Fabric Flowers and Polkadots Mug

I love making handmade gifts but I will confess that I am terrible about not planning ahead – so I’m usually rushing around at the last minute trying to make things. Totally the holiday atmosphere I am going for. (or not.) So I love gifts that don’t take a ton of time to make – and that is what I’m sharing with you today! This Fabric Flowers and Polkadots Mug is sooo cute and easy to do – you can probably finish one up in a half hour. Boom. And it’s super easy to personalize  – since it’s fabric you can choose anything your recipient will love. The best part is that it is Dishwasher safe! So magical right? I love it!

Mine is decorated with these gorgeous fabric flowers and little gold paint polkadots. I love the vintage feel it has! Also – this mug has gone through the dishwasher (on the top level) so I can completely vouch for it working!

You could add in a hot cocoa mix or maybe a Starbucks gift card and have a super easy gift all ready to go!

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own:

• Fabric pieces – enough for the designs you want to put on the mug
• Gold paint pen
• Mug
• Dishwasher safe glossy Decoupage. I used the Martha Stewart brand
• Brush
• Helpful stuff – ruler and pencil

** This is important: The decoupage takes 28 days to cure. So while the mug only takes a short time to make, you cannot wash it for 28 days. So make sure to include a note if you give it as a gift about when they can begin using the mug! :) **

Begin by cutting out your fabric designs. I used this pretty floral fabric.

Brush a layer of decoupage on the back of each of your fabric pieces. Place them on the mug. Keep in mind that the decoupage dries quite hard, so you probably don’t want your designs right up at the rim of the mug.

I chose to put one fabric piece on each side of the mug.

Add a couple of rows of little gold polkadots. An easy way to do this is measure down on the mug where you’d like the row and make light pencil marks. Then dot the paint pen along the marks for some little polkadots. Let your mug dry.

Follow the instructions on the bottle to cover the design with decoupage. Do a coat over each of the fabric pieces, overlapping onto the mug just a bit. For the polkadots, I recommend using the end of a paint brush, dabbing it in the decoupage, then dot the decoupage over the paint dot. This will keep the mug looking as clean as possible when it all dries. The decoupage dries clear, but you will be able to see light brush strokes on the mug so you want to keep this as minimal as possible. Wait 24 hours and repeat the coverage, and again 24 hours later. Now all you have to do is wait 28 days to wash it. I think you could definitely gift it early though!

That’s all there is to it! And easy and unique gift that you can make for anyone!

I’d love to see any versions you make! I think I might do my next one with some fun Japanese Echino fabric designs.

I’m also sharing another last minute gift idea over at Tatertots and Jello today! Head over there to see how to make these easy and fun Anthro Knockoff Trinket Dishes!