Calendar make over

Have you had a calendar that you rely on but it has this organisations pictures that are not really cheerful? Makes you feel that it should have been more artistic and made you smile when you look at it?
I had this calendar and early in the morning a look at the pictures did not me make me as cheerful as I would have liked. I like to start my day smiling and laughing. But, a look at the desk calendar did not make me happy.  I thought of giving it a makeover and turning it into something that would cheer me up and make me smile.

I cut paper the size of  the picture I wanted to cover, painted flowers on them and stuck it on top of the cheerless picure.
My pretty calendar for 2015 is ready!
Now, I look at the flowers early in the morning with a smile.

original calendar

modified one

Some more pictures....

So next time, you are in possession of a calendar, the pictures of which you do not like, give them a make over !

Recycling

I had posted this post earlier in which I had also put painting on dvds and cds. I have split this post in two now.
I love scented candles so bought quite a few for myself.  But once, the wax got finished, I cleaned the jars and thought of recycling them.  But they looked very plain to me.  I painted some and have made into spice jars. One of them contains the hot and spicy red chili sauce without which I find my food very bland :)

painted jars

I  paint glass ware with enamel paints and leave them to dry for at least 3 weeks. The only thing I need to be careful of, is not to use a harsh abrasive pad while washing them.

With candle jars, it was no problem. I got few plain ones and painted them.  Left them to dry for sometime.  The burning wick "baked" them.  Once the wax in the jar finished, I washed them properly and re-cycle them.

A hotel bag turned into a shopping bag

Painting wine bottles

We had a gathering one day and while clearing, I saw the number of wine bottles on the table. Usually, I throw them away but this time no, I need to do something about them.  I searched the net for possible ideas.  Tried cutting off the wine bottle using alcohol dipped in string but it was a flop for me :(

Then, I saw painted wine bottles and decided to give them a try. Nothing lost even if I don't succeed. So, began my journey of painting the wine bottles. I had painted glass earlier but bottles? No, I had never tried. The round surface of bottle makes it a little tricky to paint, the brush seemed to slip away. After two three mishaps and wiping off the surface again and again, I managed to create something.   I even asked my friend to donate his empty wine bottles so I could practice more. Thanks Vijay for the carton of bottles.

I  paint glass ware with enamel paints and leave them to dry for at least 3 weeks. The only thing I need to be careful of after the final art work is not to use a harsh abrasive pad while washing them.

Oil bottles on my sister's kitchen counter 

There are various ways you can use these bottles.  Put in your cooking oil with a spout, use it as a vase, put in your washing up liquid with a dispenser.

sprinkled some sparkle

 

 So, next time you see these glass bottles, think twice before throwing them away.

Recycling dvds and cds

I had written a post on recycling in which I had put some pictures of recycling dvds. I recieved request for a detailed description of them.  Actually, I had collected a stack of dvds over a period of time.  Any new movie released and the dvd would be with me.  But how many movies do you keep? Most of them were not worth viewing the second time so off they go in trash.  But, why do I throw them away? Can't I do anything with them? Make use?

I am a person who loves to recycle stuff and feel sad at throwing things away.  Recycling also gives me a sense of achievement.

Making crochet hot pads with dvds inside was a huge success for me and I made plenty of these.
But how many do I make? What to do with the rest?  There was nothing as painting over on dvds and using them. So, I experimented with one. No loss, I was throwing them away anyhow. The color refused to stay at one place and would come together.  I figured out, and yes, you need a thick coat of paint over it.

Instructions for painted dvd and cd coasters:

Clean a dvd properly, make sure there is no grease on it.  The paint will not stick properly if the surface is oily.

There are two sides of a dvd or cd. One might have the contents of the disc written on it and the other shiny side. 

                            shiny side                                                non-shiny side                                 

It does not really make any difference which side you paint on but some times the written stuff is visible through the paint so,  I prefer to paint on the shiny side. 

Apply a thick coat of acrylic paint. 

Let the base coat dry. 

Let your imagination run and paint whatever you want to paint.  Experiment with it. You were going to throw it anyway :)

The above set of cds painted with alpana patterns

Experimenting painting flowers

Now, the paint may wears off and gets scratched easily after some time so an acrylic sealer needs to applied.

Spray the painted side liberally with acrylic sealer. 

Take precaution to do this in the open, inhaling the vapors is injurious.

Apply one or two coats more. 

Let your creation dry.

The following step is optional, I personally like to hide the back side.  So, I apply a thick coat of UHU glue and put a backing of matching or contrasting felt. 

Trim off the edges to give a neat outline. 

And, your creative coaster is ready. 

Notes:

You can use this coaster for hot tea or coffee mugs, for wine glass or as a base for a vase.

If, the backing is not applied, it on can be stuck on the wall to brighten a kitchen or bathroom.

Never  put a hot pot or a candle votive over it. The sealer melts. 

You can easily wash them with soap and water.  Do not put it in a dishwasher.

Crocheted dvd and cd coasters:

I crocheted few of these dvds with left over wool.  Well, they are not my creations. Most of the patterns are taken  from http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/. I did bring in some changes.

The advantage I found in these crocheted ones over the painted ones is that they make excellent hot pads on a kitchen counter or on dining table.  The wool casings can with stand heat from the pot and they look pretty on the table.

So, its time to impress your family and friends and get plenty of compliments.

Imagination and creativity have no boundaries so pick up your brush and colors and get started.