Easter Projects

Hi and happy Monday!

This week, I have a collection of colorful projects

in preparation for Easter Sunday.

Of course, they're made from recycled goodies.

blah: a deli container saved from last night's

take-out dinner.

Clean it well & let it dry.

TADA!: An Easter basket filled with sweet treats!

The trim & handle are made of printed ribbon and

secured with hot glue. It's stuffed with shredded

pastel paper and topped with bunny chocolates.

Who can resist all this cuteness?

Have a fabulous week lovelies!

Travel Time

Hooray it's Friday!

Like me, I'm pretty sure plastic containers

are still part of your everyday.

For example, your daily toiletries:

Once consumed, you are left with empty, blah containers. I like to save them, especially the little bottles. I clean them well, label neatly and fill them up with necessities:

TADA! Items that I need for a weekend getaway. No need to buy travel size versions at the store. Just refill when running low.

Great for carry-on luggage too because each bottle contains 3 oz. of liquid or less.

Have an awesome weekend!

Bedside Essentials

It's all about plastic this week and how we can

turn them from blah to TADA!

This container once held sushi:

Without the sushi, it's so blah.

But clean it up and add some of your favorite things:

TADA! It's now a tray for your bedside essentials!

Part of the Family

Plastic is still very much part of our daily life.

Because total elimination is not yet an option,

let's put plastic to good use.

blah: a plastic & Styrofoam take-away container

Let's use the black Styrofoam plate today.

TADA! It's frame to hold silhouettes for members of the family -- people or pets!

Learn how to make your own silhouettes here. Add a ribbon {attached with hot glue} for easy and decorative hanging.

A Few Cartoon Characters

Okay, I admit, today's idea is recycled from yesterday.

I just have to show you that even if plastic bags are

blah and are a big threat to the environment,

their use can be extended.

blah: plastic bags with cute character prints

TADA!: turn them into padded envelopes! Instructions here.

Perfect for mailing presents to children.

I quite like this Hello Kitty-print plastic bag.

I was able to make two small padded envelopes out of it. TADA!

Plastic Recycling Projects

Hello Lovelies!

I hope the weekend was kind to you.

This week, I'm back to recycling plastic bags.

I've been doing my best to bring my own canvas bags

to the store but I found this stash in the coat closet:

blah: plastic shopping bags

I love the bright colors be it plain or printed. So I decided to make more padded envelopes. I can never have too many -- I use them to mail little parcels within the country and even across the world.

First, I made a pouch using left-over bubble wrap, the three edges sealed with tape. I added some glue on both sides to allow the plastic bag {now cut to size} to adhere to the bubble wrap:

TADA! Fashionable padded envelopes in a cool graphic.

TADA! The fun colors will guarantee smiles...even if the package hasn't been opened yet!

From Plain to Printed

Thanks for your visit today!

Maybe like me, you have some bags that

you haven't used in awhile.

You can either sell them, give them away

or give them a face lift. Who knows what

new potential is waiting to be unleashed?

I attended a Real Simple event last year and

received freebies stuffed inside this bag.

You can see that the brand name is peeling away.

Well, I went ahead & peeled some more until

the bag was all blank & white.

With the help of a stencil, pencil & marker,

I created a print for my white bag.

From plain blah, it's now printed TADA!

Have a sweet weekend!

Instant Monogram Tote

Hey there! So nice to see you today.

I'm giving some blah bags a make-over and

today's inspiration comes from here:

via who what wear

These bags are quite expensive and my wallet has no

plans to get one. However, I'm really drawn to the

bright stripe and the initials.

I think these elements would be perfect to

spruce up this old, blah bag:

It's a Nine West bag that was well used because of

the versatility of color, roomy interior and

assortment of pockets inside.

Ready for the TADA!?

TADA!!!

Hot glue a fun grosgrain ribbon, initials made from felt

and a matching tassel!

This bag's ready for Spring!

This Old Sack

One way to save money & be eco-friendly is to

buy household needs in bulk.

We like to buy a sack of rice & have it handy when

we're in the mood for some Asian or Latin cuisine.

