Oh, IKEA.

This weekend I went to IKEA......IN PARIS!  Guess what?  It looks exactly like the one in New Jersey and Los Angeles except the plugs are different.  The cool thing about Ikea being the same all over the world is that I also found the Grono Lamps again and decided to post this project from
THE BIG ASS BOOK OF HOME DECOR.  The Grono Lamp is a glass cube that you can transform into anything.  Seriously, this project couldn't be easier!  BTW, you get both sizes of Grono Lamps for around 6 dollars.  Not bad at all, Oui!

 You'll need

Set of Grono Lamps from Ikea

Copied images that fit on your lamps.  Copy them on the laser machines at Staples for good quality!

Elmer's glue

Wide flat paint brush

Scissors (you know I love my Fiskars)

Minwax Polycrlic in satin finish

 Carefully cut out your images after you've copied them.

 Place the cut out image on the lamp where you want to glue it and mark exactly where it's to be placed.  This will keep you from getting glue all over the lamp and making a mess, which I did the first time I attempted this.

 Water down some Elmer's All-Purpose glue just a little bit so it's easy to spread.  Carefully spread a layer of the glue on the back of the image.

 Place the image on the lamp and let dry.

Coat the entire lamp in the Minwax Polycrylic to protect the paper image.

Put in your light source and you're done.

Grab THE BIG ASS BOOK OF HOME DECOR for this project and 100 more home decor crafts!.  

Glitter Blast Tuesday! What a BLAST!

It's time for you to enter to win a set of GLITTER BLAST spray paints with an ongoing contest every other Tuesday from here on out!  Rock on Krylon!

Winners not only get my NEW book, THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2, they will get all of the colors of glitter blast sent right to their front door.  Just a few simple rules to enter.

GOOD LUCK!

And may the glitter be with you....

RULES
1. SHARE this on your FB page (by pressing SHARE)

2.  LIKE and COMMENT on the KRYLON FB page that I sent you!

http://www.facebook.com/KrylonCrafts?ref=ts

3. LIKE and COMMENT on my fan page that your entering the contest.

http://www.facebook.com/MarkMontanoNYC?ref=ts

4.  JOIN my blog if you haven't.

5.  LIKE my BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Ass-Book-Crafts-2/dp/1451627807/ref=bxgy_cc_b_img_b

6.  COMMENT here that you've done it AND what your favorite spray paint project is.

Keep an eye out for the winner.  I'll post it here and on my FB page.  

It helps if you can leave a way for me to contact you, too!

Mixed Media Ribbon...........

I love ribbon and wanted to mix up my package wrapping this year and use something that people would want to keep.  I wrapped my gifts in plain brown paper and then used my mixed media ribbon to tie it all together.  For a few of my friends I made spools of the ribbon as the gift. I really had fun making this project and I think you will, too.

Make your mixed media piece using tons of different images.  I layed them out randomly and then scanned them using my Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner.
Check out what my fellow crafters are up to with their Flip-Pal Mobile Scanners:

SUEDE, Fashion Expert, 

KEN OLIVER, The Accidental Crafter

MARTIN AMADO, Home Décor and Lifestyle Expert

AARON CHRISTENSEN, Designer

You'll need:

White or light color cotton fabrics and ribbons

TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) or Iron-On Ink jet printer paper

Iron 

Scissors

Mixed media piece to scan and print

Here's how:

1.  Scan your mixed media piece.

2.  Print out (on your home printer) on to the Transfer Artist Paper

3.  Iron on to cotton fabric 

4.  Cut in to 1" wide strips and sew together at each end to create long ribbons

OR

5. Cut your printed image in to strips the width of your ribbon and iron them directly on to the ribbon.

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner

It's GLITTER BLAST TUESDAY!!!!!

It's time for you to enter to win a set of GLITTER BLAST spray paints with an ongoing contest every other Tuesday from here on out!  Rock on Krylon!

Winners not only get my NEW book, THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2, they will get all of the colors of glitter blast sent right to their front door and just for kicks I'm tossing in the 1st Edition of
PULP FICTION: Perfect Paper Projects!
 Just a few simple rules to enter.

GOOD LUCK!

And may the glitter be with you....

RULES

1.  LIKE and COMMENT on the KRYLON FB page that I sent you!

http://www.facebook.com/KrylonCrafts?ref=ts

2. LIKE and COMMENT on my fan page that your entering the contest.

http://www.facebook.com/MarkMontanoNYC?ref=ts

3.  JOIN my blog if you haven't.

4.  LIKE my BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS on Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Ass-Book-Crafts-2/dp/1451627807/ref=bxgy_cc_b_img_b

5.  COMMENT here that you've done it AND what your favorite spray paint project is.

Keep an eye out for the winner.  I'll post it here and on my FB page.  

It helps if you can leave a way for me to contact you, too!

3-D Ice Capades Art with my Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner

Nothing says Christmas and Winter like the Ice Capades from the 1950s!  I found this image and had to scan it (with my Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner) and turn it in to some 3-D art for a friend for her Christmas gift.  It was a lot easier than I thought to get the dimension.  Your Christmas gifts don't have to be expensive, this one only cost me a couple of dollars and most of the supplies I already had.

