Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Hey guys, nice to see you today!

Did you know that April is "National Letter Writing Month?" It's very old-fashioned but that's where the charm lies. The ritual of choosing stationery and a fine pen, expressing your thoughts on paper and in your handwriting. Signing it, sealing it, and taking it to the post office for a proper stamp so the letter arrives to your beloved.  

I love writing letters and I love receiving letters, too! Even at this time where technology is at our fingertips and on instant voice command.

I was reading this article entitled "What's Your E-mail Sign-Off?" and I found it quite amusing. It also received a lot of reader comments...boy, it's a hot topic!

It made me pause and think of how I signed my correspondence. 

Here's what I often use:

I sign with this most of the time because it's very celebratory, regardless of my relationship with who I'm writing to.

I use this if I'm signing a formal note, a business transaction or if I'm writing to someone I do not personally know.

I end with this if I'm writing to a very dear friend. 

via Etsy

Inspired by the red seal found on Chinese brush paintings, I thought I might add a little something extra to my handwritten letters.

A cute stamp like this one:

I bought this set of cuddly panda stamps at the craft store.

I mounted them on an acrylic block for an easy grip.

With a generous amount of ink, I stamped them on paper and added a signature:

Hopefully my friends receiving the letter will feel all warm and fuzzy...TADA! And I'm pretty sure they all need it right now until it's safe to meet and hug again. 

Maybe we can write some cards and letters while we're social distancing? It will cheer up those feeling isolated and will help the post office tremendously.

Easter Greetings!

With all that's going on, we have to forgo our traditions like family gatherings, photos with the Easter bunny, and egg hunts. But let's not forget what this season is about: hope, miracles, and the promise of new beginnings.

Hang in there guys! We're all in this together!

The 100 Day Project

Have you guys heard of the 100 Day Project? It's a free art project that takes place online. All you have to do is choose a project, do it every day for 100 days, and share your process on Instagram with the hashtag #The100DayProject.

After I completed it in 2017, I promised myself to "Do Something Creative Everyday" as a form of relaxation and to practice my art. I've been pretty successful in keeping that promise even if the days are busy or I'm not in the right mood. The secret is to stick with simple projects. 

Here are my go-to crafts, reminiscent of when we were children:

Coloring Books

I like to use watercolor, colored pencils or felt-tipped pens instead of crayons for easier layering and shading.

Stickers

I still love buying stickers for scrapbooking, making handmade cards, and decorating packages. Stickers are one of life's little pleasures!

Rubber Stamps and Inks

I must admit, I have a big collection of rubber stamps and I use them in my Bullet journal, on fabric and even ceramics...TADA!

Clay Crafts

Maybe it's the soothing feeling of the clay between my hands or the possibility of making something out of nothing is what makes clay crafts very satisfying. 

Stencil Art

Tracing shapes or letters using stencils was always fun for me. And I use this technique to this day, even making my own stencils here, here, and here.  

Spiral Art

How many of us had this iconic toy when we were little? It's a tool to make spiral art! I bought this at the Dollar Store for nostalgia's sake. 

Each of these plastic coins glide around the perforations in the circle to create unique shapes. Pen colors can also be switched up to add more character. 

The repeating circles can be hypnotic and and quite relaxing.

And instantly, I've created my version of modern art...TADA!

All these crafts take a minimum of 10 minutes, very simple and low commitment ways to turn blah to TADA! but have long-lasting benefits.

Would you like to participate in the 100 Day Project? Now would be a good time because we have nowhere to go but to shelter-in-place. It officially starts tomorrow, April 7 (but you can start anytime you want). If you're curious, you can find more information here.  

I'll be participating right with you. My project is "100 Days of Silver Linings". If you're not familiar, "Silver Linings" refers to a "sign of hope in an unfortunate or gloomy situation."

Everyday, I will seek out stories of hope and make a watercolor rendition of what I find.  I'll share my progress in a future post.

Be safe and make art!

Crafty Recycling

Are you having cabin fever yet? 

