Paint Your Own decorative Tile Pot Rest

Decorative Tile Pot Rest

When I set out to experiment painting on a plain tile I wasn't quite sure what would come out of it, but as my design evolved, so did my idea for what I would do with this decorative piece - a pot rest. Not only can it be handy in the kitchen, but would be a great design piece for the centre of the table at your next dinner party or a beautiful hand-made gift for some one special.

The finished design

For this project you will need:

• a 30cm X 30cm plain ceramic tile (they are relatively inexpensive to buy singularly from hardware stores such as Bunnings, so I recommend buying a couple and having one to practice on.
• Stick on surface protectors, so the bottom of the tile doesn't scratch any delicate surfaces

• A pencil, eraser and ruler for drawing your design
• A selection of Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Paints and Markers in your desired colour scheme. The colours I used were Parma Violet, Turquoise, Malachite Green, Citrine Yellow, Olivene Green, Ming Blue, Lapis Blue, Black (paints) and Amazonite Green, Peacock Blue, Marseille Yellow, Peridot Green, Lapis Blue, Black (Markers)

I began with my design with both a Mandala and Zentangle in mind, but nothing specific. I started by making some pencil markings radiating from the centre like below.

Then I made up pattern instinctively as I went along.

You can copy my design, make up your own, or follow one of the many instructions for drawing mandalas that are on the internet.

Once I was pretty happy with design I used a combination of the Black Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Marker  and Fine Liner to mark in the lines I wanted to keep and few extra ones here and there.

Your design could look equally effective in Black and White, or just one extra colour or many colours like me. Once your marker pen is dry you are ready to paint.

TIPS

* Use a baby wipe to wipe off the pencil lines you know longer require. A baby wipe will also remove the Pebeo paint while its still wet. 

* Use Isopropyl alcohol such as ISOCOL or DIGGERS to remove dry paint marks that you don't like, smudges or mistakes. Cotton wool balls and buds are handy for this.

* A tooth pick is also handy for scratching off errors in tiny areas

If you find yourself getting brush marks you don't want, try using the paint sparingly with a very soft brush. Do light layers, allowing to dry thoroughly in between, to build up the colour.

In small areas you can try "flooding" the paint, dropping a lot of paint into the area and sort of using it around without creating brush strokes. Practice on your "practice tile" to see what effects you like.

with pink area

Pink area removed

Signed Sealed Delivered - Mail Art the Easy Way

We live in a very digital world of emails and instagrams, people communication via a phone usually, but I am an old school girl, I adore writing, sending and receiving letters! the ye ole snail mail kind. So today I thought I would share a very quick way to get unique looking envelopes that take literally 10 mins to complete!
Supplies
1. Envelopes  (use thicker ones I tore holes in my basic envelopes that I use for school notes)
2. Schmincke Aerocolor Inks in your favourite colours
3. Some cheap washii tape, the cheaper ones are substandard and you want to be able to remove the tape without damaging your envelope!
4. Brushes - I used the Princeton Artist Brush in various sizes (smaller size for mark making)
5. Mepxy Desgin Marker in Black when I wanted more control than a brush would give.

1. Get your envelopes ready and your washii tape and make 'address lines' lines where you would usually write the address.

Step 2 - Start applying washes of colour using your Schmincke Aerocolor Ink as you can see ink is repelled by the washii tape, don't worry that doesn't matter in the end! The tape is doing it's job perfectly. - I switched envelopes as these one tore! so tip is to use a little higher quality envelopes that office standard. 

step 3 - Mix Colours and have fun! there is no right or wrong way to create your palettes on these envelopes experiment with combinations, mixes and mark making!

Step 4 - Creating details with a small brush is a great way to get some visual interest into your envelopes! I used the Grey acrylic ink and a small brush and went to town adding marks.

When I wanted more control with marks, I switched to the Mepxy Design Marker in black. 

Step 5- When you are happy with your envelopes now comes time to peel off your washi tape address lines.

 This will reveal stark white lines for which you can easily write you penpals address on without it being too hard for the post office to read, whilst still being bright and full of colour!
 I then went in with my old school label maker and just punched out my name to give you an idea that you don't have to even writing your names! you can make funky labels instead!

 I hope this inspires you to create some wonderful bright envelopes to mail off to friends, family and penpals! I'm going to be back in a few days using similar techniques but using project life cards! Stay tuned for that one!

