Fit for Evening

Hey, hey...it's Friday!

If you're going to a dressy event soon, today's blah to Tada! transformation will be right up your alley.

This week, it was all about empty tape rings and dispensers. We mustn't leave out that thick round of sealing tape, don't you agree?

It's still useful even after you've used up all the tape!

Okay, I'll reveal today's project -- we're making an evening bag!
We're using the empty tape ring as a handle.

I fashioned the bag using some thick cardboard.
No patterns, just free-form estimates with the help
of a ruler, pencil & eraser (I made many mistakes!).

Wrap the empty tape ring with your choice of fabric.

Secure with a glue gun.

Do the same for the entire bag.
Attach the handle & closures (button & ribbon)
with needle and thread.

Tada! Instant evening purse!
High style without the high price.

You can even slip the handle around your wrist
making it easy to hold a cocktail & plate of hors d' oeuvres.

Leave the bag plain (if using a shiny or printed fabric)
or decorate with bling & beads!

Happy partying & have a Tada! weekend!

Cool Cuff

We're recycling tape-related things this week, from dispensers to those plastic rings left after all the tape has been used up. Today, let's throw in packing tape to the mix. I think the cardboard ring is a fun thing to jazz up!

Doesn't this cry out B-A-N-G-L-E?

It might be too big for your wrist, though (we want people to say "How cute!" and not "Why are you wearing tape around your arm?"). An easy solution is to trim the cardboard with a knife until you've achieved the ideal bangle size.

Cover the board with a piece of fabric and secure with hot glue.

Overlap the ends for a snug fit on the wrist
and accessorize as you please!

I used a frog closure (also attached with hot glue) for a Victorian or Asian touch. You can add silver studs and a shiny skull for a rocker look. Use colorful printed fabric for a bohemian vibe or a strip of faux diamonds so you can wear this to your next formal event.

Tada! A special bangle that's not available at any store!

A Statement Accessory

This week's blah: plastic tape dispensers.

When the tape's all finished, don't throw away the plastic rings!

Wind a ribbon around the ring to instantly change the look!
The more, the merrier.

Then attach the rings to a chain...

Tada! You've got a necklace that makes quite a statement!

Here's another version using two rings, chains and a silk sash:

This will definitely add some Tada! to a simple outfit.

And for yet another version...

Glue the rings together to form a four-leaf clover or
five-petal flower, add sparkly buttons
and attach to a chain.

Wear the necklace off-center and
don't be surprised if this turns out to be
a conversation piece!

I Dream of Paris

Yesterday, we re-used empty tape dispensers to hold different kinds of tape.

Today, I'll show you how we can turn these empty tape rings
from blah to Tada!

Wrap a piece of ribbon (you'll need about 1 yard) around the ring
and secure the ends with a glue gun.

Tada! The plain ring is now a pretty pendant just by
adding a chain and/or a string of pearls.

Finish off with a favorite charm like this tiny Eiffel Tower...

...And you'll have a necklace that's totally unique!

Sitcky Situations

Happy Monday! I hope you had a nice weekend.

I've been rummaging through my pile of "stuff", and when I say "stuff", I mean things that badly need a blah to Tada! make-over. And if these things can talk, I'm sure they'd cry "Pick Me!". When I do choose them, a "Whoopee" would soon follow.

Here's what yelled "Whoopee" this week:

Sticky tape on their plastic dispensers.

When I've finished off the tape (usually during the holiday season after wrapping so many presents), this is all that's left.

Once a blah, now a Tada!: I removed the empty rings and replaced them with different kinds of tape that I regularly use, such as masking tape, floral tape and double-sided tape. I would also use these for electrical tape and tape with pretty prints (a whimsical way to seal a package). This makes cutting tape so much easier and doesn't leave any sticky stuff on a pair of scissors!

Get Well Soon

It's Friday and I bet you're ready for a beer or two
to end a busy week.

As I've shown you this week on blah to Tada!, it's a good idea to save the cardboard carriers that hold those beer bottles and re-purpose them by the dressing them up with wrapping paper. Just by doing that, we turned a plain carrier into a picnic caddy, an art station, a knitting project carrier and a party centerpiece! Here's another one to add to the list:

Tada! A gift basket for a dear friend who's not feeling well.

Put in some healthy snacking options like fruits, bottles of orange juice, vitamins, tissues and hand sanitizer. Add a cheerful message and if you can hand-deliver it yourself, your friend will be on the road to recovery in no time!

Stay healthy & have an ultra-Tada! weekend!

Center of Attention

Doesn't a six-pack like this announce that it's party time?

But when the beer bottles are down to zero,
I suggest you keep the box for your next party.

Turn a blah box into a Tada! centerpiece!

Cover the box with festive paper and fill it with

noise-makers, candy & confetti.

Put one on each party table and see how this gets
both kids & adults excited!

Here's wishing you a sweet celebration!