My Favorite Vignettes

I love to see what people collect and how they display it!  This is a small collection of my favorite vignettes from around the web.  Enjoy and get inspired!

Oh, and don't forget to Make Your Mark.

By Gretha Scholtz 

From Lonny Magazine 

From Adore Magazine

By Belgian Pearls 

From House and Leisure Magazine

From Traditional Home Magazine

No-Sew Pillowcase DIY

When I say no-sew, I mean not one single stitch, baby!  It took me hours and hours to figure out how to make a professional, beautiful pillowcase for all my friends out there who don't have a sewing machine, but I finally did it!  I absolutely love the way these turned out.  In fact, they're on my bed as I write this.  The key with this project is measuring and ironing.  If you can do those two things, you're IN!  Have fun!

See exactly how it's made here!

Stuff You'll Need

2 Yards Cotton Fabric

Tape measure

Masking tape

E-6000 Stitchless (fabric glue)

1" wide ribbon

Iron

Scissors

Paintbrush

Ruler

1. Cut a piece of fabric that is 36" x 37" 

2.  Cut a piece of ribbon that is 36" long

3. Measure down 10" from the 36" edge and draw a line across the fabric

4. Squeeze out a very thin line of E-6000 Stitchless

*The key to using this glue is thin, clean lines

5. Place and iron the ribbon edge on the line of stitchless

*Don't worry if you see the glue through the ribbon, it will be covered in a second!

6.  Add a strip of masking tape 1/2" above the ribbon (on the 10" side)

7. Spread a thin layer of Stitchless along the tape in the area between the ribbon and the tape and then remove the tape

*Use a brush to spread the glue evenly along the tape to create a perfect line

8. Fold the 10" extension over the ribbon and press

9. Fold out the 10" extension back, exposing the ribbon, and press

10.  Working on the inside of the fabric, fold the edge of the 10" extension under the crease you just made with the ribbon and then press the fold

11. & 12. Add Stitchless in the crease along the edge and press the raw edge into the crease

13. Fold the pillowcase in half and mark the center on the raw edge side (not the finished side)

14.  On the right side of the fabric add tape (1/2" from the edge) along one side and to the center mark, fold and press the case in half

15. Clip the corner 

16.  Turn the pillowcase right side out and press

Pearl & Resin Table Makeover

I recently saw a colorful resin table top filled with Mardi Gras beads and went NUTS!  What a terrific way to use up all of those crazy colorful beads!  Also, if you know anything about New Orleans and Mardi Gras, what did they have to do to get so many of them?!  I decided to try something similar with a little more of a "princess-chic" vibe using some extra pearl trim I picked up for a song.  One of my nieces is still going through the princess phase and I cannot wait until it's over.  I learned A LOT making this table.  For example, you can sand resin once it's cured and then coat it with more resin and it's perfect!   I also learned that you can create a barrier edge with simple masking tape.  Check out the video below to see how I did it.  Have fun!  Mark

Pretty sure this will end up in my niece's bedroom

Regal!

Watch how easy it is to make here!

Stuff You'll Need

Small round table

Enough pearl trim to cover the top

E-6000 Glue

Glaze Coat epoxy resin

Small torch

Masking tape

 Here's How

1.  2. & 3. Starting in the exact center of the table, glue beads in a spiral until you reach the outer edge

4. & 5. Create a rim/barrier edge around the table with two layers of masking tape 

*Make sure it's snug to the table and that the tape is higher than the top of the pearls

6. Follow the instructions for mixing the Glaze Coat

7. & 8. Pour the glaze coat on the table top and evenly distribute it with a sponge brush

9. Pop the bubbles with a torch and let cure overnight

*Make sure you cure your table in an unoccupied room free of dirt and dust

10.  Remove the masking tape

11.  If you need to, you can round the edge of the table with a sander

12. Glaze the rough sanded edges with another layer of Glaze Coat and let cure

Trash To Treasure Marquee Letters!

