09 August 2011

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!

08 August 2011

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.

05 August 2011

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!


04 August 2011

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!

03 August 2011

Confetti Shower


Hi there! Ready for another business card idea?

Katrina over at Pugly Pixel made these adorable cards
using glassine envelopes, homemade confetti

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!


02 August 2011

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!

01 August 2011

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!