A Butterfly Embroidery

I'm so glad you are here!

Over the years, I've created butterfly-inspired crafts like this butterfly wall hanging, butterfly scent sachet, and butterfly watercolor painting. I've made it a tradition to make a butterfly craft at the end of every January. You see, I lost my Mom in January 31, 2017. She makes her presence felt through monarch butterflies -- during my walks in the park, when I see one in a book, on TV, or printed on fabric. Making these helps me honor her memory and is a form of healing for me, too. 

Last year, I made this butterfly embroidery. I love the simplicity of the black thread on white fabric. But I thought we can still turn it from blah to TADA!

I took out my embroidery thread selection.

I was drawn to the shades of pink and purple embroidery floss. 

Slowly, I filled in the little blank spaces, similar to a coloring book but using thread.

I relied on a satin stitch and a few French knots for dimension.

As you can see, I didn't complete the embroidery in one sitting. I would do a little each day (only a ten minute commitment). Sometimes I would repeat my Mom's name or told her stories as I sewed each stitch. It's my way of keeping her present.

Here is the embroidered butterfly...TADA! I'll add it to my gallery wall to remind me that Mom is always close by.

How about you, are there special ways you honor the loved ones you've lost?

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A Sketchbook Practice: Collage Fodder

As a creative practice, I've been playing around in my sketchbook. Most of the time, I make watercolor paintings, work on some experimental portraits or create travel sketches.

But I learned another exciting way to dress up a blank sketchbook page.

It's called FODDER or Collage Fodder. 

Fodder School (yes, it exists!) defines collage fodder as "anything that can be used in the creation of a collage. Collage fodder can be collected (think old vintage book pages or ticket stubs) or handmade (think gelli prints or handmade pattern papers)."

I've done a lot of the paper collecting over the years, filing them randomly in plastic folders. The "handmade fodder" part really got my attention. 

I was introduced to the collage fodder concept when I attended Sketchbook Revival hosted by Karen Abend and Fodder School teacher Tiffany Simply Sharpe.

The first step is to make the focal point. In this case it would be a mushroom.

We started painting mushrooms (I don't think I've ever drawn mushrooms in great detail before). I chose this color palette: green, blue green, purple and fuchsia. Then when the paintings were dry, I outlined the edges with a fine-tipped black marker.

Tiffany used watercolor paper. To make it my own, I repurposed an empty cardboard box, turning it from blah to TADA! The back side won't be seen anyway because it will be glued down.

Cut around the mushrooms to remove the excess white border.

I also made toadstools and flowers using the cardboard.

The second step is to assemble the background using a collection of paper remnants, fabric, packing tape, magazine tear sheets, gift tissue and gift wrap. Perhaps you have old magazines and catalogs or a library of collected papers? These are a good place to start.

Narrow down your paper choices to a color story. I chose greens, blues and purples to complement the mushroom I painted.

Using the page of the sketchbook, try out different layouts before committing to anything. Tiffany calls this the audition process.

The third step is to glue things in place (I used a glue stick).

The final step is to add some journaling or finishing touches like designs from cling stamps and an ink pad. 

Here is what I made...TADA!

This is another version using both the mushroom and flower that I painted...TADA!

And finally, this fairytale toadstool collage.

Collage fodder is another way we can turn a blank sketchbook page from blah to TADA!  

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A Hostess Gift Idea and How To Wrap It

Hello creative people! I hope you are having a nice day.

Whenever we are invited to a party, it's always good manners to bring something for the host or hostess. A few safe ideas include flowers arranged in a vase, baked goods and a pie server, and a few nice things for the home.

Another hostess gift idea is a candle. Choosing the scent might be little tricky. If the host/hostess is a dear friend, you may know what scent he or she leans to. If it's an acquaintance, it may be smart to ask around and do some research. The hostess I'm giving this to loves candles, loves coffee, and is into neutral shades...TADA!

And because it's a gift, let's wrap it! I'm trying to use more sustainable gift wrapping, something the recipient can re-use, too. This is a cloth napkin, also in a neutral shade. Other options include block-printed fabric, scarves/bandanas or vintage handkerchiefs. 

In Japan, this method of wrapping gift with fabric is called Furoshiki. It requires folding, tucking, knotting, and no need for tape.

Start by placing the gift at the center of the fabric.

Fold one end toward the center and tuck it under the gift.

Bring the opposite end towards the center and fold in the ends. 

Bunch the open edges so that it looks like this.

Twist each end and bring both to the center so they meet in a knot.

Make a second knot. Doesn't it look like a bow? No need for adhesives or ribbon...TADA!

Don't forget to add a card telling the host/hostess how much you appreciate the invitation and hospitality.

And that is how I turned a cloth napkin from blah to TADA!

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Coffee-inspired Crafts

Are you a coffee lover? If you are or know someone who is, here is a round-up of coffee-inspired crafts that may just be as exciting as a jolt of caffeine: 

1. Sketchbook Pages 

I have a regular sketchbook practice. My intention is that if I use it often, I can improve my drawing and painting. 

I use the blank pages of my sketchbook just to play.  

I get my inspiration from everyday objects like these to-go cups from different coffee shops I visit.

I try to capture the to-go cups as best as I could using watercolor and colored pencils...TADA!

