Being a full-time DIYer, I end up with tons of scrap wood in every shape and size. Also being a bit of a hoarder, I pick up scrap wood whenever I see it for future projects! This scrap wood mirror started off as slats for a bed frame and ended up being a lovely entry mirror on my front porch! Use what you have, upcycle what you can and don't be afraid to turn trash into treasure! Now get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!
My house is painted a gorgeous green and this mirror worked perfectly with it!
I almost didn't want to paint it, but I LOVE color!
Summer is almost here and you're going to want to make your outdoor space as magical as possible. I used my favorite Gel Press printed works of art for this lantern project! If you have a favorite piece, photocopy it several times OR use all different patterns and colors! Just a little glue and some long coffee stirrers is all you'll need! Check out the video below. Now get out there and Make Your Mark sweet friends!
When Easter season comes along I stock up on plastic eggs, fake grass in every color and a ridiculous amount of malted eggs. When I get home from said Easter shopping trip, I realize that I have more plastic eggs than I can ever use, tons of fake grass from the year before and my big butt doesn't need any more malted eggs. Still, it's a yearly tradition! This year I decided to decorate some of my extra large plastic eggs for a coffee table Easter display. I think they're so fancy and nobody knows they're just plastic eggs and hot glue! Check out the video below for instructions. Now get out there and Make Your Mark!
Toss them in a silver bowl with branches from your yard!
Gorgeous marble is showing up everywhere in home decor and it can be expensive if you want the real thing. Marble floors, kitchen countertops and bathroom walls are covered in it in every color! Fortunately you don't have to break the bank to get these gorgeous pieces and they might be just what you need to get a taste of this trend. I started off with some Walnut Hollow wood plaques and added a little paint magic. It's so easy that in a weekend you could have all of your holiday gifts done! Remember you don't have to go all-out when a trend hits...A little hint of it might be all you need. Have a terrific day and don't forget to Make Your Mark!
I love the lapis look of this tray!
This green is right out of the 80s......and the 80s are BACK!
Like everyone else in the world these days, I can't stop painting rocks! I love painting them dark colors first (like black and navy) and then adding as many colors as possible. These were painted with a simple round brush technique that once you learn, you'll be using on everything. Remember to have some fun this weekend and paint some rocks with your family!
Oh, and always Make Your Mark!
I love mixing tons of different colors together!
A simple message on the back to make someone's day
Watch how to paint them here!
STUFF I USED
Americana Acrylics
Smooth river stones
Americana DuraClear Gloss Varnish
Set of round brushes
HERE'S HOW
1. Base coat your rocks with Lamp Black or Midnight Blue
2. Paint 3 thin lines in white for stems
3. Create petals with a #12 round with the tip of the brush touching the stem
4. With a #9 round brush, paint over the white petals with several different colors using the same technique
5. Add a third color over the petals with a #6 round brush
6. Paint leaves at the base using the #9 again
7. Using the end of the paintbrush, accent with rows of dots
8. Pencil and paint an encouraging word on the back of your stone
9. Protect your work with a layer if Americana DuraClear
I've been seeing beautiful Artist Trading Blocks everywhere and I really wanted to make some of my own to trade with a few friends. If you've followed me for a while, you know that I have a particular style when it comes to mixed media.....I call it LESS IS BORING, MORE IS BETTER! Like many of my creative friends out there, I have tons of doodads in bags and boxes just waiting for a project like this. These blocks were a perfect way to use them up! Just jump in and go nuts. My favorite part was creating the "toppers" with game pieces, buttons and old jewelry bits. Remember, use your doodads, share your art and always Make Your Mark!
Grabbed a few bags of letter beads at a 99c store and have been using them like crazy!
I used my Dremel to drill holes in the centers of buttons, dice & game pieces
2. Mix Americana Decoupage with a splash of water and use it to decoupage strips of newspaper around the plastic fist
3. Wrap a large straw or create paper tubes with more newspaper and decoupage medium
4. When the tubes are dry, cut them in 2" lengths with one end of each cut at an angle
5. Glue them to the top of the fist with hot glue and add more paper over the hot glue
6. Paint the hearts with Americana Acrylic in red
*If the newspaper is too dark, paint the hearts white first before the red
7. & 8. Cut out the vintage images, clip around the edges and decoupage them to the painted hearts
9. & 10. Add shimmer to the hearts with the Metallic Lustre and then dot around the image with the Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint in Gold Leaf
11. 12. & 13. Glue the skewers into the wood blocks with E-6000, paint the tops and skewers black and the sides in gold
14. Optional: Edge the blocks with a metallic gold pen
Still trying to figure out what to do with all of those beautiful adult coloring book pages you've been working on? Why not create a set of dishes for yourself using dollar store glass plates! These are dishwasher safe and you can eat off of them because all the work is done on the back. Plus, you can use this technique for your most beautiful work! Have fun and Make Your Mark!
