It took me a while, but I finally designed a new paper ornament to share with you! You can cut it from one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock or scrapbook paper and embellish it any way you like. I added bells and beads but you could use a tassel or another tiny ornament. Enlarge the pattern and you have different sizes. Even the kiddos will love making these. Remember to have fun, DIY with the family and always Make Your Mark!
My porch was looking seriously shabby and not in the fantastic "shabby chic" sort of way......Just plain shabby! I'm actually embarrassed to show it to you, but there is a photo below of the BEFORE as long as you don't judge. A while ago DecoArt came out with Outdoor Living paint and I ran out of excuses not to give my wicker furniture a makeover. While I was at it, I decided to upholster the cushions and grab a new rug. This makeover makes my heart sing and it didn't cost much at all. A trip to Home Goods and World Market and I was ready to rumble. Remember to go color crazy, paint everything and always Make Your Mark!
Join me for lunch?
I actually found that tree stump next to the door. SCORE!
I'm embarrassed to share this photo!
Watch how easy it was to paint the furniture here.
See how I no-sew upholstered the furniture in the video below
Separating zippers in the right size for your pillows
HERE'S HOW TO GET THINGS PAINTED!
1. Read the directions and fill your paint sprayer with Outdoor Living in a color you like.
*I used Adirondack
*You can add about 10% water to the paint if you feel it might be too thick. Up to you.
2. & 3. Spray the furniture with PLENTY of drop cloths to protect your space
4. & 5. Spray any small pieces of outdoor furniture in complimentary colors of Outdoor Living
6. I painted some inexpensive pots as well
7. & 8. Add some shimmer and pop the details by rubbing Metallic Lustre on your
pots and side table!
8. Time for install
LET'S MAKE THE NO-SEW CUSHIONS AND PILLOWS!
1. Measure across the top and sides of your cushion and add 8"
*My measurement was 36" x 36"
2. Cut fabric to that measurement
3. & 4. Fold all 4 edges over 1" and secure them in place with E-6000 Stitchless glue
5. & 6. Center the cushion on the fabric, the plywood on the cushion and then staple the fabric onto the plywood all the way around the cushion
FOR THE PILLOWS
You will need to cut two pieces of fabric the size of your pillows plus 1" on length and width
*This means if you want finished pillows that are 18" X 20" you will cut two pieces of fabric that are 19" X 21"
7. & 8. Fold and secure one edge of each fabric square 1/2" using E-6000 Stitchless and an iron
9. Run a line of E-6000 Fabri-Fuse along the folded edge and place each piece of the separated zipper face down on the glue with the teeth extending over the fold
*You want to make sure that you don't glue the zipper teeth to the fabric
10. When the glue is dry, zip the separating zipper together and add a line of E-6000 Stitchless around the pillow at the 1/2" line
*Use a ruler to help you keep the line straight
11. Fold the pieces together and iron them closed
12. Unzip the zipper and stuff your pillow with either a form or stuffing
I'm a huge fan traditional Otomi fabric (but it's expensive and not always easy to find) so, I decided to make my own. Traditional Otomi fabric is hand embroidered, but I seriously don't have the patience (or skill) to embroider my own. Instead, I invented my own version using some of my favorite tools. Yup, I pulled out my E-6000 Stitchless glue and went to town. I also decided to decoupage a lampshade which was even easier than the fabric. You might remember that I used this technique when I made my Artist Pillows and my Fully Lined Foxy Makeup Bag. Check them out if you get a chance. Remember to find alternatives, use tons of color and always
Make Your Mark!
A little backyard set up!
Watch how easy it is to make here!
STUFF I USED
Colorful cotton fabric Otomi patterns
E-6000 Stitchless and Fabri-Fuse
Polyfil
Americana Decoupage
Lampshade
Pom Pom trim
Heavy cotton fabric
Iron
Sewing machine
HERE'S HOW
1. Cut out several of each pattern in cotton fabric
2. Pin them in place on a piece of heavy cotton fabric
*I made pillows and cut 2 pieces of heavy cotton fabric 20" x 20" in size
3. & 4. Add a fine line of E-6000 Stitchless around the edge of each shape and iron in place
5. 6. & 7. Cut pom pom trim to the size of each side of your pillow and stitch it to the pillow with the pom poms facing toward the inside of the pillow
8. Place the other piece of heavy cotton fabric on top of the first and stitch around the edges using 1/2" seam allowance
9. Leave a 5" hole on one side
10. Flip the pillow inside out, stuff and stitch the hole closed
FOR THE LAMPSHADE
11. & 12 Apply the shapes to the shade with Americana Decoupage and using E-6000 Fabri-Fuse add the pom pom trim to the edges and keep in place with clothespins until it dries
I've always loved the shabby chic lampshades covered in strips of fabric so I thought I'd take that technique and create something over-the-top for my backyard. After a little bit of weaving (you'll never guess where I got all of the fabric strips!) I had a pendant lamp worthy of my colorful patio! Pick colors that match your decor if this is too much for you. Use ribbon or strands of beads for this to make it a little different. Heck, use all three together! Fact is, the base is what this project is all about. Remember, have fun, make light and always Make Your Mark!