We live in difficult times because of the Coronavirus and staying at home is the most responsible thing to do. Last week, I shared some easy crafts to keep us productive. Need more ideas? Below are a few more. 

If you scrounge around your home, you'll most likely find the basic materials. Now is the time to be creative and resourceful!

1. Scavenger Hunt

This is a fun activity to do with young children.

Take an empty paper bag and attach a list of items that you can find around your home. Give one bag to each child and tell them they need to go a-hunting. You can offer a prize, too.

When they find the item, they have to put it in the bag and cross it off the list. It's also a sneaky way to get them to clean up their mess...TADA!

2.  Tea Box to Gift Box 

Recycle empty boxes like this tea box. Tap out the box and wipe the inside with a dry cloth.  

Paint it. Decorate it (with stickers, magazine cut-outs or markers). Then add a handle made from cardboard...TADA! 

Make it with your daughter and she'll have a "pretend grown-up" bag that she can stuff with little toys. Or use it as a gift box to be filled and given away when we can finally be out and about.

3. Shipping Box to Storage Box

This idea lets us re-purpose those boxes from on-line shopping. 

A box with a flip-top lid is ideal, but if all you have is the regular one that opens in the middle, that works, too. 

Cover the box with magazine pages attached using regular glue. Then add more paper cut-outs to add color and character. You can also use gift wrapping paper if that's what you have.

Use the box to store anything from cards and letters, stationery or accessories...TADA! 

4. An Organizer for Rings

A little tidying up is another way to keep us occupied during this time of community quarantine.

This easy craft might come in hand-y (pardon the pun)! Trace your hand on a piece of sturdy cardboard and cut around it.

Find a sturdy base such as several cardboard sheets stacked together and attached with hot glue. Or a thick wood coaster/trivet that you're no longer using. Then attach the cardboard hand to the base with more hot glue. Let the glue dry for several minutes. Paint it and allow to dry for several hours.

Use it to keep your rings neat and easy to find...TADA!

5. Paper Flowers 

If you have these gift wrapping tissue saved from recently opened presents, dry cleaning, or packaging (from your on-line shopping), turn them into paper flowers...TADA! You'll find the detailed instructions here. 

If you don't have wire (for the stem), use those take-out chopsticks or drinking straws in your junk drawer. Since we can't go out to buy flowers, let's make the flowers ourselves! We don't want our vases to be sad and empty, right?

6. D.I.Y. Shoe Bag

Here's something you can find in your closet:

Maybe you've got an old t-shirt that's ready to retire.

Give it new life as a shoe bag...TADA! Sew the three edges together, keep the top open, and attach some cord to make a draw-string opening. You don't need a sewing machine as long as you have needle and thread. You'll find the tutorial here. And when life goes back to normal and we'll all be able to travel again, this shoe bag is ready.

I know it's tough, but time at home is a gift. Use it to rest. Be with your family (or keep in touch if you're living far away or exercising social distancing). And do some crafty recycling. 

Be safe everyone!

A Round-up of Easy Crafts While We Are Social Distancing

How are your feeling? This Coronavirus has undoubtedly thrown the entire world a curve ball, leaving us vulnerable. We are encouraged to stay home to avoid getting or spreading the virus.

To keep you occupied and productive, I'd like to share a list of crafty ideas.

I've combed through my archives and chose the easy ones using materials that many of us already have at home. Do these crafts alone, with your kids, and even roommates. They help to distract from anxiety, keep the kids busy, and in the end, you'll have created a little piece of art to use or share.  

1. Paper Flowers

This is a Japanese Kusudama flower fashioned from pages of an old book, but you're welcome to use whatever paper you have available. The repetitive folding can be very relaxing and the flowers that you make can be used as decorations or tokens for your favorite gals for Mother's Day. You can find the instructions here.  

2. Pompoms

If you have some yarn handy, why not make a few pompoms? This tutorial makes use of empty ribbon spools but you can use cardboard or a fork. Use your pompom to embellish a beanie, create a bag charm, or use it to make your gifts pretty.

