Making and Decorating a Tiny Pouch

Last week, I showed you how I turned some fabric remnants from blah to TADA! I made a book pouch:

This book pouch keeps my book safe and secure when I bring it along to a cafe or anywhere, really. I've made it a habit to take a book with me -- it keeps me entertained and away from scrolling on my phone. 

This fabric pouch protects the book from dents, folds or accidental spills. I like to take extra care of my books whether I borrowed it from the library, from a friend or if it's my personal copy. 

After I made this pouch, I still had some fabric remnants leftover so I sewed an even smaller pouch...TADA! I simply attached a zipper to the fabric using a sewing machine.

But this little pouch is looking a little blah, don't you think?

One option to liven it up is to add some enamel pins or metal pins...TADA!

Another option is to add a patch like I did in this project pouch...TADA!

And finally, I added a bracelet to allow the pouch to become a wristlet for hands-free carrying. 

The bracelet is made by stringing beads on stretchy cord/elastic string, slipping the cord/string into the hole of the zipper, and tightly knotting the ends of the cord/string together.

I'm pretty pleased with this little pouch made from fabric and a few bits from my craft stash. It's useful as a wallet or storage for small accessories.

And that is how I turned some fabric remnants from blah to TADA!

By the way, my work will be appearing in the next issue of Strawberry Moon Magazine, a rich resource for art journaling.

Issue 10's theme is COLLAGE. Maybe it's an avenue you'd like to explore like I did here, here, and here. May I invite you to preorder your copy? It's available in print and digital formats.

Here are the topics that are covered...TADA!

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A Fabric Pouch for my Books

I love to read and one of the best luxuries in life is having a library close by. I get to borrow all the books I want without having to spend anything...TADA!

The library books are always neatly wrapped in a plastic sleeve to keep it protected from all the fingers that handle it.

I do my very best to care for the library books I borrow (the library will charge me a fee if they seen any damage to the book once I return it). 

One of the ways I care from my library book is by putting it inside this zippered book pouch...TADA!

I made it myself! Here's how: 

I used fabric left over from this project and this project. I measured two rectangles, big enough to house a hardbound novel. Most hardbound fiction books are about 6.25 inches by 9.25 inches here in the U.S. I estimated each rectangular panel to measure 8.5 inches by 11 inches. This gives enough margin to add a zipper on top and to sew three sides together. 

I attached the zipper first then sewed all three edges together on the sewing machine to make this book pouch...TADA!

This is the front side of my book pouch.

And this is the back side of my book pouch. 

The book fits but not very snugly. Putting the book back inside or taking it out of the pouch is easy and effortless; no snagging. 

As an added detail, I clipped on this charm. It was a gift from my cousin who also loves books.

It's a charm of St. Clare, the saint I am named after (I spell mine Claire). 

Here's a little story about Saint Clare. 

The back of this charm invokes Saint Clare's intercessory prayers. It's a nice reminder of prayer and protection. 

A handmade book pouch created especially for my current reads that I can take anywhere and keeps my book safe.

That is how I turned leftover fabric from blah to TADA!

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Three Things for January

Hey there! 

Another year has ended...sigh. Here are three things I do in preparation for the New Year: 

Cleaning my windows - welcoming the the New Year with a neat and organized home is TADA! That includes scrubbing the glass and washing the curtains. Perhaps to me it symbolizes "clarity" and "letting in the light." Don't we all want that as we turn over a new leaf? 

Making a gratitude list - I always look back on the year that was and write down all that I am grateful for like good health, being part of a community, and answered prayers. Everything is a gift and noticing them is definitely TADA!

Choose my word for the year - in the past, I've chosen "Be present," "Simplify," and "Gratitude." Fellow artists and writers have likewise picked words like "cozy," "stretch" and "kindness." These words serve as a pep talk, anchor our perspective, and help guide us in decision-making.

How about you, what are some of the things you do at the start of the New Year?  

Thank you for being here! I continue to write this blog because of readers like YOU. I wish you all a joyful and hopeful New Year! 

Christmas Trees Around Washington, D.C.

The year has come to a close.

Whether you had some blahs, I know you also had a lot of TADAs! Isn't that what life is all about -- a merry mix of ups and downs? What's important is that we appreciate everything we experience and keep the lessons to heart.

As we slow down from the buzz of the holidays, let me share a few Christmas Trees from a trip to Washington, D.C.:

The Christmas Tree at Union Station

The Christmas Tree at The Library of Congress

The Christmas Tree at Union Market

The Christmas Tree at City Center 

The National Christmas Tree right across The White House

I hope these photos turn your day from blah to TADA!

Cheers to the year that was and cheers to the year to come!

*****

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Reusing Cardboard, Turning it into Gift Tags

I know the holidays are a busy time but if you want to pause for a few minutes, why not do some crafting? 

We're not only crafting, we're also recycling. We're going to turn these cardboard boxes from blah to TADA!

Measure and cut the cardboard into the shape of houses and decorate each one with paint, markers or colored pencils.  

These cardboard houses follow a subdued White Christmas and gingerbread house theme...TADA! 

And these cardboard houses mimic brick and stone cottages with wreaths on the doors...TADA!

Make a hole on top using a hole punch and string on some baker's twine or yarn. Write a quick message on the back for your recipient and sign your name. 

Tie it to a gift bag. A brown paper bag will do. 

Why buy gift tags when you can easily make them yourself? They add a handmade touch to your holiday packages.