Enjoy have a wonderful mail filled day! 

Courtney Diaz.

Create a Rose Gold Mug For Someone Special

Material Required For This Project

• A plain white ceramic mug
• Scotch Blue Painters Tape
• Self-adhesive stencil by Portacraft (optional)
• Pebeo Porcelaine Outliner in Gold
• Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Glossy Gold paint
• Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Glossy Scarlet paint
• Pebeo Porcelaine 150 Glossy Olivine Green paint
• Small round brush, I like Princeton brushes
• Cleaning alcohol and paper towel to clean mug

 Step 1: Wash your mug in hot soapy water, dry it, clean off with cleaning alcohol to remove any residue, then wipe with a paper towel to dry.

Stick the scotch Blue Painters TapeAround the top edge of the mug.

I cut the stencil out from the sheet of self adhesive stencils I found at a craft shop. They are really handy for curved surfaces because they will adhere flat to them. If you can't find this stencil you could just draw in lines with the outliner.

Step 1

 Step 2: With your gold outliner fill in the empty spaces of the stencil. This gives a great 3D effect to your design.

Step 2

 Step 3: Next you can begin to fill in the petal with your gold paint.

Step 3

 Step 4: Add the Scarlet paint. Don't be afraid to be a little messy and mix the colours together. this will give both a nice painterly effect, and some beautiful rose gold tones.

Step 4

Step 5: Use your red and gold paints and the small round brush to create some small rose buds of different sizes randomly around your mug.

Step 5

 Step 6: Use your Olivine Green to create the leaves. The nature of the paint means that with the small round brush you can create brush marks that look like the veins in the leaves. When you try it for yourself you will see what I mean.

Step 6

 Step 7: Use the outliner to draw a clean line up against the edge of the tape.

Step 7 

 Step 8: Remove the tape and draw in a decorative squiggles.

Step 8

Don't forget to bake your mug in the oven according to the packet instructions. This will make your design dishwasher safe and you will have it for ever.

Baby Mermaid Library Bag

My Baby Mermaid Library Bag (although you could could use it for many purposes) actually began because I didn't want to waste the left over Pebeo Setacolor paint I had been using on another project. Here's what happened...

• I had left over Pebeo Setacolor Opaque fabric paint in Oriental Blue, Light Green and Butter Cup
• I grabbed a piece of washed (without fabric softeners) and ironed cotton "Homespun" craft fabric
• I added some water and swished it on randomly - just to see what would happen.

•  I was happy with this result, and it reminded me of a water scene, and of course MERMAIDS
• So I grabbed a Pebeo SetaSkrib marker pen and marked in the basic shapes of my baby mermaid.
• The basic shapes to draw to start off your mermaid are a circle for the face, a football shape for the body, and a triangle for the tail - it can be that simple.
• Once you have drawn in your shapes with the marker, begin to fill them in with Pebeo Setacolor Fabric paint. I mixed together White and Bengal Pink to make the face and Used the Bengal pink on its own for the body and tail.

I used a heat dryer to spend up the paint trying so I could move on to the next layer.

• Next I used a stencil and white fabric paint to add a pattern on the body. I used a Princeton Stencil brush at first, then a finer brush to make the white paint thicker around some edges to add shading and dimension

• Add some detail on the tail with white paint

• I used a mixture of Pebeo Setacolor in Parma Violet and White, with a fine brush and wavy strokes to create the hair (imagine hair floating about in water). I started the beginnings of my face as you can see. The neck is just a small line and the arms are simple stick arms and hands.

• I love to add dots so I added swirls of white dots in the hair

Note how I have also added some Parma violet shading on the tail. You can also go over any of the colours as they dry to increase their intensity.

The finished Baby Mermaid

• Use a fine brush and/or Setaskrib markers to create facial details. Don't forget to add a dot of white paint for a hi-light in the pupil to give a "starry-eyed" look. Note also how I haven't outlined the bottom of the eye, this adds youth and whimsy to the face.

DON'T FORGET TO IRON YOUR DESIGN AS PER INSTRUCTION ON THE BOTTLE TO SET THE PAINT

Although my design had started just as a play on a piece of fabric, I ended up really liking it and wanting to use it in some way so I decided to make a simple children's library bag. Here's how I did it:

• Cut a piece of cotton fabric to required size, mine is 35cm X 40 cm finished. My fabric is a remnant of uncoated curtain fabric.

