Monday, November 19, 2012

Il mio Caffè del mattino spot or My Morning Coffee Spot



I am in love, and truth been told I have been for several years . . . with my automatic coffee maker.  It's Cuisinart and very popular!  I've noticed that most of the TV shows I watch have the EXACT same coffee maker ~ wow (yeah I really watch TV for the room decor).  He is always ready when I am. That is, when I remember to turn him to "auto" the night before.

I keep filters, Sugar, Turbinado and a Spoon Rest nestled together on an old hotel silver tray.  

For a couple years I had cardboard hang tags with a "T" and "S"; sadly they met their demise quickly.  Daily handling, cardboard and water . . . not a good match.  My family's confusion over which canister held what put me on the hunt for replacements.  I wanted brushed silver to go with the coffee maker, small enough to stay on the top of the canister lid for ease of identification . . . but what?? Hmmmmmmm . . . . . . .  


I got it ~ Dog Tags! (go military brat!!)


They are exactly what I wanted brushed silver and small.  I looked everywhere for dog tag blanks, Michaels, JoAnn's, independent craft stores in the Sacramento area.  I did find them on the internet but I didn't need 300 ~ just 2.  Then, shopping for dog food I saw the personalized dog tag (for your pet) making machine in the store!  I was so excited I may or may not have done a happy dance (which btw caused my daughter to go hide).  I scurried over to the machine only to become quickly disappointed ~ I wanted the traditional dog tag shape, not a pink dog biscuit or a red heart {sigh} back to square 1 ~ or the internet.  

Finally!!  I found a company that makes Pet ID tags (there are 1000's but I wanted something specific or as my DH says ~ I am picky ) they had the exact shape, size and color I wanted.  The machine in the store wanted $10 each, online $3 with free shipping.  I quickly ordered 2 tiny brushed silver dog tags; one Sugar, the other Turbinado.



The day they arrived I couldn't wait to get them on the canisters (so no picture of the icky cardboard tags).  A little twine and we are set!  I found a lonely soup spoon at GW for .99 (silver plate, made in Italy) I use it for scooping the preferred sweetener into the warm yummy pumpkin spice coffee I make found to go with the Thanksgiving season.

The one thing I can't figure out is how to darken the letters to make them stand out more.  I've tried Sharpie, shoe polish, craft paint . . .nothing stays in the letters ~ maybe they aren't deep enough; I don't know.  I'll keep thinking about it but for now, they make me happy!

A tiny spot of joy in my day! Thanks for dropping by for a visit, I truly appreciate it : )

LeRae