THREE THINGS THURSDAY

I am totally naive when it comes to being social in the blog land. I have very few friends in the blogland which is by the way the friendliest, most social land in the whole wide world. But I do become an introvert when it comes to reaching out. It's lame and shame. But I am slowly changing it. When I say slowly I mean baby steps - one at a time.

From Indian Art & Craft Expo, Mangalore - January 2015

Joining South Asian Blogger's Network was one of those steps. I came across the group when a new blog Buddy , a very sweet girl Reshma from Inspired Sentiment reached out and introduced me to SABN. Thanks a ton Reshma. So I contacted the group and asked if I can join their growing group.

Three Things Thursday is a link up I came across through SABN. I got interested with the link up because it gives me a reason to record some of my favorite moments from the week even if that doesn't involve a craft, DIY or Design. So here we go, some of the thoughts that passed through my mind this week.

Guidecentral FaceBook contest 

Guidecentral is a craft corner where you find amazing step-by-step guides from people around the world. It is also a place where you upload your guides and get paid for them (Rules/Conditions apply) and it is also a place where you get to buy some of the DIY kits for most popular guides. Amazing right! You should totally check it out.

So they recently ran a facebook competition where they provided a list of supply and asked what we would make with those. Luckily for me, they loved my idea, Say What?? To add to the happiness, I am also in their "Maker Spotlight" this week.

Cool Right! Thank you Guidecentral!

Craft Scene from India

From Indian Art & Craft Expo, Mangalore - January 2015

I was missing in action in blog world for some 3-4 months and that was because I was back home in India. I don't talk much about India or my roots here, I miss home for one and don't want to pour out my homesickness here, secondly most of the DIYs are inspired by what I see around now than what I lived in the past. Thirdly because I have a small home and sophisticated, color saturated, traditional interior elements that we had while growing up are too heavy for this home and the way we function. And then there is "availability" factor too.

So what do I do to satisfy my Indian soul? I pour over craft and product websites from India. There are a number of blogs that are true to the colors and spirit of India like Once Upon A Tea Time and An Indian Summer . One of my favorites is by a blog friend Kunjan An Affair With Color.

From Indian Art & Craft Expo, Mangalore - January 2015

My DIY Coasters

I made these coasters long before I started this blog. They are Mod Podge on craft paper but have withstood the test of time so beautifully, Something I really didn't expect. They have seen through so many evenings, get-togethers, friends, tea times - They are awesome and well loved and used. Check out the post here.

So I am thinking of these things these days. Please do visit the hosts, Salma, Raj and Nisha's blogs. They have all the details on how to join the link up.

So what are you guys thinking about these days? Care to share here.

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THESE MUGS : SOMETHING FOR ME & HER

It was the mother's day weekend that just passed. I am far away from my own mother so we spoke over phone and skyped and then we spoke again. And I am a mother too, to a little joyful riot of a girl. So we had breakfast in bed, gifted flowers to each other and she made a card for me , we shopped and roamed around. With all of that we did what we both love doing together. That is painting.

We always paint and craft together. By craft what I mean is I craft and she cuts and glues and paints away anything in sight. So this time to make it special I bought some mugs and some ceramic paint from the go to craft store in town - Michaels. They were selling a set for $3, which is great to paint and play.

So that is what we did this mother's day. Our 4th together.

Supplies 

-- Ceramic Mug /Thrift store finds would totally work

-- Porcelaine Paint ( Available at Amazon)

-- Tape

-- Alphabet Cut Outs

-- Convection Oven

How- To

The set I bought came with a mug,paint and paint brush. The first thing I did was to ask Akshara what she wanted to write. She said Mommy & Me. But our Mug is small, and I couldn't possibly make stencils of alphabets that small. You have a Silhouette Digital Cutter ? You are in luck. You could reach the moon ! Since I didn't have it, I decided to write Ma & Me . I wrote the Alphabets in a font I liked and cut it out to make the stencil.

Once I had the stencil, I taped it to the mug and we painted the inside. Thus came Ma & Me. Next I let her choose the paint and paint the mugs with dots. They are not perfect. But who cares right!. It is the moments that matter !

Once you paint, it is time to bake the mugs in the oven. As per my package directions it was 30 minutes at 360F. Do check the directions on the paint can to make sure.


The paint is supposed to be food safe. But I made sure not to paint where the mouth might touch the mug while drinking. Though I am pretty sure she wouldn't let me drink from it anyway.

So this is what went into Design Journal this Mother's Day. What did you guys do to celebrate? Share at This design Journal .

Do you like what you see here? Please don't forget to "LIKE" us on FACEBOOK  or Subscribe to Mailing List ( On the side bar) to follow along.

Anima.