Golden Geodes

Ok, they're more like inside out geodes, but they still look amazing.  Lately I've been obsessed with growing crystals in the kitchen and I seriously cannot stop!  Last week I decided to paint some basic stones with my beautiful metallic gold Americana Multi-Surface and then see if they could withstand the heat and borax solution.  Guess what....They did!  I absolutely love the way these look and people can't stop playing with them.  Put them around some 

candles and you'll have an amazing centerpiece.  

Glue one on top of a box and you'll have something truly special.

Have fun!  xo, Mark

Photographed on my favorite tree stump 

Watch the short video tutorial here

YOU'LL NEED

Borax

Food Coloring

Rocks

Americana Multi-Surface Satin in Gold 

Pipe cleaners

Thread

Chopsticks

Large glass jars

Paintbrushes

 Wash and paint several stones in metallic gold

*The bigger the stone, the larger the end result

Wrap the stones in pipe cleaners and secure in place

Tie a string to the stone and secure it to a pipe cleaner so that it hangs inside of the glass jar

Fill the jar with boiling water and food coloring 

 Add 3 tablespoons of borax per cup of boiling water

*You can use more if you want to

Submerge the stone into the water and let set for at least 6 hours

The longer you leave it, the larger it will grow

Remove and let dry

Happy Thurs-DIY!

Amazing projects this week folks!  Everything from rustic skeleton key wind chimes to a fabulous pretzel pillow!  I just love DIY, don't you?

Have a terrific weekend, OK!  xoxo, Mark

Pla made a fantastic robot this week!  I love it!

http://www.plaschneider.com/#!Found-Objects-Robot/c1p0l/554a91160cf21fee1370c0e1

Let's Mingle made the cutest fruit painted pots this week!

http://www.letsmingleblog.com/diy-fruit-planters/

Make beautiful Crystal Ball Jewelry by growing your own crystals with borax! Here's how:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf9J2j4EgYw

Studio DIY makes an awesome Pretzel Pillow! WOW and YUM!

http://www.studiodiy.com/2015/04/23/diy-pretzel-pillow/

Craft and Creativity makes a BEAUTIFUL cross stitched leather bracelet!

http://craftandcreativity.com/blog/2015/05/04/crossstitchcuffbracelet/

See the fabulous projects my friends made with 

Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paints at my Garage Party!Garage Party: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPmrmy6yhEs

Vicki O'Dell makes a terrific plant display for her home:

http://vickiodell.com/diy-plant-display-for-potted-plants/#sthash.JlJE5hnT.dpbs

DecoArt Garage Party!

Spring has sprung which means it's time to declutter and work on a few things you've been putting off all winter.  A few weeks ago I had some friends over for a GARAGE PARTY.  We ate quiche, drank mimosas and painted pieces of furniture that needed a makeover.  We all used Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint and all of our pieces turned out amazing!  Why not gather a few of your friends together for a painting party this spring?!  Have fun! xox, Mark

Me and the gang!

My friend Kayla!

Watch the video here!

 Scott made over a 70's side table with CARBON and LACE.

He painted the table black first, rubbed wax over it, painted it white and then sanded down the details to expose the black undercoat.

 Kayla made over a simple kitchen chair with VINTAGE and RELIC

and used a PARIS Americana Decor Stencil for the seat.

Jaime painted a Queen Anne table with SMITTEN and gave it a vintage crème wax finish.

After it was dry she sanded some areas down to give it a chipped, aged look.

 Danielle painted my candle holders to match my porch in HERITAGE 

and then added touches of gold.

I love the 70s feel!

Stephanie painted her side dresser with a base of TREASURE 

and then coated it with REMEMBRANCE. 

When it dried, she sanded it to expose the Treasure base coat.

I think she likes furniture to match her hair!

 Jonathan found this piece on the street and after sanding it down

he decided to paint it in INHERITANCE and NEW LIFE green to match his

eclectic colorful home!

Tanner and Courtney joined us and painted their wood filing cabinet 

in LACE white and ESCAPE blue and then sanded it down 

to give it an aged look.

Crystal Ball Jewelry

Did you know you can grow your own crystals in the kitchen with Borax?  Well you can!  I've been doing it since I was a kid. Why not fill some tiny glass globes with some crystals to make some magical jewelry pieces?!  It's much easier than you think.

