do it yourself Archives - frozen spring

Here’s something creative that you can easily do yourself. A while back I purchased a few IKEA RIBBA frames and instead of using them as picture frames, I decided to draw something myself and then simply frame it. I haven’t noticed this earlier, but when I placed my drawing inside the frame, I realized the frame surrounding it was beige and not white. I checked IKEA’s pictures and online they all look white so I’m not sure if this is an older version of frames or what. Anyway, I’ll have to paint that as well because I don’t like the beige version.

WHAT YOU NEED:

frame of your choice
thicker white paper (measure the dimensions of your drawing and then add 1 cm on each side because you don’t want it to be the exact same size as “window” in the center of the frame; of course, this applies assuming you’re having this type of frame that I used)
tape (you need it to tape your drawing; you can use any kind of tape, I used washi tape)
drawing pen (I used Marvy Uchida for drawing pen which dries instantly and is water-proof so there’s no smudging; thicknes: 0.1, but you can choose a thicker/thinner line)
scissors (obviously :D)

TIPS & TRICKS

Choose your motive and then try to draw it on another piece of paper first, especially if you’re not really into drawing and don’t have experience. It might be easier once you start drawing on your *really* paper :)
Play around. You don’t need to keep it minimalist as I did, you can use colors or whatever other media you prefer ;)
And, last, take your time. I really enjoy doing this so this is like a therapy for my mind. Even if it’s not perfect I don’t care, I just enjoy the process.
This also makes a perfect gift. Don’t you think so? ♥

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Hope you like my suggestion and that you find it useful or at least you’ll use it as an inspiration for something else!

Vesna ♥

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Last year (yes, you read it right :D ) I decided to give my coffee mugs a makeover. Unfortunately, it was right about the time we had to start packing (we moved to Sweden) so I didn’t really had the time for DIY (or anything else pretty much), but now that I’m finally unpacked I got back to this idea and this weekend I gave my coffee mugs a lovely makeover! I actually can’t believe how simple it was and how much I love how they turned out!

Here’s what you need:

(coffee) mugs
porcelain pen(s) (available at any hobby store)
wet cloth (I use baby wipes – as long as the drawing isn’t dry you can wipe it off and draw again)
dry cloth
oven

I start by drawing on a piece of paper. You don’t have to do that but I like to do it just so I can get a bit of practice and to have a plan first – what am I going to draw, how, big or small details, etc. This is how it looks like:

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Then I start with drawing my motives on a mug. The easiest way to do that is to hold the mug under an angle instead of holding it completely horizontally. Once I started it went pretty fast from there! In a few minutes I was done with two mugs! Later, another four mugs got their makeover so now I have six completely new and stylish mugs! :) After I was done with drawing I put all mugs into preheated oven to 230 degrees for 20 minutes. I’ve seen that all porcelain pens have different instructions (based on the company that is making them) so please read the instructions. After they’re done I let them to cool off and that’s it! :)

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