No Fail DIY Marker Coffee Cup

Doodling on coffee cups is a lot of fun, and there is a highly popular tutorial online that suggests that you can make a great DIY marker coffee cup using permanent markers. Unfortunately, this technique ends up in a fail more often than not! Instead, why not use the right markers for ceramic and doodle your way to an awesome coffee cup? Start with Painted By Me ceramic markers and your project will last a long time!

Find out how easy it is to make this No Fail DIY Marker Coffee Cup:

 

DIY Pom-Pom Frame

I have just been dying to make a frame with pompoms, and when I saw this adorable canvas quote art in the Michael's store, that was it.  I grabbed it up the minute I saw it.  Plus, my daughter Tricia always signs her cards with "Forever and Always" so it was the perfect gift for her new home in Iowa. 

When you make this pompom frame, just know that the Aleene's® Super Fabric Adhesive™ is truly one of my favorite glues, and it has been for a very long time.  I always keep it in my designer tote when I go to trade shows, do television spots, and go on photography shoots because it doesn't run, it sets up fast, and it's dependable. 

Easy Wall Art: Be-YOU-Tiful Painting with Poster Puffy

Who doesn't need an encouraging word or affirmation once in awhile? Make your own inspirational quote art easily, with the help of Poster Puffy. This easy wall art is the perfect project for teens or tweens, and adults will enjoy it just as much! And psst -- I took a cue from preschool and did some finger painting for this project!

If you don't like messy art, don't let the "finger painting" thing scare you off -- you can make this art without your fingers, too! (But there is something seriously therapeutic about getting your hands messy with paint!) I know you are intrigued, so come find out how easy it is to make custom wall art!

DIY Sketched Patched Shirt

Let’s face it, patches are hot for fall. There are so many different ways to interpret this trend and make it your own, one of my favorites is with a bit of your own artwork to make DIY Sketched Patches using Tulip's Fabric Markers. It’s fun and relaxing, put those doodles to good use and lets get started!

Personalized Sequin Quote Art Tote

I guess you could say that I'm a big quote art gal.  I love quote art in giant uppercase sans serifs and pretty swoopy hand lettered looks too!  So I love experimenting on different surfaces, from totes to tees to canvas!  Here's a fun little DIY I whipped up at work in just an hour or two. Let me show you just how easy it is to make!

52 weeks of Art Plates with Laura Fraedrich: Weeks 28-32

 

Greetings, iLoveToCreate® blog fans! I am excited to share the next few plates in my Art Plate series with you today!

 

52 weeks of Art Plates with Laura Fraedrich: Weeks 23-27

Greetings, iLoveToCreate® blog fans! I am excited to share the next few plates in my Art Plate series with you today!

52 weeks of Art Plates with Laura Fraedrich: Weeks 19-22

Greetings, iLoveToCreate® blog fans! I am excited to share the next group of plates in my Art Plate series with you today!

 

  Plate #19 – Be Free

The idea for this plate came from a piece by one of my favorite artists - Ed Heck. He makes adorable yet simple compositions which most of the time involve a dog that looks just like my dog Dora. The particular piece that inspired my plate was called Holding On, and it is of a young boy holding on to a balloon that is trying to fly away. I changed it a bit and made it more personal. It just so happened that this week I had something I really needed to let go of...which I did. And I feel much better now!

  Plate #20 – Serenity Prayer

This one sort of goes with the plate above this one. I let go of what I needed to, but it wasn't easy at first. The Serenity Prayer was in my head a lot during this time. I decided to run with it and make a plate about it. It's a good reminder that there are things that you just can't change no matter how hard you try, and the time comes when you need to accept that fact and move on.

Plate #21 – Inspiration

I was having a tough time coming up with a theme this week and was looking everywhere for inspiration. When I say the word inspiration, I always think of one of my favorite songs by the Grateful Dead called Terrapin Station, which is where I got this lyric from. I paired it with a few psychedelic flowers and a new plate was born.

  Plate #22 – Make Your Own Sunshine

Although I live in California where there is usually no lack of sunshine, I made this little reminder that even though sometimes life can be tough, you have the ability to make the most out of your situation.

Don't forget, you can read more about my plates on my personal blog The Peculiar Palette.

These plates were made using Duncan® OhFour® Bisque plates, Cover Coats™, Concepts®, EZ Stokes®, French Dimensions™ and Pure Brilliance®

Until next time! 

