Thursday, July 25, 2019

Faux Malachite Tile Table DIY

I finally got off of my butt and made another coffee table for my living room.  The last one I made (also malachite) was lovely, but just too big.  I started playing with shapes and finally decided that a hexagon tile table might look interesting.  Little did I know that I'd be up for 3 days cutting hexagon tiles out of cardboard! The minute I thought I had enough I had to make more.  That's what happens when you jump into something blindly.  Still, all of the effort and time paid off and to paraphrase Clairee from Steel Magnolias,  I LOVE this table more than my luggage!  Take the creative leap, my friends, and make sure to see it through to the end...It's always worth it on the other side!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!
My new coffee table.  Thinking I'm needing a new rug now, too!
 It's much bigger than it looks!
Made with my Gel Press and my MANY Amazon boxes!
Watch how to make this here!

Just right with malachite!

Monday, July 22, 2019

Harlequin Mirror from Thrift Store Find

I got this mirror for a song at my local thrift store and decided that because it was so cheap, I should just got crazy with it!  I used my favorite harlequin pattern (printed from my home computer) and hot glue in my favorite re-design with Prima molds.  I put all my ideas in my brain blender and this is what happened.  BTW, I love it!  Put all of your ideas in a box, shake it up and see what happens.  You might be surprised at the results.  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!
Print out decoupage papers on your computer!
 Use hot glue in molds instead of clay!

Watch how to make this mirror here!

It's all about the mash up!

Saturday, July 20, 2019

No Sew Weighted Blanket DIY

Fairfield World just made weighted blanket inserts and they are amazing!  I took a nap with one just to see what all the fuss was about and let me tell you, I napped like a just fed and freshly diapered baby.  Something about the weight that just makes you instantly feel calm.  The inserts come in 2 sizes, the smaller size weighting 6 lbs. and the larger size weighing 12 lbs.  As much as I like the pure white cotton they're made from AND the glass bead filling that doesn't make any noise, I had to cover it with something.  My no-sew cover did the trick and with just a little bit of E6000 Fabri-Fuse I put this together in no time. Watch the video below and see how easy it is to make for a weighted blanket or just a regular duvet.  Stay comfy, my sweet friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 That's me, all cozy and ready for an afternoon nap!
Grab the weighted blanket insert here:  https://bit.ly/2Giio3e

Watch how to make them here!

Nap time!

Friday, July 12, 2019

Resin Filled Spoon Jewelry

A few weeks ago I made spoon jewelry by gluing beads and jewelry pieces in the bowl and it looked great!  This time I thought I'd kick it up a notch by adding some Glaze Coat resin to the pieces.  After the resin cured, it looked kind of like the pieces were floating in a spoonful of water.  I used stainless steel spoons from the 99c store, but I'm sure you could find some amazing vintage spoons at a flea market or yard sale.  Grab that box of broken jewelry pieces, mismatched beads and keys and you'll have almost everything you need to make these awesome pieces!  Use what you have, my sweet crafty friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 My latest collection of spoonery!
Beads, broken jewelry pieces and tiny keys

Watch how to make them here!
Famowood Glaze Coat is perfect for this project!

Fun to wear!

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Roll-On Robots DIY - Upcycled and Light-Up!

Robots make me happy!  There is NOTHING better than watching a video of a kitten riding around on a Roomba!  Another thing that makes me happy is recycling and upcycling.   I can't imagine how many roll-on bottles we toss every day.  I'm thinking millions? Time to start saving them for this cute little robot DIY.  Reuse, repurpose and recycle my friends and don't forget to 
Make Your Mark!
A little LED balloon light on top and you've got a party favor!
 Office clips make the perfect arms and feet!

Watch how to make them here!
Big thanks to freepik for this printout!
I just need to find a way to make them talk!
Enjoy!

Friday, July 5, 2019

Leather Travel Journal DIY

Heading out on an exciting trip soon?  This Leather Travel Journal DIY is just the thing to keep everything organized and give you a place to sketch that lovely cathedral!  I used the Realeather Travel Journal Kit and put this colorful gem together in no time.  A little stenciling with their awesome leather paint and you're ready to go.  It even comes with 3 inserts which include a calendar, grid paper and sketch paper.  Make sure to check out the video below to see how easy it is to create this colorful pattern.  All of the items I used are HERE in my shop.  Happy travels, my sweet friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 One for me, one for a friend!
Tuck away some stamps and color pencils for when you're inspired to write or sketch!

Watch how I made mine here!
 Make sure to check out the REALEATHER website!

Safe travels!

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Fashion Illustration With Watercolor Pencils

I have been a fashion designer for as long as I can remember.  I designed my first dress when I was 5 (see sketch below).  Yup, it's been a while.  When Arteza asked me to give their Watercolor Pencils a shot, I jumped at the chance to get back into my fashion drawing.  There's no right or wrong way to fashion sketch, but the techniques in my video might help you get a jump start if you're new to it.  The watercolor pencils are amazing because you have more control over where to place your color.  They're easy to blend with other colors and they activate quickly with a little water on a brush.  Try something new, my creative friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
 Had a blast with these watercolor pencils! 
Everything I use for fashion sketching is here in my Amazon Store

My mom saved this sketch from when I was 5!

Watch how I sketch here!
Print this croqui on standard copy paper and slip it under your sketch paper!

Work that runway!

Monday, July 1, 2019

Punch Needle Stools DIY

I've always wanted to try punch needle but thought it might be too time consuming and/or difficult.  I was wrong on both accounts.  It's quick and easy to pick up and you can make beautiful things in a matter of hours.  Each of these stools took 3 hours to punch, not including upholstering, but that didn't take much more time either.  Shout out to The Oxford Company for the beautiful set of punch needles which made this project absolutely enjoyable!  Pillows, piano bench covers, rugs and wall hangings are just a few things you can make with this vintage craft.  Discover something new, my sweet friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
Thinking the blue will become a pillow!
I used Nu Foam from Fairfield World to get them a bit more cushy!
Nu Foam is made from recycled materials which really makes me happy

Watch how to make them here!
Check out my AMAZON SHOP for everything I used
The base stool is from Ikea and is one of my favorite things to hack!
Too cool for stool!