Sun Prints

Yesterday, we took a little trip to Terrain. One of the things I picked up was this exciting Sunprint Kit:

This kit plus sun and water allows us to make photographic-type prints.

I tried it out with some wilted leaves that remind me of seaweed.

I followed the pack instructions: layer cardboard, Sunprint paper {blue side up}, chosen item and an acrylic sheet.

My kit did not include an acrylic sheet {tsk, tsk!}. I improvised with a glass sheet borrowed from a picture frame.  I put this under the sun until the paper turned white {about one to five minutes}, making sure not to overexpose it.

 I peeled off the leaves and here is my photo image...TADA!

Rinse the paper in water for about one minute. 

 Remove from the water and dry flat.

My first attempt at making sun prints and I am hooked!

For more inspiration, check out this gallery.

Terrain

Happy new week! I'd like to tell you about a most beautiful store. It's called Terrain. Once I stepped inside, I never wanted to leave. Let me show you why:

 I visited the Connecticut shop. 

There's a branch in Pennsylvania, too.

As you can see, Terrain is all about gardening, gifts, entertaining, and finding a little something to treat yourself. The company that owns Anthropologie also owns Terrain, so it's no surprise that the design and merchandise bundle into one delightful shopping experience.  

In between shopping, take a break.  

There's a cafe on the premises...

 ...as well as a restaurant.

I can't wait to return!

Dad's Day is Today

“Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father.” 

― Lydia Maria Francis Child

Happy Father's Day to all the daddies out there!

For Father's Day

Before we jump into the weekend, another blah to TADA! transformation for all the bill envelopes that pile up on our desk.

On the outside, it's blah and boring.

But inside, it's a party...TADA!

Similar to yesterday's craft, I'm making another greeting card.

This one's for my dad -- it's Father's Day on Sunday.

I painted on some hearts...because for most little girls, daddy is the first man you love.

I felt like a five year old making a card for my dad. I could easily buy him a fancy one with all the bells and whistles. But this "recycling thing" has my hand stamp all over it. My dad taught me how not to waste anything and he still loves sending me snail mail. I think it's a perfect fit.

For my Papa and for all the dads out there -- Happy, 

Happy Father's Day! 

Have a glorious weekend, folks!

Give Me an "A"

Here's another way to turn your bill envelopes from blah to TADA!

First, you have to check if the inside of the envelope is printed. If you've amassed a number of envelopes, then there will be a variety of options. Cut the sides and spread it open. Use it as you would printed or scrapbook paper.

I'll make a personalized card by drawing and cutting out an initial -- a letter "A". 

Glue it on card stock. 

Then paint on some flowers...instantly, a greeting card 

ready to be mailed. TADA!

Simple to Special

Hello there! I've got another clever idea for you:

These blah bill envelopes were flipped to uncover

TADA! prints in ultra-cool blues. 

 

Create tiny triangles from the paper with a pair of scissors.

Attach the triangles onto a piece of yarn {use some hot glue}, tie them to a pair of chopsticks and TADA! -- we have these buntings! 

 Use it to decorate an ordinary loaf cake fresh from the oven.

This turns snack time from simple to special!

Gentle Reminders

This week on the blog, it's all about re-purposing bill envelopes.

Bill envelopes are blah on the outside, but if turned inside out, they have these cute preppy prints. They're great to use for scrapbooks or to jot down some words of wisdom:

Line them up on a blank wall or frame them to 

give to a friend. TADA! 

Bill Envelope Make-Over

Hello there! Thanks a lot for coming over today.

I'm sure that like me, you find bills in your mailbox that come in these white envelopes. Quite blah. But did you ever try looking at the lining inside?

They're usually printed in shades of blue, gray and black -- it keeps the contents private. Seeing these prints gets me into "recycling" overdrive! All this week, I'll show you how we can turn these envelopes from blah to TADA!

Today, I'm trying my hand at paper cuts.

I'll use these dandelions as inspiration. I like them because when you blow on one, you're allowed to make a wish. 

My first try at paper cutting was pretty simple. I trimmed the envelope into a square. Then I drew a few dandelions. With an X-acto knife, I cut around the stem and petals. 

Instead of cutting out the petals entirely, I left them attached at the center. Then I lifted each petal for a two-dimensional effect.

Presenting my little creation. TADA!

Maybe I'll glue this to a sheet and display it on a bulletin board. It will be my reminder that recycling, trying something new, and making wishes is always TADA!

Bottled Memories

Today, we step out of the kitchen and into the craft room to turn an old jar from blah to TADA!

This was once home to some velvety cocoa almond spread. After cleaning it out, here's what we can do with it to skip the recycling bin:

Turn it into a memory jar! In the background is a sketch of St. Mark's Square in Venice. Wine corks from the trip only add to the story of "A Summer in Italy".

Here's another one from a beach vacation. TADA!

Have a fun weekend, lovelies!

Time for Iced Tea

I've been to a few restaurants that use a bottle like this to serve water:

I find them quite adorable. It's no surprise that when my husband brought one home {sneakily grabbed from a conference}, I was ecstatic! Here's what I use it for:

I brew some black tea {maybe add a bit of honey and a hint of lemon} and let it cool in the refrigerator. It's so refreshing on a hot day. 

It's prefect to take on a picnic, too! TADA!

Drink Your Veggies

Thanks for visiting me today! If you've been tuning in, it's all about giving jars and bottles a makeover.  

Today's blah is this juice bottle.

I've been experimenting with green juices and this works as a handy container if I want to drink it on the go. Or if I've made a big batch, a bunch of these bottles can be stored in the fridge {but consumed in 24-48 hours to get the maximum nutrients}. 

This one's made with coconut water, spinach, cucumber, Granny Smith apple, ginger and lemon. You'll notice the pulp -- I used a food processor since I don't own a juicer.  You'll find a few easy recipes here.

The color may be quite blah, 

but the benefits are TADA!