31 May 2021

Bookmarks That Say Thank You

I celebrated my birthday in April, my second one in quarantine, but I didn't really mind because I feel more connected to old friends from across the globe because of technology. I get text greetings and we are able to hang out on video conferencing platforms. 

arts and crafts, birthday blah to TADA, artwork

This year, a group of my dearest friends surprised me with a virtual birthday card. The theme was "arts and crafts" (they know me so well)! 

Each one of them made a craft, showed it off in a photo, and they wrote me wishes that really lifted me up and are giving me a boost of confidence. The crafts ranged from hand lettering, painting on canvas, coloring pages, poetry, drawing, decorating gift bags, and flower arranging. I hope that as they created they felt a sense of calm and a feeling of pride when they finished. 

I got so tickled with their masterpieces! As a thank you, I made them these bookmarks:

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
They are hand-painted and hand lettered with watercolors and the concept is a like a jigsaw puzzle where each person perfectly fits into a bigger picture. 

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I started with a blank watercolor sheet, a paint brush, and my reliable watercolor palette.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I decided on a repeating pattern, choosing happy colors like yellow.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
Two kinds of yellow! Because these friends are sunshine and positivity. We always have a good time. We laugh at the corniest jokes. We also offer encouragement when some of us are having a rough season. We pray for each other.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
A blue moon because real friends are rare and must be treasured. 

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
Some tears, both happy and sad, that we've all shared together.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
And a final touch of rosy pink. This is the backdrop I painted, symbolic of our friendship...TADA!

According to an article I read recently, this is what is described as meditative painting: "being mindful and present while putting paint on paper."

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I marked the painting into 12 equal parts.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
Then cut out the pieces.

watercolor painting, Prang watercolor, water brush, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I painted the name of each friend, saying a prayer for them as I did it: "Dear God, thank you for Lisa and our years of friendship. Please give her good health and strength, bless her family, and please meet her needs."

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, water brush, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I did the same for each name that I wrote. I sent a photo of their bookmark to the recipient and promised to give it to them personally when it's safe to see each other.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
We're scattered all over the world and yet our bond remains strong.  We are different but we've proven that we go so well together. 

That's why today, I celebrate friendship and all the rewards that come with it, including receiving the most thoughtful birthday surprise. Friends definitely transform life from "blah to TADA!"

24 May 2021

Floral Embroidery

I hope you had some nice weather this weekend! It's starting to feel like summer here in the East Coast. But whatever the season, crafting is always on my agenda.

The Makerie, crafting community, crafting session, blah to TADA, hand letting, Heidi Parkes, Zak Foster
Last Wednesday, I joined the Makerie Community for "A Playful Pause," a virtual crafting session. 

hand yoga by Heidi Parkes, The Makerie, A Playful Pause, female quilters, blah to TADA
We started out with some hand yoga led by Heidi Parkes. I've never done hand yoga before and I think I should do it every morning or when I need to relax my hands.

The Makerie, A Playful Pause, quilters, blah to TADA
Then master quilter Zak Foster introduced the activity:

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We had to sew without looking! It was hard! But we relied on our fingertips to be our eyes. We tried it out by sewing a straight line, then sewing a shape (my attempt at a heart), and finally a word. My word was "leap" -- a reminder that I should just go for it without overthinking. But the "P" looks like a "D" so the word can be "lead" (as in "leadership" and not "lead" the chemical).  This activity made me extra grateful for the sense of sight and that I should be open to new techniques that challenge my creativity.

*****

It's all about sewing today. Personally, I am very drawn to handicrafts with floral embroidery. It reminds me of my childhood. We had tablecloths and pillow covers decorated with embroidery. I also learned embroidery in school -- we made a bag and a layette (linen for baby) for Practical Arts. Embroidery is one of my first forays into crafting. Embroidery also makes me feel safe.   