3. Ribbon Embroidery

If you have fabric (ex. cloth napkins, old t-shirt, etc.), needle, thread and ribbon, try your hand at ribbon embroidery. Frame it and display it, or use it to make greeting cards.

4. Stencil-decorated T-shirts

You might have some plain t-shirts in your closet. Give them new life with paint, a paintbrush, and stencils! Here is where you'll find the instructions. The same technique can be applied to bags, pouches, and folders. 

5. Tie Dye T-shirts

This project requires more specific materials like white t-shirts, rubber bands, gloves, a basin, and fabric dye or a tie dye kit. In case you have these on hand, you can make t-shirts for the family. You can find the tutorial here. 

6. Bookmarks

One of the things we can do while we're at home is to read. Get through that "To Be Read" pile or re-read your favorite books. And why not make a few bookmarks? These are made from recycled cardboard, stickers, washi tape, and string. 

7. Recycle Your Broken Crayons

Do you have broken crayons? Well, broken crayons can still color! If you melt them in the oven and use a mold, you can produce these colorful crayons in unique shapes.

8. Make Your Own Oven-Baked Clay

This is a simple recipe for Salt Dough. You can use it to form a jewelry dish, and many other things like jewelry, ornaments, and more ornaments.   

9. Make Your Own Jewelry

This was made from an old necklace. By painting the beads a new shade, I gave it a more modern look!

10. Make Your Own Gift Bags

This one uses a plain brown paper bag and markers. Hopefully, life gets back to normal soon and we can gather, go to parties again, and give presents inside these homemade gift bags. 

11. Sketch and Paint

Find inspiration at home or on-line. Use the materials in your drawer: pencils, markers, crayons, paint, a Sharpie, a notebook. Sketch something daily to calm you down. Use colors to express your frustrations. Draw the little things we take for granted but are now very grateful for.

12.  Pressed Flowers

Go to your garden or backyard and pick some flowers and leaves. Press them in between books and use them for greeting cards, gift tags, and pendants. 

13. Blackout Poetry

Try blackout poetry: take an old book or page from a magazine, find words or phrases that appeal to you and block out the rest of the text with a black marker. The words that remain reveals your poem. More samples here. 

14. Brush Calligraphy

With just pen and paper, you can master brush lettering and calligraphy. Practice your penmanship using a mantra like "This, too, shall pass" or "We will overcome". Write down a favorite song or prayer that helps you keep positive.

15. Put Together a Happiness Box

Fill a box with little treasures. They don't have to be expensive but they must have great value to you -- the ones tied with good memories, the ones that make you feel safe, make you feel giddy, make you feel confident. Fill it with more things in the years to come. Whenever you open the box, you'll feel a surge of happiness and hopefulness.

The quote, "Making time to make things is good for the soul" is from the book "Craftfulness (Mend Yourself By Making Things)". Let this period of community quarantine and social distancing become our permission to try something new, revisit old hobbies, or begin a project we've always wanted to start...this way, we can turn blah to TADA!

These Heroes Wear Masks

Wherever you are in the world, you have to agree that we live in very anxious times. The spread of the Coronavirus is affecting all of us.

While we practice social distancing and bravely weather out this pandemic, I made this sketch and note of appreciation:

THANK YOU to all those in the front lines facing this crisis head on:

• The doctors, nurses, and medical practitioners risking their own health to administer tests and care for the sick 
• Local governments who are finding solutions to prevent the spread of the virus in their communities
• The medical experts providing the facts and reminding us what we can do to keep safe
• The airport staff checking passenger temperatures and implementing quarantine
• All those who are working on test kits so that more will be available for distribution
• All those studying this virus that we may have a vaccine for it in the near future
• Public health/maintenance workers who sanitize the spaces we use daily and more so the zones that have been infected  
• Volunteers doing their share like distributing food and looking out for the elderly

Not all superheroes wear masks, but in this instance, they do. I would give you a high five, a fist bump, a handshake...but we're not allowed to do that for safety's sake. Just know that your tireless efforts are seen and acknowledged.