Monogram Plates

I recently got this really cute project idea in one of my crafting newsletters and had to share it. I have a set of these clear plates and I can't wait to personalize them with our initial. Enjoy! Materials Needed: Clear Plate(s); Paint for Glass/Ceramics; Foam Alphabet Stamps; Q-tips; Very Fine Tip Paintbrush; Stencil Background Stamp for Monogram (optional).

Instructions:

The stamps are applied in reverse--this is the backside of the initial stamps (showing the outline option) sitting on top of the back of the clear glass plate.

Applying the Paint: Choose your color for your middle foam stamp. It is always best to do the middle initial first in order to center it properly. Here the center initial was a “B” and it had to be applied in two steps because a “B” does not translate in reverse. Letters that reverse are much easier, such as the “M” and the “C”, since they can be flipped either way and will stamp in reverse just fine. Practice several times before applying to your plate to be sure you have the letters reversed correctly--just remember, you are basically rotating your letter on the vertical, like you would if you held it up to a mirror.

Stamp your plate with the paint already applied to the foam letters (it's easiest to apply the paint to the letters using a Q-tip). Because your plate is clear, it is best to press the plate on top of the stamp, rather than the stamp on the plate. This way, you can position it perfectly, and you can add pressure by pressing on the plate to make the paint adhere better.

After your foam letter is applied, you will see that the paint is not uniform. You will need a very fine tip paintbrush to fill in the uneven spots. The higher the quality of your paintbrush the better, because you’ll be able to stay within the lines more precisely. Let your monogram dry for 1 hour. After an hour, apply a second layer of paint with your fine tip brush by filling in the monogram again. You’ll be pleased that you applied a second coat because it makes for a bolder statement. Let dry for 1 hour. Repeat this step for however many plates you want to complete.

Simple letters would be fine, but your plates will be even prettier if you choose to add a second background layer for interest. Just find a large foam stencil style stamp you like and add it in a separate color for a bigger impact. Remember, you must apply your letters first, because your second layer will be hidden behind the monogram and this is the look you’ll want to achieve. Do not do the decorative layer first! Apply the second color of paint to the decorative stamp with a Q-tip or second paintbrush (other than your fine tip brush).

Again, lay the stamp paint side up on your newspaper, and press the plate directly on to the stamp. Again, you’ll see that the paint does not apply evenly, but it does give you the shape you desire. Fill in the design with your fine tip paintbrush. Let first layer of paint dry 30 minutes. Come back and fill in a second layer with your paint color and brush. Now you’re done! Let all plates dry overnight. A set of these for a close friend or your Mom for Mother's Day would be really special!

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Home Made Flames

Every year, my office competes in a chili cook-off competition held by a local college pre-law association and from what I hear, our chili is the BEST! When volunteers were needed to help set-up and decorate our tent, I was eager to help! The decision had been made to do a "Chili Bowl", sorta like the "Iron Bowl" or the "Sugar Bowl" in football (hey, we're in the South so don't judge) and use our local teams as opponents. I suggested having flames coming off our tent and volunteered to purchase or make them. Well, I scoured the marketplace and was unable to find pre-made flames so I decided to make them myself. Here's what I did:

I used several cardboard boxes and cut the flames out with a utility knife. Once I had them all cutout, I laid them out on large pieces of cardboard and spray painted them with two different shades of red and..... had flames. Our plan was to hang them from the tent but the wind would not cooperate. My sweet husband told me they looked like dinosaur teeth but.... I think they look like flames--how about you? While we didn't win the judges choice for the best chili, we did win the people choice and to me, that's the best award to win! I didn't get to taste our chili but it smelled FABULOUS! Maybe next year we'll bring home the judges trophy!

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A Place to Sit

I found the cutest pair of chairs at the Chelsea Antique Mall yard sale for $25. They needed a touch of "TLC" and I was more than happy to oblige. The cushions were very easy to pop-out and recover. I found the tan suede fabric at Old Time Pottery for $4 and was able to recover both cushions with some leftover for another project. I had a can of chocolate brown spray paint on hand and used it to paint them. I bought a set of orange throw pillows at TJ Maxx for $16 to give them a splash of color and look, a comfortable (and affordable) place to sit. I am using one chair in my craft area and the other in our media room--easy and inexpensive project! Pin It

My Creative Space

Building a new house is both fun and stressful. I enjoy picking out all the finishes, colors, textures and landscaping. The not so fun part is arguing with the builder on simple changes that can drastically impact how you use a space. Case in point--my new creative space! During the planning stage of building our house, I was adamant about eliminating wasted space. One such space was a storage closet due to be placed at the top of our staircase. It seemed odd to me that you would come to the top of the stairs and have a closet on the only usable wall in a small space. I could envision a table or desk there with something pretty hanging on the wall. I could not picture a door! Luckily, I was able the convince the contractor to turn the storage closet into additional space in the fourth bedroom. This enabled me to have a small work space which I have so deemed by creative space! I had the space all laid all out in my head and couldn't wait to move in so I could start really being creative. Funny how other things took precedent and the craft area was placed on the back burner for quiet some time. It will be two years this March since we moved and I finally have the craft area set-up--wow, two years! I am still finishing some updates, ie. bulletin boards, ribbon storage shelf, etc. but at least the space is usable. Needless to say, it hasn't seen a lot of action yet except for Jackson sitting at my desk and playing on the computer (I think he's creating his own blog), but I plan to break it in soon! Here's a quick tour: This is my new desk. A friend told me about this wonderful place called The Blue Building in Alabaster which had lots of hotel furniture it had recently acquired from a closing sale. I hurried over and was able to get it for $50. Of course, I had to paint it orange (go figure)....

The chair at my desk and the one in the corner is a set I bought at the Chelsea Antique Mall yard sale for $25. I painted them both chocolate and recovered the cushions with cream suede fabric...... Th armoire is one we had in the guest bedroom at our first house. It's a computer armorie so it's practical and has lots of interior room for storage. I decided to repaint it chocolate.... And here's the completed space--completely stocked brushes, canvases, fabric, ribbon, and lots of tools to foster some creativity--now, all I need to do is put it to good use!

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