blah to TADA!

25 January 2017

Birthday Postcards

Howdy guys! I hope you're all having a good week. I've been thinking about birthday cards. I love sending snail mail to dear friends and bonus points if I'm able to make the birthday card myself.

Last year, while spring cleaning, I came across my stash of postcards. I've collected them over the years in my different travels and stored them in a plastic box. But what are postcards if they're not given away, right?

So I curated a set, about 5 postcards, based on my memories with a particular friend.

For one friend, I chose these: one with a lighthouse (because she's one of my pillars of strength), a beach (because we spent every summer going to a different one), one with food (because dining is one of our favorite things to do), and an adult coloring page (one that I colored and a blank one for her to fill). Each one has a special handwritten message at the back.

For another friend, I choose these: botanicals (the theme she used for her wedding), dolphins (one summer, I joined her and her family to see dolphins in the wild), historic homes (we both love interior design and architecture), and one with a pig on it (we both love the country life).

I gathered all the postcards, secured them with a vellum "belt", and tucked these inside an envelope for mailing. TADA!

18 January 2017

A Most Unique Bouquet

One of my favorite blogs is Chocolate and Zucchini. It's a food blog authored by Parisian, Clotilde Desoulier. In her latest post, she had some good news to share. She got married!

Of the many sweet details, I loved her bouquet the best:

via Chocolate and Zucchini

It's made out of bread!!! Her friends at the famed Paris boulangerie, Poilane, made it for her. I thought it was one of a kind and very personal. Or how I like to say it -- blah to TADA!

11 January 2017

A Cheerful Wreath

Hello everyone! I hope you are all having a great start to the New Year. Personally, I'm still recovering from the very busy holiday season.

It's quite bittersweet, taking down the decorations and waiting until next season for the festivities. I saw this wreath at the store and thought it could be a nice blah to TADA! craft inspiration:

It's made of colorful pompoms that can be hung at home or in your workspace all year round. TADA!

02 January 2017

Best Day

Let's start the New year with a beautiful quote:

Have a good week everyone!

01 January 2017

Happy New Year

It's a brand new year! May calm and creativity fill our homes always.

Cheers everyone!

26 December 2016

How To: Rose Water Mist

If you're feeling a little stressed (especially this holiday season) and you want to take a "me moment", do it with some Rose Water Mist. Rose water soothes and refreshes the skin.

The recipe comes from this book:

Fll a clean spray bottle with rose water and store it in the fridge. You can find rose water at the international aisle of most grocery or healthfood stores.
When you need a quick pick-me-up, just take the bottle, relax into your seat, close your eyes, then mist your face.
Take deep breaths and have a few relaxing moments all to yourself.

25 December 2016

Merry Christmas

To you and yours,

Wishing you comfort and joy, abundance and laughter, gratitude and hope.

Cheers,
Claire

19 December 2016

Felt Gingerbread Men

Well hello there! I spied this idea at Anthropologie:

See the little gingerbread men hanging on to the mug's handle? I thought it was cool to make these if you had some scraps of felt, construction paper or cardstock. They make cute gift embellishments! I think it's blah to TADA!

12 December 2016

A Christmas Stocking

Last week, I featured a wreath make-over. Today, let's give this stocking a new look:

It's a felt stocking that I paired with a Santa ornament. I didn't even buy any of these. They were part of the packaging of some gifts I received. I thought they looked good together.

This year, I'm changing the look:

I added a Teddy Bear (a freebie at a party), wrapped an empty box to look like a present, and completed the look with a ribbon. TADA!

With a little bit or recycling and resourcefulness, you don't need to spend a lot for decorations.

05 December 2016

A Wreath Re-Do

The holidays have arrived and it's time to decorate. Some people go all out with the tall tree, outdoor lights, and lawn ornaments. But if like me, you live in an apartment, it can be quite a challenge because of the lack of space.

At the very least, why not put up a wreath? It doesn't take much commitment and it brings cheer to those who dwell there and to everyone who visits.

Here's a basic wreath and door hanger that I got at the craft store. It's looking a little blah.

If you'll recall from a few years back, I turned it into TADA! by adding these salt dough ornaments. It's a candy-inspired wreath!

This year, I made a little change:

With a new ribbon, some berries and an ornament, my wreath is a little more grown-up. TADA!

28 November 2016

Craft Technique: Wood Burning

One sunny day, I went to Chinatown and I was able to buy these:

A few kitchen essentials: a pair of oven mitts, a spatula and pastry brushes. And I got all of these for less than $10! Let me show you how I turn them from blah to TADA!

I'm using this new tool in my craft arsenal. It's a burning tool that can be used for wood, leather, gourds and many other stuff.

It comes with several screw-on tips and is powered electrically. To use it, it's held like a pencil. These tips and hand pressure will determine the design. I still have to get the hang of this, though.

Instead, I'm using these hot stamps alphabet set to add an initial.

While still unplugged, I screw the letter (my choice for this project is the letter "O") on the wood burning tool. I plug it to a socket, set it on its cradle, and let it heat up for a few minutes. Then I tested it on some scrap wood, applying even pressure and holding it still for several seconds.

Once I was comfotable, I decided on which part of the spatula I wanted the initial.

I chose to brand it on the handle.

As for the pastry brush, I made the initial more prominent.

Once done, I gathered everything together with a ribbon.

I think this makes a nice hostess gift or a present for someone who just moved into a new home. TADA!

24 November 2016

Happy Thanksgiving

Let's find some time today, amidst the hustle and bustle, to be thankful for all that we have.

Happy Thanksgiving!

21 November 2016

A Wreath of Gratitude

This week, we celebrate Thanksgiving. Amidst the flurry of the food preparations and family reunions, we should not forget to stop and be grateful.

via Country Living

This craft allows us to do that and even better, it invloves participation from the entire family. TADA!

14 November 2016

A Handmade Box for Handmade Treats

The holidays are fast approaching and I can't help but think of my Christmas list.

Handmade is always a good idea, so allow me to share how this festive gift box is made.

I used this really cool tool, a scoring board for making boxes and envelopes.

I started with some cardstock, trimmed to a 7 inch by 7 inch square. I prepared two sheets, one for the lid and one for the bottom part of the box.

The scoring board comes with instructions and size guidelines depending on the size of box you need.

I used the bone folder that came with the scoring board to mark some lines. "Scoring" just means "fold lines", which makes the box easier and neater to fold.

The measurement for the lid is bigger than that of the bottom part.

When scoring is done, fold on the lines and cut four sides.

Form the boxes and glue the ends together.

And now we have a gift box. TADA!

It can be used for any kind of wrapping. But if you like to bake, it's good for Christmas cookies. It's best to line the box with parchment paper to protect both the cookies and the box.