Have fun!  xo, Mark 

A close up of my magical crystal ball pendant

Glass globes come small enough to make rings, too!

Watch the short video tutorial here!

 YOU'LL NEED

Borax

Food coloring

E-6000 Glue

Glass globes (DoreenBeads.com)

Globe caps

Pipe cleaners

Thread

Chopsticks

Glass jar

 Cut 1" long pieces of pipe cleaner

Tie each piece to a piece of 8" long thread

Tie the thread to a chopstick

Mix 3 tablespoon of Borax per cup of boiling water

Stir in food coloring if you want

Dangle the pipe cleaners inside of the Borax mixture making sure they don't touch the glass

 Remove your crystals after about 6 hours

*The longer you leave them in, the larger they grow

Make sure they are completely dry

Fill your glass globes with the crystals

Add the globes to a ring or globe cap with E-6000 glue

Artsy Fartsy ThursDIY!

It's an Artsy Fartsy Thurs-DIY!  Check out all of the fun, artsy things you can do this weekend.  We have everything from embroidery to glass slippers.  Seriously, something for everyone.  Enjoy and be creative!

XO, Mark!

Margot Potter makes some beautiful bling for summer!  

http://diydoyenne.com/bling-blog-hop/

Who doesn't want a pair of Cinderella's Glass Slippers? Here's how to make your own:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnOXqGooUt0

Margot also paints mini canvases perfect for that tiny little space that just needs "something"!

http://diydoyenne.com/diy-mini-masterpieces/

Aunt Peaches makes beautiful confetti and shows you how!  

http://www.auntpeaches.com/2013/01/homemade-confetti.html

 Pla makes a super cute paperclip necklace with items from the dollar store!

http://www.plaschneider.com/#!1-Store-Rainbow-PaperClip-Name-Necklace/c1p0l/553e129e0cf2836c87fb74f9

Cathy Attix rocks a no sew denim bag with a Chanel chain!

http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/no-sew-denim-mini-bag.html

Vicki O'Dell embroiders a vintage bag to perfection here:

http://vickiodell.com/thrifting-thursday-embellish-a-small-bag-with-vintage-needlework/#sthash.fgIVp2kS.dpbs

I show you how to recycle cardboard and newspaper to make Faux Malachite Obelisks for your home.

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

Faux Malachite Obelisks (made from cardboard)

I'm a huge fan of malachite but unfortunately it's a little too expensive for my taste.  Tony Duquette, one of my favorite designers, used it like crazy in his home decor.  He also painted tons of furniture in a faux malachite pattern and it always looked amazing!  I thought I'd give it a try with some simple cardboard obelisks.  These are perfect for a desk or bookshelf and if done right, people will think you're rolling in dough!  Little do they know that they cost just pennies to make.

Enjoy!  xo, Mark

 My handsome pair

I love that they're just cardboard and newspaper!

Watch the short video tutorial here!

YOU'LL NEED

Newspaper

Cardboard

Americana Acrylics in Evergreen, Sea Breeze, White and Holly Green

Americana Glazing Medium

Ruler

White glue

Masking tape

Minwax Polycrylic

Craft knife

Paintbrush

Print out and use to create your pattern

Each square is 1/2" by 1/2"

Enlarge and make them any size

 Trace the obelisk pattern 4 times, side by side

*Clean up your lines with a ruler

Cut out the entire shape and score so it can be folded

Trace the base pattern, cut and score

Tape all pieces together with masking tape

 Water down some white glue to use as a decoupage medium

Cover the cardboard obelisk in at least one layer of newspaper

When dry, paint the entire obelisk in Sea Breeze and White Acrylic

*The paint doesn't have to be perfect, it can vary from light to dark

*Make sure to paint all surfaces

Cut jagged edges on a 2" x 2" piece of cardboard 

Mix equal parts of Evergreen and Glazing Medium

Paint one surface of the obelisk and immediately scrape the surface

with the jagged cardboard to create the malachite effect

*Try circles and scallops and overlap the patterns

 When all surfaces are dry, coat with at least two coats of Minwax Polycrylic

If you want, edge the base with a metallic paint marker by

running it along the edges