Nail Marbling

So here it is!  I've been getting a lot of requests to post this tutorial and didn't want to until I thought it was perfect.

 

Now this does have a lot of trial and error, you may not get it right the 1st time and that's ok. Guess what, I didn't either. I had a lot of bubbles on my nails.

 

I practiced and took note of my mistakes and now I think anyone can do it.

 

 

Things you'll need:

-Distilled water (room temp)

-Nail polish (at least 3 colors)

-Toothpicks

-Q-tips

-Cotton Balls

-Nail polish remover

-Vaseline

-Solo cup, cut down

 

1) Get all supplies ready - Cut cup down towards the bottom and fill with water. We are cutting this down because we want a small area for the nail polish to spread out. Too large of an area will harden the nail polish faster and you'll just waste more.

 

2) Paint a base coat on your nails. Any color will do, but keep in mind it might peak thru the marbling.

 

3) Shake the nail polish really good and then line up the colors you want and loosen the lids.

 

4) Apply Vaseline to your fingers, down to your knuckle. Be careful not to get it to close to the nail. This will make the cleanup super easy. BUT if you don't have any or don't want to use Vaseline, just plan on using lots of cotton balls and polish remover. (Tape would also work)

 

5) Take your first polish and let a drop fall into the water. It will spread instantly, then repeat with the other colors. You can do this as many times are you want. I did B-P-G-B-P-G.

 

6) Take a toothpick and start somewhere within the circle NOT the outside. Make swirl marks back and forth to mix the colors.

 

7) Take your fingers or finger and put them into the water solution at an angle. Now its important to also remove them at an angle. Anytime I've done the angle technique I haven't had any problems with bubble effect.

 

8) Once removed take a Q-tip and do a quick clean up on your finger.

 

9) Take a toothpick and put it in the cup and swirl it around. It will pick up all the nail polish. Repeat after each nail.

 

10) After you've done all your nails, just do the clean up. 

 

 

Here's some additional notes:

 

If there's a nail polish buildup in the water, dip a Q-tip in some nail polish remover and place in the water and circle it around. It will soak up any left over polish.

 

If you use nail polish and it sinks to the bottom, shake it some more....a lot more.  If you try it again and it sinks, then it's no good. It might be because it's to old and has thickened.

 

You can save your old nail polish by using nail polish thinning solution. I like Beauty Secrets solution the best. Another trick I heard of but haven't tried yet, is adding a few drops of clear nail polish to your old polish. Instead of thickening the polish it actually thins it. Again I haven't tried it but I read somewhere that a manicurist recommends it to her clients.

 

My fave combo so far was a black base coat, with hot pink and neon green nail polish.

 

 

I hope this tutorial helps you out. If you have any questions send me a comment.

 

 

Things to come....

This weekend I will be posting images of my rock garden. This was a fun recycle/upcycle project.

-Nail marbling step by step image how-to.

-DIY fun wall art for any room.

-2 ingredient all natural face cleanser and brightener. 

I've had several readers write me asking if I have an Instagram and Twitter account, and the answer is yes, yes I do. 

You can find me on both social media sites as Marylikesthis. 

Fun mason jars

I love to drink tea and I thought to myself, why should tea be so boring?  So in my normal style I added some uniqueness and fun to my tea jars.

 

Things you'll need:

-12oz mason jars

-Small toys - I used dino and zoo animals

-Spray paint (various or one color)

-Gloss spray paint

-Painters tape

-Household Hogar by Goop (waterproof)

-Labels (optional)

 

Clean jars and let air dry. Add painters tape to the inside of the flat lid and the inside of the lid. Spray paint the items of your choice. I did my items in coordinating colors.  

 

Let dry overnight and then use the glue on the flat lid and apply in small amounts along the rim and attach to the lid. Set the paint side down and let dry for a couple of hours and than attach the animals. Once this is done, let dry for 24 hours.

 

I'm loving the new Ball dissolvable labels. They really do just wash off!

 

You can use large mason jars and larger toys for the top. They can store larger snacks, toys, craft items. There is endless possibilities.

 

 

Embroidery Hoop hangers

This is a fun and easy planter/hanger for you to make with stuff you may a have on hand.

This project came to less than $12 bucks for 2 hangers and you'll have hoops left over for another project. :D

Things you'll need:
-Embroidery hoops different sizes
-Spray paint (already had)
-E600 glue

The next items are up to you. I decided to add a bird and a artificial plant. You can use a real one, but I'm lazy in watering plants so fake is the way for me.

Make sure to use Michael's 40% off coupon to save a little moo'la.

Start by spray painting the planters your choice of color. I used one 12, 10 and 8 inch hoop. I used the inner 8 inch hoop because I didn't want the screw tightener in the middle hoop.

Let the hoops dry overnight. Then use dabs of the glue to apply the objects to the hoops. Hold for 10 minutes with your hands, so it can become "tacky" onto the object. Then you will want to secure it between to objects to hold it in place. View the 4th image, I used miniature deflated beach balls.

I hung my items with twine and TADA instant adorable hangers for our bedroom.



 



Furgie is photobombing.















ON VACATION!!!

I've been super busy with work and other stuff. 

However, I'm finally on vacation!!!

When I get back I will be posting some fun DIY projects, gardening crafts and my perfected fingernail nail-polish marbling tutorial.  :)

Flavored Sugar

I LOVE TEA!!

I make a cup every morning and it starts me off on my day. I decided to make some flavored sugar to add to my hot tea, iced tea and for some baking recipes.

Things you'll need:
- 12oz mason jars
- Sugar (I used Splenda)
- Large Orange (grated)
- Small Lemon (grated)
- 2T lavender
- Vanilla Bean


Vanilla Sugar- I did one mason jar with a vanilla bean. You need to cut the bean lengthwise and clean out the "goop" inside and put it in the jar, then bury the bean in the sugar. Let this absorb for about 2 weeks or longer and than remove the bean. The sugar will turn a light tan color.

Orange Vanilla- In a mason jar I added half the grated orange and a vanilla bean (follow instructions from above).  Remove bean and you can strain out the rind and than replace back into the mason jar. My hubby says this one is his favorite and tastes like and creamsicle.

Citrus Sugar- In a mason jar I added half the dried grated rind from the orange and all the rind from the lemon. With the lid on, shake the sugar up. Allow this absorb for 1 week or longer.  You can keep the rind in or strain it out and than put the sugar back in the mason jar.

Lavender Sugar - Grind up 2 tablespoons of lavender flowers and add into sugar. Now I LOVE lavender, so you might want to try one tablespoon and give it a few days and see you if you need to add more in.  The sugar absorbs the flavor within a week.


NOTE: When using citrus, you need to make sure the rinds are dry, otherwise your sugar will absorb the moisture and make it hard.

Yogurt Popsicles

The Wee one wanted some ice cream and well, popsicle's are always the way to go when it's summer time. After looking at the nutrition facts I was shocked to see that per popsicle was 250 or 340 calories per bar. EEKS!!

Well easily solution, we made yogurt pops instead. The boys picked the Yoplait and I did the Greek yogurt. The Yoplait is 90 calories a carton and it made two pops.


Here's how I made mine:

Chobani Vanilla - I mixed 1 cup with 2 tablespoons of Nutella and it was delicious.
Chobani Coffee - I added mini chocolate chips to the bottom of the mold. (view picture)
Coconut Yogurt - I toasted coconut and put it in the middle and bottom of the mold.

Easy for the kids to make and easy clean up.  ENJOY!!!