For years I've been hitting the dollar store for inexpensive frames to makeover.  When I lived in my tiny East Village apartment in NYC I covered the walls (salon style) with TONS of small 99c store frames filled with postcards and art that I bought on the street. I would paint the frames in different colors, add beads and cardboard to them and find fun papers for the matting. I loved my "broke art student" decor...and still do!  These malachite frames are currently part of my decor and I got all the frames at the 99c store.  A little hot glue and paint and you have something amazing!  Now get out there and MAKE YOUR MARK!

Watch how to make them here!

Everything I used for this project:

Awesome Gel Press Products: https://bit.ly/3uHBnjU Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n RE-DESIGN WITH PRIMA Silicone Moulds: Regal Trimmings https://bit.ly/3AFhF7s?aff=59 Etruscan Accents Silicone Mould: https://bit.ly/3PY6FI4?aff=59 Re-Design with Prima Decor Wax: https://bit.ly/3Bl2UZE

Decor doesn't have to be expensive, just brave and bold!

See you soon!  Love, Mark

 

Decorative Books For Your Guest Room

I finally have 2 guest rooms to decorate and I'm going nuts with fun projects so that my friends are comfortable and happy while they visit!  For my friends who love to read before bed, I grabbed a stack of thrillers from the thrift store and turned them into something beautiful.  I will use decor transfers on almost anything and WOW did I love figuring out how to put them on these book spines.  I'll leave links to everything I used for this project right under the video below.  Happy decorating and don't forget to Make Your Mark!

Put the covers on the inside so they know what they're reading and they can use it as a bookmark!

A scented candle is always nice, too!  Don't forget to have a piece of paper with the wifi password, too!

Watch how to make these beautiful books here OR watch this and other videos on my

Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9NgQKJwyc

Everything I used for this project:

Re-Design with Prima Royal Burgundy Decor Transfer: https://bit.ly/3Kl6UdO Re-Design with Prima Imperial Garden Decor Transfer: https://bit.ly/3CmZOT9 Harlequin Stencils: https://amzn.to/3ZoaUTe Re-Design with Prima Script Stencil: https://bit.ly/3GrIHlQ MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Either upright or side by side, this stack of books looks beautiful and serves a purpose!

Happy creating everyone! 

Love, Mark

 

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!

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?

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?!

Faux Marble Pendant Lamp DIY

When I go to a hardware or dollar store I get a fluttery feeling in my stomach thinking of all the possibilities.  Gorgeous frames, funky glassware, weird hardware bits and pieces in plastic boxes all lined up on the display.  It makes me happy.  When I pick something up I never think about what it's for, but what it could be...A headboard, a side table, a diorama or in this case, a pendant lamp.   Frames, "L" brackets and spray paint made these gorgeous lamps and they look fabulous on my patio!  Consider the possibilities, sweet friends, and always Make Your Mark!

The perfect glow!

Faux marbling with spray paint on water...Watch the video to see how!

I used Grafix Craft Plastic to make my beautiful marble tiles!  

Here's a list of what I used for this project:

Grafix Craft Plastic: https://amzn.to/3bnG3Ol Grafix Artist-Tac: https://amzn.to/3s8u2mH E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 Metallic Gold Spray Paint: https://amzn.to/2KBnkWm Light socket: https://amzn.to/3cjjY5w 2" Flat "L" brackets: https://amzn.to/3t3rO9n

Watch the video here or catch it on my Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/LKD8nRFgvIg

Just hangin' around

Light up your life!

Embossed Metal Vases and Wood Boxes

I'm truly obsessed with metal tape and XFasten makes copper tape that's super easy to emboss.  I've used it for everything from jewelry making to these fancy copper candle holders.  Transform everything from jars to wood boxes with this technique.  Add some glass gems and you have the perfect home accessory.  Any embossing folder will work, too.  Just give the tape some texture and you're halfway there.  Try something new, my sweet crafty friends!  Now get out there and 

Make Your Mark!

Use a little green or black acrylic paint to bring out the texture and give a patina!

Try embossing aluminum tape, too!

STUFF I USED FOR THIS PROJECT

XFasten Copper Foil Tape: https://amzn.to/35BO5kW XFasten Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil Reflective Tape: https://amzn.to/3crs2zq E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 Walnut Hollow Wood Boxes: https://bit.ly/36KCvmR MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Watch how to make these here OR

watch how to make them on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/Bu3ednayNQw

I have an old Cuttlebug that works beautifully!

My mini treasure chests!

Embossed and beautiful!

Striped Solar Lanterns DIY

Any lantern that doesn't need oil or a battery is alright with me!  These solar lanterns are great because you can just hang them in the trees and they turn on when the sun goes down.  Easy peasy!  I grabbed a few lightweight glass vases at the 99c store and painted them with my dishwasher safe glass paint from DecoArt.  It's fantastic stuff...trust me on this.  I made a mistake and had to scrape some off with a craft knife BEFORE it had the chance to fully cure. That's some tough glass paint!  BTW, it also comes in beautiful colors, too.  The glass at the top of the vases isn't painted so it allows solar charging during the day.  Excuse me while I pat myself on the back for that little discovery!  Make beautiful things, my sweet friends, and always Make Your Mark!

Just hangin' around.

  Bright at night!

 STUFF I USED

E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 DecoArt Glass Paint: https://bit.ly/3hnBBk5

Watch how to make these here OR

Watch the video on my Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/NYiXJoJX510

Get perfect stripes with an old record player!

Hang from ribbon or chain 

Magical!

Light up your life!