06 June 2011

Let's Hear it for T-shirts!


I hope you had the most beautiful weekend dearies!
The weather was perfect here and I hope it was
in your town, too.

T-shirts have been a popular blah on this blog.
Well, all of us have t-shirts and we have to
get rid of them at some point.

But you know that the "getting rid" part
isn't entirely true.

After a session at the washer-dryer and when you've
said your farewells, secure the front & back of the
t-shirt with some pins. Cut the shirt in thin strips,
about one inch.

Pick up a piece, take one end with your left hand,
the other end in your right and stretch the strip.
Stretch hard until the strips are thinner and
a few inches longer.

The edges have to curl inwards.
Keep stretching the remaining strips.

Now we've got ourselves a skein of cotton
that any crafter will go gaga over.
TADA!

Add a few fat, swishy beads...

Instant necklace!
TADA!

03 June 2011

Dangle that Bangle


Yesterday, I turned a bunch of bangles into a necklace.
Today, I'll turn them into earrings.
Yes folks it's possible!

blah: faux gold bangles

Bangles + Big, bright earrings bought in Brazil
{make your own by winding crochet thread in a
circle; seal with all purpose glue & allow to dry}

TADA!
Combining two blah elements and adding these
gold pendants produces an accessory
with lots of impact.

Go ahead, rummage through your jewelry stash
and see what wonderful combinations you can
come up with. New looks for very little money!

Have an easy-breezy weekend!

02 June 2011

Big and Bold


The quest is on to transform these
neglected bangles from blah to TADA!

blah: bangles that need to step out
of the house more often

blah: scraps of colorful ribbon

Link the bangles together with the ribbon...

TADA!
A statement neckpiece that turns those
jeans & t-shirt days from blah to TADA!

01 June 2011

A Crafty Spin


Many bangles means many options.

You see, I've got quite a number of these bangles.
Given that it's Wednesday, I'm still turning
the same thing from blah to TADA!

And you guessed right: there's thread involved.
But don't worry, no beads this time!

I cut a super long piece & secured it to the two bangles
with a double loop. Then I made a mock-knit stitch with
my fingers, making sure the bangles were covered.

TADA! I made something new from something old!
{And quite fashionable if you're into the color-blocking trend!}


31 May 2011

Golden Girl


I have these faux gold bangles that are looking
a little blah:

Who says you can't accessorize your
accessories?

Gold beads + gold thread...
...Equals a whole new look.
TADA!

A fun addition to my summer wardrobe!

And I can wear them together with the bangles
I re-fashioned yesterday!

30 May 2011

The Bangles


Happy Monday!

I've been organizing my bedside table and in one
of the drawers, I keep my everyday jewelry.
Nothing expensive or precious but each one marking an
exciting trip or an instant-smile-on-my-face memory.

These wanna-be gold bangles remind me
of a merry wedding evening in Seville.
Sheesh, I haven't put them on in a long time!
And that's a blah.

I guess this calls for a make-over.

So I pulled out some matching thread
and some beads from my sewing kit.

TADA! A new look for my bangles!
I "sewed on" a blanket stitch using my fingers and
inserted the beads in an alternating pattern.
I started and ended with multiple loops
so the thread won't unravel.

These remind me of what ladies in India might wear.
And while I've never been to India,
I can always pretend.

Have a wonderful week and to everyone
in the U.S., Happy Memorial Day!

27 May 2011

Picnics, Potlucks, Parties


Happy Friday girls & boys!
The warm weather has arrived and that means lots of
time outdoors -- on the deck, in the park, at the beach.

As you and I prepare for all this fun, let me give you a
run down of some of my past blah to TADA! projects.
I'm pretty sure these will come in handy.

blah: a bottle carrier made of cardboard
TADA!: a caddy to organize utensils,
napkins & drinking straws

blah: empty mint dispensers
TADA!: instant salt & pepper shakers

blah: old jam jars
TADA!: dessert in a jar {add a napkin & fork;
secure these to the jar with a rubber band}.

blah: plastic containers to keep the shape of apples or
pears {a common packaging option of warehouse clubs}
TADA!: a cupcake or muffin carrier
{put the cupcakes in the grooves and cover
with a second container; secure with tape}

blah: a plastic egg container
TADA!: a great way to transport deviled eggs!

I wish you all a very awesome weekend!