Make sure you check out what my fellow guy crafters are doing with the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner!

SUEDE, Fashion Expert, 

KEN OLIVER, The Accidental Crafter

MARTIN AMADO, Home Décor and Lifestyle Expert

AARON CHRISTENSEN, Designer

YOU'LL NEED:

Scanned image you want to make 3-D

Frame with some depth

Cardboard

Scissors (Fiskars are my brand of choice ALWAYS)

Elmer's glue

Loose Glitter

Krylon Glitter Blast

HERE'S HOW:

1. Scan your image and print it out twice on card stock.

2. Take the glass out of your frame, trace the frame on cardboard and cut it out for the backing.

 3.  Glue your image to the cardboard.

 4.  Cut out the shape of the 2nd image that you want to have dimension. 

 5.  Cut out some small pieces of cardboard (about 4 layers depending on the thickness) and glue them together over the bottom image making sure they cannot be seen when you glue your cut-out image on top.

6.  Add some loose glitter for sparkle and shine.

7. Spray your frame with Krylon Glitter Blast.

8. Glue the 3-D image to the back and you're done.

And remember, my new book THE BIG-ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2 makes a wonderful gift, too!

HOLIDAY CRAFTS ON BETTER TV!

Hey friends! Here is a little holiday segment I did for Better TV.  Enjoy!

Christmas Table Settings....PEPPERMINT STICK CENTERPIECES

Hi friends. Last week was a whirlwind trip that started in New York and ended with a wonderful few days in Denver with family.  I'm still sad from having to say goodbye to everyone.  While in NY, I filmed a few TV segments and here is a project I made for Better TV.  I think it's loads of fun to make and doesn't take any time at all.

These are PVC pipe PEPPERMINT STICK CENTERPIECES.  I made a version of this vase for 

THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2, but since the holidays are here, I thought I'd change it up a bit.

YOU'LL NEED

PVC pipe in sizes and lengths that you like

Sandpaper

Krylon White Primer

Blue Painter's Tape

Krylon Fusion in Red and Green

Red Ribbon

HERE'S HOW

1.  Cut the PVC pipe to lengths you like.  I chose 18", 12" and 8" using a 2" diameter pipe.

2.  Sand off the printing on the pipe and then wipe off with a damp rag.

3.  Paint with Krylon White Primer and let dry.

4. Tape 2 stripes of blue tape at an angle from one end to the other tucking in the tape at each end and making sure that the tape is fully adhered to the pipe.

5.  Paint the pipe again with the Krylon white primer so that the white seeps in to the sides of the tape and gives you a clean stripe!  If you think the tape is on properly, go for it!

6. Paint your pipe red or green and let dry.  Start with light coats and let dry for 10 minutes in between coats.  I like 3 coats for this project. 

7. When dry, carefully remove the tape and let dry for a few hours before you tie them together with red ribbon.

THIS PROJECT and 150 more in THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2

The Official Mattel Barbie Dream House Photo...........

Here is the official Mattel photo of the Barbie Dream House.  Enjoy!

Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner Photo Christmas Ball!

 Recently I went home and decided to use my Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner to grab some vintage photos of my parents.  Since it's the holidays I turned them in to ornaments and I just love looking at them.  These are super easy to make and a real fun way to remember the people you love ON your Christmas tree.

You’ll need:

1 sheet of red card stock

1 page of printed images on photo paper

8” medium gage wire

Needle nose pliers

Scissors or swing arm paper cutter

2 beads, 2 sequins, 2 flower punches (optional)

Flower Punches made with Fiskars Paper Punch

10” of ribbon

1 drinking straw

Large safety pin or needle

Pin cushion (optional)

1.  Scan your photo and then print out in the contact sheet setting on your printer. 

2.    Cut your images in 6” x 3/4” wide strips as you see in the photo.  You will need 8 strips of your images and 8 strips of the red card stock.

3.  With your safety pin, poke a hole on each end of each strip 1/4” up from the edge and right in the center.

4.  Poke a hole in the center of your flowers and sequins.

5.    Bend a loop on the end of your wire and string a bead and then a sequin.

6.    With your printed strips facing down toward the loop and sequin, place one end of the strips in order on the wire and then thread on your straw.

7.    This is the most important step!  Starting from the bottom strip (the strip that is touching the flower) and working your way up to the top strip, thread your strips over the straw.

8.    When you’ve worked your way to the last strip, thread on your sequin and another bead and create another loop. Thread your ribbon through the loop and hang!

Make sure you check out what my fellow guy crafters are doing with the Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner!

SUEDE, Fashion Expert, www.Suedesays.com

KEN OLIVER, The Accidental Crafter, http://kensworldinprogress.blogspot.com

MARTIN AMADO, Home Décor and Lifestyle Expert, http://www.martinamado.com

AARON CHRISTENSEN, Design & Create Children’s Rooms, http://www.EmbellishmentsKids.com

Try using larger photos and stitching together several different photos!