Here is a bag that I purchased in a Bangkok market many, many years ago:

embroidery, embroidered bag, lazy daisy, Bangkok souvenir, blah to TADA, handmade bag, sewing crafts, floral embroidery, flowers
The cloth is linen and the handles are made out of wood.

embroidery, embroidered bag, lazy daisy, Bangkok souvenir, blah to TADA, handmade bag, sewing crafts, floral embroidery, flowers
Lazy-daisy flowers and small seashells are sewn on it.

embroidery, embroidered bag, lazy daisy, Bangkok souvenir, blah to TADA, handmade bag, sewing crafts, floral embroidery, flowers
I love that it doesn't look like the mass produced bags of today and I can imagine an artisan leisurely working on this while humming her favorite song.

I hardly use this bag now but I've kept it as a souvenir from that memorable trip (maybe I should frame it).

embroidery, embroidered skirt, blah to TADA, sewing crafts, floral embroidery, flowers
This is a pencil skirt that I've owned for more than a decade. 

embroidery, embroidered skirt, blah to TADA, sewing crafts, floral embroidery, flowers
I fell in love with the colors and the floral stitching.

Taking a cue from these items, I applied some embroidery to turn some items in my closet from blah to TADA!

embroidery, embroidered wallet, blah to TADA, sewing crafts, floral embroidery, flowers, Nine West wallet, 3-D embroidery
This is an old wallet that has been hiding in a box in my closet.

embroidery, embroidered wallet, blah to TADA, sewing crafts, floral embroidery, flowers, Nine West wallet, 3-D embroidery
To give it life, I added some 3-dimensional stitching that I learned on Pinterest...TADA!

TOMS shoes, embroidered TOMS, flowers on shoes, shoes for spring, blah to TADA!, sewing crafts, sewing flowers on TOMS shoes
I also embroidered a pair of shoes that developed a small hole. I thought that was a sneaky solution to cover it up. Apart from the hole, it was still in good shape.

TOMS shoes, embroidered TOMS, flowers on shoes, shoes for spring, blah to TADA!, sewing crafts, sewing flowers on TOMS shoes
I drew the flowers with white pencil.

TOMS shoes, embroidered TOMS, flowers on shoes, shoes for spring, blah to TADA!, sewing crafts, sewing flowers on TOMS shoes
Then I slowly made the stitches.

TOMS shoes, embroidered TOMS, flowers on shoes, shoes for spring, blah to TADA, sewing crafts, sewing flowers on TOMS shoes
Now, I am able to wear the shoes again (and the compliments aren't so bad either)...TADA!

fabric face mask, blah to TADA, sewing crafts, sewing flowers on face mask,
I used the same floral embroidery technique to decorate this handmade face mask...TADA! Always good to keep it handy even if mask mandates are being lifted.

shawl update, turquoise shawl, blah to TADA, sewing crafts, sewing flowers on a shawl
And finally here is a shawl that was looking blah. Sewing was a bit of a challenge because of the thin material but the flowers embroidered on it gives it more personality...TADA!

floral embroidery, sewing crafts, embroidery on shawl, embroidery on wallet, embroidery on face mask, embroidery on TOMS shoes, blah to TADA
How about you, are you a fan of embroidery?

17 May 2021

Crafts Inspired by a Floral Arrangement

Hey guys, I'm glad to see you today!

Not too long ago, a dear friend sent over this floral arrangement:

 flowers, floral arrangement, money tree, painting, interior design,flowers, floral arrangement, roses, orchids, hydrangeas, tulips, eucalyptus, how to dry flowers, watercolor painting, bookmark, dried flower arrangement, how to make flowers last, blah to TADA, crafts, handmade

I am smitten by her thoughtfulness and how this generous gesture says, "I'm here, I'm thinking of you, and I wish you well." The flowers definitely brightened my day and turned it from "blah" to TADA!"

flowers, floral arrangement, roses, orchids, hydrangeas, tulips, eucalyptus, how to dry flowers, watercolor painting, bookmark, dried flower arrangement, how to make flowers last, blah to TADA, crafts, handmade

Here is it in a different angle. I always take a photo so that I'll forever remember it. There are roses, hydrangeas, tulips, orchids, eucalyptus, and some leaves.

Of course, this floral arrangement has inspired me to make some crafts.

flowers, floral arrangement, roses, orchids, hydrangeas, tulips, eucalyptus, how to dry flowers, watercolor painting, bookmark, dried flower arrangement, how to make flowers last, blah to TADA, crafts, handmade

First, I made two paintings (these are watercolor paper remnants that I did not want to waste).  

