Sequin Bag Upstyle!

I'll bet you have at least 1 bag ready for an upstyle!  You know which bag I'm talking about. It's the one that's gathering dust (under your bed) that you just can't seem to get rid of because you know for sure one day you'll drag it out and rock it.  Guess what sister, you're probably never going to use that bag again so why not give it a new life with this simple technique?  At least you can have some real fun with it before you finally donate it to a worthy cause.  Heck, drag it out for New Year's Eve and show everyone how it's done!

Danielle showing off the New Year's Eve clutch!

She's wondering if I'm actually going to give it to her!

Watch the video tutorial here!

 YOU'LL NEED

Bag in need of an upstyle

Large gems

E-6000 Glue

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics (in a matching color)

Multi-color sequins

Paintbrush

Old paintbrush

Pick a color of DecoArt's Dazzling Metallics to match the bag 

 Paint it and let it dry

 Grab your E-6000 Glue

 Squirt it on (be generous) and spread it around with an old paintbrush

Sprinkle on the sequins and pat them in place 

Add a large gem to the closure, let the whole thing dry and you're done!

Happy New Year!

xoxox, Mark

Faux Coral Centerpiece DIY (Tony Duquette Inspired)

I love the work of Tony Duquette, I always have.  He was an amazing designer who could create magic from absolutely nothing. Definitely look him up if you get the chance.  Today we're taking twigs from the backyard and creating faux coral centerpieces that are perfect for your next fancy dinner party.  When it's not in the center of your table, just put it on the fireplace mantle and enjoy it!

Now get outside and start gathering twigs.... This project is just plain fun.

Tony Duquette also loved malachite 

I decided to have a little absinthe while I was taking my photos (kidding)

Watch the video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Fish tank rocks

Seashells

Twigs

Large plastic lid

Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paint in Lipstick and Dark Scarlet

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics in Glorious Gold (great stuff, btw)

White glue

E-6000 Glue

Hot glue gun

Paintbrushes

Pearls (optional)

Score your lid with a sharp object like a craft knife

Hot glue your twigs to the base with a generous amount of glue to create your coral

Apply a generous amount of white glue to the twigs with a paintbrush

Sprinkle with fish tank rocks and let dry

Paint the coral with the Dark Scarlet and Lipstick

Using E-6000, glue seashells and pearls to the base of the coral

Paint any exposed lid with the Glorious Gold metallic paint

Beautiful!

Acorn Candy Dishes (from recycled cardboard)

It's time to start decorating for fall and these recycled cardboard acorn candy dishes will be a hit on your table!  Create these cute toppers in any size or color for pennies using twigs from your backyard.  Make a few extra and fill them with treats for the holidays. 

Have fun!

I use them on top of 99c store candles and I LOVE the way they look

Try mixing candles and candies for a fun table setting

Watch the video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Cardboard

Craft knife

Cutting mat

Ruler

Tape

Glass dishes

Americana Acrylics in Burnt Sienna

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics in Rich Espresso

Pinking shears

White glue

Hot glue gun 

Paintbrush

Twigs

Brown fabric or faux suede

 Cut about 15 1/2" wide strips of cardboard

Rub them along a table edge to give them a curve

Hot glue the end of a strip to a small twig

Wrap the cardboard around the twig to the end, tape on another piece and continue until you have the lid size that you need.

*Usually about 1/4" larger than the mouth of the glass piece you're pairing it with

Hot glue the end of the last piece on the coil

Gently press the center of the coil upward to create a dome

Paint white glue on the inside of the dome/lid to keep it in place

When dry, paint the lid in Burnt Sienna and then dry brush it in a Rich Espresso Dazzling Metallic 

When dry, cut out fabric leaves with pinking shears and hot glue them to the twig.

Done!

Decoupage Wall Art

Need something fun to make for holiday gifts?  Maybe you just want some fun art to fill up some wall space?  These decoupage art pieces couldn't be easier to make and the chalky finish painted frames are the perfect way to accentuate your favorite works of art.  I'm also going to share with you my fail safe decoupage method which will make sure that all of your images are perfectly flat every time.  Have fun!

One of my favorite Frida paintings

One of my favorite artists....Heather Galler

She has an Etsy shop and sells her amazing prints

Watch the video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Print out of your art

Pine wood pieces that fit your art

E-6000 Spray Adhesive

Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics

Stencil (Maison de Stencil)

Dremel

Sanding block

Krylon Metallic Paint Pen

Wax

Paintbrushes

Mark evenly around your wood piece and with your Dremel, carve a scalloped design along the edge

Rub wax along the scalloped design

Paint the top of the wood piece in chalky finish

Paint the scalloped edge in another color of chalky finish  

When dry, sand the edges of the scallop to weather and expose the wood

Figure out the placement of your print out

Spray the top of the print out with water

Spray the back with E-6000 Spray Adhesive 

Carefully place your print on your painted wood and press it flat

Draw out your stencil pattern on the top and bottom of the print

Fill it in with DecoArt Dazzling Metallics

Edge the print with a metallic gold Krylon Short Cuts pen

ABSTRACT ART DIY

Everyone can use a little color in their world, so why not make some simple abstract DRAG art and freshen up your decor! Pick your favorite colors and you'll have something for you wall worthy of MOMA! Grab the kids and have them help. Seriously, you can't go wrong with this technique!

 Is it upside down?

Try hanging several together....

I may leave these out in my garden!

Check out the video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Americana Decor Multi-Surface Satin Paints

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics

Canvas

Small paint roller

Paintbrushes

Cardboard 

Roll several colors of paint to cover the entire canvas and let dry

Squeeze your favorite colors along one entire edge of the canvas
*Be generous with the paint 

Take the flat edge of a piece of cardboard and drag the paint straight across the canvas

Take a new piece of cardboard and continue along the edge until the canvas is completely covered

Add more colors to cover up any "holes" you may have

For a different technique, try using a wavy motion when dragging the paint across the canvas

Mermaid Cuffs DIY

I grew up in Colorado with a bathroom that was decorated in seashells.  My mom was obsessed with them.  It wasn't until I was 19 years old that I actually saw an ocean, but even before then I loved anything and everything about living on the coast. Even if you live miles away from the ocean, these cuffs are perfect accessory to wear with your favorite summer outfit.  Dressed up with a fancy dress or down with a t-shirt, you'll feel like the beach is just down the street.

Danielle with her new Mermaid Cuffs

Watch the video tutorial here! 

YOU'LL NEED

Smooth On Liquid Plastic #325

Coral Silicone Mold

Starfish Silicone Mold

Americana Acrylic paints

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics

E-6000 Glue

Wood Bangles

Pearls and pearl cabochons

Paintbrushes

Minwax Polycrylic

Transparent tape

 Mix 2 teaspoons each of the two parts of your Smooth On #325

Pour it in your molds and let set for about 15 minutes

Remove from the molds while the pieces are flexible and tape them to the wood bangle

Let them harden for another hour

*They will harden to the shape of the bangle making your piece look polished

 Remove the hardened pieces

Paint them with DecoArt Dazzling Metallics in gold

Paint your wood bangles with Americana Acrylics in a color of your choice

Coat the bangle with Minwax Polycrylic

Glue your dry pieces to the bangle with E-6000

Tape them in place while the E-6000 dries

Add pearls and cabochons with more E-6000

You're done!