26 November 2023

Easy Envelopes

Hello everyone!

I guess you've noticed by now that every month, I've been making some kind of envelope. I used a variety of materials like a grocery flyer, brown paper bags, chocolate packaging, and tea envelopes. 


Today, I'm using gift tissue -- those thin sheets of paper for lining gift boxes or bags. This particular one is white with metallic flecks that look so fancy!

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

Just by folding the paper and gluing the middle and bottom ends, they instantly become envelopes.

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

I think they're both pretty and practical and you don't have to spend anything if you're in the habit of saving them for another use.

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

By adding stickers or ephemera, the plain envelope is transformed from blah to TADA!

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

This holiday tissue is bright and festive. How can you not reuse it? Folding, gluing and embellishing has yielded these envelopes with personality:

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

They are ready for any occasion! So, how do I use these envelopes?

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

To package gifts or handmade cards...TADA!

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

To wrap game prizes, cash or gift cards...TADA!

gift wrapping, handmade envelopes, DIY envelopes, paper crafts, recycle gift tissue, glue, ephemera, twine, stickers, blah to TADA, crafty recycling

I love gift tissue because of their bright colors and prints. But instead of throwing them after use, I turned them from blah to TADA!

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19 November 2023

Illustrated Menus Inspired by Chef Jacques Pepin

It's the week of Thanksgiving and I'm inspired by the great and endearing Chef Jacques Pepin. Over the years, he has taught us easy French meals through his TV show and a slew of cookbooks. I don't know if you're aware, but he's also one talented artist. His work has been featured in an exhibit and his favorite subjects include food, flowers, and chickens.

Jacques Pepin print, Jacques Pepin art, Chef Jacques Pepin, chicken, paintings by chefs, blah to TADA

In fact, my husband and I acquired this print (that is personally signed) in 2020. It's displayed in our dining room and we find the colors truly joyful and love the abundance that it represents.

Chef Pepin has also illustrated menus over the years, memorializing food he's cooked and parties he's hosted:

Chef Jacques Pepin, art by Jacques Pepin, menus by Jacques Pepin, watercolor, art, blah to TADA
via Jacques Pepin



Chef Jacques Pepin, art by Jacques Pepin, menus by Jacques Pepin, watercolor, art, blah to TADA
via Jacques Pepin

Chef Jacques Pepin, art by Jacques Pepin, menus by Jacques Pepin, watercolor, art, blah to TADA
via Jacques Pepin


Aren't they lovely? What a nice way to remember a meal!

So I thought, maybe I should illustrate our Thanksgiving Menus from now on using watercolor, brush lettering or calligraphy

handwritten menu, menu, Thanksgiving, watercolor, brush lettering, hand lettering, calligraphy, Pentel brush pen, entertaining, blah to TADA

Once the menu is finalized, I write it down on a sheet of paper (cardstock or watercolor paper would be my preference). I use a pencil, being mindful of the margins and the spacing at this point.

handwritten menu, menu, Thanksgiving, watercolor, brush lettering, hand lettering, calligraphy, Pentel brush pen, entertaining, blah to TADA

Then I use a brush pen while following the pencil marks that I made. I make sure the letters are legible and thicken all the downstrokes (as compared to the thin upstrokes). I let the ink dry then erase all the pencil marks.

handwritten menu, menu, Thanksgiving, watercolor, brush lettering, hand lettering, calligraphy, Pentel brush pen, entertaining, blah to TADA

Then I sketch out a border (I'm really feeling the autumn leaves outside my window) and fill it in with watercolor.

handwritten menu, menu, Thanksgiving, watercolor, brush lettering, hand lettering, calligraphy, Pentel brush pen, entertaining, blah to TADA

Here is the illustrated Thanksgiving menu that I made...TADA!

If it's a small party, I can make several copies and position one on each place setting. If it's a buffet, I can frame it for guests to know the names of each dish. Then I can send a digital copy of the illustrated menu together with the evening's photos to all of our guests. It's definitely a unique party favor showing the memories we've made.

That is how I'm turning a plain menu from blah to TADA!

To all of you who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving!

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12 November 2023

Monograms on Luggage Tags

I'm happy to see you today!

Whether luggage or a weekend duffel bag, I'll always attach a luggage tag to it. It's my small guarantee that I'll reunite with it if it ever gets lost. It's happened once and the luggage tag did its job!

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

I have a good number of luggage tags on standby, mostly plain leather ones like this one. They look a bit "blah" so I'm going to show you simple ways to make them "TADA!"

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

First up is this leather luggage tag. 

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

My friend gave me these monogram stickers that I haven't used.

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

Stick one on, front and center, and instantly we've got a stylish monogram tag...TADA!

Before sticking it to the tag, the back of the sticker can be reinforced with glue for more staying power. 

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

These luggage tags are made of plastic and are waterproof.

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

To add a monogram, I make an outline using white pencil (erase mistakes with a paintbrush dipped in water). 

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

Then I color in the monogram with white acrylic paint and a size 1 paintbrush

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

It will look like this after it dries...TADA!

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

For the other luggage tag, I'll likewise make an outline of the monogram with a white pencil.

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

I'll fill in the letter with a matte gold paint pen.

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

This is what it looks like...TADA!

monogram, luggage tag with C logo, bag tag, travel accessories, blah to TADA, sticker, Sharpie paint pen, acrylic paint, paintbrush, handlettering, personalize a luggage tag

Add some personality and personalization to your plain luggage tags and transform them from blah to TADA!

Since we've got a travel theme going on, how about crafting your own passport case, shoe bags and sleep mask


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05 November 2023

A Watercolor Project for Ink-Tober

Hello everyone and Hello November!

I participated in a month-long drawing project last October called Ink-tober. I did something similar a few years ago and this year, I was ready for a new challenge. 

 ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias

I used the prompts provided by They Draw, also known as @theydrawandcook on Instagram

#theydrawtober, watercolor, postcards, watercolor paper, colored pencils, paintbrush, ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias

My ink of choice was watercolors (my favorite). I used watercolor paper and blank postcards. Colored pencils also came in handy for shading and highlights. Here, let me show you what I made:

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Donuts and Dahlias

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Mushrooms and Marigolds

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Coffee and Chrysanthemums

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Artichokes and Asters

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Wine and Wisteria

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Apples and Amaryllis

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Soup and Sunflowers

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Tea and Tiger Lily

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Pomegranates and Poppies

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Cake and Calendula

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias
Pumpkin and Pansies

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias

If you'll notice, I tried to do a raised or 3-D effect. I did this by gluing small pieces of foam board in between the watercolor sketches and the base background. I like that the sketches look like they're floating...TADA!

ink-tober, sketching challenge, drawing challenge, drawing prompts, watercolor paintings, food and flowers, blah to TADA, photo by Claire Mercado-Obias

If you flip the artwork, they are mounted on postcards. I can use them as greeting cards for dear friends but I'll enclose them inside envelopes to protect the sketches.

It was a very fun challenge that encouraged making time in the day for mindfulness and creativity. I highly recommend that you do something similar!

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