Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Photo of the day.......Abstract painted lampshade

I'm digging this painted lampshade today!  You don't actually have to paint your lampshade if you want to do something like this.  Trace your shade pattern on paper and then paint on the paper!  When you're done, just tape it over the shade.......Now that was easy!
Just roll and trace your shade over some paper to create your pattern and use that as the canvas.

Monday, August 29, 2011

CAST PLASTER MASK PLANTERS......Say that 3 times fast!





 CAST PLASTER MASK PLANTERS:
I love anything that you can use as a mold.  When I saw these 
Halloween masks the first thing I thought of was how to use them to cast
 something in plaster of Paris. Well, the results were 
terrific and it makes my boring garden pots, well, spectacular.
YOU’LL NEED:
Halloween masks that you can fill with plaster
Tape
Plaster of Paris 
Tile adhesive calking
Plastic or Terracotta pots
Goop Glue or E-6000
Hot Glue and glue sticks
White Krylon spray paint
Gray paint
Paintbrushes
Craft knife
HERE’S HOW:
1.  Mix enough plaster of Paris to fill your masks.
DON’T WORRY:  If your mask has holes in it for the eyes and mouth, just tape
 over it on the outside of the mask.  Not on the inside where you will be
 pouring the plaster.
2.       Let the masks dry and remove.
3.   Score the pot and the back of the plaster face. This will make it rough so that the glue has 
something to hold on to.
4.       Using hot glue, Goop glue, and whatever glue you can find, put the 
face on the planter and let it dry in place.  Squeeze in some Tile adhesive calking in 
the edges where the plaster face doesn’t touch the side of the pot.
 
HINT: My pots were cheapie plastic pots and I had to cut off some of the rim with 
scissors to get the mask to fit just right.  However, pots come in many different 
sizes. Take your mask to the hardware store with you to figure out which will work best.
5.       After your face is dried in place, fill the sides with more calking.  I thought this made
 it more finished, but honestly, it would look good without this step.
6.       Spray your pot white after the grout has dried.
7.       Dry brush your pots with the gray paint over the white.  This will make the 
features pop.  Keep doing it until you achieve the look you want.
Fill with a bushy plant and it will look like green hair.
This and 100 more ideas in The Big Ass Book of Home Decor!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Uncle Mark Stikes Again!

Birthday Capes for the nephews (Zen and Zane)
A great gift for boys 4-7!
This is me in the back yard taking one for a test drive.
 I appliqued Z's to the backs by cutting out the letter in fabric and interfacing and then zigzagging it to the back.
*When making capes for twins, it's important to make them different so they don't fight over them!
A 1" bias maker is great for the tie.
Thanks for the awesome Machine Bernina!
The super heros posing for me right before they flew off.  Too much sugar makes for a very rowdy super hero.


Friday, August 26, 2011

Taking a break..........

Something new:
I've been making jewelry for my Etsy site for a month now and I just needed to put down the pliers and take a breather from it.  My sewing machine was feeling neglected.  
Wishing you all a wonderful and safe weekend.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

CONTEST!!!!

Contest:  Since I'm off to the Post Office to ship Etsy merch, I'm going to ship a book for a lucky winner.  I'll have this contest until noon today.....That's 4 hours PST!  So, you have 4 hours to accomplish the following:
1.  Share this on your FB page by pressing SHARE.
2.  Join my blog if you haven't:  http://markmontanoblogs.blogspot.com/
3. Like my Etsy page and comment here on the blog as to what piece you like the best:
4. LIKE EcoGreenCrafts on FB: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eco-Green-Crafts/227523242050?ref=ts
http://www.etsy.com/shop/MarkMontano?ref=pr_shop
THAT'S IT......GOOD LUCK!  P.S.  I'll toss in tons of cool rubber stamps, too.  Courtesy of Fiskars!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Something different........and a little weird

GOTTA HAND IT TO YOU MIRROR
There are a couple of things I like about this photo.  First, I love the white table! How many times do we pass up furniture that would look amazing coated in white or black paint?
I also love those weird little hands sticking out of the mirror!
Seems to me it might be time for a little interpretation. 
Just a thought!
A little heads up, there is a terrific project using a mannequin arm and hand in The Big Ass Book of Crafts 2!



