Lucky Labels

Do you get these labels/tags when you buy yourself
a new pair of jeans, shirt or bag?

Keep them useful and turn them from
blah to TADA!

Jazz them up with punched out paper
or abstract embroidery.

Tada! You've got yourself a set of bookmarks!

Mail Make-Over

Digital books are the rage these days. I think they're a genius idea but I still prefer leafing through paper and sniffing a brand new book. It's a simple joy of mine. I'm proud to say I take care of my books. No dog ears -- just bookmarks. And all this week, I'm making them myself!

I'm using these catalogs I got in the mail.

TADA! I get to save these inviting images by turning
the pages into bookmarks.

I think this mailer has a fabulous print.

Just cut a section and TADA! -- instant bookmark!

I love the floral prints on this perfume insert (the ones
you get in a magazine; just open & sample a perfume).

Fold it up, cut the unnecessary ends and TADA!,
another one to add to your collection.

Aren't you drawn to the modern
elements of this catalog cover?

I was and by now, you know what it did to it!
Bookmark!

D-I-Y Bookmarks

This week on my blog, I'm turning excess paper
from blah to TADA!

I'm using this bag again today.

Yesterday, I cut out the spoon graphic and
turned it into a bookmark.

Today, I'm using the back side (blank) of the bag, together with
these subscription inserts tumbling out from magazines.

I folded the subscription cards & wrapped the brown paper
around it. Then I added a sticker, punched a hole and
finished it off with some yarn.

TADA! I've got some blank bookmarks.

Use these for a kiddie party activity.
With some pens & stickers, it serves as a
canvas for creative little hands and it
doubles as a party favor, too.

Bookmark Bonanza

Sometimes, I feel like there is so much paper in my life -- paper bags, catalogs, junk mail and ticket stubs. And you know that throwing them out is not my first option. To turn them from blah to TADA!, my go-to idea is to turn them into bookmarks.

This has got to be one of the cutest
paper bags out there.

So I took my favorite graphic from the
bag (the spoon!) and made it into a bookmark.

I cut it out and mounted it on cardboard.

TADA! It does a great job marking pages in
my favorite cookbooks!

Bag in Bloom

It's finally Friday! Please tell me you all had a wonderful week?

I hope you're excited to see the final look
on this blah bag.

{cue drum roll}

TADA! This bag is blooming!

I simply sewed on black rose petals (got them from Tinsel Trading Company in New York City) for added drama.

I can't wait to use it for my next formal event.

But why wait when I can use my blooming clutch
to dress up an everyday dress like this one?
(image from Old Navy)

Have a weekend worth celebrating!

Naughty or Nice?

I'm experimenting with different looks to update
this old, blah evening bag:

It just didn't seem to look current.

Add a black chain, pink tulle & accent with a
black ribbon...TADA! It's a brand new bag!

Does it remind you of playful lingerie or a graceful ballerina?

Add a sleek wrap-dress (image from Banana Republic)
and you've got a perfect match!

A Touch of Silver

Inspired by the glitzy evening purses seen on Oscar night,
I'm turning this blah bag....

...into a TADA! clutch!

I picked silver-gray accents -- feathers, felt, tulle & crystals.

It's an instant face lift that didn't cost a fortune!

Won't it look pretty when worn with
this frock by Robert Rodriguez?