Personalization Using Alphabet Beads

Don't you love it when you receive a gift and your name is printed on it? Like a mug, a pendant, a pouch? It feels special -- the gift was really made for you!

Today, we're going to make this kind of gift.   

We'll spell out names using alphabet beads. They're easy to find at craft stores or dollar stores.

We'll also need these key rings. I'm recycling them from ID lanyards (those you wear at seminars and conventions) and souvenir key chains that I no longer use.

Let's also add colorful beads and cord to our list of materials. If you have twine or thin ribbon, that works, too.

Trim the cord. The length will depend on the number of beads you'll use to spell out a name. This one is about 8 to 10 inches for a six-letter name. 

Fold the cord in half and loop it through itself on the key ring.

Now the fun part! Select the letters to form your name.

Spell out the names of your sisters, your best friends, your crew, your gang, your posse.

Slide the beads onto the cord.

Add a decorative bead or two.

Make a few knots to keep the beads in place.

And knot the dangling ends to prevent them from fraying.

Presenting our handmade key chains (drum roll please)...

We made something personal with very simple materials. Definitely blah to TADA!

They make really cute gifts and can be an engaging activity for a kiddie party or crafty afternoon with the girls...TADA!

Thanks so much for stopping by! If you like, you can subscribe here so that you never miss a blog post.

Snail Mail Envelopes

A handwritten letter in the mail.

I consider this to be one of life's greatest pleasures. It takes time and effort. It's very manual: expressing one's thoughts through script and going to the post office to mail it. It also carries lots of hope, "I hope it arrives" or "I hope she likes it". 

When I write letters, I go all out. I even dress up the envelope because it's the first thing people see -- people at the post office, the mail carriers, and the recipient. The letter has to be dressed appropriately! 

Let me show you a few examples:

I used rubber stamps and washi tape...TADA!

I made my own stickers using plain adhesive paper and rubber stamps...TADA!

I made my own envelope using an old map...TADA! If you look at the bottom, there's a town called Jollyville (I love that!).

This envelope is looking blah.

It's because I saved all the embellishments for the inside! It's a card and envelope in one...TADA!

An old envelope was used as a template and I decorated with stickers, washi tape, chipboard letters, and printed card stock.

The next time you send snail mail, why not add an extra special touch to your envelopes? And if you'd like these blog posts delivered via e-mail, you can subscribe here. 

Washi Tape -- Never Travel Without It

Hi there! 

Are you traveling anytime soon? May I recommend a little travel tip? 

Bring a roll of washi tape!

Here are five ways where washi tape will come in handy:

Number 1: Have an additional layer of privacy by covering the peep holes on hotel doors with washi tape (you'll want to make sure your hotel rooms or vacation rentals have not been outfitted with hidden cameras.) It's always good to be safe and aware. 

Number 2: Use washi tape to re-seal a bag of snacks to keep them fresh and crunchy. 

Number 3: Use washi tape to seal toiletries and keep them from spilling.

Number 4: If you like to buy tokens for family and friends while you travel, use washi tape to label your gifts.

Number 5: Washi tape is very useful for making labels. You can write on it with a permanent marker (doesn't smudge) and the tape easily peels off without damaging surfaces.

I hope these ideas will turn your travels from "blah to TADA!"

And if you'd like more "blah to TADA!" ideas like this delivered to your inbox every week, you can sign up here.

Painting on Leather

She painted on a $10,000 leather bag!

via Pinterest

This is an Hermes bag that costs at least US$10,000. The price can go higher depending on the size and the leather used. It's a beautiful bag, no doubt, but I can't see myself buying something for such an expensive amount. And let's just say I did, I would take very good care of it, wiping it down after each use and reserving a chair just to lay it on. And I would hold it tightly under my arm because the bag alone is enough to bail me out of a ransom situation. 

But this artist painted on it! 

She PAINTED on it! 

I applaud her audacity.

  

via Jung Jin Lee

How about this artist who paints on a Louis Vuitton wallet?

Apparently, a lot of people are having their designer bags custom-painted. The paintings add personality to the bag and makes it stand out from others who own the same kind. But do these paintings add or diminish the value of the bag? 

Anyway, while spring cleaning, I found this passport case. It was an airline freebie.

Here's what it looks like inside.

It's plain and simple on the back.

I was contemplating on how to turn it from "blah" to "TADA!" and I decided to paint on it. But no fear here because if I mess it up, it really didn't cost me a thing.

I decided to paint a portrait of an adventurer. I used white acrylic paint to make my outline.

Then I added details using a pencil. 

I took out more acrylic paint and a small, flat-tipped paintbrush.

Then I added the corresponding colors.

This cool girl is ready for adventure!

I don't know if you can see from here -- her sunglasses are metallic. And the leather-stamped branding is no longer obvious...TADA!

Simply add a passport, IDs, and a pen for the adventure to begin now that the world is starting to open its doors to tourists after months of lockdown.

This is my first attempt to paint on leather and I enjoyed it a lot. 

Thanks for stopping by today!

If you like this "blah to TADA!" idea, you can sign up for my newsletter here. New blog posts delivered to your inbox every week. 

Creative Calligraphy Made Easy

This is a story of how I got back into practicing calligraphy. It all started with a book called "Creative Calligraphy Made Easy."

It's written by Karla Lim, a calligrapher and wedding invitation designer based in Vancouver. She is also the woman behind Written Word Calligraphy where she blogs, teaches classes, and even has a shop. 

 

Karla's style is feminine and elegant with a muted color palette. She's been doing this for more than eight years, making her an expert to write this book. She defines "Modern Calligraphy" this way:

"Modern calligraphy uses the exact same tools as traditional pointed-pen calligraphy but you set your own "lettering rules," styles, flourishes and more. When you use a pointed pen to write in calligraphy, you will be going back in time, dipping a pen into an inkwell and writing with a flexible pointed nib. The flexible pointed pen creates thick and thin lines when you write, which leads to the signature look of modern calligraphy. I always think of modern calligraphy as drawing or painting letters and words, rather than simply writing them to be read. Modern calligraphy is truly an artistic expression." - Karla Lim, Written Word Calligraphy   

I've taken a calligraphy class with Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls (who also writes the foreword to Karla's book) but I haven't practiced in ages.

So I assembled my materials, an assortment from Maybelle's class, as well as thrift shop and art store finds.

Then I practiced.

And practiced.

And practiced (the uppercase letters weren't easy to do at the beginning).

Karla's mantra is "Practice makes progress."

The book suggests many projects where we can apply our newfound calligraphy skill.

There are guidelines on how to address envelopes in calligraphy for wedding invitations or to fancy up everyday envelopes we send in the mail.

There's also a lot of wedding and party DIY ideas.

Plus ways to add flair to wrapping gifts.

I'd love to try this calligraphy on ribbon using a foil quill.

To give this idea my own little twist, I wrote down some phrases on scrap cardboard to make these salutation cards.

And used them to decorate some presents...TADA!

This book is very helpful to learn the basics and discover new applications for modern calligraphy, turning ordinary objects from "blah" to "TADA!"

"Calligraphy is an invitation for rediscovery and creativity. It invites us to slow down and think about the shapes and intention behind every stroke, rather than just writing simply to read. Because of that, writing in calligraphy is typically slower than usual hand writing. It is more intentional, technical and purposeful, which is what I love about it." - Karla Lim, Written Word Calligraphy

How about you? Have you tried calligraphy?

By the way, if you like my crafty "blah to TADA!" ideas and would like these blog posts automatically delivered to your inbox, you may subscribe here.  Thank you!