From Plant Container to Candle Holder

Let me show you a few plant pots that I got from Target's

dollar section a few years ago:

They remind me a lot of Japanese ceramics.

These pots come out every summer because I like

to grow fresh herbs in them. This was the first

summer I tried it. For the succeeding summers,

I took the herbs out of the plastic containers &

replanted them directly into the pots.

But when the herbs have been used & summer is over,

the pots are kept to wait for next year.

Such a blah.

Until I thought of an idea:

Turn the pots over and use them as candle holders!

Perfect for any season.

TADA!

Let there be Light

Today, I'm taking a few blah things out of storage.

The first is this set of lights which I only use for

the holidays to dress up a tree or door frame.

The second is this vase that only gets to

hold flowers once or twice a year.

But what if we put them together?

Simply plug it in and...

Two blahs transformed into a TADA!

Now I can use this light fixture all throughout the year!

See you tomorrow.

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!