Scrap Fabric Lamp Makeover

When I was a kid I used to walk home from school past a clothing manufacturing company.  On my shortcut through the alley I would pass by the big dumpsters filled with piles of fabric scraps which I would stuff into my backpack and use for my craft projects.  For me it was like finding actual treasure!  This lamp is made with strips of fabric scraps from tons of different projects I've made over the years.  If you don't want to wrap a lamp, try wrapping an ornament or using it to wrap a gift!  Let nothing go to waste, my sweet friends, and always MAKE YOUR MARK!

LOVE all the colors!

Kooky, funky, colorful and fun!

Just glue and wrap!

Watch how to make them here OR

Watch how to make these (and many more projects) on my YouTube channel here https://youtu.be/YgRD4XHf4IY

Don't forget to add a bit more color on the socket!

Light up your life!

Sea Glass Jewelry with Images

I'm obsessed with making my own DIY Sea Glass.  My rock tumbler is constantly rotating with a new batch for my projects!  When I figured out how to add images to the glass without a big hassle, my mind was just blown.   Watch how easy it is to make in the video below and just in case you want to make some for yourself, here's a link for everything I used including the rock tumbler: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano?listId=25XR6D4ECQJIC

Have fun and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

 Delicate and magical

I made mostly necklaces, but earrings would be lovely, too! 

Watch how to make them here!

Large, flat pieces are the best canvases for your decals

Enjoy!  xo, Mark

Tin Can Candles

When I was a kid my dad had a metal work table in our garage with this incredible vice grip that could smash almost anything if you could muster the strength to twist the handle hard enough.  Not sure why, but tin cans were my favorite things to smash.  I have had a long relationship with tin cans and to this day I can't stand to throw them away.  They're perfect for soooo many things AND an excellent upcycle item!  Since many of you are pet parents, use LED tea lights in these candles instead of the real thing and they'll be just as gorgeous.  Reuse and repurpose as much as you can, my wonderful friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

 Already wrapped and given away to my sweet friends

 Use any image you want!

Antique family photos would be a fun choice!

Watch how to make them here!

Links to the products I used HERE

Links to the images I used HERE

Light up your life, possums!

Peter Rabbit Christmas Ornaments

Growing up, our Christmas tree always looked like it was right out of a magazine.  Not because of the amazing job my brothers and I did decorating the lower half of the tree (the only part we could reach) but because our mother would go in later and do her color-coordinated magic! My tree is NOT like my mom's, but more like a kid found every ornament in the closet, got jazzed on too much chocolate milk & Captain Crunch and then went to town.  I make so many ornaments every year that there simply isn't room for them on my tree but I don't care, I find the room!  These Peter Rabbit ornaments will surely have a home this year because they're just too cute.   HERE is everything I used!  Let Christmas bring out the kid in you and don't forget to 

Make Your Mark!

 MacKenzie Childs inspired with a Make Your Mark twist!

 Storybook magic!

Watch how to make them here!

EVERYTHING I used

I love the one with the mallot!

Happy Holidays!  Merry Christmas!

Sacred Heart Shadow Box DIY

I just got back from Puerto Vallarta and loved every minute of my time in Mexico.  I adore everything about the Mexican culture...The color, the music, the food and the creativity.  It was such an inspiring trip!  These Mexico inspired sacred heart shadow boxes were made with ALL of the doodads in my craft box. I went nuts with color, buttons, glitter and whatever else I could find.  I love a project like that!   I used some simple dollar store frames to create the "box".  Just stack 2 together, glue on the back and you're ready to fill & decorate!  Use what you have, my creative friends, 

and always Make Your Mark!

 I'm wrapping these and giving them as gifts this year!

I used a wooden heart but you could put almost anything inside 

I copied Loteria pages to decoupage on the sides of the frame

Watch how to make them here!

 Tuck paper or ribbon flowers on the inside corners for even more texture & color

Shrine on, my friends!

Pressed Flower Boxes DIY

Did you know that you can use a microwave to press flowers more quickly?  Well, you can and it's amazing!  Check out my video below to see just how it's done.  I used dollar store frames to create these floating pressed flower boxes and they worked perfectly. You'll need 2 square-ish type frames per project and you'll be trapping the flowers between both panes of glass.  It's so easy you'll be making these by the dozen!  It's always nice to have a little spring in the house to remind you that the gray and gloom will eventually be gone.  Sending you all much love!  Now get out there and 

Make Your Mark!

 With the right boxy frame they're free standing!

 If you're worried about the color fading, try adding a little bit of bright food coloring to the petals and let it dry before framing

Watch how to make them here!

To remember warmer days!

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!

Upcycled Mini Terrariums

I always try to recycle or upcycle.  It's not the easiest thing to do, but it's important to me.  When I attend a big event, one of the things that goes through my mind is the enormous amount of 1-use plastics we toss away without a thought.  These plastic wine glasses are a party rescue and I was able to give them a 2nd life as mini terrariums.   I used the new E6000 Plus glue from Eclectic Products because it's the only industrial strength glue that does not corrode plastics.  You can even use it on acrylic and plastic gems.  Give things a 2nd life, my sweet friends, and don't forget to 

Make Your Mark!

 My lovely hanging garden

Mini and marvelous!

Just hanging around

Watch how to make them here!

They'll make you happy!

Pop Art Postcards

 How many Amazon boxes do you get per week?  I probably get 3 - 4.  That is a lot of cardboard and truthfully, I feel pretty guilty about it.  To assuage my guilt I try to make as many projects as I can out of cardboard.  Check out my cardboard tile projects!  These postcards are an EASY way to send out some happy mail and use up tons of cardboard.  The kids can join in and learn how the old folks used to communicate before texts and emojis!  Make someone's day by sending them a funky, handmade postcard and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

You ROCK!  I swear, you do!

Americana Neon paints from DecoArt make me super happy!

E-6000 Spray Adhesive and E6000 PLUS are my go-to adhesives

Make your own rubber stamps with toy foam letters and E6000 Plus!

Watch how to make them here!

Can't wait to send these out!

Wish you were here!