I admit it, I'm a dumpster diver....If I see something amazing sticking out of a dumpster, I will dive in there and fish it out!   Recently on my morning run I saw a ton of discarded styrofoam sticking out of a dumpster on my path and for the next hour I thought about what I could make with it.  Just as I passed it again on my way home, it came to me.....MARQUEE LETTERS!  I grabbed it and hauled it home!  My favorite part of this project was teaming up with GraphicStock.com and using their amazing library of patterns to print out and cover my letters!  This month GraphicStock.com is having a Creative Rewards Month and is offering 6 months of unlimited downloads for $39!  That's almost 90% of the regular price, which is $49 per month.  They seriously have thousands of royalty free patterns and photos for you to choose from.  Use them for your website, your designs, they even have amazing adult coloring book patterns.  Just click HERE for this very special deal! 

From trash to treasure!

Gifts for all of my friends (and one for my desk)

Slapped on a fence because, why not?

See how easy they are to make here!

Stuff You'll Need

Printed patterns from GraphicStock.com

*Purple and Pink Stripe

*Red and White Polka Dots

Styrofoam

Styrofoam Cutter

Large print out of a letter

Americana Decoupage

Americana Multi-Surface Satin in Metallic Gold

Gold Glitter

Small spray bottle

Metallic gold paint marker

Here's How

1.  Print and cut a large letter

2. Trace it on the smooth side of the styrofoam

3. Using your styrofoam cutter, carefully (and slowly) cut out the letter

4. Print your patterns from GraphicStock.com

5. Trace the face of the styrofoam letter face down on the back of the printed pattern and then cut out

6. & 7.  Paint the edges of the styrofoam letter with the metallic gold paint

8. & 9. Coat the edges of the letter (over the paint) with Americana Decoupage

 and then cover with glitter

10.  Mist both sides of the paper letter with a spray bottle to relax the paper and then decoupage to the face of the styrofoam letter

11.  Place something flat on top for a few minutes while it dries

12.  Edge the letters with a metallic gold paint marker

*Keep your glitter from getting everywhere by adding another layer of Americana Decoupage 

over the glitter

Julie, Mark and Brandon!

Light-Up Boho Chandelier

I've been wanting to make a boho chandelier for quite a while, so when Osram Lightify asked me to make a project using their new Gardenspot Mini Lights, I jumped at the chance!  This light up chandelier would be PERFECT for an outdoor wedding.  The best part is that it uses a simple tomato cage as a base AND it changes color!  Yup, you heard me.  I can control the brightness and hue of this chandelier with a swipe on my smart phone!  Just download the app, install the Osram Gardenspot Mini lights, plug in the Gateway and wirelessly connect the lights to your phone.  BOOM!  Your chandelier can now go from pink to orange in a swipe.  How cool is that!

A rainbow of color choices for evening.......

Beautiful during the day.....

See how to put it together here!

See Julie's Light-Up Dreamcatcher project here!

Stuff You'll Need

Large tomato cage

3 yards sheer cream fabric

3 yards lace cream fabric

Lace trim & ribbon in cream

Doilies or heavy lace trim

Osram Lightify Gardenspot Mini Lights

Lightify on Amazon:  http://bit.ly/1NoJEYf

Lightify at Lowes:  http://bit.ly/1qIrjkd

Glue gun

Pearl trim (about 5 yards)

4-6 large white feathers

Here's How

1. Cut about twenty 10" pieces of ribbon

2. & 3. Tie the end of your string of Gardenspot Mini lights to the largest ring of the tomato cage

4. Wrap and tie until you get to the 3rd (smallest) ring of the cage

5. & 6. Cut 1 1/2" wide strips of lace and sheer fabric

*Clip along the selvage edge and rip if you can, it's easier

7. Tie 4 strips of lace or sheer fabric on the largest ring to hang the cage while you work

8. Fold the pieces in half and slip knot them around the rings and light wires

*Start with the smallest ring and work your way up

9. Drape and hot glue strands of pearls, ribbon and lace trim around the top ring of the chandelier

10.  Hot glue the heavy lace trim around the top rim of the chandelier and add more pearl trim

11. Plug in the Osram Lightify Gateway

12. Connect the Gateway to your phone with the app and pick a color for your chandelier

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?!

Faux Opals DIY

I seriously had no idea that opals are found in every color until I started researching this project!  Not only that, raw opals are just as beautiful as the polished stones we're used to seeing.  For some reason when I was making this project I kept thinking of my gram who used to give me all of her old brooches when I was a kid.  I loved hoarding anything sparkly that looked like a treasure.  Truth be told, I went a little overboard making this jewelry and I now have a stash that could sink a pirate ship!  Also, who knew there was another use for gift basket Easter grass?! I hope you like this project as much as I do and remember.......

