Valentine Candy Photo Mug

Want to hear "Oohs" and "Aahs" when you give your Valentine a handmade gift? This photo Valentine's Day mug filled with chocolate Kisses is sure to be a big hit! No one will believe you made it yourself! The mug is decorated with a photo inside a heart outline and smaller hearts are scattered over the rest of the mug.With our china mugs and our waterslip decals, this is an easy project. The problem will be keeping up with the demand once everyone sees it!

MATERIALS NEEDED

Mug (see Products>China Mugs).

Waterslip decals(see Products>Waterslip Decals)

Decal finishing/inkjet overcoat spray(see Products>Waterslip Decals)

Photo (scanned or on disk)

Heart clipart

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Open a blank page in your graphics program in portrait orientation. Place your scanned photo on the page near the top (in case you're using our half sheet waterslip decals, otherwise you can place it anywhere on the page.) Place a heart outline around the photo and color the outline red. Resize the photo so that it will fit on the mug. (Measure your mug from top to bottom to get a good fit.)

2) Place a smaller heart with a red fill on the same page. Duplicate this heart so that you have about ten of them.

3) Print the page out on plain paper to make sure it looks the way you want. Then print it on the waterslip decal. If you're using the half sheets, make sure that all your designs fit on the top half of your page. Use white decals if you're putting them on a colored mug.

4) Allow the decal sheet to dry for about 15 minutes before applying the first coat of finishing spray. Let each coat dry for at least an hour before applying the next coat. Apply a total of at least three coats. You want a sturdy decal that will withstand numerous handwashings. (Remember: waterslip decals are NOT recommended for the dishwasher!)

5) Once the decals are thoroughly dry, cut out the photo heart and the ten smaller hearts. Decide where you want to place the photo heart first. Soak the decal in room temperature water for about 15-20 seconds. Shake it out gently, and holding it over the mug, slowly slide the decal until part of it is sticking out from the backing. Place this part of the decal on the mug and then slowly and gently slide the backing out from under the decal. The decal will move freely while it's still wet, so don't worry if the positioning isn't perfect at first. You can reposition it, just remember to go slowly and gently!

6) Once you have the decal positioned where you want it, blot - again gently - with a soft tissue. Any small bubbles will disappear when the decal dries fully on the mug.

7) Repeat step 5 for all the smaller hearts.

8) Let the mug dry thoroughly for 24 hours. Fill with chocolate kisses or other goodies. Wrap the whole thing in some pink or red cellophane and top with a red bow and you've got a gift that all will envy!

Valentine's Candy Photo Mug Instructions

For a print friendly version, click on this link.