DIY Round Polka Dot Pot Holder with Heat Shield

My Mom and I have been collecting vintage Pyrex together for years, but we never saw eye to eye on the clear Pyrex flameware: clear glass pots, double boilers, coffee makers, tea kettles, etc.  I thought they were boring, but my Mom discovered that they work really well with glass top stoves because their bottoms are really flat.  When my Mom got her glass top stove, I was moving out so she gave me some of her wibbly wobbly pots and pans and started collecting flameware.  Fast forward three ovens, and many years later, and now I have a glass top stove too!  I curse her hand-me-down pots every time I use one - and now I see the appeal of Pyrex flameware.

(The photos below are from Pyrex: The Unauthorized Collector's Guide, by Barbara Mauzy).

So far, the only flameware I actually have is the tea pot/kettle, which is genius!

Boil the water and steep the tea in the same beautiful vessel - perfect for a small kitchen like mine because I no longer need a separate tea pot.  Plus the glass pot looks so pretty sitting on the stove.

The only downside is that the glass lid gets really hot, so I wanted a little aqua pot holder to use with my tea pot.  My Mom and I whipped one up, using leftover fabric from the polka dot laundry room curtains.



Isn't it adorable?  I wanted a round shape to complement the polka dot fabric, and a small loop so I could hang it up beside the stove.

It was a breeze to make and required only a few supplies:

• Cotton fabric (this one is kind of similar)
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Ribbon or twill tape for loop
• Heat shield fabric (also called heat reflective fabric or poly-therm fleece)
• Scissors
• Paper for circle templace
• Round object to trace (like a plate)

Steps:

First we used a round plate - slightly larger than the size I wanted the finished pot holder to be - and traced it onto graph paper to use as a template.

We pinned our template onto the fabric and cut out three pieces: two circles from the polka dot fabric, and one circle from the heat shield fabric.

With the circles cut, we cut out a piece of twill tape for the loop.

Then we pinned the three circles together.  Because the fabric is reversible - and I wanted one side cream on aqua and the other side aqua on cream - we pinned them together so the "right" sides were facing each other, and the heat shield fabric was on the bottom.  Here's a peek at the order:

We tucked the loop between the two fabric circles, facing away from the edge.  We sewed the edges with the machine, leaving an opening to turn everything right side out.

To make the curved shape easier to flip, we cut little notches around the circumference.

We turned it right side out and then sewed shut the small opening.

And, voila, a perfectly-sized pot holder to solve my oddly specific kitchen dilemma:

(I've been itching to make one of these since we made those adorable, child-sized pot holders and itty bitty tea towels for the play kitchen we made.)

DIY Solid Wood Trivet on Legs

Hubby and I recently spent a week house-sitting for my in-laws.  They casually mentioned that they might not be able to go on a vacation because they couldn't find a house-sitter, so Hubby and I volunteered, even though their place (with two dogs, three kitties + a woodworking shop set on 80 acres of aggressively pollinating trees) always gives me massive allergy attacks.  My desire for free rein in my father-in-law's amazing woodworking shop overruled any health concerns (plus it would have been so sad if they'd had to forgo their trip!).  Handy Hubby and I knocked out four easy woodworking projects while we were there.  Being surrounded by scrap wood really sparked my creativity! 

My favorite project is this super simple DIY solid walnut trivet (or cutting board) on legs - which is actually a gift for my Mom!  She and my Dad live in a small, post-war house with a teeny kitchen boasting a small teak table - the only dining space in the house.  Mom's been on the hunt for a petite trivet to use at the table, but couldn't find one the right size or proportions.  When I spotted this gorgeous piece of wood (which I thought was teak, but is actually walnut), I knew it would be perfect:

I tried to convince her of the merits of a trendy painted edge.  She collects pink and yellow Pyrex and has pretty grey and pink patterned dishes, so I almost had her convinced that a pale pink accent would be perfect but, alas, she nixed the idea in favor of plain wood.  Plain!  But she did suggest that we attach little legs to give it some flair.  With our instructions delivered, Hubs and I got to work making  a modern, solid wood trivet on legs.

Supplies:

• Solid walnut lumber
• Sandpaper (120 and 220 grit - this sandpaper multi-pack will do the trick, too)
• Sanding block
• Tape measure
• Table saw or chop saw
• Wood oil
• Water proof wood glue
• Project clamps

How to make a solid wood trivet:

First we trimmed the edges, because one was rough from the mill, using a radial arm saw (a table saw or circular saw would do the job too).  If you're using a rougher piece of lumber, you might need to add planing - or at least running the belt sander along it - to your list of steps.  Lucky for us, this piece was already planed.

Next we cut off two identical strips, each about 1 1/2 inches wide.  With these pieces removed, it was the length Mom requested. 

After that came a lot of hand sanding.

Hubby suggested using a router to soften the edges, but I like the blocky look.  Instead, I logged a little extra time with the sandpaper to soften the edges.  I used a sanding block and started with 120 grit sandpaper before switching to 220.  Here's a great article on how to properly switch grits.  Basically, I just wanted it smooth to the touch.  When the sanding was done, we wiped down the pieces and affixed the legs with waterproof wood glue, just in case it ever gets too vigorous a washing (although this really shouldn't be submerged in water).

