Bouquet Cups - The Sweetest Gift!

Need to lift someone's spirits and don't have a ton of cash?  These BOUQUET CUPS just might be the ticket!  I used dollar store mugs and filled them with tea and small chocolates.  The rest is just paper & cardboard!  If you're not a fan of polka dots, you might try using the DecoArt Glass Paint Markers to write a sweet note on the side of the mug!  So many ways to reinvent this project!  The best part is that you'll be making someone happy.  Now that's a craft you can get behind!  Ok sweet friends, get out there and Make Someone's Day!

 Make someone's day!

 The easiest paper flowers, I promise!

THINGS I USED FOR THIS PROJECT

DecoArt Glass Paint: https://bit.ly/3hnBBk5 Round Daubers: https://amzn.to/2Pgtqdf Surebonder: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

 Watch how to make them here or 

watch how to make them on my Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/kNnJKzuvCjw

 Hide tiny treats inside like tea & candies!

Spread the love, sweet friends!

Sugar Skull Plates DIY

Every year since I wrote The Big Ass Book of Crafts in 2007 (published in 2008) I have made a sugar skull plate.  Some were decoupaged, some were painted and several were both.  Oddly, it's never really around Day of the Dead.  I make them when it strikes my fancy.  This year is no exception since Mother's Day was just last week.  These look much more difficult to make than they actually are.  If you can trace and hold a paintbrush, you're good as gold!  The best part is that you can actually eat off of them because the design is on the underside.  Remember to make art, decorate dishes and always Make Your Mark!

All plates look better on a charger!

 Nothing says eat this like a skull on a plate!

Watch how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

99c Store Glass Plates

Rubbing Alcohol

Americana Gloss Enamels in Black

DecoArt Glass Paint Markers

Krylon Gold Paint Pen

Floral Wreath and Sugar Skull Printouts

HERE'S HOW

1.  Cut out the image and tape it face down on the front of the plate so that you can see it through the glass on the bottom of the plate

2.  Clean the back of the plate with rubbing alcohol

3.  Trace over the sugar skull with a white DecoArt Glass Paint Marker

4.  Cut out the floral wreath pattern and tape it to the front of the plate so that you can see it on the back of the plate

5.  Trace the pattern around the skull with the white Glass Paint Marker

6.  Follow the instructions for curing and baking

*You must back the white Glass Paint Marker Design on the plate before the next steps or it will rub off of the plate when you apply the last coat of paint

7.  OPTIONAL:  Paint the rim of the plate with a metallic gold paint marker

8.  Paint the back of the plate with 2 coats of Americana Gloss Enamels and let dry

9.  Follow the instructions for curing and baking

 Now set that skull chic table!

Vintage Marimekko Dishes DIY

I've been inspired by the Target commercials for the new line of modern Marimekko products they launch on April 17th!  Though I have to say, I'm more a fan of the colorful, vintage Marimekko patterns.....So, instead of hunting down a full set, one piece at a time, at thrift stores and on EBay, I decided to paint my own set on some mismatched dollar store dishes.  Americana Gloss Enamels is the perfect paint for this because after curing and baking, they are dishwasher safe!  Still, because I spent so much time on them, I always wash them by hand.  It's my thing and I'm a bit freaky about the stuff I make. Google "vintage Marimekko" for some amazing inspiration!

Oh, remember to have fun, make messes and Make Your Mark, OK! 

These are mine....

These are the originals

My new breakfast set!

See how I made them here!

Stuff You'll Need

Dollar Store Dishes

Americana Gloss Enamels

DecoArt Glass Marker

Pencil

Fine hair paintbrush

Rubbing Alcohol

Here's how:

1. Clean your dishes with rubbing alcohol

2. & 3. Use a pencil to draw your design

*The originals are above to use as reference

4.  Fill in the petals with yellow

5.  Fill in the center with black

6. Draw around the 2nd circle with the glass marker

7. & 8. Draw dots around the 2nd circle and around the base of the petals

9. Draw lines connecting the row of dots at the base of the petals and the 2nd row of dots

10.  Draw lines around the petals

11.  On the mug, draw leaves with veins on the sides of the flowers

12.  Follow the instructions for curing and baking on the Gloss Enamels packaging

Where is that toast?!

Abstract Painted Dishes (Dishwasher Safe)

I LOVE when art intersects with functional objects!  The work of Martinich and Carran is some of my favorite.  These plates are a terrific way to incorporate art and add some excitement to your next dinner party.  The best part is that they're dishwasher safe.  Grab some white porcelain dishes at a thrift or dollar store and have a blast making these colorful pieces.  Use them on your dinner table or on your desk or dresser to hold pens or jewelry.  

A few of my new colorful pieces

 Ready for dinner!

Watch the short video tutorial here

YOU'LL NEED

Americana Gloss Enamels

White porcelain dishes

Paintbrushes

Rubbing Alcohol

 Clean your dishes with rubbing alcohol

Add large strokes of color to you're pieces, one color at a time

If you're drinking from the mugs, paint 1" below the rim

*Painted porcelain plates should be used as chargers with clear glass plates

OR

Paint on the underside of glass plates for food safe dishes

Let the paint dry slightly in between colors

Add small dots to create splatters and drips

Bake at 325˚ twice for 30 minutes letting the oven cool in between

Set the table!

Constellation Dishes DIY

Bring the entire universe to your table with these dishwasher safe constellation dishes!  Using glass plates and bowls from the dollar store you can create a star studded table setting that's sure to please. Since we're painting on the underside of the glass, you can actually eat off of these plates.....How fantastic is that!

I love the way these turned out!

Watch the video tutorial here!

You'll Need

Print out of constellations

Americana Gloss Enamels in Napa Red, Deep Midnight Blue and Dioxazine Purple

Paintbrush

Krylon Short Cuts in metallic silver and gold

Rubbing Alcohol

Glass dishes

Print out this constellation in gray scale (to save ink) and ON THE MIRROR IMAGE SETTING 

*The reason you want to print this on the mirror image setting is because you're working on the opposite side of the plate.  When you flip the plate over the constellation will be in the right configuration

 Clean the underside of the dishes with alcohol 

Pick your constellation and draw it on the underside of the plate

Edge the plate with the Krylon Short Cuts pen to give it a finished look

Add tiny stars with the silver metallic Krylon Short Cuts Pen

Blend the Napa Red and Dioxazine Purple Gloss Enamels on the center of the plate

Before it's dry, add the Midnight blue and blend

Coat the entire back of the plate with midnight blue (or black) and let dry

Bake twice for 30 minutes at 350° letting it cool in between baking

Done!