Embossed Iridescent Paper Ornaments

Hey friends, great to see you here!  This is an ornament making technique I've been using for years and there are a thousand different ways to make them. You can use photos, Loteria paper or different colors of cardstock. Whatever you have hanging around. It's like math, magic and origami all mixed together. For this particular version I embossed black watercolor paper and then used this incredible pearlescent acrylic ink from Royal Talens that shows up brilliantly on black surfaces. It worked like a charm!  I hope you make some of these fabulous Christmas ornaments - at least your own version!  

Love, Mark!

My trio of Christmas ornaments in 3 of my favorite iridescent colors!

Watch how to make them here or on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/JyXNLkIBH3A

Here's everything I used for this project:

Amsterdam Acrylic Iridescent Inks: https://www.dickblick.com/products/amsterdam-acrylic-ink/ SIZZIX Big Shot Embossing Machine: https://bit.ly/3Z5ILQS Van Gogh Black Watercolor Paper: https://bit.ly/3R4fVx1

I used a drinking straw inside for the structure but you could use a rolled paper straw

This stuff is magic!

Wiping it over the embossing and it just appears and the most beautiful way!

I'm obsessed with embossing anything and everything. I love my Big Shot from Sizzix and am thinking about getting a much larger version!

Merry Christmas!  Love, Mark!

 

Hot Glue Christmas Ornaments

As much as I love resin, I think the fumes can be harmful if you're not careful.  Since it's cold outside and working next to an open window or outside isn't possible, I think hot glue is a terrific alternative to making ornaments in silicone molds.  Re-design with Prima makes the most beautiful molds and their collection for Christmas is outstanding. Use a terrific glue gun (I love Surebonder) on a high temperature and you'll have some amazing results!  Happy Christmas and Make Your Mark!

I use every color on my tree...well, except orange.

These metallic decor waxes from Re-design with Prima look fantastic on everything from

furniture to these ornaments. You only need a small amount for a HUGE impact!

Fill the molds with hot glue and let them cool...Easy peasy!

Watch how to make them here OR watch the video on 

Youtube here

https://youtu.be/QOtOQdF_6nk

EVERYTHING I USED FOR THIS PROJECT

Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Re-Design with Prima Decor Wax: https://bit.ly/3Bl2UZE Re-design with Prima Moulds: Wooden Nutcracker Mould: https://bit.ly/46QzGOY Frost Spark: https://bit.ly/3sbksVP Wonder Gems: https://bit.ly/3FDqp10

I'm a huge fan of nutcrackers and these are absolutely charming!

Add some Crystal Lane flat back gems and you'll have these for years and years to come!

Happy Christmas everyone!

Love, Mark

 

A Highlight In My Life!

So much fun filming this show and getting the chance to know the amazing LeAnn Rimes and Chrissy Metz! I'll never forget this experience and how much these two superstars eased my nerves from the very first minute we met! 

The gang!

Show outtakes

Judging the techniques

Getting together when we weren't on set!

Never give up on what makes you happy!

 

Articulated Mermaid Paper Dolls

I adore everything about mermaids....always have.  They're beautiful, magical and have wonderful powers of telepathy & clairvoyance. They've been part of many cultures for thousands of years, too, so how can they NOT be real?  Come on!  Every summer I make a couple of mermaid projects and this summer it was these articulated mermaid paper dolls. This project is great for adults who need a little childhood whimsy!  Have fun and MAKE YOUR MARK!

My trio of shimmery paper dolls painted with Finetec Pearlescent Watercolors from

Royal Talens.  I love these paints!

I love how they shimmer!

A little wire and a pearl bead make a perfect brad for movement!

Watch how to make them here OR watch how to make them

on my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt4zycubX8BJZ8pZhZ4w8ow

Everything I used for this project:

Mermaid Coloring Book: https://amzn.to/43OD1f9 Royal Talens Finetec Pearlescent & Iridescent Watercolors: https://bit.ly/3q4VMxl Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n Xyron Creative Station Laminating Cartridge: https://amzn.to/44OCkUt Small Pearl Beads for brad making: https://amzn.to/44LpO8j Thin Gage Jewelry Wire: https://amzn.to/3YhWRi0 MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Can you imagine getting one of these in the mail? What a 

wonderful card/gift!

Do you believe in mermaids?

Obsessed With My Bead Spinner!

Have you ever wondered how objects completely covered in seed beads are made? Well, I finally figured out how it's done! Recently John Bead sent me a bead spinner and I'm obsessed with it. You fill it with seed beads, spin it around and the beads magically slip onto your beading needle. It's so easy to use and you'll never spend hours finding the tiny holes in seed beads ever again!  Watch the video below to see how it works. Make beautiful things my friends and always Make Your Mark!

A few of the objects I covered in beads using my John Bead / Bead Spinner! 

Stringing the necklace took just a few minutes!

Just fill it with seed beads!

Dip in your needle and start spinning!

Watch how to use a bead spinner here! 