And that is how I turned cardboard from blah to TADA!

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Let's Reuse Gift Wrapping Paper

Hi there! When opening presents, which kind are you? (1) The one who tears the gift wrapper and crumples it into a ball, or (2) The one who gingerly takes out the tape, sliding the gift out of the wrapping paper, and keeping the wrapper from creasing so that it can be re-used?

No shame in admitting that most would fall under Number 1. And I have no shame in admitting that I fall under Number 2, especially if the paper is pretty! I know I can always use it for crafting.

Don't be surprised to see my stash of used gift wrap...I try to keep them as pristine as possible.

I fold them up into paper bags and glue the sides together.

Then I add some embellishments like these handmade gift tags...TADA! I find them extremely useful for birthday presents. The bags and tags are ready, all I need to add is the gift and to write a short message.

This color scheme says "holidays." I simply fold and glue three sides together...

Then add some gift tissue, a hand-stamped tag, and a sparkly sticker...TADA!

I make these in advance, that way, it's easier to wrap gifts during this busy period.  I trust that whoever receives it loves what's inside and is able to reuse the gift bag. 

I hope this inspires you to save your gift wrap (especially the ones from this holiday season) so that you can turn them from blah to TADA!

*****

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Three Thoughts for December

Happy December Lovelies!

Here are some of the things that turn my December from blah to TADA!:

1. Holiday decorations in the neighborhood

The cool temperature and the homes decked out with decorations really get me in the holiday mood. Check out this New York City brownstone with fresh wreaths, red bows, and the smell of evergreen: 

2. All kinds of Christmas Trees

I love Christmas trees and how each one is uniquely decorated by their owners. The color preference and array of ornaments are really a snapshot of somebody's passions. That's why whenever I'm invited to a home, I make sure to admire and compliment their Christmas tree.

Here is a special tree that you'll find in The White House:   

It's called The Gold Star Tree. The inscription says: The Gold Star tree honors the heroic men and women of our Nation's Military who have laid down their lives for our country, those who are Missing in Action, and the families who carry on their legacies. May God bless our troops and their families.  

Some of the names of our brave heroes are written on the star-shaped ornaments.

It's very bittersweet, but remembering in this manner all who have kept us safe, reminds us of their bravery, sacrifice, and that we should never, ever forget.

3. Adding some sparkle to your holiday look

I was going through my jewelry box and realized that I've been neglecting some of my treasured pieces. I'm using the holidays to wear them, specifically these gold earrings:

They are a mix of gifts, thrift shop finds, and travel souvenirs. Each pair tells a story or reminds me of someone I know. Jewelry doesn't have to be expensive. The value is in the sentimentality.

I know that wearing them will turn my look from blah to TADA!

Wishing you all Happy Holidays!

An Entertaining Idea from Erin French of The Lost Kitchen

Hey guys! There's a television show called The Lost Kitchen. Have you heard about it or seen it? 

via The Lost Kitchen 

The Lost Kitchen is about a self-taught chef named Erin French and the seasonal restaurant she owns also called The Lost Kitchen located in Freedom, Maine. 

Each episode is a showcase of her creativity in the kitchen, using both heirloom recipes and ones that she made on the fly and always with ingredients she grew herself or provided by the farms in Maine.

I've been watching her show since it debuted in 2021 and I dream to make it there to taste her cooking (to reserve a seat, you need to send a postcard and if luck is on your side, your postcard will be the one selected among many that arrive at their doorstep). The show is hopeful and her personal story shows how she turned her life from blah to TADA!

Aside from being a chef and TV show personality, Erin French is also an author. "The Lost Kitchen" is her first cookbook and "Finding Freedom" is her memoir (this cover is one of the most beautiful book covers I've ever seen).  

Her second cookbook, Big Heart Little Stove, offers recipes and entertaining ideas that we can easily replicate at home.  

One of the unique things she's created is the Nibble Board:

via The Lost Kitchen 

It's essentially an appetizer platter with thoughtfully selected items and presented beautifully on a white ceramic cake stand...TADA!

via The Lost Kitchen 

She welcomes her guests at the restaurant and brings each table their nibble board. 

via The Lost Kitchen 

Here's a closer look. There are some cheeses, flavored butter, crackers, veggies, olives, and nuts.

via The Lost Kitchen 

This is how Erin French describes the nibble board: "I go out of my way to incorporate classic gestures of hospitality straight out of the dinner-party playbook. One of my favorites -- and a favorite of our guests -- is the nibble board, a spread of easily munched snack bits that pair well with greetings and cocktails. There's no set prescription for what might appear on one of these boards, but one guideline I do abide by is to include one element that's homemade. It doesn't have to take more than a minute or two, but the thoughtfulness will elevate the whole situation." 

The general guidelines for a Nibble Board include:

• Something cheesy (be generous)
• Something crunchy (such as a cracker-type item)
• Something salty (like olives and other pickled things)
• Something meaty (such as cured meats)
• Something sweet (for balance, like dried or fresh fruit)

She also has this suggestion: "Or, make it really easy (like a bowl of frozen grapes, sliced cucumbers sprinkled with flaky salt, or slather sliced radishes with good butter and sprinkle them with salt; or keep a jar of jam or a pot of honey and some good cheese in the fridge so you can have an instant nibble anytime the mood or occasion strikes."  

Here's a nibble board I made...TADA!

I hope this has inspired you to add a fun spin to your parties or turn your snacking from blah to TADA!

*****

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