• As you can see in the above photo I cut a long piece of fabric so the bottom or the bag has a folded edge. BEFORE stitching up the side seams I have finished the top edge of my bag with my overlocker, and folded over a seam of about 3cm. This will create a casing to thread through a cord. You can see I have marked in a button hole. I actually did not sew the button hole in this position, as the hole would have ended up on the inside of the bag and I wanted it to be on the outside.

Note the button hole is only sewn through one thickness of fabric (before the top edge is folded over)

• Once you have sewn in your button hole, sew up your side seams, then fold over your casing and stitch in place. Press with your iron.
• Next you will need to adhere your design to your bag. To do this you need a double sided adhesive web which you will be able to buy from a fabric and craft store. There are many varieties available but I used Heat - n -Bond Ultrahold. Follow the instructions on your product.

Here I have peeled off the backing on one side of the adhesive web and ironed it to the wrong side of my design. Next I will cut around the design, then I will peel off the paper backing and iron it to my bag while it is till out flat.

As a final touch I've used a bit of Dimensional Fabric Paint 

• Once you have adhered your design, attach a safety pin to a piece of cord and thread through the casing. Going the cord together with your sewing machine and you are done.

Paint Your Own Tank Top With Pebeo Setacolor Fabric Paint

Here's what you will need to paint this Tank Top:

• Black Tank Top (or T Shirt if your prefer). Mine is 95% cotton, 5% elastane. Look for a smooth rather than a ribbed fabric.
• Pebeo Setacolor Opaque fabric paint in "Shimmer Silver"
• Pebeo Setacolor Thickener
• Pebeo Setacolor Opaque fabric paint in "Cornflower"
• Pebeo SetaSkrib Markers in Blue and Black
• Paint brushes, one flat, one small round, I used Princeton brushes.
• Heavy paper to place inside your Tank Top so paint doesn't run through to back
• Removable tape to secure your masks to your Tank Top
• Lint Roller (or other tool to remove lint)

To make a moon stencil:

• A4 size craft foam sheet (Or even heavy cardboard would be ok)
• Plate or circle template
• Craft knife and mat

To make Moon Gazer mask:

• Print up template provided (computer and printer required)
• Piece of heavy paper (185 - 300 gsm would be OK)
• Heavy Gloss Gel
• Old paint brush for Gel
• Scissors

Here's what to do:

• Firstly wash your top in a detergent that does not contain fabric softeners.

Make a circle stencil for your moon.

• To make your moon stencil, you need to cut out a circle shape. I used a thin piece of craft foam, and a bread n butter plate. Place on a cutting mat, and cut around the plate with your craft knife. Keep both the stencil and the mask (the solid circle shape) as it might come in handy for another project
• To make the Moon Gazer Mask, print up the template below.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PDF

 
• Cut around the template and then draw around the edge of the template onto a piece of heavy paper. Cut the shape out and coat front and back with a couple of coats of heavy gloss gel (allowing to dry in-between coats and before turning over). This will make your mask strong and durable and resistant to damage from paint and other liquids. I've used my mask in many projects like the paintings below,  and its still standing up well.

• Next take some heavy paper (I used old card stock) and insert inside your top between the front and the back, you don't want any paint to seep through onto the back of your top.

• Use your Lint Roller to remove any lint/fluff from your top

• Then place your moon gazer mask and your circle stencil on your top as shown, securing in place with some removable tape.

• Prepare your paint by mixing about 3 parts Pebeo Setacolor Opaque Silver Shimmer, with 1 part Pebeo Setacolor Thickener. I did this to make the paint thick to lesson the chance of the paint seeping under my mask/stencil

• Carefully paint inside you moon stencil. Paint in the direction starting outside the stencil moving inwards.

Add your blue paint

• Begin to randomly mix in Pebeo Setacolor in Cornflower. You can also leave a little black showing for extra colour variation.

• Use a thin Princeton brush to add curved silver lines to help give the impression of a sphere and also add texture.

• Remove moon stencil carefully, and trace around the edge of the moon gazer mask using a fine brush
  
  
  

• Touch up any edges with a fine brush

• I used a wider brush to paint in the hair, adding some silver and some blue paint.

Add blue to the hair

add the stars (optional)

Here I am using the SetaSkrib marker in Black to go over where my silver paint when wonky and neaten up my lines.

She's done. Don't forget to iron your top for 5 minutes as per instructions on the bottle to set the paint.