Laura

52 weeks of Art Plates with Laura Fraedrich: Weeks 15-18

Greetings, iLoveToCreate® blog fans! I am excited to share the next group of plates in my Art Plate series with you today!

 

Time sure does fly when you're having fun! I have been traveling quite a bit for work and I'm a little behind on posting about my plates. Today I have four to tell you about.

  Plate #15 – April Showers

I got this idea in March and I couldn't wait for April to get here so I could make the plate. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not much of a Top 40 kind of gal, so it's kind of weird that I used a Rihanna song as the subject of this plate. There's something about the words to this song that make me feel warm and fuzzy though, plus it has a catchy melody. What more can you ask for from a song?

 

  Plate #16 – Sing Like No One is Listening

I want to sing like the birds, not worrying about who hears and what they think. - Rumi

I wish I could sing like that, but unfortunately I was blessed with a singing voice that usually sends people running! I love doing it anyway, and it's usually my dogs and cats that are the helpless victims of my torture. I feed them though, so they usually forgive me. I painted a robin because it brings back fond memories of when I was growing up in NJ and would watch them looking for worms in our backyard.

  Plate #17 – Crabby Maryland

One of my recent work trips was to Maryland, and I vowed to eat nothing but crab the whole time I was there. That wasn't hard to do, either. Every food establishment had some form of crab cake or some other form of food stuffed with crab. This plate is dedicated to Maryland and all of its crabs.

  Plate #18 – Have Faith, Have Hope, Have Love

I made this one after a recent visit with a friend of mine who is going through a tough time. It's a painting of our matching shoes, and the words are from a song by Dave Davies called 'Rock Me, Rock You'. Listening to it always makes me feel better when times are rough, and I hope it will do the same for my friend.

Don't forget, you can read more about my plates on my personal blog The Peculiar Palette.

These plates were made using Duncan® OhFour® Bisque plates, Cover Coats™, Concepts®, EZ Stokes®, French Dimensions™ and Pure Brilliance®

Until next time! 

Laura

52 weeks of Art Plates with Laura Fraedrich: Weeks 11 - 14

Greetings, iLoveToCreate® blog fans! I am excited to share the next group of plates in my Art Plate series with you today!

 

Time sure does fly when you're having fun! I have been traveling quite a bit for work and I'm a little behind on posting about my plates. Today I have four to tell you about.

 

  Plate #11 – Don't Miss the Rainbow

This one I did the week of St. Patrick's Day. I wanted to make one that not only celebrated the holiday but that also included one of those inspirational quotes I love so very much. I found the perfect one....and it's something I need to remind myself to do every once in awhile.

 

  Plate #12 – Asian Fusion

One of the trips I recently took for work was to go teach a class at an event one of our ceramic distributors was having. When I was done teaching I got to take classes that were being taught by other instructors...one being the amazingly talented ceramics painting guru David Hoff. I put my own spin on the design and added a saying from a fortune cookie and viola! I got plate #12...

 

  Plate #13 – Spring Will Come!

Although I live in a place where I don't have to worry about it being too cold, I made this one for all of my friends that live in other places where spring seems to be taking it's sweet time getting there. I remember growing up in NJ and being excited when the first day of spring would finally arrive so we could put the winter chill behind us for another year. Even though the calendar said spring had started, it didn't always get warm right away. It seems like this year was worse than ever! Don't worry though....it will get here eventually. And when it does you can rest assured that it will be about 95 degrees here in Fresno. Ugh.

 

  Plate #14 – Happily Ever After

I was taking a walk the other day and found myself in front of an abandoned building that was overcome with weeds. I remembered how much I loved making wishes and blowing on dandelions when I was a kid and decided to relive a piece of my childhood by doing it again. My wish was simple...and I hope it comes true!

Don't forget, you can read more about my plates on my personal blog The Peculiar Palette.

These plates were made using Duncan® OhFour® Bisque plates, Cover Coats™, French Dimensions™ and Pure Brilliance®

Until next time! 

Laura

I was Crafty When Crafty Wasn't Cool Canvas Puffy Art

Working on site at iLoveToCreate, we are surrounded by tons and tons of colorful and crafty products.   So I'm always super excited when I see a clever use for one these products on the web.  Sometimes I just have to break out the Puffy Paint or Tacky Glue and give it a try!  I have been inspired for quite a while by this word art canvas that went viral on Pinterest by blogger Virginia and Charlie.  I finally had a chance to try it out for myself last week and I'm so happy with the results.  It's such a fun and easy way to get a customized look with your favorite quote art.  I chose one of my favorites that I created...I was crafty when crafty wasn't cool.  I've included the pattern below so you can download it for yourself!

