Apple-picking to Welcome Autumn

The air is crisp and cool, a sign that Autumn has arrived!

Decorations start to appear on lawns and door steps.

And a visit to the farm cannot be missed!

Being close to nature can be reviving and the kids can feed the animals.

There are corn mazes...

There's pumpkin picking...

And pumpkin decorating.

But my favorite activity is apple picking!

We ride horse-drawn wagons to get to the apple trees...

And get an extensive tour of the grounds.

Then we arrive at the orchard and disembark from the wagon.

We scout the trees...

And find the ripe ones...

Then fill our bags with what we found.

Back on the wagon after a fun afternoon of apple picking...TADA! 

Our bags were weighed, we paid, and brought our apples home.

I just had to paint this still life...TADA!

I loved the coloring of this leaf, I painted a version of it, too.

And after the watercolor session, it was time to eat the apples:

These are caramelized apples on French toast...

And this is an apple carrot quick bread...TADA!

The new season reminds us of life cycles and how we must embrace change. Here's wishing that these changes will turn our lives from "blah" to "TADA!"

What to Do with those fortunes in Fortune Cookies

Hey, hey, I'm excited to see you today!

Maybe you've had your share of fortune cookies, free on nights we depend on Chinese take-out or delivery?

I do love to snack on them.

And I can't resist the fortune inside.

Sometimes it provides wisdom.

Or a prophecy.

Or even an affirmation.

And some will make you wonder..."Ummm...what?"

I don't know if I'm being superstitious, but I've saved all my fortunes.

Here are a few ways to turn these paper fortunes from blah to TADA!:

Let's say we're wrapping a present like this pretty pearl bangle. It's tucked inside a mesh pouch but I want to protect it a little bit more, both to cushion it and to add a layer of surprise. We can wrap it in paper...

Or we can use the fortunes to do that job. It's like sharing your "good fortune" to your friend...TADA!

Here is another idea if you're into paper crafts:

With stickers and ephemera, use the fortunes to decorate handmade cards or scrapbook pages.

If it's a good reminder for you, it's a good reminder for others, too.

Let the fortune do the talking...TADA!

That is how I turned ordinary fortune sheets from blah to TADA!

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Tin Transformations Part 2

Howdy everyone!

I have a thing for tin containers. I've talked about it last week and transformed many others in the past (you can read about them here, here, and here).

What's not to love? They're sturdy, provide an air tight-seal, and are very useful for storage. 

This particular one was once filled with yummy baked goods. It's now empty and I've cleaned it up with a dry cloth.

Then I painted it with several coats of acrylic, letting the tin dry in between coats.

Here is my tin in mysterious matte black. But it still looks a little blah.

I saw this mural on the door of a restaurant's ladies room. I found it so cheerful! I think it reminded me of a sunny place like California, Florida or maybe even Spain.  

Inspired by these oranges, I painted some on the lid of my tin. 

Because pencil is invisible on blank paint, I sketched using white acrylic paint.

Then I added color -- this watercolor palette worked quite well.

I added some shading and detail with more paint.

Just a hint of an orange orchard.

Designate it for crafting supplies. Make it into a sewing kit. Or use it to wrap gifts instead of the traditional box and wrapping paper.

And that is how I turned a tin container from blah to TADA!

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Tin Transformations Part 1

Hello guys! 

I like to reuse packaging for different purposes like gift wrapping, Easter baskets, hostess gifts, or holiday boxes.  

Whenever I come across an almost-empty container, I try to dream up ways on how they can be recycled. 

Such is the case for this tiny tin, once a container for cranberry-flavored lip balm.

I cleaned it with a damp cloth and dried it really well to avoid any rust-formation.

I painted it with black acrylic to cover the label. Now, I am left with a blank slate.

via Pinterest

I had just watched the movie "The Goldfinch", based on the book by Donna Tartt. And the story is inspired by an actual painting. 

I thought I'd challenge myself to paint a goldfinch.

First, I made a sketch with white acrylic paint.

Then I added detail with more paint...TADA!

I can use this little tin to store my sewing pins and small craft materials.

And that is how I turned an empty tin form blah to TADA!

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