Tuesday, August 23, 2011

WOW-Butterfly Chandelier

Imagine your little girl or boy (remember, I made this) looking up at night right before bed and seeing sparkling butterflies hovering above her head.  This chandelier is perfect for any little kid who loves sparkles, flowers and butterflies.  I’m pretty sure that includes them all.  In fact, you don’t even need to install a light.  Remember to make magic, add sparkle and always 
Make Your Mark!
Imagine your little girl looking up at night right before bed and seeing sparkling butterflies hovering above her head.  This chandelier is perfect for any little girl who loves sparkles, flowers and butterflies.  I’m pretty sure that includes them all.  In fact, you don’t even need to install a light.

YOU’LL NEED:
Tomato cage with 3-5 rings from a garden store
Sandpaper or sanding block
Krylon Silver Crafter's Metallic spray paint
50 feet of cheap plastic pearls (Got mine at the 99c store!)
12 Feather butterflies
12 Faux flowers
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
E-6000 glue
Toothpicks
Scissors
Wire cutters or heavy duty pliers that can snip wire

HERE’S HOW:
1. Clip the larger rings off of the tomato cage with your wire cutters leaving 2 rings connected by extending wires.
2. Sand the wires to remove any dirt, rust or oil.
3. Curl the wires sticking out from the smallest ring of the cage like you see in the picture.
4. Bend the wires sticking out from the large ring toward the center so they meet.
5. Glue the wires together at where they meet with a big gob of E-6000 glue.
6. Hot glue your strings of pearls all around each wire of the now bent cage.
7. Once these strands are attached, take your E-6000 and carefully dab the glue all along the pearls so they are permanently attached.
8. Cut 6 strands of pearls in 12” lengths and attach each end of the top ring so that you have two drapes in between each wire.
DON’T WORRY! This is the fun part.  Just start draping any way you want to and you’ll see how beautiful it will be.

9. After you’ve attached about 6 drapes, dab on more E-6000 with a toothpick being very neat, but making sure to attach the pearl to the wire with the glue.  
WARNING! Hot glue and metal don’t work well together, so you are just using this to tack the pearls in place while the other glue dries.)
10. Once all of the pearls are in place, spray paint your chandelier with Krylon Crafter's Metallic.

11. When it dries, attach your butterflies and flowers evenly all the way around first with hot glue and then with the E-6000.  I only used 12 butterflies and 12 flowers, but go crazy if you want to and use a ton.
12. OPTIONAL:  Wrap your 6’ Snap-in Socket and Cord set around the top where the wires meet and hang from a hook in your ceiling.  Sweet dreams.
This and 100 more projects in THE BIG ASS BOOK OF HOME DECOR!
  

Friday, August 19, 2011

Now that was EASY! No-Sew Padded Headboard

Feel like your bedroom needs a facelift?  Why not try this fabric headboard made from three large frames!  Change it up when tire of the print.
Have fun!  xoxo, Mark
This is a quick way to make an elegant fabric headboard that does not require a sewing machine. Being able to change the fabric when you change your decor is the main reason I love making this headboard for friends on a budget. 

YOU’LL NEED:
3 large frames that will fit across your bed (mine were 18x24)
2 yards of batting 
2 yards of fabric that you like
Heavy-duty packing tape
Scissors
Hammer and nails to hang your frames

HERE’S HOW
1.  Remove the glass from your frames; you don't need it. You will need the cardboard or composite insert that fits inside the frame.  This is called the backing board.
 
2.  Lay your backing board on your fabric and add 3 inches to each side all the way around and then cut it out.
3. Cut 2 more pieces of fabric the same size.
4.  Lay your backing board on the batting and cut around adding about 1/2" all the way around.
5.  Place your batting on the backing board and then evenly place the fabric over the batting.
If you want (you don't have to) you can spray mount the batting to the backing board.
6.  Evenly pull the fabric toward the back and secure it all the way around using
heavy duty packing tape.
7.  Place the padded backing board into the frame and secure it in place with the metal stays.
8.  Repeat this process with the other 2 frames.
9.  Figure out the positioning of your frames and nail them to the wall.
10.  Change the fabric when you redecorate your room.
Grab a copy of
THE BIG ASS BOOK OF HOME DECOR
for another 100 fabulous home decor projects!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

PHOTO OF THE DAY..........Have you ever thought about..........