What you need: – Tulip Slick Dimensional Fabric Paints in various colors (I used a rainbow of colors)

– Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage

–8x10 canvas

– wax paper
–foam brush or paintbrush

– I was Crafty when Crafty Wasn't Cool download for 8x10 canvas

Place wax paper on top of phrase and use the Tulip 3D Paint to outline on top of the letters. Don't worry if you make a mistake!   You can make as many letters as you need to using this method!

Carefully peel off the letters.  If there's a little wax residue, it's not a big deal.

Now brush Collage Pauge all over the canvas to seal it (a nice alternative to gesso).

While the Collage Pauge is still wet, apply the letters back into the placement that

appeared on your printout.  Paint another layer of Collage Pauge on top for added security to the canvas.  The Collage Pauge will dry clear.

I love how it turned out!  Now I want to do more quotes and designs using this method. It's so cool!

52 weeks of Art Plates with Laura Fraedrich: Weeks 9 and 10

Greetings, iLoveToCreate® blog fans! I am excited to share the next two plates in my Art Plate series with you today!

 

Plate # 9– Be The Brightest Star

 

To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest ~Napoleon Hill

 

This quote has special meaning to me. If I had listened to everyone else and didn't follow the path that was right for me, I wouldn't be where I am today. This plate was a bit labor intensive. I used the sgraffito technique for the words so I could write smaller, since the quote is so long. I ended up with a big cramp in my hand, but it was worth it because I was happy with the look. I also used stamps from the Pen & Ink set by Rubber Stamp Tapestry, which was super fun. I am going to incorporate more stamps in my plate going forward.

 

 Plate #10 – Gypsy Bird

This one is just silly....it materialized from a conversation I had with a friend of mine (I explain the story on my personal blog  – The Peculiar Palette – if you're interested in hearing more about it). The quote is by Reba McEntire, but it's something I could picture myself saying.

Both plates were made using Duncan® OhFour® Bisque plates, Cover Coats™, French Dimensions™ and Pure Brilliance®

Until next time! 

Laura

MAKE IT: Glittered Typography Canvases!

Being a writer, I love incorporating words, message sand phrases into my art and crafts. So when iLovetoCreate came out with this Scribbles® Alpha Stamp Kit, I knew my art supplies would be welcoming a new friend! The idea for these canvases came from our summer CHA last year when we were stamping fabric as a demo. This is one of my sample designs:

 

The idea stuck with me and I've been wanting to make some new pieces for my studio so I thought I'd do it right and use paint and canvases! Here is how to do your own version!

 

 SUPPLIES:

12 x 12" canvas, primed.

Scribbles® Alpha Stamp Kit

Tulip Soft® Fabric Paint

Tulip® Fashion Glitter™

Aleene’s® Original Tacky Glue™

Baby wipes.

Set out your stamps on a table so you can find the easily, I suggest in alpha order!

 Before you start stamping, decide on your message and lay it out so you know where to and where not to stamp the black lettering. Start at the top of your canvas. Use a paint brush to pat the paint on the stamp and press in place. Add random letters, try to line them up evenly in a row. Keep going. When it comes time to add the words, use a bright color!

Not all of your letters will have a perfect, opaque stamp. That's ok, just get through the stamping! When you're done, use a liner brush and paint to fill in any thin areas so it looks nice and uniform!

Here is a picture of a finished canvas, plus the second one in progress. See how it's all coming together? Nice!

Now it's time to add the glitter to make these POP! Use a paintbrush and the Tacky Glue. Paint hte glue on each letter and then pour the glitter. I painted all the letters and then applied the glitter. Tap away the excess. Let dry. That's it! If you want, you can use gold paint to trim the edges for a finished look!

TIP: Make sure to clean your stamps with baby wipes so they'll be good to go for next time!

After I finished these, I realized how much a metaphor these are. Sometimes it feels like we live a boring black and white world (even though I really dig that combo!), and we have to see through the stark contrast to see the bright stuff in life. I get deep with my crafting, don't I? 

IDEAS:

 - Mother's Day - use a funny saying that your mom is know for.

 - A line from your wedding vows.

 - A goal you have, this can be hung as a reminder.

 - Your kids names.

What other ideas can you think of for this idea? Please share below!