Accessory Dish

I found this ceramic dish for $1.00 at a shop in Chinatown:

It's meant to hold sauces and condiments but

I was thinking of another use for it.

It just looked a little too blah.

I used the special black pen I introduced yesterday to

draw a chevron pattern inspired by this rug:

Doesn't it look more TADA!?

I let it dry for 24 hours then baked it in a 300 degree F

(150 degree C) oven for 35 minutes. Baking makes

the pattern permanent and shouldn't wash off.

After letting it cool, here's what I used it for:

This is where I keep my hair clips organized.

TADA!

Crafty in the Kitchen

Hello and Happy Monday!

This week, I'm giving a new look to these

white dinnerware, some I found in my

cupboard and the rest I got at the

thrift store.

I'm using this special pen. It's called the Pebeo Porcelaine 150

in black (but there are other colors available). I got it

at Michael's and I know you can get it at other craft

or art stores. I learned about it from Design Mom.

Today, we'll work on this mug:

Make sure to wash and dry it.

Using the pen, I made freehand drawings.

Squiggly lines, circles, diamonds...

I could have concentrated on one area

but I got a little carried away.

If you prefer undecorated mugs, you can still use the pen

by writing secret messages at the bottom.

That way, when you lift the mug to your mouth,

your sweetie from across the table {and I hope

it's YOUR sweetie!} will get the message.

Allow to dry for a full 24 hours.

Then it's time to put it in the oven to

keep the ink permanent.

Place the mug on a sheet pan while the oven is off.

Preheat oven at 300 degrees F (or 150 degrees C).

When the oven is at the right temperature, start

your timer and bake for 35 minutes.

Then let cool (I turned the oven off after

35 minutes and left the mug inside until

the oven was no longer hot).

I must admit I was apprehensive with this

part because I was afraid the ceramics

would crack. I told myself, "There's only

one way to find out".

Thankfully, my mug survived the heat.

And now I've got a mug that went from

blah to TADA!

On the package, it says that the colors are resistant

to the dishwasher. However, some reviews online

say otherwise. I haven't tried and have kept to

hand washing just to be sure.

A Printing Mishap

Clearly, you can easily make your own business cards

with a computer, printer and blank cards.

Based on experience, it can be a hit or

miss endeavor:

My name isn't centered on the card.

It could be my template, the way I positioned

the paper or the paper itself. Or it could

simply be human error. Sigh.

I didn't want to waste this set.

So here's what I did:

I added a print out carrying my

information & glued it on the card.

It may not be appropriate for a doctor

or architect, but is a good match for

an artist or recycling blogger!

Happy Friday!

Collage Calling Card

If you have some business cards that are outdated

because you have a new job or the ones in your

Rolodex are no longer current, resist the

urge to throw them away.

We'll turn them from blah to TADA!

blah: old coupon cards or calling cards

from businesses that have closed

Most of them are blank when you

turn them over.

But to make them more useful, cover any of the text

with paper {apply some glue} ...go to town and

make a collage!

Then print out your information and

add this to your collage.

You'll hardly spend a cent and you get to use up those

paper scraps that you might have.

TADA!

Confetti Shower

Hi there! Ready for another business card idea?

Katrina over at Pugly Pixel made these adorable cards

using glassine envelopes, homemade confetti

and a DIY stamp kit.

I fell head-over-heels in love, I had to make my own version:

I made my own envelopes using wax paper

{parchment paper is another alternative}.

I used a standard size business card as a guide

for the dimensions. Then I assembled them

using scissors and all purpose glue.

I found some construction paper and punched away.

Boy, if my punchers could speak, they would say,

"Thanks for taking us out to play!"

The confetti...inside the envelope they went.

Seal the flap with Japanese tape.

Write all the information using a

black marker and TADA!,

one of a kind business cards!

Photo Cards

This week, we're creating our own business cards.

Today's inspiration are these MOO Cards:

They are photos I took that MOO turned into mini cards.

They can make them into business cards, postcards,

greeting cards and stickers, too.

If you have a box of old photos gathering dust,

rummage through it and find prints

that you're willing to let go of.

I chose this photo of a colored sky.

Dramatic no?

Trim the photo to a standard business card size

(3.5 inches x 2 inches) or mini size (2.75 inches x

1.10 inches), whichever you prefer.

At the back, you can write your information with a

marker or print out a sticker label.

TADA!

Here's My Card

I hope you had a sweet weekend my dears!

I've been thinking about business cards lately because

I'm in need of a new set.

I sure would love cards made from a letterpress...

...made of thick, textured card stock with

a 2-dimensional, reverse-embossed effect.

Or possibly cards that are die-cut

with more than one color.

But hey, these can be pricey and I may not

be willing to give them away. LOL!

So this week, I'm exploring ways to make my own.

Starting with these as inspiration:

Gold Teeth is a shop selling paper goods &

jewelry. The card is made from handmade

paper {I like the frayed edges}, the images &

words are hand-stamped with gold ink.

McFlashpants sells jewelry and her card is

made of craft paper and is also hand-stamped.

Claire's shop is filled with upcycled goodies & her

card shows that she's a true BFF of Mother Earth.

It's made of old cardboard and all the information is

also hand-stamped.

Fact & Fancy has already closed shop

but their business card is quite cute.

The logo is hand-stamped and the

other information is typed out and

pasted on a piece of thick paper.

More ideas tomorrow!