Striped Glassware - So Easy!

Nothing makes me happier than beautiful dishes. I was the weird kid (for many reasons) who collected funky thrift store dishes in high school in preparation for my eventual fancy dinner parties.  Guess what, I still use dishes I collected in high school for my dinner parties.   I made these for a fun outdoor summer gathering and WOW do they look fun on the table.  A little dollar store glassware and some glass paints and you've got a gorgeous table setting!  Since we eat 3 times a day (well, more like 5 for me) I say why not use dishes that make you happy?!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!

I bought an old record player for this project and it makes the most beautifuls stripes 

on everything from plates to bowls!

Mix ALL the colors!

Experiment on a piece of paper first to find out what works for you.

Watch how to make them here or watch the video (and many more) on my YouTube channel

here: https://youtu.be/QWaagdWDT3k

I used DecoArt Glass Paint for this project: https://bit.ly/2xCVoul

I only want to eat sherbet on these dishes!

Stripe it RICH, baby!

Gorgeous Happy Mail Ideas!

Ask anyone who knows me...I love to write letters.  I'll stick anything inside of an envelope and glue almost anything to the outside.  If it looks like an absolute crazy person put it together, well, then you'll know it's from me.  I'm obsessed with mail and how our postal system works and I love that you can slap a stamp on something and that it takes a journey across the sky to someone you love.  This particular project reminded me of Gustav Klimt, one of my favorite artists.  I love his use of gold leaf in his work and I thought these envelopes, with their metallic gold patterns, gave that Klimt-esque feeling.  Do you like to send Happy Mail? I'd love to hear about what you make in the comments!  Sending all of you big hugs and a nudge to get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!

The bottom of a votive candle glass and some sprigs from my garden 

make the most beautiful faux wax seals!

I used my Gel Press to get all of these amazing colors and patterns!

Everything I used for this project:

Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95 DecoArt Gold Paint: https://bit.ly/3dQbqmA & https://bit.ly/36kH8UY Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Stencils I used: https://amzn.to/3jWwoUP

Watch the video here OR

watch how I make these envelopes on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/PxmkKffTuIU

Nothing like getting a beautiful, handmade card in the mail, right?!

Hot glue with my "M" seal...Just love that one!

This seal was made with a brass button attached to a small dowel!  

Write on, my crafty friends!

Scrap Wood Mirror DIY

Being a full-time DIYer, I end up with tons of scrap wood in every shape and size.  Also being a bit of a hoarder, I pick up scrap wood whenever I see it for future projects!  This scrap wood mirror started off as slats for a bed frame and ended up being a lovely entry mirror on my front porch!  Use what you have, upcycle what you can and don't be afraid to turn trash into treasure!  Now get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!

My house is painted a gorgeous green and this mirror worked perfectly with it!

I almost didn't want to paint it, but I LOVE color!

Everything I used for this project:

Americana Acrylics: https://amzn.to/2UFQwgQ Spray Sealer: https://amzn.to/3gUGlAH Amazing Goop II Max: https://amzn.to/2ZptldN

Watch the video here OR

Watch how to make it on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/C-5a23EPTuA

Loved the 70s color combination here!

Who is the fairest of them all?

Beautiful Happy Mail Ideas

You might know by now that I love happy mail.  I love making it, sending it and getting it!  These Gustav Klimt inspired pieces are from my latest batch.  I even went faux wax seal crazy with hot glue and foliage from my backyard.  I used the bottom of a flat drinking glass and some good, clear hot glue from Surebonder!  It's a great way to seal a letter and it looks just beautiful!  Why not make someone's day and send them a little hello with a stamp on it?  I'll bet you'll get one in return!

My stack of Klimt inspired stationery

Hot glue "wax" seals using the bottom of a glass

Why not add a seal on the card inside, too!

Love the look of this little daisy!

Everything I used for this project:

Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95 DecoArt Gold Paint: https://bit.ly/3dQbqmA & https://bit.ly/36kH8UY Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ Stencils I used: https://amzn.to/3jWwoUP ART SPRAYS...Put these in a spray bottle: https://amzn.to/3jWNBNV MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make this Klimt inspired happy mail here!

Surebonder makes colorful glue stiks in every color you can think of!

Make someone's day and send out some happy mail!

Desk Makeover with RE-DESIGN WITH PRIMA!

As much as I love Ikea for a shelf or quick, functional fix, I'm not a huge fan of their fabric or color choices. Can we say BORING?! This Ikea desk was plain white, nicked in a few places and truly in need of a new look.  The best part is that I scored it for $15, so basically it was a canvas for me to experiment on.  Lately I've been working with RE-DESIGN WITH PRIMA products and they've changed the way I look at furniture makeovers, so I decided to try their Decor Transfers on the face of the drawers & cabinet. WOW do they pack a punch!  I'll leave a list of what I used below, but definitely check out RE-DESIGN WITH PRIMA and paint up some of your Ikea furniture!  

Now get out there and Make Your Mark!

Caravan Decor Transfer and brass handles really spruced this up!

A nice desk makes you want to sit at it and even pay your bills!

Everything I used for this project:

Re-Design with Prima Caravans Decor Transfer: https://bit.ly/3dSrAMB Bohemian Florals Clearly Aligned Decor Stamps: https://bit.ly/36yoLfD White Decor Ink Pad: https://bit.ly/3wmmvCr Americana Decor Chalky Finish Paint: https://bit.ly/3jjCa2x MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make this here!

or watch how to make it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/lXDidLSX_zU

Generally I'm not a huge fan of red white & blue in decor, but the light blues and different shades really made this pattern sing to me!

Time to sit down and start writing another book, right?!

Paper Lanterns with Gel Press

Summer is almost here and you're going to want to make your outdoor space as magical as possible.  I used my favorite Gel Press printed works of art for this lantern project!  If you have a favorite piece, photocopy it several times OR use all different patterns and colors!  Just a little glue and some long coffee stirrers is all you'll need!  Check out the video below.  Now get out there and Make Your Mark sweet friends!

Glowing and gorgeous!

All along the pathway in my backyard!

Working on my Gel Press

Everything I used for this project:

Awesome Gel Press Products: https://amzn.to/364hn95 Americana Acrylics: https://amzn.to/2UFQwgQ MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Long coffee stirrers: https://amzn.to/31sKByw

Watch how to make them here OR

Watch how to make them on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/C37Ph_ABkRU

I love the geometry!

Happy Summer, possums!

Gorgeous Decorative Eggs

When Easter season comes along I stock up on plastic eggs, fake grass in every color and a ridiculous amount of malted eggs.  When I get home from said Easter shopping trip, I realize that I have more plastic eggs than I can ever use, tons of fake grass from the year before and my big butt doesn't need any more malted eggs.  Still, it's a yearly tradition!  This year I decided to decorate some of my extra large plastic eggs for a coffee table Easter display.  I think they're so fancy and nobody knows they're just plastic eggs and hot glue!  Check out the video below for instructions.  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!

Toss them in a silver bowl with branches from your yard!

My happy trio!

Everything I used for this project:

My silicone molds: https://amzn.to/2wNM06M & https://amzn.to/2wubCVZ Large Easter Eggs: https://amzn.to/3dOq7Yt Americana Acrylics: https://amzn.to/2UFQwgQ Surebonder Glue Guns & Products: https://amzn.to/3bOpfiZ My favorite glue sticks: https://bit.ly/3dNqVwm Americana Decor Metallics in Vintage Brass: https://amzn.to/2UPX1h0

Watch how to make them here OR watch how I make them

on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/HOANM0nQwOI

I used my Americana Acrylics for the base color.

Happy Easter!