2. Reusing Cardboard Coffee Sleeves

Those cardboard sleeves that come with coffee to-go cups...make sure to save them! They are a blank canvas that's fun to decorate:

Here, I used collage and die-cuts to dress up the cardboard sleeve. I used it to "wrap" a gift (reusable coffee cup)...TADA! 

This cardboard coffee sleeve is given a new look with brush lettering. I used it to "wrap" a beer (a thoughtful gift for Dad)...TADA!

3. Coffee-stained Papers 

These are various kinds of paper like kraft paper, copy paper, and pages from an old book that I stained with coffee (I took the wet coffee grounds from the coffee maker and let it sit on the paper for a few hours). The coffee ages the paper with a warm sepia tone and I especially like how the degree of staining varies from dark to light.

I experimented with other papers like notebook paper, graph paper, construction paper, and security envelopes. The patina from the coffee gives them a lot of character.

I trimmed my coffee-stained paper into uniform squares and added more elements like rubber stamps, coffee shop stickers and labels, confetti and hand-stitching...TADA! 

I like to use the coffee-stained papers for scrapbooking, making greeting cards, and junk journals...TADA! 

4. Coffee-stained Fabric 

If you have a stash of fabric remnants, why not give them a new look by staining them with coffee? 

The fabric on the left is the original color (white) and the one on the right was soaked in coffee (liquid) for a few hours. I rinsed the latter with some detergent and warm water then let it dry. 

I took a coffee-themed stamp (this is a bag of coffee beans) and an ink pad and pressed on some repeating patterns on the coffee-stained fabric. I can use it to sew small pouches...TADA!

5. Coffee grounds

Most households have spent coffee grounds. Another crafting idea is to use it to make a coffee scrub or coffee soap. It's also a good idea to compost your coffee.

I hope you liked these coffee-inspired crafts and may they inspire you to turn blah to TADA!

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Five Things for January

A fond farewell 2023 and Welcome 2024!

Endings and beginnings are a pile of mixed emotions but what's important is that we always overcome the messy parts and find encouragement in the joyful ones.

Dear friend, whether you're a regular visitor to this blog or just stumbled upon it, THANK YOU! I appreciate that you're hanging out with me and I hope you'll discover different ways to turn blah to TADA!

Here are a few things that fit that category:

A Bullet Journal...TADA!

One of the ways that has helped my productivity is a bullet journal. It's based on the method developed by Ryder Carroll. I  customize the pages to include my appointments for the day, my To Do List, a Gratitude List, and lots of room for thoughts, reflections, and notes. It is a system that I've used for years and I love that I can flip through my old bullet journals to look back on my memories. 

A Gratitude Journal...TADA!

Maybe you have a different method to track your days like a digital calendar or an analog planner. May I suggest having a gratitude journal? A simple notebook or the notes section on your phone will do. Start or end your day with at least five things you are thankful for such as: (1) a warm bed, (2) the scent of freshly brewed coffee, (3) the bus that always comes on time, (4) all who keep us safe, and (5) living a life of purpose. Roald Dahl has a saying, "Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles. Notice them." I couldn't agree more. 

A Clock Timer...TADA!

There are times I cannot help but multi-task such as getting some writing done while dinner is cooking on the stove. I always set a timer so I don't forget to check on the food! A timer is also helpful when I want to break tasks in small intervals. For example: tidying-up for 15 minutes or creating art in 20 minutes. When the alarm sounds, it's time to move on to the next item on my list.

Cozy Socks...TADA!

I got these as a Christmas present and I'm relishing the softness and warmth on chilly evenings. Do you have a similar inexpensive indulgence?

A reminder to fully live this one precious life...TADA!

May grace, goodness, and gratitude fill your 2024!

Lettering with Light and Shadow

We made it to this day, the final day of 2023. I hope that for all the "blahs," you were rewarded with even more "TADAs!" 

Before we crossover to the New Year, I'm here to share an easy craft. All we need are paper, a pencil, pens, and watercolor.

Let's do some hand lettering! I learned this technique at the Summer Creative Retreat, taught by Melinda (@mellie.zee). The use of color, light and shadow turns plain penmanship from blah to TADA!

We'll do two kinds of lettering.

First, we'll need some paper. These are just recycled cardboard (from empty food boxes) trimmed into rectangles (about 4.5 inches by 3.5 inches). You can use copy paper, watercolor paper or cardstock, too.

With a pencil and ruler, I drew a few lines to indicate the center point and use as guide lines. 

I chose the word "possibility." I wrote it on both cards, one in a thicker style and another in regular style. 

I erased all the lines I initially made.  

I added some watercolor for the background.

I followed the pencil marks using a brush pen.

I made the lines heavier, especially the downstrokes, using the same brush pen. 

I added shadow using a gray dual brush pen, as well as some highlights using a white gel pen.

This technique adds vibrancy and dimension to my handwriting...TADA!

For the second kind of lettering with the thicker style font, I also erased the guide lines. I used a dry paint brush to get rid of the eraser "crumbs" from the paper.  

I filled in the letters with watercolor, using a different color on each letter. I let this dry for a few minutes.

Then I made an outline around the letters with a fine-tipped black pen. 

I added shadow using a dual brush pen in gray and highlights using a white gel pen.

Here is my handiwork...TADA!

I wish you "Possibility" --  the belief that everything is possible, especially in the New Year.

Thank you for your regular visits and comments to my blog! See you again in 2024 and if you'd like more crafty ideas delivered directly to your inbox, please subscribe here.