Summer Lights

Happy new week everyone!

It's the middle of August and I'm in a slight panic.

I'm realizing that summer is slowly slipping away.

It's my favorite season because I like the weather

(even if it can get a bit steamy and humid) &

there are so many things going on outdoors.

So I promise to dine outside as often as I can

whether it's at the park, the terrace of a nearby

restaurant or just my balcony.

And it's this reason why all this week, it's all about

"summer lights" and how to make them.

Let's start the week with this one:

blah: empty soda bottles

Fill them with something colorful like beads, marbles, beans,

cute-shaped pasta or sweets (ex. Smarties wafer candy).

Other options include gum balls or gummy bears.

Then add candles and TADA!, a pretty and

practical centerpiece for a picnic table!

Milk and Sugar

Our final ceramics make-over involves these two items:

A sugar bowl missing a cover

A plain white creamer

With the help of this pen, I'll turn

them from blah to TADA!

My design choice: writing the word "sugar"

in different languages.

I did the same with the word "milk".

Now even if I didn't get these as a pair,

they look like they're meant to be together.

Let them dry for a full 24 hours.

Then bake these in a 300 degree F (150 degree C) oven

for 35 minutes. This process makes the ink permanent

and the manufacturer says it can withstand the

dishwasher.

Allow to cool before use.

Add the sugar...

...and the milk, half and half or cream,

and they're ready to make their debut

in your next dinner party.

I hope you liked my blah to TADA! project this week.

Have a sensational weekend!

Eggs-cellent Transformation

How's your Thursday coming along?

Today, I'm giving this blah egg cup a TADA! make-over.

And I'm doing that with this Pebeo Porcelaine pen

that I bought at my favorite craft store.

It's easy to use: Make sure the surface of your project is

clean. Shake the pen, uncap and on a sheet of

paper, press the tip of the marker until the paint

flows. Try writing or drawing on the paper before

you start on the ceramics. You can draw your

image on with a pencil or transfer a design

using carbon paper before inking. Or if you're

daring, draw directly. And if you make a mistake,

use a damp paper towel or moist towellettes.

When you are pleased with your design,

let it dry for 24 hours.

To make the design permanent, put it in

a 300 degree F (150 degree C) oven

and bake for 35 minutes. If you are

making multiple projects, bake them

at the same time to save energy but

don't overcrowd the sheet pan.

TADA! A modern look for my egg cup!

Painted Plate

Do you want more ideas on how to turn old

ceramics from blah to TADA!?

blah: a lonely dessert plate

Draw on it using this special pen.

This is drawn freehand using floral stationery

as inspiration.

Dry, bake and cool.

Use it as a tray for your favorite products.

TADA!

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!