DIY Original Artwork Coffee Cups

This is an easy last minute gift idea featuring original art work.  A few weeks  ago I went to a Winterland / Holiday event for children and this was one of the arts and craft projects featured.  It was hands down the most popular craft table.  Kids from ages 1-2 years old and up to grammar school were decorating cups and having a blast.  Clearly the little ones, like my son and younger, needed some adult supervision and some help opening the markers, holding the cups, and reminding them not to draw on the table, floors, each other etc.  I'm not sure if he or I had more fun (I probably did), but this cup is my new, most favorite thing.

I proudly drink out of it all day at work because every time I see it, I smile.  And everyone who sees it thinks it is the most special gift... BECAUSE IT IS!  I have an original piece of art from my 2 year old that can be used daily and washed without fear of ruining his scribble artwork.  This is such a great alternative to picture cups and will also last for years to come.  Plus, it is a fun project to do with your kids and only takes a little more than 24 hours before it is cured and ready for use so it is a great last minute gift idea.  It is also a budget friendly gift.

Acrylic paint markers and cups can be purchased at your local arts and craft store (think Michaels, etc.).  I purchased all my supplies on Amazon.  For an even better deal look for coffee cups at your local dollar store.

For this project you will need acrylic pens, ceramic coffee cups, and rubbing alcohol. And obvi some newspaper to cover your work space. I also recommend priming your markers so they are ready to use before sitting down to color, especially if you have a 2 year old like mine who is all about monkey see, monkey do. Once he saw me priming the markers he stopped wanting to color the cups and wanted to “boop” the table so we had to take a break and return to coloring the cups later.  And yes he still remembered and wanted to make one mark on the cup followed by a boop on the table, over and over...  While I chose coffee cups for this gift you can use any oven safe ceramic medium (plate, bowl, vase etc.). 

DIY Original Artwork Coffee Cups 

Printable directions

Supplies:

• Acrylic paint pens / markers
• Rubbing alcohol 
• Ceramic mugs
• Newspaper

Directions:

1. Cover your workspace with newspaper
2. Wipe cups with rubbing alcohol
3. Prime markers so they are ready to draw with
4. Once cups are dry let your child go crazy and color the cups to their liking.  (Why not color a cup with them?!)
5. Let  cups sit undisturbed for 24 hours
6. Bake for 40 minutes in a 300 degree oven or follow the directions recommended with the acrylic paint pen manufacture
7. Let cool completely

Once cool wrap and gift or wash and use your original, one of a kind masterpiece.  

I also had fun making a cup and when my dad saw it he ranted and raved about it (he loves my original art) so I may consider giving him this cup I made.

Leave a comment with your finished project and Happy Holidays! 

Trader Joe's, you always do me right

My friend Josh was the bomb.com and gave me his Keurig.  He didn't give me any Keurig, but the Mac Daddy of them all...this bad boy.

 Talk about a fancy gift!  Ballin

I am the only one in my household who drinks coffee so a traditional coffee pot does not make sense for me.  Plus, cleaning a coffee pot isn't really my thing.  (Well, cleaning in general isn't really either...)  The nice thing about a Keurig is it is simple, easy, and convenient for someone like me who only drinks one cup of coffee a day.  (Well, maybe two if I feel like really being a rebel.)  I also like that I can keep different coffee, tea, and hot cocoa flavors (for the husband) on hand and only have to dirty a glass as opposed to a coffee machine, pot, and glasses.

I have sampled my fare share of beverages meant for the Keurig.  What I haven't been overly impressed with has been coffee K-Cups in general.  I have tried countless brands of coffee in different roasts and flavors.  I find that most K-Cup coffees are either too strong, weak, acidic, or odd / burnt tasting...  They simply do not taste as good and fresh as a cup of morning brewed coffee from a traditional coffee pot.  Keurig, and other brands, do make reusable coffee filters that you can fill with your own ground coffee to make your own K-Cups.  I'm pretty sure Keurig created this because of poor complaints with the taste of K-Cup coffee overall (my opinion).  I have tried the reusable coffee filters and even with "good coffee" I find them messy and the taste doesn't meet my coffee standards.

Somebody heard me crying at night because guess what...Trader Joe's now makes Coffee Cups.

One of my favorite things in the world is Trader Joe's coffee.  If you haven't tried it don't make a face reading this.  It is honestly really good, affordable, and does not kill your stomach if you have stomach issues.  Trader Joe's now makes their own version of K-Cups that are little mini filters that are individually packaged to preserve their freshness.  I have not seen another K-Cup product packaged like this.

With this technology every cup tastes just like a cup from a pot of freshly brewed pot coffee.  It is phenomenal!  It is like the big man upstairs heard my coffee cries and solved my woes. Not only is the packing ingenious, but it is Trader Joe's coffee!  

I have no idea how long Trader Joe's Coffee Cups have been around, but this product is an absolute must for any Keurig owner.  These pods are by far the best cup coffee I have had yet.  A cup of this reminds me of sitting with my mom and drinking coffee together.  It is a taste of home, fresh every time.