Shopping in my Closet : A Winter Outfit

Last year, I started this idea called "Shopping in my Closet." It's a discipline of using what I already have, giving away what I no longer use, and not having to shop if it's not necessary. I'd like to work around a capsule wardrobe where every single piece is worn on a regular basis.

Today, I prepared a winter outfit.

This turtleneck sweater was a hand-me-down from my Mom's sister. She gave me a bunch of her winter clothes to make sure I was bundled up when the temperatures dropped. Just the thought makes me smile. It's a loved one's hug in clothing form...TADA!

Anyway, I rarely wore this because it felt a little scratchy. But I always wear a shirt under a sweater and a long-sleeved shirt was the solution.

I'm a casual dresser and a good pair of jeans is a staple.  I also paired it with a hat (or a beanie) to keep my head and ears warm. 

I'll wear a puffer jacket (such a wise investment!) over it to keep me toasty and dry even if the wind howls or the snow falls. I'm ready for winter...TADA!

Here's to turning our old outfits from blah to TADA!, as well as being smart and mindful of the things we shop for.

Hello 2020!

I hope your holidays were bountiful with food, fun, and happy memories with friends and family.

As we begin a New Year, I promise you more crafts, suggestions on how to be kind to Mother Earth, and inspiring ideas on how to turn blah to TADA! 

Won't you come and join me? 

Let's all have a wonderful 2020!

Everything Will Be Alright

I came across this lovely letter of assurance and I thought I'd share it with you:

via Pinterest

May this be a reminder to be hopeful and confident for what is about to come. I hope 2019 was kind to you and I hope 2020 will be even better!

Have a Happy New Year!

How To Store Your Christmas Cards

Hello everyone! One of my favorite things about the holiday season is receiving Christmas cards in the mail.

I appreciate that we are part of a relative or friend's mailing list! A card from a boxed set, a personalized postcard with family photos, or an annual newsletter -- I love them all!  

I read in a poll on Twitter that not everyone keeps Christmas cards. Some people toss them out after the holidays. Gasp! I can't imagine doing that. I keep all of the snail mail I've received over the years in a big plastic storage box. 

If, like me, you keep all the Christmas cards you receive, you might like this idea:

First, get rid of the envelopes for less bulk. Then punch a hole on the corner of each Christmas card. 

String the cards through a binder ring or a piece of ribbon. Close the ring or knot the ends of the ribbon. 

All the cards from one year are grouped together...TADA!

It's easy to flip through the cards, too.

Just so we can identify the year the cards were received, why not make a cover page? 

It's a quick craft that uses paper remnants, rubber stamps, an ink pad, glue, and a cute gift tag that I wanted to save. 

We can also turn gift wrapper scraps and cardboard from blah to TADA!

By turning them into a cover for my 2019 Christmas card collection.

I hope this idea is helpful when it's time to pack away your holiday mail.

Wishing You A Merry Christmas

In the Philippines where I'm from, we decorate our homes with this star-shaped lantern called a "parol". It's fashioned after the star that led the Wise Men to the manger where Jesus was born. It's a symbol of hope and finding direction. 

I wish you a very beautiful Christmas enjoyed with all those you love!

Personalizing a Christmas Stocking

Do you like hanging stockings as part of your Christmas decor? 

Every family member can have one (even the pets!) and if you want, gifts can be tucked inside.

You can find stockings at any price point. I got this at the dollar spot at Target many years ago. I have several that I like to hang on mirrors in the hallway or living room to turn these spaces from blah to TADA!

I decided to add a personal touch to the stocking with a monogram.

First I wrote the letter in pencil.

Then I sewed the letter with embroidery thread and a needle. 

It's a simple addition to make the stocking a little extra special. You can use it to decorate your tree or package small gifts...TADA!

Sweater Weather

Hi Everyone! Have I told you that I like collecting cookie cutters?

Here's one that I got two years ago. It's a cozy sweater!

I made some gingerbread cookies and turned them into ugly sweaters...TADA!

I used royal icing and an assortment of sprinkles.

But I like to use the cookie cutter as a template for crafting, too. I've done it several times before to make tags and favors. 

Ugly sweaters made from printed card stock...TADA!

Rubber stamps and an ink pad to decorate.

Or letter stamps to turn it into a gift tag...TADA!

Make multiple sweaters to form a garland to decorate your office. 

Or use them for all your Christmas packages...TADA!

A Christmas Card Display Rack

I always look forward to Christmas cards in my mailbox. They are a sure way to spread the holiday spirit!

I love to put them on display so I made this Christmas Card Display Rack with odds and ends that I found at home.

Things like a wire hanger, clothespins, battery-operated lights, and tape...I'll turn them from blah to TADA!

Shape the wire hanger into a circle.

Wind the lights around the wire hanger.

Put in some fresh batteries and attach the battery pack on the wire hanger with tape.

Clip on the clothespins (I painted them white to match the wire hanger) in alternating fashion, some facing outside and some pointed inside the wreath.

Then attach the Christmas cards to the clothespins and turn on the lights...TADA!

I added a bow  made from wired ribbon for color and to cover the battery pack.

Hang it on a door or a blank wall so that you'll have decorations in every room of the house.

But when the holidays are over, save the display rack!

Use it to display birthday cards and other pretty notes you receive throughout the year.

A Christmas Card display rack. A wreath for greeting cards. Whatever you want to call it, it's a simple way to turn the days of the year from blah to TADA!

Santa-inspired Gift Wrapping

I know that you're in the thick of holiday preparations yet you still stopped by. Awww...thank you so much for your visit!

Let's talk about gift wrapping, shall we?

I saw this at a store and I love how a plain jar can be turned from blah to TADA! It's a Santa Claus costume made from felt, a buckle, and buttons. The jar can be filled with hot chocolate, coffee, and other homemade goods like cookies, spiced nuts, granola or chocolate.

Here's another idea to dress up a jar. It still says holiday but in a more hipster way! If you like to knit or crochet, you can make a small beanie and use stickers to make the face. But the best part of all is being able to reuse glass jars..TADA!

If you'd like to look back to my blog archives:

This is a gift box made from an empty tissue container decorated with felt, cardboard, and glitter. You can find the tutorial here. 

And finally, another gift wrapping D.I.Y that's inspired by the jolly man in a red suit: 

I turned a red paper bag from blah to TADA!

It only takes a few materials: black card stock, a red paper bag, glitter paper, scissors, and glue.  

Using the glitter paper, cut out circles for the buttons and make a buckle. Cut the black paper to fit through the buckle.  

Attach everything to the paper bag with glue. Add your gift, fold the flap, and seal with tape. TADA!

I really hope you enjoyed these ideas. See you next week!

Happy Thanksgiving

I am so grateful for family, friends, food, and Thanksgiving traditions. I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!