DIY: How to Customize A Utensil Crock

As you may know, I recently "almost-finished" my kitchen.{I am never fully done with anything!}
Since then, I have been looking for accessories
and items to add those final touches.
I made my beautiful {if I do say so myself!} tea towel and place mats,
but I do not like things too matchy-matchy,
so I was looking for something else to adorn some other accessories.

I had a not-so-cheap-stainless steel utensil holder that turned out to be a dud - too small and it cracked - I did not know stainless steel could do that! I was on the hunt for a nice big crock to put those utensils in, but couldn't find one that was not $50.00 or with some design on it that did not suit me...then it hit me...duh!
Make my own!...
Or at least buy a plain one and make it better!

Now, I was set out to make my crock rock!
And while I was at it,
I made some super cute cloth napkins
{I am trying so hard to do away with paper napkins and paper towels!}
Seriously, it seems like a lot of steps,
but don't let it scare you...it is not that bad!
After you do it once, you'll see and be hooked on this process like I am!
You get a professional looking finish - it is awesome!
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Bon Appetit Crock

 Supplies

-Image from Olive Rue (or image of your choosing)

-Waterslide decal paper {available online or in some art stores...email me for info} - there are a few brands. I am trying out a new one soon. For this tutorial I used Lazertran.

-Crock, white {purchased at a kitchen store}

-Bowl with lukewarm water

-Oven
-Decal squeegee and/or paper towel

DIY It! Bon Appetit Crock

1 - Print image onto waterslide decal paper - if your image has words, you will want to print a mirror image of the design.

NOTE: For the process and paper I used, the background turns a vintagey tea stained color in the curing/baking process, so I added an oval border {super simple to do in almost any program}. There is another method to using waterslide decals to avoid this, but I like this look. Again, I just purchased a new brand of paper and will report back!

2 - Let image dry for at least 15 minutes {this drying time varies based on the paper and method used, consult paper directions}, so that the ink does not run. I let mine dry for a few hours.

3 - Cut image out - either closely around border or closely around the image itself. 

4 - Determine placement or image and prepare crock {or whatever you are transferring the image to}.

5 - Add lukewarm water to a bowl, large enough for the cut image to be submerged.

 6 - Place image in water for approximately 1 minute. The image will immediately curl...gently uncurl.

7 - After removing paper, position the decal in the correct place on the crock {with the words reading correctly}.
8 - Blot the image with a soft towel and smooth out {or if you have the proper squeegee, use that} to remove air bubbles {This step is important...my first go around I thought I had it and...nope - lots of air bubbles!}
9 - You may want to use a hair dryer to assist in adhering the decal to the piece and removing those remaining air bubbles too.
10 - Let piece air dry for 1 hour*
11 - Set oven to 200 F and bake piece for 1 hour.
12 - Set oven to 300 F and bake piece for 1 more hour.
13 - Set oven to 350 F and bake piece for 1 more hour.
14 - Set oven to 400 F and bake piece for 15 minutes.
15 - Remove from oven and let cool  - the image will be shiny and the background will have the light patina coloration.
16 - wipe piece {being careful of the image} with a damp sponge to remove excessive adhesive {it is brown - you will see it.}

*The new paper I have purchased, it supposed to be clear and does not require baking process.

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Bon Appetit Napkins 

Click HERE for printable pdf napkin tutorial

 Supplies

-Image from Olive Rue
-Cloth napkins, 100% cotton {I purchased mine in a 6-pack at Target}
-Iron
-Pillow case or light cloth
-T-Shirt Transfer paper for light colors


DIY It! Bon Appetit Napkins
1 - Measure the size you would like your design to ultimately be on the finished napkin. Mine is about 4.5" x 6"
2 - Layout images on the computer. You should be able to fit at least 2 images on each sheet of transfer paper.
3 - Print image onto transfer paper.  
NOTE: YOU MUST USE THE MIRROR IMAGE setting {located under page set up/printer/advanced settings for most programs} to have the image appear exactly as you see it on the screen once it is ironed.
4 - Cut around outline of image, as closely as you can and place on the napkin. I like to fold my napkins in half and then in thirds, so ultimately my image in placed in the center of the napkin {when folded in half}.
5 - Preheat your iron to settings as specified by the transfer paper you use.
6 - Place design face down in position and place pillowcase or cloth on top.
7 - Iron/Press design into place using slow and hard movements - most transfer papers recommend not using an ironing board but a hard surface.
8 - Let cool and peel backing off! Voila!

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DISCLOSURE: As part of the DIY Club, I have been supplied with vendor sponsored products to complete my projects. The opinions are projects are my own. See, my disclosure policy for more information.
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