Punch Needle Stools DIY

I've always wanted to try punch needle but thought it might be too time consuming and/or difficult.  I was wrong on both accounts.  It's quick and easy to pick up and you can make beautiful things in a matter of hours.  Each of these stools took 3 hours to punch, not including upholstering, but that didn't take much more time either.  Shout out to The Oxford Company for the beautiful set of punch needles which made this project absolutely enjoyable!  Pillows, piano bench covers, rugs and wall hangings are just a few things you can make with this vintage craft.  Discover something new, my sweet friends, and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Thinking the blue will become a pillow!

I used Nu Foam from Fairfield World to get them a bit more cushy!
Nu Foam is made from recycled materials which really makes me happy

Watch how to make them here!

Check out my AMAZON SHOP for everything I used

The base stool is from Ikea and is one of my favorite things to hack!

Too cool for stool! 

Fluffy Easter Egg Pillows...No Calories!

When I was a kid, Easter was serious business in our family.  My grandmother is a devout Catholic and sang in the small church choir so she had the perfect view to make sure EVERYONE was at church and paying attention. These days, Easter is that time of year when my diet goes out the window and I find myself sitting in my car devouring Cadbury chocolate eggs and wondering where it all went wrong.  Despite all that, I love all of the egg crafts surrounding this holiday.  Who doesn't love a beautiful egg?  These (no calorie) fluffy egg pillows are the perfect way for me to celebrate.  My favorite part was stenciling my own fabrics!  If you can't find what you need, my sweet friends, figure out a way to make it yourself and don't forget to 

Make Your Mark!

Sweet and fluffy!

Bright pastels are my jam!

HERE'S WHAT I USED

Pom Pom Trim

Grosgrain Ribbon

Cotton Fringe

So Soft Fabric Paints from DecoArt

Stencils

Poly-fil Stuffing from Fairfield World

Cosmetic Sponges

Watch how to make them here!

Perfect for the little ones!

Happy Easter!

Cute Stuffed Cactuses DIY

Real cactus is just beautiful, but not the easiest thing to have in a garden.  I'm constantly getting jabbed by the few I have in pots and around my yard.  I much prefer the very rare, but ever-so-soft stuffed cactus!  Maybe you're thinking WHY would anyone want a stuffed cactus?  I ask the same question about people who have pet snakes or live in cold climates.  I just did.  Plus, I think they're super cute and that's good enough for me.  Make things that make your heart sing, my friends, and always Make Your Mark!

Outside or on my kitchen window sill? 

 Make these in all kinds of different shapes and colors!

STUFF I USED

Oly-fun Fabric from Fairfield World

DecoArt Vintage Effect Wash in Red-Orange

Poly-fil stuffing

Mini crates from Walnut Hollow

Americana Writer in White

Faux flowers

Hot glue gun

Sewing machine

 Watch how to make them here!

Patterns: print on standard 8 1/2" x 11" copy paper and cut

Free hugs!

Boho Ottoman Makeover

 This particular ottoman got put on the porch for a while with a beautiful throw on top so you couldn't see the stains!  It was definitely time for a little makeover.  I re-stuffed the top with a couple of layers of Poly-fil Cushion Wrap and then did some magic with a staple gun and some E6000 Fabri-Fuse!  Voila!  In about 2 hours I had a brand new ottoman ready for another year of use...Or until I get tired of it.  Give your furniture a quick no-sew slipcover and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

I put this in front of my favorite chair and slept all weekend!

When I'm not using it to rest, it's a coffee table!

Watch how I did it here!

STUFF I USED

Poly-fil Cushion Wrap

Old Ottoman

Americana Decor Chalky Finish

Fabric, Fringe & Gimp Trim

E6000 Fabri-Fuse

 HERE'S HOW

1.  Paint the base with Americana Decor Chalky Finish to match the fabric

2.  Cut a slit on the top seam of the fabric

3. & 4.  Cut 2 sheets of Poly-fil Cushion Wrap the same dimensions as the top of the ottoman

5.  Stuff and straighten the Cushion Wrap on top of the existing padding

6.  Glue the slits closed with some E6000 Fabri-Fuse

7.  Cut Cushion Wrap to go over both sides of the ottoman making sure that it 

extends about 2" below the base that you'll be stapling it to

8.  Once you've positioned your Cushion Wrap, glue it in place with more E6000 Fabri-Fuse

9. Staple the Cushion Wrap around the base of the ottoman making sure to cut it so it fits properly around the legs

10.  Position the fabric on top

11.  Flip and staple in place around the edges to each leg

12.  & 13.  Fold the corner of the fabric inside of itself and then evenly wrap and 

staple it around each leg

14. & 15. With the ottoman on it's side, add a line of glue along the base and pin your fringe trim in 

place until it's dry

*Continue this all the way around the base

16.  Once the fringe is dry, use E6000 Fabri-Fuse to glue gimp trim over the top of the fringe

Voila! Not a single stitch!