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The size is ideal to turn into a bookmark or it can also be framed. I mailed one together with a thank you card to my friend who sent the flowers. 

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Roses dry well so I hung them upside down (tie a bundle with a rubber band and use a hook to hang on a cabinet handle). Notice that these roses are still in fresh shape? The petals remain intact and the color keeps a lighter shade when hung to dry at this stage. 

flowers, floral arrangement, roses, orchids, hydrangeas, tulips, eucalyptus, how to dry flowers, watercolor painting, bookmark, dried flower arrangement, how to make flowers last, blah to TADA, crafts, handmade

Here's what they look like after leaving them to dry for a week. The petals are crisp and any moisture has evaporated.

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I put them inside my bunny vase...TADA!

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I also left the eucalyptus stems to dry (same process as the roses) and even when dry, they have a faint minty scent.

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I made another arrangement using an empty bottle for a vase...TADA!

Flowers fade and wither but through these simple crafts, I was able to extend their life. I am able to hold on to their beauty a little longer and turn even their dried versions from "blah" to "TADA!"

I wish you all an exciting week ahead!

10 May 2021

A Do-It-Yourself Recipe Box

Hey guys, I'm happy you were able to stop by! This is today's crafty inspiration:

It's a recipe box made by Rifle Paper Co. and they've got other designs like this and this. Aren't they beautiful? Designer and owner Anna Bond really does a great job with her floral and botanical gouache paintings. 

I'm using this idea to turn blah to TADA!

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
I'm a big tea drinker and a recent acquaintance had recommended this British brand to me. 

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
I bought it and I liked that this special edition came in a reusable tin.  

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
The tin provided an air-tight seal and kept my tea fresh until I consumed every single bag. 

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
Now that it's empty, I would love to reuse it as storage.

Here's what I did:

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
I cleaned the tin inside and out with a dry cloth (moisture will cause it to rust). Then I painted the outside with acrylic paint.


Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
I painted on several coats, allowing the paint to dry in between coats.

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
This is my painted tin...TADA!

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
Because I love flowers, I drew some, too. 


Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
I opted for flowers that traditionally grow in an English garden: roses, peonies, Japanese anemone, hollyhocks, and bell flowers.

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
To make it my own, I used watercolor (instead of acrylic or gouache).

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
 I let the paint dry for a few minutes...


Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
...before putting more layers, definition, and details.

Then I added this adhesive metal bookplate that I got at an office supply store many years ago. If you can't find it, a sticker label can be a good replacement.


By the way, I got to practice my hand lettering to make the label...TADA!

Here are just a few ways I can use my spruced-up tin box as storage:

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
As a recipe box -- though most of the recipes I use are stored on Pinterest.

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin, how to store food mixes, pantry storage ideas
To store packets of food mixes like gravy, dips and sauces...that way they stay neat inside the pantry or cupboard.

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin, how to store receipts, receipt storage ideas
As a box to store receipts for a small business. Inside, you can add monthly/quarterly dividers made from card stock.

Tea Tin transformation, tea tin crafts, how to repurpose a tea tin
I hope you liked this tea tin transformation. Have a good week ahead!

03 May 2021

A Gift for Mom

Mother's Day is this Sunday!

Thinking of a handmade gift for your beloved mom? I've got this craft just for you.

The idea came from a coloring book.

As I rifled though the pages, I found these fun flowers.

I painted the page using watercolors. Have you tried your hand at coloring books? It's very relaxing and brings you back to your childhood.
 
I detached the page from the coloring book.

And cut out the flowers.

I fashioned a few stems and leaves. I made them using white cardboard that I painted green.

I assembled the flower-stem-leaf combo and attached everything with glue.

Now I have a handful of paper blooms...TADA!

I used a glass jar as my vase and arranged my flowers.

And with a some calligraphy, I wrote a few messages:



A bouquet that mom, grandma, sister, cousin or best friend can enjoy for years to come...TADA!

If you don't have a coloring book, draw a few flowers instead and cut them out like what I did here.


And that is how I turned a coloring book page (and a glass jar) from blah to TADA!