City Map Coasters DIY

 

Today we are making some adorable drink coasters.  These are extremely easy to make and would be a great gift for any world traveler. The best part is that they are totally customizable- you can use any map you find to personalize them to your liking.

You'll need:

• 4 untextured tiles (rectangular or hexagonal)
• City Map (we used this Paris Monument map that's available at Baller Artware)
• Mod Podge
• Cheap paintbrush or foam brush
• Self-adhering felt pads

Remove any dirt from the surface of the tiles by wiping with a damp, lint-free rag.  Dry thoroughly.

Place your tiles face-down on the map and trace the areas you want to use.  Cut out the shapes 1/16 inch inside your traced lines so that the cutouts are just slightly smaller than the surfaces of the tiles.

Paint a thin layer of mod podge on the cutout and adhere to the smooth side of the tile.  Using the handle of your paintbrush, gently smooth over the surface of the cutout to remove any air bubbles.

 

 Once the cutout is adhered to the tile paint an even layer of mod podge over the top of the cutout, paying special attention to the edges.  Paint in one direction only.  Allow to dry for 1 hour, then repeat.  Allow to dry for 12 hours.

Once the tiles are completely dry adhere a felt pad to each corner.

 

 

These are waterproof and can be washed with water and a gentle dish washing liquid.  Enjoy your new coasters! 

How to Choose a Frame

It's no secret that getting artwork professionally framed is an investment.  Not only will framing enhance the beauty of your pieces, it will also protect them for years to come.  Good framing is in and of itself an art form, and thus the decision about where/ how/ with what to frame your art should be well thought out.  Professional framers often have an intuition about what will look good on a piece, but ultimately the decision is yours to make.  Here are some things to think about when you go in to a frame shop.

Know your budget: Frame shops typically carry hundreds of selections for frames, so knowing your budget ahead of time will help the framer narrow down the selections to those that will fit within your budget.  Frames can range anywhere from $4 per square foot to $30 per square foot, and there are beautiful options within every price range.

Think about the style of your home or office: Is it earthy? Modern? Classic?  You will want your piece to match the decor of the room that it will be in, so make a mental note of the overall feel of the surrounding area.

Decide on a mood for the piece: Would you like this piece to look ornate or simple? Do you want it to blend in with other art work or "pop" as the focal point of a room?  Communicate these intentions with the framer.

Know the environment: If your piece will be in a room that gets a lot of light you will want to have glass that offers UV protection.

Don't forget about matting: If a fancy colorful frame is simply not in your budget, fear not.  Adding a colored mat to your piece can contribute to the "wow" factor without severely jacking up the price.

Still have questions? Stop by Baller Artware and let our friendly and knowledgeable associates help you with every step of the process.  We offer custom framing options for every style and budget!

September Bargains of the Month

As the end of Summer (and the oppressive heat wave plaguing Southern California) draws near, we are stocking up for Fall projects.  Check out this month's awesome bargains that are sure to motivate you to finish up that project you promised yourself would be completed by the end of the year...

3 Piece Paintbrush Set, $9.99

2 Pack Multi-Purpose Tarp, $9.97

Fall Lawn Fertilizer, $9.99

Bathroom Faucet Roundup

Giving your bathroom a fresh look can be as simple as installing a new faucet.  For less than $150 you can change the entire feel of your bathroom- without having to install a single tile.  Here are some of our favorite faucet choices for all types of decor.

Classic

Hi Arc Peerless Chrome, $67.99

Elegant

Baypointe Vintage Bronze, $147.00

Modern

Moen Verese Collection, $82.79

Simple

Baypointe Chrome, $83.99

Budget Friendly

Peerless Chrome Faucet, $39.99

Thursday Tips- Get Rid of Fruit Flies

To quickly and safely get rid of fruit flies, mix 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar with 1 tsp dish soap in a mason jar.  Place near the infested area- flies should be gone within a day.