We used some clamps to keep everything in place and let it dry overnight.  For fun, the distance the legs are inset is the same height of the legs.  Aren't we exceptionally clever? ;)

We opted to skip screws/nails because this isn't a high-stress pieces so the glue will offer a sufficient hold and a cleaner look.  Once the glue was dry, it just needed a finish.

I applied a few coats of teak oil.  Applying eak oil is so simple (catch my teak oil tutorial by clicking here): apply with a cloth, let it soak in (manufacturer's suggestions will vary from a few minutes to a few hours), and then wipe off the excess.  Food safe Danish oil would also be a good option, and then it could double as a cutting board. 

I'm getting really hooked on oiling wood - remember the Danish teak tray I revived?  Oh, and the arms for the velvet garbage chair?  They still look incredible.  Oiling wood is such an easy way to bring out its natural beauty. 

Once I relinquish it, I'm sure Mom will be thrilled to finally have a trivet the exact size she was questing for.  But it's so gorgeous, Mom should be a little nervous about this trivet actually making its way to her place...

This was such a fun and simple project - a perfect beginner woodworking project!  Plus you can make one of these cute trivets with any scrap wood lying around after another DIY.

I still think it could use some pink...or turquoise!

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DIY Fancy Glass Trivet

Ages ago, before we moved in together, I bought Hubby a little glass trivet from a dollar store.  Recently the paper backing had started to peel (but damn, this thing has lasted a decade!).  He's kind of sentimental about stuff from me, especially because we don't exchange gifts anymore, so instead of saying good-bye, I gave it a little makeover. 

First, I soaked the trivet in soapy water to get the rest of the backing off, but you know how sometimes one end of something comes lose and then refuses to come lose on any other part?  Yeah.  A little goo gone, followed by more soapy water and some scrubbing did the trick.

For a new backing, we picked out a fun scrapbook paper together.  It sounds all cute, us at the craft store pondering paper, but it was agony because the selection was too big and we kept trying to force the other to pick.  I traced the glass trivet on the back of our (painfully selected) paper, cut it out and . . . guess I'm having an off week, huh?

Crap.

No worries.  I remembered I had some pretty wrapping paper leftover so I cut a circle from that with no problems.  Horray for little successes!!

I used spray adhesive left over from when I used it to (temporarily) affix the poem stencil to my antiqued mirror.  This stuff is so versatile because if you only spray one side, it remains moveable for ten minutes, but if you spray both things you're trying to stick together, let it dry to tack (about a minute) and then smoosh them in place, it has a super strong hold right away.

And voila:

It won't be dishwasher safe, obviously, but it's still wipe-able and perfect for holding Hubby's mug of tea with lemon, situated on the little table beside our tweed chair, far, far away from me because the last thing I need is his cold too!

Much better!

P.S. I spotted (and pinned) a tutorial from Better Homes and Gardens, for the same kind of craft, but using a decoupage medium instead.

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Turn a Tile into a Trivet in One Step

This DIY tile turned trivet project is SO easy - but looks so good!

Remember how Handy Hubby & I spent our fourth wedding anniversary in Budapest, ceramic painting with friends?  Above are the fruits of my labour: two painted tiles.  I picked something flat, easy to pack, and cheap (in case I ruined them).  The ratty brushes and watery paint we were provided meant we were doomed to fail at any finer work, so despite all the sketches done the night before (I'm type A, even when I'm being artsy), I went the abstract route.  The turquoise ended up more teal and the apple and mint green hardly showed up at all, but I still love them.  They're a sweet reminder of the trip.  In Hungary they are sold to be mounted or framed for a wall art, but I'm using them as trivets.

This can also easily be done with decorative store bought tile (places like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore always have a great selection of tiles, usually priced per piece), renovation leftovers for something sentimental, or a plain white tile decorated with a ceramic marker.  The possibilities are endless!

Supplies:

Ceramic tile
Felt
LePage Gel Epoxy (I love this adhesive.  It's versatile, dries quickly and has a strong hold)
Pencil
Scrap of cardboard

How to make a tile trivet: 

1. First I checked that the felt won't leave dye stains on surfaces by dipping a scrap piece in water and wiping it on a paper towel.  This trivet won't be washable, only wipeable, but I still didn't want to accidentally stain my favorite table cloth if a little water is spilled underneath.

2.  I cut the felt about a quarter inch smaller than the tile, so it wouldn't peak out from the edges.

3.  I marked where the felt would be glued onto the tile with pencil.  The epoxy dries quickly, so I had to work quickly and this helped with positioning the felt.

4. I poured the two part epoxy right onto the tile and mixed it right on the surface.  Using a piece of a cardboard cereal box, I smoothed out the epoxy to all four edges, spreading it ever so slightly beyond where the felt would go to make sure the edges adhered perfectly (it dries clear).

5.  I placed the felt square on, pressed and smoothed it flat.  This epoxy left no bumps or ridges.  I was worried a glue gun or other glues might leave bumps and lumps. 

6.  It dried in 5 minutes, but I always let projects cure overnight.  I'm really pleased with how well the red felt coordinates with my paint splotches (I pilfered from my Mom's felt stash, so my colour choices were limited).

I've already put these trivets to good use.

More Ideas for DIY tile trivets:

Take a look at this Martha Stewart tutorial for decorating tile with a stencil made of lace.  Alternatively, a plain tile can be dressed up with fabric, scrapbook paper or even kid art, like in this Prudent Baby tutorial.

Leftover slate tile becomes a modern table accessory with a stripe of neon paint, as seen on Madigan Made.

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