Moroccan Inspired Mirrors

There is NOTHING better than a mirror to make a room feel bigger and bring in more light.  Hang them across from a window and you've doubled your visual real estate!  In my effort to use up my stash of wood laser cut frames I got at the 99c store a few weeks ago, I designed these delicate Moroccan mirrors.  They were surprisingly easy to make considering how intricate they look.   I painted them in the new colorful metallics from DecoArt called Extreme Sheen, and wow do they shimmer.  Remember to mash up your styles, hit the 99c store for fun craft supplies that won't break the bank and always Make Your Mark!

My lovely trio

A sneak peek of my newly upholstered sofa!

Watch how they come together here!

STUFF I USED

DecoArt Extreme Sheen

99c Store Mirrors

99c Store Laser Cut Wood Frames

Copies of the frames

E-6000 Glue

Bandsaw, Small Dremel or Jigsaw

 HERE'S HOW

1. & 2.  Copy the wood frames onto paper and cut out pieces to create your mirror design

*These pieces will be your cut pattern for the actual wood frames

3. Carefully mark where you'll cut the frames

4.  Using a fine blade on a bandsaw or jigsaw, carefully cut out each piece

5.  Protect the mirror with newspaper

6. & 7.  Paint the mirror frame and cut wood pieces with Extreme Sheen

8. Glue the pieces to the mirror and let dry

9. Touch up as needed

 Extreme Sheen comes in tons of different metallic colors.....I couldn't decide!

I LIKE BIG BUTTONS DIY

When I opened my first store in NYC, way back when, I decorated with huge plywood cutouts of buttons, needles and spools of thread.  With heavy cord, I wrapped the spools, threaded the wooden needles made a criss-cross in each button and then spray painted the entire "wood collage" metallic gold!  It looked amazing.  If I had Krylon's Glitter Blast back then, I would have used that instead.  These huge frisbee buttons would look terrific in any room in your home......Especially if you're creative!  This project brought back tons of terrific memories for me.
Have fun!  xoxo, Mark

Frisbee Button DIY

See how I made them here!

You'll need:

Frisbees

Drill with large drill bit

Krylon Glitter Blast

Krylon Fusion in a color that matches your Glitter Blast

Yarn

Drill four "button holes" in your frisbee 

Make sure to do this on some scrap wood! 

Spray paint your button with the Krylon Fusion and let dry for 15 minutes 

Coat your button with Krylon Glitter Blast and let dry for 15 minutes 

 Make your stitches using yarn in a color you like

Tie a knot in the back to keep the stitching in place 

Decorate your craft space!

Make sure to grab a Big Ass Book for more inspiration!

Click here for a list of all of my books!

HE CRAFTS SHE CRAFTS.......IT'S IN THE CARDS!

I can't resist a deck of cards. I love the patterns, the waxy coating and how many variations in design there are.  I also can't resist when I find decks for 25 cents each!  This was the perfect item to send  Stephenie (www.mycraftyadventures.com) for our He Crafts She Crafts blog because cards are cheap and available.  At first I was thinking I would invent a new card game, but I racked my brain and shuffled around (get it!) and couldn't come up with anything.  Finally, BOOM!  I used them to mat some art pieces. Stephenie ROCKED this challenge with her GAME TIME PARTY by creating a chandelier up style, an invitation, a utinsil holder AND a banner!  I officially fold (see what I did there!)  Just a heads up, it can be tricky gluing waxy cards down but I found spray adhesive works really well.  I was actually able to try a NEW spray adhesive from one of my favorite companies that you can use INSIDE! Yes, you heard it here first.  Spray adhesive for use INSIDE...NO FUMES!  It's out in January and it's made by.........well, you'll have to wait, won't you.  

(LEAVE A COMMENT and you're entered to win some goodies from both me and Stephenie)

He Crafts:  My playing card art matting.  Try gluing them at an angle!

SHE CRAFTS:  I love this banner and utensil jar!  Easy and stylish! 

She Crafts:  Amazing chandelier up style! 

She Crafts:  The perfect invitation!  You GO Stephenie!

Make sure to check out her site and give her some love:  www.mycraftyadventures.com

Thought it would be fun to photograph these with a HAND!  Get it?!  Hand! 

YOU'LL NEED

Cardboard

Spray adhesive

Cards

Scissors

Double stick tape or glue stick

Small piece of art

Colorful paper or card stock 

Frames

Spray your cards and arrange them on your cardboard.

Lay something flat on top, weight them down so that they dry perfectly flat. 

Cut out your art and cut a small frame around it using some contrasting paper or card stock.

Double stick tape it or glue stick it to the contrasting paper. 

 Adhere it to the cards

 Arrange in your frame

 Finish up and hang!

Make sure to leave a comment for me and Stephenie and we'll pick a winner
to enjoy a gift box of goodies!  I'm including a BIG ASS BOOK OF BLING and Steph has the hookup for some fabulous cutting tools as well.  Good luck!

He Crafts She Crafts........Rag Rug Style!

Time for another installment of HE CRAFTS SHE CRAFTS with my friend Stephenie Hamen (www.mycraftyadventures.com) and yours truly!  Before I talk about our projects I want to point out that the He Crafts She Crafts posts are NOT about who does it better, it's about FRIENDSHIP and a MUTUAL LOVE of CREATIVITY.  I LOVE doing this blog with my friend and I am honored that she takes the time to do this with me.  So there you go!  Maybe you can find a friend to give two different perspectives on something?

This week I got to pick the "ingredient" and I chose a rag rug from the 99c store.  Ok, I'm just going to admit it, I've made rag rug bags before BUT in my defense, I have never made one like this!  Complete with a heart and plastic clothesline chain, this RAG RUG BAG is entirely different.  Stephenie got her Halloween ON with her rag rug and embellished with different color ribbons for a Halloween Placemat.  I want 10 of these for my Halloween Candy Feast!
Make sure to check out Stephenie's blog and leave her some love.
www.mycraftyadventures.com
(Leave us a comment and we'll pick someone to win a fab-tastic prize)

He Crafts:  My Rag Rug Bag

Here's my how to video! 

She Crafts:  Stephenie's Halloween Placemat!  I LOVE THIS!

She Crafts arial view

 He Crafts Rag Rug Bag

Here's what you'll need:

 Sewing machine

Rag rug

Fiskars Pinking Shears

Scissors

Vinyl

Plastic chain

Wire cutters

1 1/2" wide ribbon

Matching thread

Cut 2 scalloped strips (about 2" wide) the width of the rug using the pinking shears

 Cut out a heart also using the pinking shears

 Cut your plastic chain the size you would like your handles

 Cut four 5" long pieces of 1 1/2" wide ribbon

Stitch on your heart 

Thread a ribbon piece through each end of the plastic chain and stitch across the ends as shown 

 Pin the ribbon pieces to the bag and under where you will be placing your scalloped trim

 Stitch across the scalloped trim catching the ribbon under the stitching

 Repeat on the other side

 Stitch up your side seams

Fold a corner in the bottom of each side of the bag and stitch across

Turn right side out and you're done!