In case you’re wondering, the title of this post is a quote from Jess of the show “New Girl.” You can read the whole adorable thing here. Back to the actual blog post…
There seems to be a huge influx of patterns in fashion and home decor lately, and I have to say it can be refreshing to see geometric patterns on everyday items because it makes them so much more special. My first attempt at patterning on decor was with the cigar box, and I am still completely happy with the look! For this little project, I wanted to also incorporate the metallic trend that is making a comeback and we needed a little catchall bowl for the living room. It seems watches, rings, and my bobby pins tend to end up on any surface around the main floor, and I figured a bowl meant for these little things would at least keep them all in one place.
My intention was to find a plain white bowl at a thrift store or the dollar store, but I was having no luck finding a shape I liked, and a size that didn’t make it look so much like a soup or ice cream bowl. On a trip to IKEA (yes, I do know that it seems that I am there every other day… however, I promise you that’s not the case), I saw some sweet little white bowls, then a little turquoise beauty caught my eye. I got them both. At $3 a piece, I figured the bowl not used for this project will be put to use somewhere else… the bathroom could use a catchall too!
I stopped at a craft store one Friday night (I know, I have a very exciting life), and came home to plot how I’d make good use of my new gold Sharpie paint marker! I should mention that I got the oil based marker as opposed to the water based one. I’ve read the oil based can last longer and handle more wear and tear.
My initial plan for the bowl was to free-hand some sort of design on it, but I was afraid I’d mess it all up and the oil-based paint is just so permanent! Then I figured I’d use tape to make a stencil, like on the cigar box, but a linear pattern seemed too ambitious on a convex/concave area, so I brought the hole puncher out and decided on polka dots. Because seriously, who doesn’t love polka dots?
As usual, I didn’t follow a particular pattern and just stuck the hole-y tape down on the bowl randomly. I failed to take pictures of me actually filling in the dots with the marker, but it was pretty straight forward – it was just like using a marker to fill in circles! Duh!
As you can see, some MOST of the dots are not perfect. It seems that I either needed better tape or I should have pressed down much, much harder (probably the second one…). Either way, I’m happy with the results. The imperfections don’t really matter, I still think it’s a great and fun little piece!
And one last shot, just because I adore this little bowl so much!
Has anyone tried any stenciling projects with tape or a Sharpie marker? I’d love to see what you’ve made – I’m itching to use the marker again!!
Here and here are where I’m linking up!
WOOOT! This post got featured! 
March 5, 2013
March 6, 2013
March 10, 2013
March 13, 2013
March 13, 2013
March 15, 2013
March 15, 2013
March 15, 2013
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So adorable and trend. Loved it.
That is absolutely adorable! I’m Pinning it. And, if you haven’t already, I’d love if you’d come join my How To Tuesday link party, too.
http://housewifehowtos.com/link-party-2/how-to-tuesday-link-party-10/
Thanks so much Katie, and I definitely will!!!
So cute! I’m going to have to try this one!
Thanks Courtney! It’s super easy – heck, if I can do it, anyone can!
Very cute! I like that you used the colored bowl – I’ve seen a lot with white, but the gold looks great with that blue
Thanks so much Lora! Glad you like it
That is so cute! Found your blog through Live Laugh Rowe
New follower!
Thank you Leanne!!
Very cute and great idea with the hole punch and painters tape!
Kristina
Thank you Kristina! Amazing what you can do with everyday stuff at home
So pretty – darn, I was just at IKEA and didn’t see pretty blue bowls like this one. Love the gold dots, it’s a great combo.
Aw well there’s ways next time, Leah! Thanks for reading and checking out the blog!!
super cute!!! Do you think you could wash that kind of sharpie paint marker? I popped over from Project Inspire… I host a Tasteful Tuesday Party that I would love for you to join! http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2013/03/tasteful-tuesday-link-party-and-features.html
Hi Emily. Thanks so much! I’ve heard that the oil markers are ok to be washed, especially once you bake the item in the oven (which I have not done yet). I’ll definitely link up today and add your button to my links page. Thanks again!!
so in love! very kate spade. sometimes a good-looking random pattern is hard to achieve – but you totally rocked it! xo
Oh my goodness… that might just be THE greatest compliment ever. I’ll have to frame that and put it up on my wall…”very kate spade”?!?! Ashley, you’ve just made my week! Thank you SO much!
Yeah!! You’re back!!! And your new site is totally amazeballs
love it!
and love this polka-dotted bowl, and New Girl.
i love a lot today, apparently!
haha laughed out loud at that one! Thanks so much!!! Can’t have polka dots and not channel a little New Girl goodness… plus I just cut some bangs, so I had Zooey on the brain!
LOVE!! :*)
Thank you!!! So glad you liked it
Thalita, this turned out fabulously. In fact, I have an idea to refashion a purse with gold dots…and I thought about using paint, but a sharpie might do the trick, as well! Thanks for the inspiration, girl.
That sounds like an amazing idea!!! These oil based markers seem great so far – really holding up to stuff just being thrown… I mean carefully placed… In the bowl
That’s so cute! Great idea to use a hole punch!
Thank you Bethany! Spur of the moment idea
SO pretty! Thanks for the great idea!
Thanks Beth! I really appreciate you stopping by
This is really pretty! It deserves a feature!
hugs x
Crystelle
Thanks Crystelle!! I really enjoyed making it, and it’s one of my favourite little things in the house, so it’s such a bonus when other people like it too!
What a cute idea! I love the colors you chose..will be trying this very very soon! Thanks for sharing!
