I recently had the good fortune to reconnect with a childhood friend. Nancy is consistently positive and seems to always wear a smile on her face. She brightens a room just by walking through the door. I thought I would surprise her with a Sharpie mug.
In the past, I had found great success using a porcelain pen by the French company, Pebeo, that I used to make this mug and this tile coaster. Since Pebeo doesn't make a paint pen in purple, I turned to Sharpie. Sharpie makes oil-based markers that reportedly are permanent on nonporous surfaces. I bought the five-pack of oil-based Sharpies that included purple, as well as blue, green, orange and pink.
Detailed instructions, including baking time, can be found here. Be sure to only use oil-based and not the regular Sharpie markers.
A cellophane bag filled with chocolates and a purple polka-dotted bow finished the Sharpie mug gift.
If you make a Sharpie mug, let me know!
Happy crafting!
♥ Merrill
Surprise! Acrylic on stretched canvas (36x36in.)
My daughter recently moved and asked that I paint something special for her bedroom in her new
house. My instructions were that it be big, with a black
background and have bright flowers. She wanted to be surprised.
I chose to paint a chalkboard-inspired background that really makes the brightly colored flowers pop. And, it's huge!
Our friend Peggy who, with her husband, owns Barry Davis Produce Stand (be sure to like them on FB), had given Lauren a sunflower. The sunflower ended up being the focal point of the painting.
It was a thrill for me to paint for a specific person, especially my daughter. She loves her new SURPRISE painting!
I have had so many requests on my Ivy Lane Designs Facebook page for this happy painting, I painted a smaller (6" x 6") version for purchase. Click HERE for details.
♥ Merrill
My style of decorating is always evolving. I move on and grow and change. But one thing is constant and that is my love of art. On a weekend trip along the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in a tiny town in Maryland, I happened upon a painting of a sea captain. He was down a narrow alley, displayed on the side of a building. I knew immediately that he had to be mine.
He seemed to be saying, "Avast, ye salty sea dog! Take me home." So, I did.
Now, he watches me shower, which is only a little creepy, and seems to have adjusted well to his new home.
Personal style is a journey - not a destination. One that takes a lifetime.
♥ Merrill
DIY Sharpie Mug in Purple Paisley
