you can DIY!

Or a friend can do it for you! 

 I have a new favorite coffee mug...

that came from a very good friend.

It's big...and holds lots of coffee!

And she made it especially for me.

Well, she never actually made the mug...

but she personalized it with a nice message.

It takes a long time to grow an old friend! 

(I'm OK with being called 'old'.)

I had been planning on trying my hand at writing on dishes...

after seeing all the neat examples on pinterest.

Simple...

so they say.

Buy white plates or mugs.

Write your message with a black 'sharpie' pen.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350°F...

and your message is permanent.

A great gift idea...

I thought.

I thought so even more when I was the recipient of such a gift.

She reversed the method.

She bought a black mug...

and wrote with a white marker.

And she suggested it might be easier to write on a plate than on a mug.

Well, I think she did a great job.

She has beautiful handwriting!

Thanks, Janet.

I'll leave with you few more simple ideas that you can 'do yourself'.

We had a group of friends over for dinner one night this week...

and celebrated a milestone birthday for one of the guys.

The place cards were wee photos of all the guests...

...attached with a paper clip to a cork and 

tucked into a candle holder of any size or height.

I think my grands would like this idea as well!

And one more simple idea...

...a 'fishbowl-vase' submerged floral arrangement. 

 I used a trifle bowl...

set a candle in the center...

twirled a few tulips complete with their stems around the candle...

and poured in the water.

Roses, orchids or tulips all love being under water...

and make great submerged arrangements.

And those are my DIY tips for this Friday.

Have a great weekend!