Simply CHARMing

Happy Tuesday!

All this week on my blog, I'm turning odd items

from a bag of scrap from blah to Tada!

Today's pick: gold charms & a faux diamond bracelet.

Individually, they're quite blah.

But if you put them together, they're Tada!

I really like the weathered look &

how each charm tells a story.

Have a charming day!

The Bag of Scrap [Part Deux]

It's a fresh week and I've got new ideas

to turn blah stuff into Tada! objects.

Last year, I made this, this and this

all from a bag of scrap.

I got the bag of scrap from this

New York City flea market.

I had to go back to pick-up a few more!

I choose these three bags.

Then sorted & grouped the contents using

an empty egg carton.

Today's blah: a gold buckle with floral details.

Here's what the back looks like.

Tada! A nautical-inspired belt!

The stripped gross-grain ribbon, left over from

this project, keeps the overall look casual.

I hand-stitched the ribbon to the buckle and added

a jewelry clasp to keep the buckle in place.

Tada! I think this will look good with

a white shirt & chinos.

Have a good day everyone!

Inspiration is Key

Here's a final fortune cookie "fortune" idea:

Blah -- a collection of "fortunes" that could be gathering dust.

Tada! Turn it into a key chain!

It's mounted on a small piece of wood

decorated with gift wrapper scraps.

Everything is sealed off with Mod Podge.

I made a small hole with a nail & hammer,

then inserted a small jump ring that attaches

to the bigger ring that holds the keys.

It's a gentle reminder of

which fortunes really matter.

Have a sweet weekend!

On the Write Track

Whether or not you believe the "fortune" that you get

inside a fortune cookie, opening it is such a fun

way to end a Chinese meal.

I've accumulated quite a collection, and while

this doesn't make me rich in monetary terms, it has

sparked a few ideas to share my unique "fortune".

Tada! The plainest of pencils go from blah to Tada!

Simply attach the "fortune" onto the pencil with Mod Podge

{white glue works, too}.

Share the pencils with a child or co-worker.

It may just hold the answers he or she is looking for!

Framed Fortune

Do you like fortune cookies?

I certainly do! I've been collecting the "fortunes" and

have incorporated them into my crafts & correspondence.

Here's my favorite:

The blah is really a Tada!

I'm keeping this for myself but I want to see it everyday.

Tada! I framed my fortune!

I got the frame from the $1 section of the craft store,

found a cute image from a magazine for a backdrop,

then mounted my "fortune" in a 3-D effect with glue.

It's my daily reminder to never lose faith.

And with that note -- here's to the continued safe rescue

of all the brave Chilean miners. I love happy reunions!

Little Letter

Lovely to see you today!

At the Martha Stewart Craft Fair last December,

I bought myself this cute little note set:

And when I say little, I really mean little!

The envelopes are so tiny that you can only fit a

coin the size of a quarter dollar.

I guess this is the SMS/text version of a handwritten letter.

You'll only be able to write "I luv u" instead of "I love You"

or "C ya l8r" instead of "See you later".

I thought of these fortune cookie fortunes that I've

been collecting every time we go for a Dim Sum lunch

or order Chinese take-out .

They can fit inside the tiny envelope!

Well, if you fold the piece of paper.

It's a quirky way to share your fortune!

See your tomorrow.

Fortune Cookie Fortunes

Happy Monday Lovelies!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

It's no shame that I'm a fan of Chinese take-out.

At the bottom of the bag, you'll find packets of sauce

{need to turn these from blah to Tada!}

and the popular fortune cookie.

I always keep these strips of paper with the "fortune"

and I've even shared my good fortune to other folks.

Well, I have a few more "fortunes" to share

because just hiding them in a drawer is blah.

Tada! Make cake decorations out of them

by attaching them to a toothpick.

The birthday boy or girl gets to blow

the candles and everyone gets to

eat cake with fortunes to match!

Double Tada!