And how cool that the sack is both striking & sturdy:

But I know it can even be more TADA!...

...with some festive embellishments like strands of yarn,

pompoms, sequins, flowers & a cute elephant pin.

Use this to store current craft projects

{ex. scrapbooking, knitting, etc.}

or to carry a bunch of magazines.

Have a nice day!

Canvas + Leather

It's all about bag make-overs this week.

And let me tell you, I've been obsessing over

canvas bags with leather trim:

via Infusion

via cryptictextures

via buckaroousa

Aren't these fabulous?

Pretty yet utilitarian & fashionably laid back.

I found this blah bag at the top of my closet:

It's canvas with a cute print in the inside flap.

I bought it at Target some years ago

and very rarely used it.

Inspired by the above combinations,

here's how I made it TADA!:

I added a leather closure that I bought from the sewing

supplies shop {alternatively, you can re-use an old belt}.

Attach it to the bag by sewing.

I might change the strap to match the closure later on.

But now, the bag has a little bit of attitude,

ready to be used on a regular basis!

BAGS: From blah to TADA!

How are you dear Lovelies?

Have you welcomed Spring with some closet cleaning?

I have and I found a bunch of bags that need a little love.

You'll see how I transform them all this week.

Today, we begin with this:

It's an amenity kit from a flight a few years ago.

This pouch is quite dapper, reminding me of

fabric used for a man's suit.

But from blah...

It's now TADA!

I thought a bright flower

{made of felt & attached with hot glue}

would add some color & burst of femininity.

I think I'll use the bag for my set of nail lacquers.

So girl-y indeed!

Appetizer Station

Hooray it's Friday!

We've rummaged through the kitchen

cupboard and ransacked a few thrift stores,

{with a side trip to get some super glue}

all in the name of making our own cake stands.

Here's my final idea for the week:

Blah: a flat basket & a Japanese tea cup.

{Assembled using super glue}

TADA!: An ultra-chic cake stand!

I think this is a modern way to serve appetizers like

cheese & crackers, antipasto or chips & dip.

{Just line the basket with parchment paper or a

smaller plate to keep the grease off the basket.}

Have a major-ly GOOD weekend ya'all!

Fit for a Tea Party

Here is today's blah:

Pretty plates, a candle stick, salt & pepper shakers.

I found these in my kitchen waiting,

waiting, waiting to be used.

Well I told them, "Today's your lucky day!"

I'm giving them a blah to TADA! transformation.

And super glue was all I needed.

TADA! A gorgeous cake stand if I should

say so myself.

Let's add another layer, using an empty shaker &

a medium-sized plate.

Apply super glue in between & let dry.

Ready for another layer?

Why not?

TADA! A multi-tier dessert stand that

will be your excuse for a tea party!

Whether it's home-baked goodies or

bakery-bought treats, this stand will welcome

each sugar-dusted confection with open arms!

Sweet Endings

Don't you enjoy it when food is displayed

in a pretty way? I believe that we eat

with our eyes first and what we see

helps tremendously in the whole

dining experience.

That's why I love it when a cake

is served on a cake stand.

It's not done all the time, but

when it is, it makes me smile.

I'm making a few cake stands

this week and just because there's

"cake" in the name, doesn't mean

it can't be used for other things.

Blah: single piece China (made in England & Japan)

that I found on separate trips at the

Salvation Army thrift shop.

Just attach them together with super glue...

TADA! A mini cake stand!

Use this to serve chocolates or biscuits -- the ones

that go well with after dinner coffee or tea.

I promise you, your guests will have

smiles on their faces!

Cookies for Company

Thank you for coming over today!

This week, I'm neck-deep into making my own

cake stands. I just find these adorable &

extra points if they're home made.

Here's an easy one using glass & ceramic:

You may have a bunch of unused plates, a glass jar

or a votive holder in your cupboards.

Individually, they may lack

personality -- a little bit blah.

But pair them together...

...they become TADA!

With the help of some super glue,

they are now elevated plates that

command attention.

Use them to display cookies & sweets

for your next gathering.

Bon appetit!