FRAMING SCARVES?
How about just really interesting pieces of fabric or squares of wallpaper?  The art on your walls can be anything as long as you enjoy looking at it. 
That's it, just a small thought for Saturday.


Friday, August 12, 2011

Tea-rrific Tea Set.........With Krylon Fusion Spray Paint!

Have you ever found a beautiful, beat up tea set that just made you sad?  Barely any silver left and maybe a dent or two? Well, I did and it made me ecstatic!  I had finally found the perfect tea set to see if my spray paint theory would work.  5 dollars for all 3 pieces at a junk sale and now I’m the envy of afternoon tea drinkers everywhere.   Break out the cucumber sandwiches folks and let's party it up like the English.  Have fun!  xoxo, Mark
Next time I try neon colors!
Beauty 2 Colorific Tea Set
YOU’L NEED:
An old tea set or even just an old tea pot
Krylon Fusion spray paint in colors you like
Silver polish
Rubbing alcohol
Fine sandpaper
Masking tape
Crystal Clear Enamel Protective Finish (high gloss) in a spray can
Outdoor workspace where you can spray paint
 HERE’S HOW:
1.  Clean your tea set with the silver polish to get off all of the tarnish
2.  Sand the pieces with the fine sandpaper and remove all of the dust
3.  Wipe down the pieces with rubbing alcohol
4.  Tape around the inside of the mouths of each piece so that spray paint doesn’t get inside the pieces.
5.  With small strokes, lightly spray each piece.
IMPORTANT: Take your time painting these pieces.  Don’t overspray them right away and use several light coats of paint spaced about 10 minutes apart for the most professional look.
 After you’re finished painting them,  spray on your crystal clear enamel protective finish.
 Let dry for one week in a dust free zone before use.  This will give time for the paint to cure perfectly and keep it from chipping when you use it.  Hand wash with warm soapy water and a soft sponge.

  DecorCover


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

DO YOU MIND IF I BIND? Book Binding Made Easy!

AAAjournalbinding

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 There are tons of ways to bind books and this is just one.  It's fun, easy and you can use any image.  It's also a great way to make your own journals, notebooks and scratch-pads.  I use all of my scrap paper to fill them but for special friends I use good paper and create special images for the covers.  Oh, I have another secret, I use the cardboard from the flat rate boxes from the post office because it's thin and hard and easy to cut.  So, that said, this can be a totally recycled project if you want it to be.  Paper is a luxury item these days since we don't really need it like we used to.  I say journal, leave handwritten notes and write letters!  Now go bind some journals and impress your friends with how super cool you are.
YOU'LL NEED:
Cardboard
Decorative paper for the inside and outside of your cover
Filler paper  (construction, scrap, copy paper, whatever!)
Krylon Spray Adhesive
Craft knife
Ribbon (if you want)
Rubber Cement or Elmer’s Glue All
HERE'S HOW:
Step 1:  Cut the front and back cover of your book,  your spine which is 1/2" wide and the length of the book and a sheet of decorative paper that is at lease 2" wider and longer than those pieces laid out together side by side.
Bound book step 2
Step 2:  Using spray mount, adhere your pieces down side by side (on the back side of your decorative paper) with the spine in the middle and a 1/8" space between the spine and the front and back cover then with your craft knife cut off all of the corners.
Bound Book step 3
Step 3:  Lightly coat the edges with Elmer's Glue All and fold over the edges.
Bound Book step 4
Step 4:  Cut your liner papers 1/4" smaller than the size of the covers and using spray adhesive and carefully apply them to insides of your book covers.
Bound book step 5
Step 5:  Cut your filler paper the size of your liners.  I have a paper cutter and use that to make my own block of paper, but, it’s uneven.  Personally, I like the HOME MADE feel of it.  However, if you want something perfect, head over to Staples and have them cut paper the size that you want.
Bound book step 6
Step 6:  Add glue (either rubber cement or Elmer's) to the spine (on the inside) and put your block of paper in side so that the ends are touching the glue.
  Bound book step 7
Step 7:  Stand it on it’s spine with book ends on both sides and let dry overnight.  In the morning, you will have a bound book.  Congratulations!