Week 9

So last week I tried my hand at the Sharpie dishware I’ve been seeing around. This week I took it a step further. While I was at Home Depot picking up a few things for the house I saw blank white tiles of many sizes. I grabbed a large assortment of sizes to and add some flare and create art. My first attempt was on the largest piece I purchased, 12×12. In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday this past Sat. I made a quote board of a few of my favorite of his sayings.

I have to say that I am really happy with how this turned out. I also cannot believe the freehand drawing that I did. Normally drawing something is not my specialty, but I think these came out fantastic.I think this might go into the ever increasing pile of gifts for my future niece or nephew.

 

Week 8

Here is last weeks craft. I’ve been seeing Sharpie mugs and even plates all over Pintrest and StumbleUpon. It is always black sharpie on a white mug. I really liked the look of those and wanted to take it a little farther. See I have a bit of a love affair with Sharpie in all its forms. (It’s ok. Mr Eclectic doesn’t mind). I have a wide range of Sharpie’s in various colors and sizes. I wanted to use more than standard black for this project.

I work closely with the Norse Goddess Sigyn. Her primary symbol is the bowl she uses to catch the poison otherwise dripping into her Husband’s face. I have a wooden bowl I made a few years ago as a devotional piece that is covered in her kennings (titles). At the store the other day I found a set of six 5oz bowls that I couldn’t pass up. I decided to make a few into small devotional bowls for Sigyn and the others into offering bowls. A couple hours later and much debate on color I had all six decorated. Then they went into the cold oven for 30 min at 350 F.

I learned several things in this process. One is that the stroke marks will show on pretty much all colors. You can either work with it or give up on filling in the color. There are certain colors that work better than others, this is a matter of trial and error. I also discovered that some colors do not come out of the oven the same color they went in to the oven.

This orange color started the project as a bright yellow. I am also planning on getting a clear glaze to seal the project on. I am going to try painting that section bright yellow before sealing it and hope it stays. I am not trying to make these into usable everyday dishes, but rather devotional pieces. If you are planning on eating or drinking out of these containers please keep the decorations away from any surface that will come into contact with food/drink or your mouth.

While drawing if you make a mistake water will remove the sharpie no problem. After baking the finish will hold up to water and gentle washing. I haven’t tried to scrub it with anything abrasive yet so I can’t say how it will hold up to that. I did find out by accident that nail polish remover will still strip the decoration after the time in the oven. I have a few more experiments to perform in terms of durability. If I discover anything interesting I’ll let you know.

 

Week four

This week I was very productive. I finished three projects.

The first was a crochet sackboy that I started a few weeks ago. My husband saw the photos when I first found the tutorial and asked for one. I thought it could be part if his Valentines day present. I started it early fir two reasons. One was the lack of another project. The other was that it was the first three dimensional project I’ve ever done and i wasn’t sure how long it would take me. I am actually very happy with how it came out. He wanted a mouth so I added a little one on in the end.

http://goldenjellybean.com/youtube/about/make-your-own-sackboy/

The second project was also for him. I made him a tiny cuthulu to sit with sackboy in his desk. This worked up much faster. I found the pattern easier to follow and the smaller size let me work him up in a day. Then again the pattern may have been easier because I had already done sackboy. These two now sit with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle penholder I made a few weeks ago. His desk is now officially nerd-tastic.

http://cthulhucrochet.blogspot.com/2008/05/tiny-cthulhu-free-pattern.html

The third project was for my brother and sister-in-law who are expecting their first child in the fall. I found this cute pattern for a door stopper so the latch wouldn’t wake a sleeping baby. They are also easy to remove so the door can close all the way as well. These were such a breeze to whip up, about an hour for me.

http://www.crochetdynamite.com/2012/06/life-at-old-farmhouse.html

All in all a great week for crafting.

I am so excited! We are getting the keys for our new home this weekend!  I can’t wait to start decorating and truly making it a home for the both of us. I saw this great tutorial http://www.livinglocurto.com/2011/11/wreath-craft/ on making a wreath using a grapevine wreath and paper napkins.  I made this quick little gem to grace out new front door.

I choose to let the white show to lighten up the colors. I also added the flowers off to the side for a little pizzaz. I can’t wait to put in on the front door of my first home!