BEETLEJUICE Inspired Table Setting

Beetlejuice is one of my favorite movies and I love to watch it this time of year.  The art direction is absolutely wonderful!  I decided to make a Beetlejuice inspired table using an old record player and some mismatched glass dishes for my Halloween gathering.  BTW, painting dishes on a record player is very relaxing... Once you start, you won't be able to stop.

The great thing about painting glass dishes is that you can eat off of them 

because you paint on the underside.

The flowers are my favorite and super easy to make.

Watch the video tutorial here

YOU'LL NEED

Old record player

Americana Gloss Enamels in Sand and Black

Americana Acrylics in Black and Orange

Thick wire

Glass dishes

Paintbrushes

Tape

Cardboard

Wire cutters

Rubbing alcohol

Manila folders

 Cut several layers of cardboard the size of your record player

Cut a small hole in the center so it lays flat on your platter

*This is your work surface

Clean your glass dishes with alcohol

Turn on the record player and draw a line on the cardboard so you can center the plate

Tape it in place

Turn on the record player and paint your stripes starting with the light colors first

Paint the glasses the same way

Bake twice at 350° for 30 minutes letting the oven cool in between baking times 

 Cut 4" x 4" squares out of a manila folder

With the acrylic paint a large black circle with an orange center

Trace and cut the flowers using my flower template

Overlap the petals to create dimension and tape together

Use heavy gage wire for the stems

Flower template

Done!

Beautiful Backsplash DIY

My assistant Danielle wanted a funky backsplash for her bathroom like the one I have in mine, so we gathered tons of different stuff and created one to reflect her crazy artistic style!  We used everything in my crafty junk bin

to make this magical mosaic and we couldn't be happier with the results.  Other than buying the grout, we had everything we needed to put it together, too.  Grab your doodads, beads and bobbles, some scrap wood and get going!

An up close shot of my backsplash

Danielle's new backsplash (made to fit her tiny sink)

Here's a shot that includes my crazy baby head night light!

Watch the video tutorial

YOU'LL NEED

1/4" thick plywood

Jigsaw

Grout

E-6000 Glue

Sponges

Beads, dominos, gems, bottle caps, tiles, small mirrors, seashells

 Cut out the shape of your backsplash in the 1/4" plywood and sand the edges

Create your design using all of your doodads

Glue everything in place with E-6000 glue and let dry overnight

Cover the entire backsplash in group and with a damp sponge,

remove the grout to expose the glue on pieces

*Make sure to really clean the pieces before the grout dries

*You can also use plaster of Paris

Craft Your Stash by Lisa Fulmer

A few months ago my friend Lisa Fulmer told me she was writing a book and asked if I could contribute a quote for the back cover.......What can I say?  I was honored.  Lisa is not only one of the most creative people I know, she has a heart as big as Alaska. I would say Texas, but Alaska is bigger.     Her book, Craft Your Stash, is inspiration and eye candy from cover to cover.  Not only is it filled with fun projects, there are essential design basics and lots of different techniques to try.  This is definitely a book worth having in your inspiration collection!

Craft Your Stash

Transforming Craft Closet Treasures into Gifts, Home Decor and More

I'm a sucker for shadow boxes and Lisa makes one to 

commemorate her vacation.  Just terrific!

This door plaque project is elegant and 

would look terrific in any home!

Give me a personalized ornament any day of the year!

Inspire me to be more organized and I'll be

your best friend forever!

Grab CRAFT YOUR STASH on Amazon.com

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!

Couture Earrings DIY

It's all about big, beautiful couture earrings for fall and I'm going to show you how to make your own with just a few simple supplies.  I used large stone beads and rhinestone chain to create these stunners!  I then put them all together with E-6000 glue.  Make an extra pair for a gift and cross someone off your shopping list! Now get out there and rock the runway!

Danielle showing her new earrings

Add even longer chain for shoulder dusters

Try using glass gems or fused glass instead of stone beads.  Instructions for these are in my book,

The Big Ass Book of Bling

Watch the video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Aluminum flashing (any hardware store)

Tin shears or serrated edge scissors

E-6000 Glue

Rhinestone chain

Silver and gold chain

Large stone beads

Clip on earring backs

 Once you've figured out the design, trace around the stones on the aluminum flashing

Carefully cut out the shapes adding 1/4" all the way around each shape

Glue the stones to the corresponding shapes with E-6000 Glue and let dry for 30 minutes

Cut rhinestone chain to size and glue it around each stone on the 1/4" extension with more E-6000 and a toothpick

Turn the pieces over and connect them with more glue and long pieces of chain

Add the earring clips and let everything dry for at least 1 hour

ABSTRACT ART DIY

Everyone can use a little color in their world, so why not make some simple abstract DRAG art and freshen up your decor! Pick your favorite colors and you'll have something for you wall worthy of MOMA! Grab the kids and have them help. Seriously, you can't go wrong with this technique!

 Is it upside down?

Try hanging several together....

I may leave these out in my garden!

Check out the video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Americana Decor Multi-Surface Satin Paints

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics

Canvas

Small paint roller

Paintbrushes

Cardboard 

Roll several colors of paint to cover the entire canvas and let dry

Squeeze your favorite colors along one entire edge of the canvas
*Be generous with the paint 

Take the flat edge of a piece of cardboard and drag the paint straight across the canvas

Take a new piece of cardboard and continue along the edge until the canvas is completely covered

Add more colors to cover up any "holes" you may have

For a different technique, try using a wavy motion when dragging the paint across the canvas

Happy #ThursDIY!

Check out these 9 awesome projects to inspire your creativity this week.  My friends have been super busy making awesome stuff to share with you, so hop around and say hello and make some new friends, OK.....Happy #ThursDIY!

Cathy Attix makes an adorable Cat Ear Beanie: 

 http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-cat-beanie/ 

Crafty Chica shares her Sugar Skull Paper Rosettes: 

 http://www.craftychica.com/2014/09/dia-de-los-muertos-party-decorations/ 

Cathie Filian rocks some fantastic faux Sugar Skulls:  

http://youtu.be/684tVuE4vNA

Turn tiny brass dollar store locks into Lovely Lock Jewelry: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSHg6v1W_QA

Jenny Holiday makes gorgeous treat cup lantern lights here:  

http://everyday-is-a-holiday.blogspot.com/2014/09/super-cute-and-easy-light-shades-made.html  

Margot Potter shines a crafty spotlight on all of her friends!

http://diydoyenne.com/supersized-craft-haul-spotlight/  

Lia Griffith makes a flawless hydrangea wreath from paper!  

http://liagriffith.com/make-a-diy-paper-hydrangea-wreath-for-fall/

Make GEO Stamped and Stitched Napkins and Envelopes to add some color to your next dinner party:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKfhnffE0w4