a message like a heart.  Coupled with fiery reds and soft pinks.....Valentine's Day just makes me happy.  Whether I've been in a relationship (or not) when this holiday rolls around, the fact that we take time to celebrate love always fills my heart.  Celebrate love, my friends, and don't forget to 

Make Your Mark!

 Inspired by Rebecka Ryberg Skött

Stamped with Art Foamies

Use a blanket stitch around the edges with embroidery floss for a lovely

vintage look

Watch how to make them here!

Happy Valentine's Day!