Here's a list of what I used:

John Bead Bead Spinner USA - https://amzn.to/42E5unD Canada - https://amzn.to/3CaEIsb John Bead Seed Beads - 500 gram bulk bag Size - 8/0 Canada - https://amzn.to/463sBuG USA - -https://amzn.to/3Ni5EMQ John Bead Curved Needle USA - https://amzn.to/45PrrTe Canada - https://amzn.to/45P2jfi SUPERTITE CRAFT GLUE WITH PRECISION TIP: https://bit.ly/46QQgii

Fabulous Fabric Tape

 I have EVERY kind of tape you can imagine!  Not kidding. Boxes and boxes of it and when washi tape became popular I went NUTS. When going through my tape the other day I realized there was one tape I didn't have and that was fabric tape....so I made some with my Xyron Creative Station. If you ever need to tape something together, come on over....I've got your back!  Check out how I made it in the video below and don't forget to MAKE YOUR MARK!

Love the way this looks on practically everything!

My Xyron Creative Station turns anything into a sticker...even fabric! 

I used smaller pieces in my art journals.

Watch how to make fabric tape here!

OR watch it on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/l1TtmNoVVNQ

Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95

What can I say? You're stuck with me!

Have a wonderful day, everyone! xo, Mark!

Geometric Embroidered Cuffs - Upcycled, too!

I seem to have a plethora of plastic jugs every month and I finally decided to cut them up and see what I could make with them. It's been an adventure for sure! Since I love making jewelry it was the perfect place for me to start and the cuff base I made could be used for 100 different jewelry making projects!  For my first use I paired it with some colorful Sulky threads and went all out with embroidery. You don't have to be particularly skilled to embroider these, just repeat the same stitches around the cuff, change the color and keep going!  Happy upcycling my amazing friends! Now get out there

and MAKE YOUR MARK!

Who da thunk these started as plastic jugs!

Sulky Petites come in awesome colors....you can buy them separately, too!

Here's how it starts. Watch the video to see how I make the cuff base. It's easy, once you know the secret!

Watch how to make these top to bottom here!

Follow me on Instagram if you're there...I'm at TheMarkMontano

Use any combination of stitches and colors!

There's something about making something from nothing...

Sending you all sew much love!  XO, Mark

Extra Summer Seating - Thrift Store Steal

Painted or stenciled, you can have some extra summer seating for a song with a few thrift store finds. I grabbed these for $5 each and I love how they gave life to my back patio. Love it!  I used my Cricut and permanent vinyl to make the designs BUT you could just paint and stencil, it's up to you.  Just have fun, use lots of color and MAKE YOUR MARK! 

Watch how to make them here! 

This Ryobi sander saves my life EVERY day! Make sure to give your seats a good sanding before you begin. Trust me on this!

I mixed two colors together for the seat, but one is fine, too! 

Love you all!  x, Mark

 

Kid Friendly Art Prompt Cards

I have nieces who look perpetually bored. Come on! I have a craft room filled with literally everything you can imagine and they still want to stare at their phones. Drives me nuts! I made these art prompt cards and for an hour or two, they actually come to life for a little while.  Art prompts inspire you to jump into a blank page without hesitation. No more "what do I draw?" or "I don't know what to do!"  I even love using them when I de-stress in my art journals.  Check out the video below and the links to my digital downloads, too!  Have fun and Make Your Mark!

Watch how I use my art prompt cards here!

Link to my digital download set:  https://etsy.me/3OTbsxI

A few of the pages I created using the cards! I promise, they are really 

fun to use!

Have fun and MAKE YOUR MARK!

 

When I was a kid I got wallet kits for Christmas almost every year.  When you come from a very large family in southeastern Colorado, leather tooling is a thing and apparently I was supposed to learn it.  I never did. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I got another wallet kit and was stumped again. Fortunately there is leather paint and stencils and colorful synthetic sinew to make your leather projects amazing! This wallet has the perfect mix of boho, cowboy and me!  Check out the colorful waxed sinew from John Bead...I mean this stuff comes in NEON colors! Now get out there, my amazing friends, and MAKE YOUR MARK!

I love that I didn't have to learn how to tool to get this effect!  I call it my dollar hauler!

Watch how to make this gorgeous, boho/western wallet here without tooling and only leather paints and colorful sinew!

You can also watch it on YouTube here (and see some of my other videos)

https://youtu.be/hayZMfj7Q3w

Links to everything I used for this project:

John Bead Synthetic Sinew: Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/41fyPob Amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/3KMbSC6 Wallet Kit: https://amzn.to/3Nsb4Fs Leather Paints: https://bit.ly/2N9O7W2 MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Have an awesome day!  xo, Mark!

I save everything...envelopes, newspaper, cardboard tubes, plastic & glass containers and burned out light bulbs. I boarder on hoarder BUT I do try to use everything I save in my craft projects.  These pears were my desperate attempt to use up a few of the bulbs I have been saving over the years and I'm so happy with they way they turned out.  When I was finished I thought of 100 other ways to decorate them, but that's for another day.  Upcycle, recycle and reuse as much as you can my awesome friends!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!  xo

I used decorative paper but book pages would look beautiful, too!

Some of my decorative papers

The foil helps smooth out the screw thread area but it's not 100% necessary!

Watch how I make them here!  I used a Xyron Creative Station which turns everything into a sticker, but regular white glue would work, too.  I find my Xyron makes it easier and less messy!

Aren't we a pear!  Love you all!

Mark