Friday 5 December 2014

..this was meant to be a serious review...

 The other day, whilst visiting my beloved parents, I roped my sister in to help me decorate some ceramic tiles for coasters.  Baker Ross had sent me some fab glittery pens for porcelain (and the tiles) and it was time to test them.  We had a tile each and a bunch of sparkly coloured pens to play with. Well, talk about blank page syndrome. A plain white 4" tile and you'd think we'd been asked to churn out an essay in quantum physics! 

So of course it got very silly and giggly and after a sensible start (with some nicely drawn Holly), Mama was recalling some childhood Christmas triumphs....when you could draw an Angel without taking your pen off the paper, when you spelt it Angle by mistake, and the Lord would have a host of heavenly Angles.  We even got to giggling about angles in funny hats.  Well, mitres to be more specific. (Angles, mitres..geddit.......) And the Pope's hat, to be truly specific.  So then Sissy set about recreating our angles, with hair and hats and to be honest, we couldn't see for laughing....

And instead of scrubbing the tile clean and starting something sensible, I brought it home with me and cooked it (that sets the ink) and I have permanent evidence of my sister's silliness.  I love it. 
At some point I did get sensible and reverted to type - literally.  I am unable to draw.  I stamp.  But I can always write, and the pens had a nib that was just about fine enough to write legibly in my most contrived and wonky handwriting.  
I have cooked these too, but am going to use the pens to colour the edges, they look a bit stark and unfinished.  They can be re-cooked - it's a cool oven for not very long, see. The hardest part of making these was coming up with that many drinks and trying hard to remember to graduate the size of the text. Hmmmm.  Still, Miss Dunnit and her Squeeze will like them, on the basis that they don't have any coasters!
The coasters come in a pack of six, and because I wanted to keep Sissy's work of art, I had one to play with.  This is proof of several things.  The colours are really nice and glittery. 
The cooking process sets the ink and makes it permanent.  It does not melt the ink and flood over flaws.  What you create is what you get, unless you have the good sense to wipe clean and rectify mistakes.  

Now all I have to do is find the little stick on pads that came with them and hey, they'll look like real coasters!  
Have a lovely weekend y'all.

16 comments:

Annie said...

Hi Julia, What a fun creation these are. I can just imagine the giggles.
There are no rules except that it's something that made you smile so please link up. It made me smile too so certainly ticks all the boxes for me :-)
Hugs,
Annie x

Diana said...

Love it, I have a wonderful picy in my mind of the two of you giggling away,
Diana
Xx

Morti said...

And your review has worked because I now know of another product to use in my keepsake business. The Marabu porcelain pens are lovely, if expensive, but don't tend to come in such fabulously glittery colours. So, how much, and where do I get them from?

(DH says, trying to be professional while giggling over mitred angles...)

Sue said...

What a fab idea. I had to smile at you and your sister getting the giggles:)

Hope you have a fab Friday. Sue

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Sounds like a fun time after all. I may pass the idea on the activities director. Wish me luck, I plan to take a few Christmas cards to mom today for her to make out for her grand kids. It's a prodding process, but something to do. And we will have a few laughs too. Have a fun weekend. Today was my AM to have a coffee break NO matter what.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Julia dear, if these people had expected a SERIOUS review, they should not have asked you for it. You find humor in everything you do, and that is why we all love you so much. Serious, honest, and humor do NOT need to be exclusive.

I'd heard of those paints and I was totally impressed with the coasters you made for Missy D. BTW, I've always loved your handwriting.

April said...

What a great idea. I think those would make great gifts. :-) I guess that is the point - right? Thanks for sharing. I do really like the one with your printing.
April

Leslie Hanna said...

What a fun idea! I love your handwriting (printing).

Krisha said...

How fun to remember things with the family.....they ALWAYS remember something you've forgotten along the way. Silliness and giggling are required!
Great gift idea.

mamapez5 said...

That´s what sisters are for - to get giggly and have fun with. The pens look like a good idea too. Made me smile so see you over at Annie´s? Kate x

Robyn said...

fun!

misteejay said...

Sounds like it was a perfect family get together.
Glad you decided to keep your sister's art work - what memories it holds.
Love the script coasters and your "Smiley".
Toni xx

Helen said...

I am sure they will love your review! The pens sound great fun, and i love the results, Julia! I would love to have seen you and your sister giggling away like little girls again!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

And fun time were had by all! These are great of of course you had to keep the silly one filled with angles of angels.

fairy thoughts said...

Ha ha aren't those the times you want to remember ........"such fun"
Janet

Kyla said...

These look great fun, perfect for a Coven craft evening or with the kids.
Kyla