Ribbon bookmark

Making a bookmark with a piece of ribbon and an earring is a fun and easy way to use the remaining earring of a pretty set if you have lost one. 

You will need:

• Ribbon 
• Ribbon Clamp End Crimps (2 per bookmark)
• jump rings
• flat nose pliers
• round nose pliers
• ruler
• earrings from old jewelry

Here’s how to make them :

1. Measure ribbon and cut into the length you want. About 25 cm.
2. Place ribbon clamp on one end of the ribbon. Press down on ribbon clamp until it’s secure using flat nose pliers. Make sure the end cap is the right size for the ribbon.
3. If you want you can thread a buckle onto the ribbon. Make sure the buckle is the right size for the ribbon. If it's not the right size then it just looks silly.
4. Repeat the end clamping process on other end of ribbon. Using your pliers, carefully open a jump ring and attach earring.
5. Attach this to the clamp end.

Alternatively:

If your end clasps do not have loops on them to attach the jump ring to then you can use a D ring instead. Place a D ring at one of the ribbon ends. Make sure the D ring is the right size for the ribbon. Turn the ribbon over and apply a drop of fabric safe glue onto the tip of the ribbon. Fold the end over the ring and press closed for a few seconds. Leave to dry. Using your pliers, carefully open a jump ring and attach earring. Attach this to the D ring.

You can also add an earring to other side of ribbon.

Tips : 

Instead of earring's you can also use charms or pendants. I tried one with a pendant but it seemed way to heavy for the ribbon though. 

personalized coffee mug

As an avid coffee drinker, I thought it would be a good idea to blog about a decorated mug that I did for my mom. Although not intricate or detailed, I love this project and have dubbed it my unofficial mug. It also holds a special sentimental place in my heart as the quote comes from a song I remember her playing on record when I was younger; it brings back childhood memories.

Hope you enjoy the tutorial

What You'll Need:

• Ceramic pen (I found permanent markers and paint pens are not actually permanent for this type of project)
• Ceramic mug
• Carbon paper
• Printer

Instructions:

1. Wash your mug with soap and water, and let it dry thoroughly. Preferably overnight as this will make the transfer step easier.
2. Print out the text. I measured the height and desired width I wanted the text to take up on the mug and inserted a text box in Microsoft word of that size. I then inserted the quote and played around with different fonts and sizes until I was happy with the result and printed that out.
3. Using the carbon paper transfer the text to the mug.
4. Sometimes the transferred text comes out a little light so go over it with a permanent marker. I don't think this step is necessary but I thought rather safe than sorry. I didn't want my hand accidentally rubbing the transfer off.
5. Go over the permanent marker with the ceramic pen.
6. (If at any point you make a mistake erase it with an alcohol swab and restart)
7. Let the mug stand and air dry for 24 hours.
8. Place your mug in a cold oven and set the heat to 180 degrees (Celsius).
9. When the oven is done preheating set the timer for 40 minutes and bake your mug. After 40 minutes turn the oven off, leaving the mug inside the oven to cool down with the oven.
10. Once the oven and mug have completely cooled down remove the mug.
11. Wash the mug, make a cup of coffee and enjoy your latest successful DIY project.