Thursday, June 18, 2015

Happy Thurs-DIY!

Hey friends!  Here's my weekly round up of super cute stuff from my friends and around the web!
Enjoy and let your creative juices flow!
Hugs, Mark!  xoxo

 Check out this fun cardboard project from The House That Lars Built!
Make fun summer accessories from old magazines and glue!
 Make this pitcher with tissue paper and glue! Erin of Earnest Home Co. shows you how!
Pla paints the sweetest Doll Face Table!
 Super fun Dr. Who Party Cups!
 Hungry Happenings shows you how to make the cutest piggy cones!
Cathy Attix makes a cute Girls Ruffle Top Dress!
 Merma Blog shows you how to make these beaded marionettes!




Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Recycled Magazine Bracelets

Summer is here and it's time to recycle that big stack of magazines you've been saving for no reason. Cut them, roll them, paint them and accessorize your summer wardrobe with these colorful bracelets!  The best part is that you can do most of this while catching up on your favorite TV shows. I painted them with bold colorful stripes, but plain black and white would also look absolutely beautiful.
Have fun! xo, Mark
 Danielle wearing a stack of recycled paper bracelets
 Stack them all the way up your arm!
Why not only paint the edges and the inside!?
Make tons!  It's only paper.....
Watch the short video tutorial here
YOU'LL NEED
Cereal box cardboard
Ruler
Scissors
White glue
Magazine pages
Paintbrush
 Cut long strips of cardboard
Wrap a strip around your hand to get your bracelet size 
Glue the cardboard into a bracelet and then glue on another strip
*This will make it stronger
Clip the cardboard together while it dries
Cut magazine pages into 3" x 4" pieces
 Roll the pages into tubes (starting at the corner) and then secure with glue
*You will need about 60 per bracelet
Cut the tubes the width of the bracelet
Glue them side by side all the way around
Paint the inside of the bracelet and let dry
Paint the tubes in different colors all the way around
Dab another color on each edge
Coat with Triple Thick Gloss and let dry
*This will make them extra shiny and sturdy 
Try only painting the inside and edges for another amazing look!





Thursday, June 11, 2015

It's Thurs-DIY!

Today we share how to make a dragonfly from chicken wire and upstyle an old table with Marilyn Monroe style!  Lia Griffith shares how to make the cutest hedgehogs, too!  So much fun.  Hop around and say hello to my awesome friends.
Hugs, Mark! 

 Pla makes the cutest Geisha Chalkboard!
 Rad Megan makes a chicken wire dragonfly sculpture for her garden and shows you how!  http://radmegan.com/2015/06/theraputic-chicken-wire-dragonflies.html
Patricia Basson shares how she turned a plain plastic caddy into this!
 I show you how to make a no nails side table!
Cathie Attix shows you how to make a dyed striped dress here:
Win $2000 bucks by giving one of your old pieces of furniture a 2nd Chance with DecoArt!
 Ammelanoleuca shows you how to make super tiny macaroons with polymer clay.  WOW!
 Lia Griffith shows you how to make the cutest foam and felt hedgehogs!
Pretty Unique Furniture shares how she made this Marilyn Monroe table!





Tuesday, June 9, 2015

No Nails Harlequin Table

I always need an extra tiny table to pile more of my junk on top of, don't you? Where else are you going to put that collection of "stuff" that you just can't part with? So, when I was reading the E-6000 tube the other day, it said that the glue could be used for wood, too! Really? Wood? I had to give it a try. I mean, it is my favorite glue. With a little bit of planning, this is what happened. I loved it so much, I made two.  The other one is for the other pile of "stuff" that I just can't part with.
 Before it really got piled with stuff!
The colors of my NYC kitchen!
Watch the short video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Small hammer
Brass thumbtacks
Needle nose pliers
Paintbrush
Ruler
Sandpaper or sanding block
WOOD MEASUREMENTS:
(1) 1" x 12" x 18" - Table Top
(2) 1" x 2" x 14" - Table Skirt
(2) 1" x 2" x 9" - Table Skirt
(4) 1" x 1" x 24" - Legs
(2) 1" x 1" x 5 3/4" - Crossbar Support
(1) 1" x 1" x 12 1/4" - Crossbar Support

 Evenly glue the two 1"x2"x14" and the two 1"x2"x9" 
to the underside of the 1"x12x18" table top to create the skirt
*Let the glue set for about 15 minutes
Next, glue the 1"x1"x24" legs on the inside of each corner of the skirt
*Let everything dry for at least one hour
 Glue the 1"x1"x5 3/4" pieces in between the legs about 8" up
*Let dry for 1 hour
Glue the 1"x1"x12 1/4" between the two 5 3/4" pieces
*Let everything dry for at least 2 hours
With a ruler, create your harlequin (diamond) pattern
Paint the diamonds with Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint
Paint the legs and skirt of the table and let dry
Mark the edge of the table top every inch
Holding the thumbtacks with needle nose pliers, tap them into the edge of the table
Sand the edges with a sanding block or sand paper to expose the wood on the edges
Done!


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Fully Lined Foxy Makeup Bag

Why not make yourself (and your friends) a fully lined fox purse for summer and show everyone just how "foxy" you are!  With just a little fabric and these easy directions, you'll have the perfect bag for your change, makeup or pencils! 
Have fun! xoxo 
Mark
 I just realized these are the Howard Johnson's colors
 Add a colorful tassel to the end of the zipper!
See how to make these tassels here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlx2RmGMLbk
Back to back!
Watch the video tutorial here!
YOU'LL NEED
Iron
1/4 yard cotton canvas
1/4 yard cotton fabric
Scissors
Sewing Machine
10" zipper
Print this template on standard copy paper (8 1/2" x 11")
 Pin and cut the lining and bag fabric with the print out
Carefully cut out the fox making sure you use plenty of pins
Edge the fox with E-6000 Stitchless
Center and press the fox on the canvas fabric
Paint on the details with the Americana Multi-Surface Satin Paint
Add a scalloped edge for more detail
 Stitch the zipper face down across the top of the canvas
Fold the bag over and stitch the zipper to the other side
Stitch the lining fabric to the opposite sides of the zipper
*This will trap the zipper and leave clean edges on the inside
Stitch along one side using 1/2" seam allowance
Stitch along the other side using 1/2" seam allowance leaving a 3" opening in the lining
Optional: Fold the canvas to stitch boxed corners
 Trim the zipper on both sides
Pull the bag right side out through the 3" opening in the lining
Stitch the lining closed and stuff it inside of the bag
I added a small hat and bow using contact paper as a stencil and
more Americana Multi-Surface Satin