The Inspiration Board: link party [61]

Welcome to the Inspiration Board link party. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your creativity! And a special thank you to all of you who leave comments - you’re sweet words make my day!

What have you been up to? I can’t wait to see. I’ll be going through the projects and featuring some on Friday.

A few rules:

• Link up your own project - something you created, made, did, etc.
• Grab a “homework” button and include it somewhere on your blog.
• Follow homework.  You’ll find the “Follow via Google Friend Connect” gadget on the right sidebar.
• Please visit the other links that intrigue you and make someone smile with a comment or two.
• If you have a giveaway, I have a separate giveaway link party -  see the Giveaway Link Party tab at the top of the page.

I’m ready to be inspired - don’t forget to add my button somewhere on your blog. Spreading the word helps bring more visitors to your linked project.

<a href=" http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="homework" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjSbbA0SOqesA5DHID0I2xl7oOAjtbIFcAeh3DMql6FzRborOFgbaGtPfC36n4P2XimbCewe-uE_YrJzA0JxCjQ_6ifYvJlKf9fw8nFunAdoeuAn-d1hP8_XVPE4ohV3whBUTItFY8TJy/s1600/Homework+Blog+Logo+Square+outline+2-1.jpg" height="125" width="125"/></a>

Want to host your own link party? Click here to sign up for InLinkz
 

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

Etceteras: sharpie coffee mugs [starfish]

I’m fascinated with the Sharpie mugs that I’ve seen on Pinterest. Have you seen them? A lot of the mugs that I’ve seen have fun, bold illustrations and word art drawn with a black sharpie.



I’m out of practice drawing and sketching and using a big, fat, black Sharpie would be a recipe for disaster for me. Besides, I wanted to draw something nautical and beachy on my mugs.



This drawing was a good solution for “oh my goodness – it’s a permanent market” phobia. Since the design is made up of little dots, I would be less likely to make a mistake.



To make your own Sharpie mug, you’ll need:

• Mugs {mine are from the dollar store but they are oven and dishwasher safe]
• Sharpies
• Pencil – optional

Pick a design and practice drawing it on paper. Hold the paper to the mug to see if you’re happy with your drawing. Once you’re satisfied, draw your design onto the mugs with pencil. Start filling in your drawing with a Sharpie. You can use line strokes or dots like I did.

When you are done with your drawing bake your mugs at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (again, make sure your mugs are oven safe). Let cool. The drawing is now permanent and the pencil marks will wash away.



Since I’m currently obsessed with starfish, I’m thrilled with my new mugs. If only I were sitting on the deck of my beach house drinking coffee out of one of the mugs…

Oh well, one can dream…

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

I link at the wonderful parties listed here and 

 

The Inspiration Board: link party spotlight ~60~

Thank you so much for linking up and sharing your projects on the Inspiration Board this week. As always, there were so many beautiful and inspiring projects to look through. I learn something new every week!

Here are a few in the spotlight this week.


 

Check out this kitchen accent table from How to Nest for Less. The texture is created from a product called wood icing. Click over for close up photos of the texture and the tutorial on how to create different textures.



My son used to play with Legos so I’m very familiar with this shape. One Art Mama used silicone molds to create a rainbow of crayon Lego men to use as party favors!

 
Printable Décor created her own Z Gallerie inspired prints that I like even better than the originals. There’s a camera, a dress form and a vintage sewing machine. Want to know the best part – click over and you can download the prints for free.


Wow, wow, wow! Domestic Imperfection created a faux wood inlay look using stencils. I can’t imagine the amount of work involved in this project. Beautiful!


Oh my! I’ve mentioned this before but I absolutely love pastry crust. Country Mama Cooks is my new hero by introducing me to pie cookies. I can’t wait to whip up a batch (and eat them)!


Grow Creative made the prettiest tin can lanterns and tells us the secret to punching the holes without bending the cans.

