blah to TADA!: January 2015

26 January 2015

Hand-Stamped Tags

Happy Monday friends! Today I'd like to share with you a cool craft tip that you can use for gift tags or labels for your handmade products.

All we need are an ink pad and a set of alphabet stamps.

Well, make that two or even three sets. Sometimes, you'll need two or more of the same vowel in one word. These alphabet stamps are very inexpensive anyway (less than $2 per set at the craft store).

Using the alphabet stamps, spell out the words you need and secure them together with washi or masking tape.

Add some ink and press it on a paper tag or sticker label.

Instant tags that you can further customize with more stamps or your own handwriting. TADA!

19 January 2015

I'm that type of girl who loves to receive birthday cards and I do love to send them out, too. While it's easy to run to the card section of the department store, I take that extra step of making the birthday cards myself.

Today, I'm turning this blank card from blah to TADA!

I'm using this heart-shaped cookie cutter to trace a pattern.

I'll play around with my favorite watercolor palette.

First, with my paintbrush, I apply a wash of water on the paper. Immediately, I add some color. I like how the pigment gradually spreads and how it bleeds into the color beside it.

This has some magical tie-dye effect.

Here are the designs I came up with. I positioned the heart differently on each card and used colors that each recipient would favor.

And then, another layer with rubber stamps is in order.

I'll personalize it some more based on the friend who will receive it.

Maybe this has inspired you to make your own greeting cards -- your own version of blah to TADA!

12 January 2015

Theft Time

It's a brand new year and I was wondering if you make any resolutions? I don't since keeping them is quite the challenge. But I do like to make lists like new crafts to learn, books to read, recipes to try.

Here's a book that I'm reading. It's quick to finish, quite insightful, grabs you with the title, and encourages you to steal ideas.

I took a calligraphy class late last year and the only way to get better is to practice. Here are some quotes in the book that jumped up at me:

Did some of these words resonate with you? Whatever art form you are pursuing, I hope you find ways to improve it this year (yes, even if you have to steal).

Have a great week, everyone!

05 January 2015

A Fresh Start

How are you feeling now that 2015 has just begun? There's a saying, "The days are long, the years are short" and I can only agree. While I remember everything about 2014, it seems to have whizzed by so quickly!

Here is my 2015 planner. I still write everything down. I'm old school like that. I'm filling it with appointments, to do lists, blog posts, and article ideas. I'm also jotting down daily highlights I call, "This Made My Day" and "The 5 Things I'm thankful for Today". I'll begin and end each day with this journal of sorts.