Image via curbly

DIY Mercury Glass

Today we are going to turn a plain old glass vase into beautiful faux mercury glass:

This project is super easy and can be done in about an hour.   Here's what you'll need:

1. Looking Glass Paint (this is different than reflective silver paint.)

2. Vinegar

3. A clear glass vase (this one was from good will and cost 99 cents!)

4. A spray bottle

5. A lint-free rag.

Begin by mixing one cup of vinegar with one cup of water in the spray bottle.  Spray the entire vase with the mixture.  It's best to use a heavier spray rather than a fine mist so that the droplets are larger.  While the vase is still wet spray one coat of the looking glass paint over the entire surface. (Remember to shake well before spraying!) Let it sit for 5 minutes.

After the paint has partially dried wipe down the vase with the rag, using light pressure on some spots and heavy pressure on others.

Repeat this process for a total of 3-4 coats on the outside of the vase.  Then repeat the process with 3-4 coats on the inside of the vase.  The reason for painting both sides is that the mirror paint dries with a dull silver on one side and a reflective finish on the other.  By incorporating both elements you give your vase the multi-dimensional look of real mercury glass.

Voila!

Thursday Tips- Get Rid of Ants Naturally

For a quick and easy way to naturally get rid of ants, mix together 1/4 cup jelly with 1/4 cup borax.  Leave in an open container near the infestation site.

Ten Tools Everyone Should Own

Benjamin Franklin once said, "By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail."  Having a basic toolkit is a way that you can be prepared for not only planned projects in your home, but also unexpected disasters that may arise.  With so many specialized tools on the market it can be hard to know where to start.  Here are our recommendations for tools that should be in everyone's toolbox.

1. Hammer

 A 16-20 oz hammer should do the trick for most jobs

2. Reversible Cordless Drill

Get one that is comfortable to hold and preferably that comes with a bit set

3. Level

 

 Choose a level that has a horizontal, a vertical, and a diagonal vial

4. Vise Grip Pliers 

 These are a step up from standard channel lock pliers

5. 6-Way Screwdriver

Pretty standard

6. Needle Nose Pliers

Look for a pair that has a wire cutter near the axis.

7. Tape Measure

Get one that locks into place

8. Electrical Tester

This is especially important when changing out light fixtures.

9. Utility Knife

  There's really no substitute for a good utility knife.

10. Staple Gun

Necessary for most crafting, home decorating, or reupholstering projects.

Image Credits: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

Thursday Tips- New Use for Command Hooks

Image via

Use command hooks to place lids on a cabinet door and free up valuable storage space.

Thursday Tips- Keep Track of Your Chargers

source

Use a binder clip to keep your phone charger from getting lost in the mass of wires under your desk

Weekend Project- Canning

Image via

With many fruits and vegetable at their peak ripeness, Summer is the perfect time to start canning.  If you're new to canning the process may seem intimidating.  But with a bit of attention to detail and the right supplies you can be stocking your pantry in no time.

Image via

Canning is best with fruits and vegetables that are at their optimum ripeness.  Try shopping at a local farmer's market or even picking fruit from your own backyard.  Many recipes will require that you peel the skin off before canning.

The basic supplies remain the same regardless of what you are canning.  All of these supplies can be found in our store or online to be delivered to our store at truevalue.com.

Once you have prepared your recipe, simply follow the instructions on your pressure cooker to properly heat and pressurize the cans so that no bacteria can enter.  No bacteria means no spoilage, so after your cans have cooled and you have heard the "ping" that signals the lids have been properly pressurized, cans can be stored on shelves without refrigeration.  Canned fruits and preserves make great gifts!

Have you ever tried canning? What was your experience with it?

**Special Offer: Now through August 30th, 2013 receive 10% off in-store canning supplies with a printout of this page**

Inspiration: Paint Swatches for Every Room

Color has an undeniable power to affect mood. Here are some of our favorite color palettes for each area of your home.

Neutrals for a sense of warmth and welcome

Red and metallic for energy and to stimulate appetite

Blues for relaxation

Greens for tranquility

What are your favorite colors for various rooms in the house?

Thursday Tips- Fussy Smoke Detectors

Image via

It's never a good idea to remove the batteries from a smoke detector, lest you forget to replace them.  If you have an overly sensitive smoke detector (or just have a feeling you're going to burn tonight's dinner) place a shower cap over it for a quick, temporary fix.