Good Friend, Good Gift

The girls I call my BFFs (Best Friend Forever) live many miles away from me. "Far" like you need to ride an airplane (sometimes even two or three more). There are days I wish I could hangout with them -- have a long lunch, get our nails done, go shopping. It's tough, but thank goodness for technology! It makes keeping in touch a breeze. 

On special occasions, I like to send my dearest friends some snail mail. Of course there's some blah to TADA! involved.

I instantly liked this empty box.
 

It has a window and a pull-out tray.

I erased the label printed on the window with some nail polish remover.

Do you know where this is going? My box is already looking like a picture frame.

I trimmed some watercolor paper so these could fit inside the box.

Then I added color to the paper, inspired by the sunset and waves on the beach.

I glued everything together inside the box.

A sketch of me and my bestie.

This is the "picture" that goes inside the "frame".

I wrapped a little present, something tiny yet thoughtful like a pair of earrings or a pendant.

Then I added this to the box (I used double-sided tape).

A frame celebrating friendship with a gift enclosed. TADA!

I'll just add a handwritten note and it's ready to mail!

A Snack Box for the Guest Room

If you have visiting guests, this craft is right up your alley. 

I'm turning this empty clementine crate from blah to TADA!

It's made of wood, it's quite sturdy, and it's the right size for storing snacks.

I painted the box with a foam brush using matte black paint. I made a total of 5 coats allowing drying time in between.

Once dry, I applied some hand-lettering with a small paint brush and ivory acrylic paint. 

The last step is to add some snacks like chips and chocolate, but have a variety including granola bars, crackers, and fruit. It would be a good idea to tailor-fit the selection depending on your guests. Do they have dietary restrictions? Are there kids?

This snack box says "Welcome to our home, please enjoy your stay". TADA!

If you're interested, you'll find another clever use for a clementine box here.

Citrus-Inspired

Hello August! Lately, I've been thinking about citrus fruits like lemons

and clementines. They're available all year round, provide benefits 

for the body, and are so cheerful to look at. 

Here's the Kendra Dandy-designed scarf I got for myself. I chose 

this pattern because it reminds me of sunshine -- like a weekend 

in Florida, a holiday in California, or a vacation in France. 

Lemons and oranges are always nice to have on hand. They're good for 
snacking, for adding to drinks, and to use for desserts that make you 
pucker up.

And here's a collage I created -- because yellow instantly turns a  day that's 

blah into TADA! 

How To: Lavender Pillow Mist

Lavender is my favorite scent. I wish I could have a backyard of lavender flowers, but since that's highly unlikely, visiting a lavender field is the next best option. Another way to add lavender to my everyday is with a Lavender Pillow Mist. Lavender a natural sedative and a quick spray makes me relax.

Of course you can buy this from here, here, and here, but why buy when you can D-I-Y?

LAVENDER PILLOW MIST

We will need: 

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon witch hazel
• 4 to 5 drops lavender essential oil
• Small spray bottle

How to make the mist:

• Pour the water, witch hazel, and lavender oil into the spray bottle.
• Replace the bottle's top, making sure it is tightened securely, and shake vigorously.
• Mist your pillow before bedtime.
• Enjoy the soothing scent of lavender and the next thing you know, you're fast asleep. TADA!

This recipe is from this book.

A Devotional Coloring Book

Have you tried your hand at adult coloring books? It's a hot trend and many shops carry these books at different price points. Colored pencils, watercolors, and skinny-tip markers are ideal to use because compared to the books we used as children, the areas to color are finer and have more detail. This promotes concentration and mindfulness. And this process helps calm us down and lower our stress levels. 

I was particularly attracted to this coloring book. It's a devotional coloring book that encourages spiritual art healing for adults.

Each page has a line from the Book of Psalms, an uplifting phrase that you can repeat as you color.

The finished page can be framed and used as a daily reminder for guidance or strength.

This can be done everyday, every now and then, or as part of our regular prayer/mediation time. It allows us to get in touch with our spiritual and creative side.

It also makes for a thoughful gift for friends who need healing or comfort. And I think that's blah to TADA!

Books like these can be found here and here.

Wisteria Waterfall

I've told you many times before that Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores. They have beautiful merchandise and their window displays are out of this world!

Here's a ceiling installation that I was truly impressed with:

It's a cascade of pink and purple wisteria. Very lush and dramatic.

But if you zoom in, you'll discover what they're made of: balloons! Balloons that aren't inflated, just tied and tucked in to look like buds of flowers. The other elements are made from paper and the "vine" is really just yarn. 

Truly, this transformation is blah to TADA!

Have a beautiful week you guys!

A Summer Barbecue

Happy Fourth of July! Here's a collage that gets me all excited for a fun in the sun summer afternoon:

I hope you'll all have a wonderful day!

Crafts from the Book "Back in the Day Bakery"

Yesterday, I wrote about a cookbook that I really enjoyed.

I mean, with illustrations like this spread out all over the book, you know that a lot of heart and soul was put into its making. 

The book is called "Back in the Day Bakery (Made With Love)" with recipes from the bakery with the same name. 

The bakery, owned by Cheryl and Griffith Day, is located in Savannah, Georgia. Look, they even have a shelf within the bakery selling little take home gifts.

The cookbook is filled with many delectable sweets and savories. 

But the cookbook also has crafts. My kind of combination!

Here are my favorites:

A cake topper for a milestone birthday.

A lunchbox made from an old canister/ice bucket.

A whimsical chandelier made of straws, cupcake liners, and marshmallows.

A cupcake "surprise ball" filled with tiny toys and treats.

And the cutest cake-shaped party hat!

This cake plate wasn't a featured craft but I think I'd like to make something similar using an old, blah plate and a marker like what I did here.  It can be used for many celebrations and can become an heirloom piece for the family. TADA!

Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook

Hi there! I came across a cookbook that I truly, truly love.  It's called "Back in the Day Bakery Made with Love".

It's written by a lovely couple, Cheryl and Griffith Day.

The recipes here are based on the goodies they serve at their bakery in Savannah, Georgia, also called "Back in the Day Bakery". It looks like that neighborhood spot where everyone likes to hang out. I can't wait to visit someday!

And with the name alone, you know that you'll be well fed and the flavors will just bring you back to your childhood.

Now back to the cookbook:

The illustrations inside are darling.

The choice of colors are also very uplifting.

The food styling is fun and approachable.

And there are many recipes I wanted to get my hands on.

This! This recipe for Banoffee Pie (short for Banana and Toffee) was a sure winner. 

It's made of a graham cracker crumb crust with a filling of dulce de leche, bananas and cream, then topped with chocolate. What's not to love?

I've made several versions of this and it's been received with a lot of enthusiasm. An easy go-to dessert is always TADA!

If you can stop by tomorrow, I'll show you some crafts from the cookbook. See you then. 

A Copper Jello Mold

A few years ago, I was at a New York City flea market where I found this:

It's a copper jello mold. I fell in love with its shape. Even if you didn't use it, it would be a pretty accent to a kitchen wall (see the little hanging hook on top?).

Good thing it has a practical purpose that I don't mind using. Just pour gelatin-based desserts right in and let it set.

This dessert is called Cathedral Windows or Stained Glass Cake, made of different colored Jello suspended in a panna cotta. It's light and not too sweet.

It resembles the stained glass windows you can find in many churches.

This is a strawberry panna cotta (there are diced strawberries inside).

I can't wait to make more desserts out of this copper mold. I'll find out if I can use it to bake cakes, too.

May you all have a sweet week, folks!

Dad's Day

Whether you're Daddy, Dad, Papa, Pops...today is your day! 

Thank you for all that you do!