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

Julie rocking her new stash of faux opal jewelry

This is only part of the stash I made for this project!

Every color under the sun

See exactly how they're made here

Stuff You'll Need

Glaze Coat High Gloss Craft Resin

E-6000 Glue

Molding Putty

Nail Polish

Jewelry Findings

Angel Hair (Opalescent Easter Grass)

Cabochons

Small Torch or Lighter

Here's How

1. Knead equal parts of the molding putty together and create a flat ball

2. & 3. Push the cabochons into the molding putty and wait 10 minutes for your mold to set

4. Cut angel hair into small pieces so it looks like chunky glitter

5.  Mix a small amount of the Glaze Coat together

6.  Mix in the angel hair pieces into the Glaze Coat

7. Pour into the molds and pop bubbles with a small torch or lighter

8.  When set (wait 8 hours) paint the backs with different colors of nail polish

*This will give the opals different colors

9.  Set in jewelry with E-6000 glue

So chic!

Alice In Wonderland Bookcase

Every once in awhile you get a bug to do something extra special......Something you might not otherwise even venture to tackle.  That was the case with this Alice In Wonderland Bookcase DIY.  I'm truly in love with this piece and even though I have no room for it in my house, I'm still going to keep it until I figure out where to put it.  My best suggestion, if you want to attempt a piece like this, is to take your time and enjoy the process.  This took me two full days and I loved every minute of it.  Just have fun, make a mess and as always remember Make Your Mark! 

Photographed in my back yard

See how it's made here!

Stuff You'll Need

Bookcase in need of a makeover

1" x 12" pine planks to repair the shelf and make a pediment

Masking tape

Paintbrush

Americana Decor Chalky Finish in your color scheme

*I used Everlasting, Romance, Innocence, Treasure & Carbon

Drill

Four 1" x 1" x 5" legs

8 "L" brackets

1" screws

Matte Americana Decoupage

Americana Decor Clear Crème Wax

Americana Decor Golden Brown Crème Wax

Butterfly and foliage printouts

Metallic Gold Paint Pen

Optional: Jigsaw, Wood glue, Sander, Metallic Gold Paint

1.  Attach 1" x 12" pine board to the base of the bookcase if you need to 

*my shelf did not have a base

2. Attach the four 1" x 1" x 5" legs to the base using "L" brackets and 1" screws

3.  The repaired bookcase ready for paint

4. Paint the inside and sides of the bookcase in Everlasting (white)

5.  Paint the very top of the bookcase and the base of the shelf in Treasure

*refer to the beauty shots if you need to see exactly where I painted

6. Paint the face of each shelf in Romance red

7.  Paint the base of each shelf in Innocence pink

8. & 9. Measure and draw stripes on each side of the bookcase 

10. & 11.  Tape and loosely paint the stripes in Carbon

*no need to be perfect, we want this to look aged

12.  Paint the legs black

13. & 14.  If you have extra details on your bookcase, tape and paint Everlasting and Carbon stripes along the front

*I realize not all bookcases have this detail, but there might be a spot that you can incorporate this on yours

15. Measure, tape and paint Romance red strips on the back of the cabinet from top to bottom

16. 17. & 18.  Trace, cut and sand a pediment from a piece of 1" x 12" pine wood

HERE is a pattern for the pediment that I used

19. & 20. Paint Romance and Everlasting stripes on the pediment

21. Paint the ball on top of the pediment in metallic gold or black

22.  With wood glue, attach the pediment to the top center of the bookcase 

23. Paint the entire bookcase in Americana Decor Clear Crème Wax and let dry

24.  Paint sections in the Americana Decor Golden Brown Crème Wax and wipe as you go to create an antique, aged look

25. 26. & 27.  Print, cut and mist butterflies and foliage images to decoupage on the inside of the sides of the shelf

*Get the images HERE

28. Decoupage the images in place using Americana Decoupage Matte

29. & 30.  Edge the pediment and the top of the bookcase with a metallic gold paint pen

I don't want to put anything in it!