Tote Bag Stories: DIY Closure for Bags without Zippers

I love all kinds of tote bags! They're inexpensive, sturdy, and can easily be thrown into the washing machine (I prefer to air dry because they can shrink in the dryer).

I have quite a number of tote bags and use them as an everyday bag or for something more dedicated like a wine tote bag, even a tote bag that I decorated myself and gifted to a friend. 

This tote bag is a souvenir from a trip to London many years ago. I got it from Marks & Spencer Food Hall. The canvas material is thick and there's no branding, just the word organic. In this context, it refers to farming methods that does not use pesticides, but it can also mean "natural development." Clean and natural, I like that.  

Inside the tote bag is a pocket to keep my water bottle standing upright...TADA! If used as a grocery bag, this is the spot to put bottles (ex. wine, olive oil, vinegar, etc.) so they don't tip over. 

The tote bag is very roomy! But since I plan to use this as an everyday bag, I want to add a mechanism that will allow it to close like a button or ribbon-like ties that I can knot together. 

I found these in my recycling stash: a strip of twill tape and a lanyard once used for IDs/nametags.  

Don't you think these can be used as a closure mechanism?

I cut the twill tape in half. I sewed (hand sewing) one at the center of the tote bag. On the opposite side, I sewed the other piece but also included the hook portion of the lanyard...TADA!

I found a simple and easy way to close my tote bag...TADA!

I had some extra twill tape that I also sewed on one end of the tote bag -- a place to hook small items (ex. keys or hand sanitizer) that can easily get lost at the bottom of the bag...TADA!

And that is how I updated a tote bag from blah to TADA!

On another creative note, I'm excited about this Notebook Project that I am a part of. It's like a penpal exchange, except that it's among seven people living across the United States. We pass around this beautiful notebook, fill it with words, photos, and tokens of joy (ex. stickers, collage, artwork) and get to know each other in a rather old fashioned way. I'll write more about it in a future post, but this idea may inspire you and your community, and turn ordinary days from blah to TADA!

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DIY Mailing Envelopes

What a pleasure to see you!

If you receive packages in the mail, you're left with empty mailing envelopes such as these:

Instead of tossing them out, let's turn them from blah to TADA!

via Traveler's Company

I'm taking inspiration from these kraft envelopes with a button and string closure made by Traveler's Company. 

Just by cutting, folding, and gluing the sides of the used mailing envelopes, I've come up with these:

Smaller mailing envelopes with a red stitching detail...TADA! 

I used travel-themed rubber stamps and an ink pad to add some whimsy to the envelopes.

One the flip side, I also stamped on this stylized rectangle where I can write the recipient's name and address.

I made faux button and string closures using cardboard circles and embroidery thread.

For the little envelope, I literally used buttons and thread from my sewing kit to make the closure. Isn't it adorable?

And that is how I turned used mailing envelopes from blah to TADA! If you'd like to make letter envelopes using a brown paper bag, there's a tutorial here. 

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Three Things for March

Happy new month lovelies!

March is such an in-between month, teetering on the edge of winter, waiting patiently for the spring. There is a promise of buds forming on the trees and yet there is still the threat of snow. We're ready to put away the coats and scarves, but know well enough that we still need them. 

Because of this uncertainty, here's how I turn blah to TADA!

A walk in the park for some sunshine and to feel the cool air against my skin. This is one of the things that makes me feel alive. I know in a few weeks, new leaves will color this season's somber palette. 

Staying indoors for cozy activities. Making soup, baking cookies, brewing some English Breakfast tea. Reading, writing letters, listening to records...the whole hyyge experience!

Visiting my "happy places." The stationery shop. The craft store. The bookstore. Because they always make my heart soar.

Little rituals like these and the promise of warmer weather turns blah to TADA! 

*****

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A Watercolor Painting Collab

My friend Terri proudly announced that she was starting a new hobby--watercolor! I only had encouraging words because making art is a good alternative to scrolling on your phone, it promotes mindfulness and creativity, and has been healing for me, personally.

To support and enable her, I suggested a collaboration. I call it Claire x Terri Creative Collab.  

On postcard-size watercolor paper, I made these painting on one side:

Spring Blossoms

Frozen Desserts

Under the Sea Creatures

I left the other side of the page for Terri's own watercolor paintings using the prompts I started.