Selene @ restorationbeauty.com
Thanks Selene! Looking forward to going to check out your blog now!!
This is beautiful! Popping over from the party at livelaughrowe to say hello and tell you how much I like your bowl. Thanks so much for sharing and have a great evening!
Oh that’s so nice! Thanks so much!!
Love polkadots too! Now I’m inspired to do an easter bowl:)
http://www.sewsweetvintage.com/2013/02/flourless-knockout-ninja-brownies.html
Polka dots are just so fun you can’t help but love them right? I’d love to see it when you make one!!
Love it- so cute! And I love how easy it is! I’m definitely pinning this! Stopping by from Talkin’ About Thursday blog hop.
-Leia @ latitudeadjustment1.blogspot.com
Thanks so much Leia!! I’m so glad you stopped by, and thanks for the Pin!
This bowl is too cute! I love the turquoise color and the gold sharpie really does seal the deal. I have seen people using these sharpie markers for so many wonderful projects. I saw someone stencil on their wall with a sharpie marker! Oh, my! I haven’t tried any sharpie projects out (yet). Thanks for sharing with us!
It’s definitely encouraging to see others working in much bigger ways with such a small item!! Starting small is always comforting I suppose
Thanks so much for stopping by and checking it out!!
Love this little bowl! It reminds me of my gold leaf~polka dot~paper mache bowls I made last fall…but much easier. Gonna have to try this out!
http://elegantnest.blogspot.com/2012/10/paper-mache-bowls_29.html
Thanks Laura! Off to check out your bowls right now! They sound amazing!!
Stopping over from Happy Hour at Design, Dinging and Diapers. Love your gold Sharpie pola dots. My project was with a gold sharpie too. I’m #202
Thanks for checking out my sharpie project!! I’m headed over to see yours now!
This is so cute! Great job!
Thank you Bethany!!! So glad you stopped by!
Clever idea! Love the gold details, and the way you did them, the polka dots turned out so neat.
I am your newest follower, by the way!
Anja @ cocalores.blogspot.com
Hi Anja,
Thank you so much!! I’m just about to go check out your blog now. Took a quick peek – you have some great projects!!
Super pretty! I’d like to invite you to participate in my Pin Me Linky Party. It goes Fri-Tue. I allow up to 3 links each week! I’m a new FB follower!
Hi Diana,
thanks so much for the comment and invite. I’ll be sure to pin and link you button my my Link Parties page!
This is so pretty. We have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this and any other posts with everyone. It runs from Tuesday night through midnight Sunday. Here is the link to the party.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/03/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop.html
We are also having a giveaway this week for a $50.00 Target Gift Card, so head over to enter.
We hope to see you there.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
Thanks so much! I’m linking up now and will add your button to my Link Parties page!
That’s adorable! Love a cute bowl for a catch-all for jewelry and keys.
It almost makes you want to have them all over the house, doesn’t it? Thanks for stopping by Lauren!
This look awesome! I have to be honest, I didn’t used to be a gold person, but I’m loving touches of it here and there now. This bowl is the perfect balance. I cannot wait to try this technique
Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m with you! I was never big on gold… now I love seeing little bits of it everywhere. Thanks for the kind words!
This is awesome! I want to run out and buy a gold sharpie right now!!
haha Thanks Julie! They are pretty awesome
If you’re going to have a “catchall”, it might as well be cute! Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects.
I totally agree
Love this! I featured this on my blog today! http://practicallyfunctional.net/2013/03/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-41/
That’s amazing! Thanks so much!!!
SHaring this on my FB page tomorrow!
That’s so sweet. Thank you!!!!
I love sharpies and painter’s tape!
you did a wonderful job with this bowl. It’s so pretty!
thanks for linking up and linking back to catch as catch can.
gail
ps catching you!
Thank you!! Those are always good tools to have when crafting
This is awesome. I love how you did it. I am featuring you later n Tickled Pink!
That’s amazing! Thank you so much!!
This is so cute, have you noticed any problems with the sharpie coming off? I tried this with a regular sharpie and baked it for 1 hour and the sharpie came off in the dishwasher…any tips, ideas?
-Meg, http://www.willwork4cupcakes.blogspot.com
Hi Meg,
Great question – though I have not yet washed this little bowl (since we don’t eat from it), I don’t know if the dishwasher would completely ruin it. What I CAN tell you is that we literally throw our watches, rings and other nick knacks in it very day and there has yet to be a scratch on the polka dots! I hope that helps a little. I do want to try using this on dishes that will be washed frequently, so I will follow up once I see the damage (and hopefully it’s none!).
This is too darn cute!! I literally just made over some desk accessories for my office with a sharpie paint marker! I’ll have to share with you! And I use regular sharpie metallic markers to make pretty polka dots on my manicures.
Great job!!
Gabbi that is genius!!! I never would have thought of that for manicures! I definitely want to see your desk accessories – you might just inspire me to do more with this magic little marker!
This is very cool
You did a great job!
I’d love for you to join my weekly linky party going on right now at smallfineprint.com
Thanks so much Mandy. I definitely will!
Hi there! Just found you via HoH! I love your version of this profect! I really like the way you used tape and a hole punch to create your dots. I did a gold polka dot project a while ago, too and I would have never thought to use the tape and hole punch combo. I just freehanded mine. Thanks so much for sharing. You can check out my project, too if you’d like
http://www.ahomefullofcolor.com/2013/01/polka-dot-plate-art.html
That is so awesome! Thanks for checking it out
I LOVE the designs you used for yours!!!
I love this! going to try it myself. Thanks for the inspiration!
That’s fantastic! Thank you for stopping by