DIY - Painting on Porcelain

I've experimented with decorating white porcelain plates with sharpies before.

But my experiments were always in black and white.  I decided to do another experiment with color.

Here's a super short time-lapse video of how it all started ...

Steps:  Make sure to wash your plates first, to make sure there is no residue.   I find it's easier to cut up my stencils (GASP!) to make it easier to lay the motifs on the plates.   (Note that the 4 x 4" stencils from Stencil Club are perfect - no cutting needed!  The orange/yellow middle swirl flower was designed by Maria McGuire for March 2017.    All of the other elements are from my designs for November 2016.  (If you don't know about Stencil Girl's Stencil Club - check it out here.))

I sketched in the motifs (plus some doodles), using regular Sharpie markers.  (The recommendation you'll find on the internet is to use oil paint markers.  But I used regular Sharpies and the result was good.  It was good to have both the fine and extra fine tips depending on the size of the opening of the stencil.)

Once I had all the designs drawn in, I baked them in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.  (you can find varying instructions on Pinterest.  Some say 150 degrees, others 450.  I went in the middle, which turned out to be fine.)  I've washed these with soap and water and a scrubby sponge - and they're holding up just fine.  (I haven't put them in the dishwasher.)

Quick and easy, one-of-a-kind gifts for summer entertaining!

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

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DIY Toddler Tank Top - Creative Team Thursday with Kristin Van Valkenburgh

“When kids hit one year old, it’s like hanging out with a miniature drunk. You have to hold onto them. They bump into things. They laugh and cry. They urinate. They vomit.”

— Johnny Depp

I love little people, especially the really tiny ones. When ours was small, I had the most spectacular collection of girly things and what-nots to adorn her: tulle and tiaras were the norm, and her closet was filled with every shade of pink you could imagine. It was a girly-girl’s dream and I loved every minute of it!

At the time, I also tried my hand at altering baby clothes to make them more special (read, in some way sparkly) and unique. I would add bows, buttons and usually some form of Swarovski crystal to every plain surface I could find. And that’s where this little tank top comes in, the last one left from the bygone era of my girly baby. . .

Wanna know how I did it? Feel free to check out the process video below. It’s only 3 minutes long, which indicates just how quick and easy this project really is. With Jessica Sporn’s fabulous 6 x 6 “Horned Owl” stencil https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencil-owl-hornedjessica-sporn-p/s247.html), you have everything you need for the cutest ever tank top of your own!

Oh, and about that girly girl of mine?! Yeah, she’s long gone. The once tiny toddler that left a wake of pink puff and glitter wherever she went, is now an 11 year-old tomboy who favors dirt bikes and lizards to anything remotely “girly” like her mom. (Dramatic sigh). Oh well, at least I can still make these cute little tank tops whenever I want. Girly fix? Check!

With love & pink glitter,
Kristin xo


A childhood obsession with Hollywood starlets led to an early life in the theater, where Kristin Van Valkenburgh spent many happy days on set and behind the scenes as both an actress and makeup artist for the stage. Kristin has a passion for all things mixed media and loves to create whimsical pieces with lots of layers, bright, poppy colors, big eyes and positive affirmations. Her work has been featured in numerous Stampington publications including Somerset Studio, SomersetStudio Gallery, Somerset Life, Somerset Apprentice, Artists’ Cafe and Art Journaling.  

You can find Kristin on her blog, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

THANK YOU KRISTIN!
To see all of the Creative Team posts, click here!

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Foto-Full Summer Summary

So much has been happening in my neck of the woods - I wanted to fill you in and also re-cap the summer a bit!

I participated in a bunch of online challenges over the summer via Instagram.  There are so many of them, and they are so much fun.  I finished off the 100 Day Challenge with numbers.  At some point when I have time, I think I'll put the alphabet and the numbers together in a little book.

When the challenge was over, I felt such a letdown. I loved the stimulation of a challenge.  So I searched around for more, and found #ifdrawaweek, #augustwithajournal, #simplealphabets, and #doodleadayaugust.  Occasionally, I was able to put the prompts from these challenges together for some fun and unlikely combinations!

At the same time, I participated in an amazing online class called MATS Home Decor run by Lilla Rogers.  It was so informative, supportive and fun, and I love the artwork I created for it.

Whew - I did A LOT of art this summer!

While all this was going on, I got things set up for our Creative Team.  Have you seen the first two posts?  They are amazing, and more goodness is yet to come!

I also managed to have lots of fun with friends and family, including reunions with Pat, who had been my youngest daughter's babysitter from 2003 - 2007, and her son Dave, who once did graphic design work for me (top left), and getting together with my best friend and boyfriend from the High School of Performing Arts (bottom row left).  Samy performed in a cabaret at the Metropolitan Room in NYC (middle row right).  I designed a shirt for Lin Manuel Miranda, which my parents are modeling in the bottom row middle, below.  (You can purchase the shirt at Teerico here.)  And I enjoyed lots of time with my girls and husband at my heaven on earth, Pine Lake Park.

What are some of the highlights of your summer?  I'd love to know!

         Visit Stencil Girl Products and RubberMoon Stamps to see all my designs!

If you haven't already - please connect with me here:

InLinkz.com

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.