Ready to kick up my feet and read!

Boho Heart Ornaments DIY

My tree is all about bright colors this year and these soft, boho heart ornaments are just the ticket to make it POP!  I used neon colors on my Gel Press and embellished them with glitter Allure from 

E-6000.  I'm excited to be bucking tradition this year and going nuts with a tree that is filled with things that make me feel the joy of the season.  I say, do what makes you happy and

don't forget to Make Your Mark!  

Watch  how to make them here!

STUFF I USED

Gel Press

Cotton fabric

Sewing machine

Poly-fil Premium Polyester Fiber Fill

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint in Lime Glitter, Metallic Orange and Pink

Americana Acrylics in Sizzling Pink, Pink Explosion, Scorching Yellow, Torrid Orange

Electric Blue, Laguna Blue Aqua Sky

Pom poms

Beads from BeeBeeCraft.com

HERE'S HOW

1.  Dot your Gel Press with Americana Acrylics in Sizzling Pink, Pink Explosion, Scorching Yellow and Torrid Orange

2.  Distribute evenly with your brayer

3. Press & pull the cotton fabric

4.  Dot the Gel Press with Americana Acrylics in Electric Blue, Laguna Blue & Aqua Sky

5.  Spread evenly

6.  Place a stencil on top

*I used the Floral Corner Motif Stencil from Tracy Moreau

7.  Press the fabric on the Gel Press again and transfer the stencil by

gently pressing the fabric on the stencil

8.  When dry, cut two hearts from the Gel Pressed fabric

9.  Stitch them using 1/4" seam allowance making sure to leave a 2" opening

10.  & 11. Stuff with Poly-fil and stitched closed

12.  Wrap a tassel maker with matching yarn

13.  Tie the bundle at the top and a contrasting yarn around the neck

14.  Slip off the tassel, cut the loops and trim

15.  Stitch a tassel, pom pom and bead to the tip of the heart

16.  Embellish with Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint

  Bo-ho-ho-ho-ho! 

Holiday Forever Wreath

Happy holidays, friends!  It's that time of year when we decorate everything we can to celebrate the season.  I wanted a wreath that I could leave up year round (not just for the holidays) on my little California craftsman house, but I couldn't find anything I truly loved.  As usual, I decided to take matters into my own hands and get crazy making my own metallic leaves on my Gel Press.  I used Oly-Fun fabrics from Fairfield world because I love the colors and they have a stiffness that works perfectly for this project!  Have a wonderful holiday season and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Love how it shimmers!

Watch how to make yours here!

STUFF I USED

Oly-Fun Fabric from Fairfield World

Gel Press

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paints

DecoArt Dazzling Metallics

Pool Noodle

Glue Gun

Wood Sign

Print out on standard copy paper

 HERE'S HOW

1.  Tape the ends of a pool noodle together to create a wreath

2.  Lightly score the edges so that it creates a perfect circle

3.  Wrap the wreath in 3" strips of Oly-Fun fabric in Hot Fudge using 

a hot glue gun to keep the pieces in place

4. Cut 8" x 10" pieces of Oly-Fun in Clover, Kiwi and Sea Green

5. Grab your Gel Press

6.  Load it with different colors of DecoArt Dazzling Metallics

7. Press and pull several sheets of the Oly-Fun on the Gel Press

8.  Trace the leaf patterns on the back one of the pressed sheets

9.  Stack, pin and cut several layers of the Gel Pressed Oly-Fun fabric

10.  Edge the leaves and add veins with Allure Dimension Design Adhesive Paint in different matching colors.  I used Copper Glitter, Gloss Brown and Gold Leaf

11.  Hot glue the leaves around the wreath

12.  Decorate the wreath with a wood word and a huge metallic bow

Welcome!

