25 February 2011

Fun Favor Bags


Whether it's the holidays or the rest of the year,
you'll encounter these tissue sheets
when you shop or receive a present:

I like these ones that are in a natural brown.
They remind me of paper bags.

So I made paper bags out of them!

Then decorated each one with ink & a rubber stamp.

It's a cool container for party favors or
baked goodies like these cookies!
TADA!

Have a sweet weekend everyone!


24 February 2011

D-I-Y Decorations


I'm glad you're back for more blah-to-TADA! ideas.

Blah: tissue paper left over from a gift.

Cut it into a strip & make an accordion fold.

Staple one end & open it like a fan.

Make both ends meet and glue together.
TADA! You have yourself a little paper medallion!

Make a few more...

Connect them together
{I used clear tape & ribbon at the ends}.
Add an appropriate message using paper circles & a pen.

TADA! Party time!

23 February 2011

Mood Lights


I know you're all familiar with decorative tissue paper.
It's not just for wrapping gifts. I'm finding many
uses for it on my blog this week.

Particularly this one, recycled from the holidays.

I cut it to size and wrapped it around a glass vase.

These vases have made an appearance on our
dining table many times, as centerpieces to
display either flowers, leaves or candles.

Wrapping them with tissue -- it's like
getting them a new outfit!
TADA! A whole new look!

Add a votive candle and let them glow!
{Make sure the paper doesn't extend beyond
the vase -- it's highly flammable!}

22 February 2011

In Living Color


This week, I'm turning these decorative
tissue paper sheets from blah to TADA!

These were used to wrap or line presents
given to us during the holidays.

Let's throw in this plastic bag, too.

Pick your favorite colors from the stack.
Run them through a shredder or make
strips using a pair of scissors.

Mix the strips to evenly distribute the colors,
then put them inside the plastic bag.
Spread them out evenly & flatten the package.

Fold & seal the edge with clear tape.

TADA! It's a pretty placemat!

Great for everyday snacking or make more for a party.
Wipe it with a damp cloth to clean and it
will be good for several uses.

21 February 2011

Remnants from the Holidays: Colorful Tissue


And I thought the holidays were over.

I have this pile of colorful tissue left
from the gifts we received at Christmas.
And you know me, throwing them away
is an unlikely option.

Look, I have these, too.
Crumpled, clear plastic bags.

Inspired by this project on Hello Sandwich,
here's what I did.

I turned the tissue into confetti.

Then transferred them into the
plastic bag.

I inserted a gift {wrapped in more tissue}
inside the "confetti bag" and tied the
mid-section with some ribbon.

TADA! Instant, festive gift wrap!
I like how the confetti moves around as
the gift is carried & can only imagine
the riotous confetti shower when the
recipient unwraps the gift!

18 February 2011

Color Coordinated


Happy Friday Everyone!

I guess it's pretty obvious that I have huge journal collection, each one brimming with thoughts and ideas. The other common thread is that most of these journals, I purchased at a clearance price-tag, received as a present or had gotten for free. So you can imagine what a circus it looks like inside a drawer or on a bookshelf:

Visually unappealing. So blah!

I hate to say it, but I'm already judging the
books by their cover.

Here's a simple solution:

Wrap them in some fancy paper.
{Can't go wrong with some glittery snake skin for
my gratitude journals; I'll use another
design for the rest.}

TADA!
A streamlined and more unified look.

Have a spectacular weekend!

17 February 2011

Think Positive


On my blog this week, it's all about pretty journals & how to
use them. Whether you fill it with recipes, notes or ideas,
these journals will hold all things important to you.

Here's another journal that I use everyday.
It's my gratitude journal.

I have one for every new year.

I fill it with positive quotes...

Life's little lessons...

God's promises & my daily prayers...

And most importantly, the blessings I
receive every day.

I believe that living a life of gratitude is TADA!

At the end of the year, I look through the journal and realize the many good things I've received. When I'm having a bad day or when I'm experiencing some self-doubt, all I need is to flip through these journals and instantly, the blah turns into TADA!

Have a nice day!