A Chocolate Bunny

Easter is coming right up and I thought I'd make something in the kitchen.

I bought this chocolate bunny mold sometime ago and thought maybe I'd play around with it.

I melted some chocolate using the double boiler method.

Once the chocolate was melted and smooth...

I poured it into the mold, filled in the little crevices, and tapped the mold on the table to get ride of any air pockets. Then I let the chocolate harden inside the fridge.

After an hour, it was time to unmold my bunny.

Did I tell you it's made of dark chocolate?

I think it's a perfect surprise for the adults because they deserve Easter treats, too. TADA!

Have a Happy Easter!

Word Games

Spring is here and I can't wait to spend time outdoors!

One of the things I most like to do is to go to flea markets like the Brooklyn Flea. One day, I'd like to visit flea markets across the States, but for now, it'll be somewhere close to home. I love the thrill of the hunt and always, always I find something at a flea market!

This was my most recent find: scrabble tiles. I've crafted with scrabble tiles before to make a necklace. But this was a treasure trove because there were enough letters to spell out names!

I was able to spell out my name and my husband's name. I purchased the tiles and went straight to the craft table.

This is a simple project involving very few materials: an empty frame (I took out the glass), scrapbook paper, a hot glue gun, and the scrabble tiles. 

I chose this paper design that looked like Polaroid photos. I think each square added visual interest. I positioned the paper inside the frame.

Lay-out the tiles and once satisfied with the arrangement, attach them to the paper with hot glue. 

And look at that, instant art! Add more names as the family grows (including pets, too). It also makes for a thoughtful present for an engagement or anniversary. TADA! 

A Corkboard Makeover

Our home office has a blank wall above the desk. It's where my husband and I stick Post-its with lists or scrap paper filled with reminders attached to the wall using Washi tape. 

It was blah to look at. It needed a TADA! solution.

I found this corkboard at a thrift store. It was a steal at $3.00!

But because I didn't want the teenage bedroom or college dorm room look, I gave it a new face using paint.

Black paint.

I painted it entirely using about 5 coats.

It looks a lot more grown up now.

I found an excuse to go shopping for some push pins. These owl-shaped ones are from Target. They were less than $5.00.

I liked how elegant the gold looked on the black bakground.

This corkboard now hangs on our wall. It's beautiful and functional. 

Blah to TADA! indeed.

A Project Full of Patches

Hi guys! I hope your weekend went beautifully. 

I love me a good cappuccino, most especially if it's topped with gorgeous latte art (it's a skill I wish I had). That is why when I saw this little patch, I knew I had to have it: 

Isn't it cute? It could also pass for hot chocolate with a heart-shaped marshmallow. 

Many posts back, I made this pouch. It's a plain linen pouch that I got from the dollar bin at Target. I made it my own with iron-on patches. 

Each patch tells a story -- of my favorite things and some that I picked-up from my travels. 

There are still blank spots on the pouch for new acquisitions! 

With just a little bit of ironing...

My new patch is attached. 

It's a unique pouch that's a work in progress. TADA!

It's something I like to use for mini craft projects, keeping me organized and can be taken wherever I go. 

Crafting Away the Sadness

Hello everyone, how have you been? Apologies for my absence. 

My sweet mother Eloisa passed away on January 31st. 

It was one of those days that I feared -- when you receive THE phone call and you scramble to get to the hospital. But the hospital is half way around the world from where I live, involving a 15-hour plane ride to Hong Kong and another two-hour plane ride to Manila. Luckily, my husband and I were able to book our flights (without having to pay an exorbitant fare), pack our suitcases, and tell our respective bosses that we had to take a break from work for a medical emergency. 

My mom suffered a massive stroke. And while the loss and sadness is apparent, I am most grateful that I was able to say my goodbyes and "I love yous". And that she didn't suffer. And that she was surrounded by the whole family as she journeyed home. 

Dealing with loss is something I'm still trying to navigate. But just like on good days, when I have bad days, I craft. 

My mom owned this locket (I do have a fondness for lockets).

I chose a few pictures that I resized on the computer. It's wise to have a variety of photos, sizes, and color saturation as options. 

I cut around the photos and put them inside the locket. 

The first one is of my parents on their wedding day. The second is of my mom and me. I chose these because she looked very, very happy in them. Of the many roles she juggled, being wife and mother was her priority. 

I put the locket on a chain that I own, for me to wear as frequently as I can. TADA! 

Stop and Smell the Flowers

I'm taking a little break from crafting and blogging but let me leave you with this reminder:

I'll see you soon. Take care everyone!

Just Do It

Here's a little push that you might need today:

Be brave and prove the naysayers wrong!

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!

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!

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!

Best Day

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

Have a good week everyone!

Happy New Year

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

Cheers everyone!

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.

Merry Christmas

To you and yours,

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

Cheers,
Claire 

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!

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.