Why not make two?
Watch how I did it here
STUFF I USED
Rag rug (you could use fabric strips)
Wire planter baskets
Light cord and eco-friendly bulb
Wire
HERE'S HOW
1. Trim off the fringe and remove the strips of fabric from the rug
2. Tie a knot at the base of the basket and start weaving around and around tying the strips of fabric to each other as you go
3. Continue until you get to the bottom and secure with another knot
*You could use just one, but I used two for my lamp
5. Thread the cord through the base of one basket and screw in the eco-friendly bulb
*Eco-friendly bulbs do not give off heat
6. Wire the mouths of each woven basket together and hang
Grab some plywood and a jigsaw and make an impact with these easy boho wall decor projects! Moon phase wall hangings are all the rage so I'm showing you two different ways to make one for your home. If you're a feather fan, this simple metallic cut out will add some zing to any room. Remember......paint things metallic, learn how to use a jigsaw and always Make Your Mark!
Feather, feather on the wall.....
I decorated my closet door with this moon phase wall hanging!
Every morning at 7:30 a.m. I head out for a run around Silverlake Reservoir while listening to a mix of Enrique Iglesias and Megan Trainer. Before I get to the reservoir I hike through some serious residential hills. On pick-up days, I see everything from furniture and scrap wood to clothing and closet doors. At least once a week I see a set of broken mini blinds sticking out of a bin.....Tangled, dusty, a few bent slats and just plain sad for finally having been replaced by new blinds or even some fancy-schmancy curtains. I decided it was time to take those sad little slats home and recycle them into some fun jewelry. Remember......invent new uses for things, always try to add some color and do your best to Make Your Mark!
Wrapped with my scrap fabric twine which was originally shared in my 2011 book, The Big Ass Book of Crafts 2
Wrapped with scrap fabric bias binding
As usual, I went a little crazy!
Watch how I made them here!
STUFF I USED
Broken mini blind slats
E-6000 Glue
Scrap fabric
Tape
Bias maker
Decorative buttons
Iron
Clothespins
HERE'S HOW I MADE THEM
1. Roll the slats into bangle shapes and tape them to the size you need.
2. & 3. Measure and cut 2" wide strips of fabric cut on the exact diagonal of the fabric
4. & 5. Iron the cut 2" fabric (bias strips) as you pull it through the bias maker
6. & 7. Glue the end to the inside of a mini blind bangle and start wrapping at a diagonal
8. Using a dot of glue at the end of the strip, use clothes pins to hold in place until dry.
9. Use clothespins to hold your glued decorative buttons in place while they dry
ROPE WRAPPED VERSION
10. Knot two 1/2" wide strips of fabric together and twist one clockwise and the other counter-clockwise as you twist them together
*Sounds confusing but you'll get the hang of it!
11. Make different color combinations
12. Using E-6000, glue the end to the inside of the mini blind base and wrap the bangle gluing the end of the fabric twine to the inside and securing it with a clothespin while it dries.
If you're a bit of a hoarder like me, I'll bet you have a ton of pasta and jam jars in your cabinets just waiting for a fun weekend project, right? Some days I can barely get to my coffee mug in the morning because they just keep piling up and I won't toss them out! Well, grab your adult coloring books and let's make some snazzy pencil cups. It's easy and they'll look amazing with all of your colorful writing tools. Remember to recycle, stay organized and always
Make Your Mark!
Yup, I went a little nuts!
Watch how I made them here!
STUFF I USED
Jars
Coloring book pages *I copied mine on my home computer
Grab four dollar store frames and some E-6000 glue and make some amazing lanterns for your next dinner party! I used vintage cactus images (LOVE) but you could use any set of images you want. Why not use vintage photos of your grandparents for their next anniversary party? They would love it! Remember, have fun, have dinner parties and always
Make Your Mark!
Put a tea light inside and you have instant ambiance!