Hedgehog Halloween Costume

It's that time of year when everyone panics about their Halloween costume.  Well, relax!  I've got you covered with this cute and comfy hedgehog costume perfect for any age.  If you're clever, you can turn this into a skunk or porcupine....Just change up the colors and the shape of the ears.  Happy Halloween and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Julie rocking her new costume!

Sexy hedgehog?

Trick or treat!

Watch how to make the costume here!

STUFF I USED

XL Hooded Sweatshirt and fitted tights

E-6000 Fabri-Fuse

Sewing Machine

Oly-Fun Fabric from Fairfield World in Hot Fudge and Sand

Pinking shears

Brown felt

Patterns for spine and ears

HERE'S HOW

1.  Draw a smaller armhole and connect it to the side seam

2. - 4. Cut it out, place it on the opposite side and then cut the other side

5. Fold the armhole cut over 1/2" and zigzag stitch

6.  Stitch down the side seams down to the hem

7.  Cut 9 1/2" strips of Oly-Fun in Sand and Hot Fudge

8.  Fold the strips in quarters, pin the spine patterns and cut long strips of spines

9.  With the hood folded in half, draw a line on the hood from shoulder to shoulder

10. & 11.  Put a rolled up towel in the hood and glue the spines facing front on the hood using 

E-6000 Fabri-Fuse

12.  Continue glueing rows of spines alternating between Sand and Hot Fudge

13.  Glue individual spines along the edge of the last two rows of spines to cover the edges

14.  Glue alternate rows of Hot Fudge and Sand Oly-Fun (pointing upward) across the

back of the sweatshirt all the way to the hem

15.  Glue small, individual spines along the hem

16.  Cut two ears in sweatshirt fabric (from the sleeve) and two felt ears

17.  Trim the cream sweatshirt fabric ears a little bit smaller using pinking shears

18.  Glue the cream ears on the felt ears using more Fabri-Fuse

19. & 20.  Stitch a small pleat in the center of each ear and then attach them to the hood

Done!

Happy Halloween!

Trash to Treasure Padded Stools DIY

You can turn almost any old wood chair into a cute padded stool in no time with this little DIY!  Grab some outdoor fabric, padding and your staple gun and you're half way there.  I snagged a pair of wobbly-backed chairs for $5 and turned them into fabulous extra outdoor patio seating.  They're easy to move around, look great with my other furniture, too.  I went wild with color because, well, why not?!  It was a super fun little project that I will definitely do again and again.  Make our outdoor spaces just as beautiful as your indoor spaces and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Too cool for stool!

 Be fearless with color!

This outdoor mandala fabric was just the ticket!

Watch how I made them here!

STUFF I USED

2 Thrift Store Chairs

2" Cushion Foam from Fairfield World

Cushion Wrap from Fairfield World

E-6000 Fabri-Fuse

Americana Decor Outdoor Living Paint

Outdoor fabric *2 yards

Jigsaw, Staple Gun & Sander

Upholstery Gimp Trim

Electric Knife *You can also use a craft knife if you're careful

HERE'S HOW

1.  Using a jigsaw, cut the back off of the chair along the seat

2.  If you need to, sand everything smooth and smooth out the legs if they're nicked or scratched

3.  Flip the stool on the 2" foam and trace around the seat

4.  Cut the 2" foam with an electric knife

*An electric knife is amazing for cutting foam but you can use a craft knife if you're careful

5.  Paint the legs of each stool in bright colors

6.  Add E-6000 Fabri-Fuse to the seat and glue on the 2" foam

7.  Flip the stool on the cushion wrap and cut a piece that will fold around the 

cushion and under the seat

*Usually adding about 4" will do the trick

8.  Staple the to the underside of the stool all the way around

9.  Trim the excess

10. Center and pin the fabric on top of the stool

11. & 12. Staple all the way around (over the cushion wrap) and then trim the excess

13.  Using Fabri-Fuse and pins, glue the gimp trim all the way around the base of the stool and pin in place while it dries

14.  Measure up 4" on each chair leg

15.  Wrap masking tape around the 4" mark and paint the edge of the masking tape the same color as the chair leg

*This is a painter's trick to prevent bleeding when you use the contrasting color!  Also great tip for painting stripes

16.  Paint the bottom 4" of each leg a contrasting color

Can't wait to use these!

Have a seat!