I mailed these to her (she lives in Canada) with the hope that she gets excited about our team project.

However, these postcards never made it to her. Sigh.

So I sent her a new batch (praying with all my might that they would get to Terri this time around):

Then she sent me a message that the envelope arrived...TADA! She was also excited to start. 

On the left side is my fish.

And on the right side, Terri added her octopus. Isn't he cute? We call this piece, "Keep Swimming."

On the left side are a few flowers I drew.

And on the right side, Terri added more blooms. We call this piece, "Secret Garden."

On the left side, I painted an ice cream cone and a soft serve cone. 

And on the right side, Terri painted some lollipops. We call this one, "Sweet Treats."

She even said, "Thank you for coming up with this idea. I enjoyed it so much! We definitely have to keep this going." We're planning to do doodles next. 

If you have an artsy pal, why not try it out?

And that is how we turned some blank pages from blah to TADA!

*****

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Crafty Tip: How I Organize My Colored Pencils

Hi guys, thank you for being here! 

One of my favorite art tools are colored pencils. Nothing fancy, just inexpensive brands like Crayola and Artist's Loft. I like using them for hand stamped cards, coloring books, and adding layers to watercolor paintings. 

I put all my colored pencils in this ceramic container. It used to be a plant pot. But the plant died (blah) so I took out the soil, cleaned it, and now it's a cozy home for my colored pencils...TADA! 

Then, I found out that some of my favorite artists organize their colored pencils in a very specific way.

via Jamie Bauza

Here is children's book illustrator Jamie Bauza on her art table. Look at how her colored pencils are grouped by color in small jars...TADA!

Sketchbook Revival featuring Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer has a similar method. Her colored pencils are also bunched by color and stored in a box with a built-in divider (here's something similar)...TADA! 

I thought it was a genius idea and I applied this tip using my ceramic pot:

With cardboard, attached together with a glue gun, I made this divider inside the ceramic container. I wanted to use what I already had (why buy, when we can D.I.Y?!) and I was also very conscious about my very limited desk space. 

I gathered my colored pencils and arranged them by color: (1) Shades of red, orange, pink; (2) Shades of yellow; (3) Shades of green; (4) Shades of blue; (5) Shades of purple; (6) Shades of gray, brown, plus white and black. Rubber bands are a temporary way to keep them from rolling into the wrong group. 

I released them from their rubber bands and put them in the assigned compartment of the container.

It's a humble upgrade but it makes colors quicker to find (keeps me from the extra work of rummaging through all the colors).

It also makes me aware of what colors I use most often and when I'm starting to run low (yellow, I see you). Plus, I'm now more mindful of the other colors waiting to be used.

I feel very satisfied. 

That is how I turned a ceramic pot and cardboard from blah to TADA!

*****

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Love Stamps

As a lover of handwritten cards and snail mail,  I am also a big fan of postage stamps. I love them so much that even when they are used and cancelled, I cut them out of the envelope and incorporate them in crafting and more crafting...TADA!

Did you know that every year, the United States Postal Service comes out with a new design for the LOVE Stamp? Here are the most recent ones:

via USPS designed by Antonio Alcala/Keith Haring

via USPS designed by Katie Kirk

via USPS designed by Ethel Kessler/Chris Buzelli

Aren't they the cutest? It's such a good excuse to support the post office and to bring a smile to someone's mailbox.

Not too long ago, I attended a virtual event hosted by the National Postal Museum. 

They had a presentation about Love Stamps. Just look at the many designs created over the years!

Check this one out, inspired by the Love sculpture created by Robert Indiana. 

Artist Katie Kirk, who designed this Love Stamp and these winter woodland animal postage stamps, talked about her design process. She even did a short demo on her digital illustration.

It's simple but very effective -- the love bird and the love letter...TADA! 

Here is a quick history of the Love Stamp: "a stamp made for lovers, so our letters may stand out among all others." *Swoon*

As part of the session, we got to design our own Love Stamps. Here's what I made:

My design uses a ribbon to spell LOVE and a visual of a gift tied up in a bow -- because cards in the mail give me the feeling like I'm opening a special gift...TADA!

I used watercolor paper, a mechanical pencil, and colored pencils. I had a lot of fun!

The next time you receive snail mail, make sure to admire the stamp!

May the little things like these bring you joy, or as I love to say, turn blah to TADA!

*****

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