Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Marker Pen and Alcohol Tiles


I had some creative time this weekend, and filled it with what may be my new obsession: making "Alcohol Ink" coasters. They aren't a new idea but I came across them on Pinterest last year and they were on my list to try so they were new to me. It's art and chemistry in one and I love that no two will be the same. 

Supplies Needed: 
  • Hardware Store Ceramic Tiles ( mine were like $.16 each )
  • Sharpie or Alcohol Ink Pens ( I used Sharpie, Prismacolor, and Spectrum Noir)
  • Rubbing Alcohol
  • Eye Dropper
  • Sealant ( I used Rustoleum Clear Laquer Spray)
  • Aluminum Tape (optional) 
  • Paper Towel or something to protect your work surface. I liked paper towel because of the absorbency. 


Clean the tiles with a little of the alcohol just to get any residual dust etc. off of them. That's it on the prep! You'll want to use the "shiny" tiles...ones that are not porous. 

The tiles are so cheap ( not inexpensive, these are downright CHEAP...16 cents each) and if you mess up guess what? Before you seal you can clean off the ink with more alcohol and start over!

Decide which colors you want to use and then scribble all over your tiles. You can cover as much or as little as you want depending on the effect you're going for. If you have alcohol inks in your stash you can use them too and just drip them directly onto the tiles. 


For this one went all over just randomly covering with bright colors. This one is all Sharpie.  Once you're happy , then grab your eye dropper and start dripping your alcohol randomly and watch the magic happen! (This is where I wish I had video'd the process because it's fascinating to watch the alcohol and inks interact)



Don't overdo it on the alcohol. It's a judgement call and in some cases you might want to add more where it doesn't spread. I also observed that as the alcohol dries, it continues to interact with the marker and continues to change until it's completely dry. 


As I was doing these and lamenting that I didn't have some colors in my Sharpie collection, I wondered if other pens would work since all the ones I'd seen on Pinterest used Sharpies . 

Guess what? They do! I grabbed some of my Prismacolor and Spectrum Noir pens since they're basically alcohol based and found that they interact equally as well with the alcohol and are a little more fluid than the Sharpies. I did some with just Sharpie, some with just the other pens, and some combining them all. This was truly just playing around to see what happened. 


Once dry, you'll want to seal them. I used Rustoleum Clear Laquer and lightly sprayed about three coats. To finish, I had some aluminum tape ( I think this is from the electrics section at the HW store...I bought mine at an art fair but I think that's where the booth owner said it came from) and then put self adhesive felt dots on the bottoms. 


This one's for me to keep and use for my iced mochas! It reminds me of the milk and foam from a coffee drink. 


Mr. Chocolate called dibs on this one because it reminds him of the outdoors. 

The rest are actually a birthday gift for my son's BFF who loves to host cocktail parties. I figured he could always use some additional coasters! 

Never to early to start thinking about handmade holiday gifts! I am going to get some larger tiles and make some trivets as Hannukah and Christmas gifts! 






Monday, May 1, 2017

Happy May


Happy May everyone! I cannot believe it's May already. Five months into the year already? How can that be? 

Hope you all had a great weekend. Did some lettering and worked on a few things I'll be posting soon. 


Thursday, April 27, 2017

BFF Open House Link Party


TGIAF or Thank Goodness It's Almost Friday! Month end is always chaotic work-wise and this week has been NO exception. This party gives me something to look forward to during those weeks. Let's see some ideas from last week's party, and a big chocolate-y WELCOME to some new party guests. 

To regulars and newcomers alike, thank you for making this one of your party stops! 


There's something about maps that add to any decor. Whether you have vintage maps, photocopied maps, or map themed scrapbook paper these decoupaged map candles from The Navage Patch are so cool. How fun would it be to do these w/ maps from a special trip? Best part is they're LED candles so you'll never burn your maps. 



Do you doodle or Zentangle? Who says it's only for paper. Love this doodled terra cotta pot from Shine Crafts. Fun to do yourself or would make a fun craft to do with your kids. 


Boho style jewelry is so popular right now and this necklace from Woods of Bell Trees is no exception (  I also really really want her mannequin!). Tres chic. 


And for this week's chocolate feature? Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies via Lollyjane from My Name Is Snickerdoodle. Let's just say it's a really good thing a plate of these are not in front of me right now. 

Now on to this week's party! 

   
   

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Happy Earth Day

This week's link party continues here thru Sunday!

Earth Day lettering and doodle ( no Mr. Chocolate, the earth is not intended to be an actual rendering!) . 

Had fun combining my doodle with Nursery images from The Hungry JPEG. 

Here's the plain version: 


I used Tombow Dual Tip brush pens to color the earth and the letters. If you buy these make sure you buy the blending pen! It's got a clear top and it is EVERYTHING! 


Thursday, April 20, 2017

BFF Open House Link Party


Happy Friday Eve all! Hope everyone's had a wonderful week and Spring is acting like it in your neck of the woods. Here in the PNW we've had seveal days of every kind of weather except snow lately. I'm talking in the same day. Sunny then rainy then thunder then sunny. Lather rinse repeat.  Let's see some ideas from last week's party! 


LOVE this Spring tablescape from Much More Creative using pedestals she made. Even though Easter is over, this is perfect for the rest of Spring. I am a sucker for anything on a pedestal. 


How fabulous would those pedestals look on top of this amazing farm table Artsy VaVa shared? More amazing? HER SON MADE IT. Yes I needed to put that in all caps. HE MADE IT! If he ever decides to stop being an Architect, he's got a calling right? Not surprising he's got such a great eye with a mom as creative as he has. 


Any pet parents out there? I have an older dog who would love to snuggle in this Pampered Pooch Pocket from Kileen at Raven Would. Who wouldn't feel cozy in this and even if your sewing skills are limited ( like mine) it looks pretty straightforward. 


YUM is all I have to say about these Chocolate Kiss Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies from Sugar Spice and Family Life

Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

   
   


Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Lettering Practice: Coffee Humor



I've noticed I have something in common with all of the hand lettering artists whose work I love. We share a love of coffee. 

My preferred drink is iced mochas. Doesn't matter what time of year it is, it's an iced mocha for me. 

So, I attempted to sketch one out ( can you tell my home away from home by the green straw? )  and then scanned in and added a marbled paper background. 



But then I couldn't decide if I wanted to leave it alone or add something more so I played around and added a watercolor "splat" .  Graphics are from The Hungry JPEG. 


Mocha time! 

Monday, April 17, 2017

My Easter Basket Goodies



I mailed Phd Boy all the Easter chocolate in his Easter "Boxsket". My basket actually got filled on Saturday when I got to go to one of my favorite places, Shipwreck Beads. It is a HUGE warehouse filled with anything and everything a beader or jewelry maker could want. 



Not that I needed anything but that's beside the point right? I mean they were having a sale and since the warehouse is 90 minutes away from home and I don't get there frequently and ...... you get the point. They have a great website and their sale goes through tonight I think. Just sayin' :) 

I picked up some Kiwi Sesame Jasper and Amazonite, miscellaneous findings and connectors, Vintage French and Venetian seed beeds, and some Lucite Petal Flowers. Not sure what I'm' making with any of it yet but not the point right?