 
Love this Smores gift idea from A Pumpkin and a Princess. The packaging is so clean and simple. Perfect for teacher gifts, party favors or hostess gifts.


Edible spoons by Hungry Happenings. The spoons are made out of almond nougatine…yum and a swirl of chocolate ganache…yum.


This pretty shelf by Flickerwhips is made out of a piece of vintage tin trim. A perfect spot for these pretty white serving dishes.


Feel Lovd Everyday created a hometown string art using a wood slice, tiny nails and crochet yarn. Her son helped with the project making it extra special.


 
 

This week on the Inspiration Pinboard

Clockwise from top left: 

1. Cherished Bliss   2.  Country Momma Cooks   3.  About Crochet   4. Knot all that I Seam

 

If you were in the spotlight, please feel free to grab a button.

<a href=" http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="homework" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXKM4yQr9oUN7GwFux5BITknFYg1so-bdRvyvaBjWBTFrjlH943I7g401-x4gi3eWzlMzyZJjiZUszNBy3GpPcUkBQg_zNqqFY7fpE7ASpwP3nnNI250E6lTch-PcLFuJQzEqyDRYK4Yg/s1600/Featured+Button.jpg" height="125" width="125"/></a>

Thank you again to everyone who linked a project and to everyone who came to visit. I loved looking at all the projects and visiting your sites.

Carolyn

Upcycling: cookie tin to coffee bin

I’ve been saving this cookie tin for the longest time. 

Originally it was filled with Swedish Gingersnaps and the design on the tin is so pretty. 

The only problem was the nutrition information that was printed on the back of the tin. The only way to cover it without it looking out of place was to use the area as a label.

I went with the oh-so-popular chalkboard paint label. I’ve learned from experience that using chalkboard paint on metal can be problematic. Press too hard with the chalk and you scratch the paint off. As an option you can buy chalkboard vinyl but I decided to make my own.

All you need is a label or contact paper. Cut out your label shape and paint it with several coats of chalkboard paint. Every other coat you’ll want to paint in the opposite direction – up and down then across – until you have a nice coat of paint with no streaks.



The tin needed a little handle and I found this old drawer handle that I glued on. A knob would have looked cute too. In fact, I had a hard time deciding – knob or handle, knob or handle…



I’ll store coffee beans in a plastic bag inside the tine since it will be difficult to completely wash the tin with the chalkboard label.

Time to grind some beans and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn

I link at the wonderful parties listed here and 

 

Inkling: astrobrights paper

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.


Chances are you’re familiar with AstroBrights papers. From crafts, school projects, flyers, booklet covers and more, Astrobrights have added a burst of color to many, many projects throughout my life.


AstroBrights papers come in 23 bright colors, so your ideas are extra bright!. Even a touch of the vibrant paper can add pizzazz to a simple project.


Since it’s almost back-to-school time, I wanted to use Astrobrights to liven up a plain composition book. I started by covering the book in white cardstock. Simply glue a piece of cardstock to your book cover and trim.


Next is the fun part. Use a large circle punch to punch out several Astrobright circles. I used a 1 inch circle punch.

I love the colors! Even these little circles are bursting with color!

Glue your circles onto your book cover. I used a regular glue stick for the circles.

 

This composition book is ready to go back-to-school and to be filled with creative, bright thoughts! 

And speaking of back-to-school, AstroBrights papers is currently running a  Back-To-School campaign called "Give a Brighter Year". The campaign launched on July 16, 2012 and will run through September 10, 2012. Visitors who “Like” the campaign page and submit a short online form will be entered into a sweepstakes to win school supplies worth $30,000 for the elementary school of their choice. Wow!! What school couldn’t use some school supplies.

In addition to the sweepstakes, Astrobrights is running a bi-weekly design challenge for all skill levels for a chance to win Astrobrights Paper and other great prizes. Check it out here on AstroBrights papers.

I hope your day is bright and happy!

Thanks for visiting.

Carolyn