Old Books

Happy new week everyone!

I've been going through my bookshelf, putting aside the books that I'll forever keep and books that I'm ready to part with. I'm planning to donate these for others to enjoy. In this exercise, I've been thinking about books in general and how e-readers are slowly replacing books. Sigh. It makes me sad.

Books that are still in good shape need to be shared. Books that are missing some pages, well...that's a blah waiting to be a TADA!

This week, I'll be sharing some ideas on how to reuse books. They aren't my ideas but I assure you that by Friday, I'll do some crafty recycling, okay?

Today's idea came from the brilliant mind of {Oprah's} interior designer Nate Berkus:

image via The Nate Show

TADA! A coffee table made of books & a tray.

image via The Nate Show

TADA! A desk created from two stacks

of books and a piece of glass.

Talk about space saving & versatile.

Genius, right?

Your Very Own Printed Tape

It's been a week since the tragic earthquake

and tsunami in Japan.

Before I share a blah to TADA! craft today,

join me in a prayer?

A Prayer After the Earthquake in Japan

Lord, at times such as this,

when we realize that the ground beneath our feet

is not as solid as we had imagined,

we plead for Your mercy.

As the things we have built crumble about us,

we know too well how small we truly are

on this ever-changing, ever-moving,

fragile planet we call home.

Yet You have promised never to forget us.

Do not forget us now.

Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster.

Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still,

and shelter them under Your wings when homes no longer exist.

Embrace in Your arms those who died so suddenly.

Console the hearts of those who mourn,

and ease the pain of those left behind.

For though the mountains leave their place

and the hills be tossed to the ground,

Your love shall never leave us,

and Your promise of peace will never be shaken.

Amen.

My printed tape collection is a result of trips

to craft stores, a little shop in Chinatown &

Japanese stationery stores.

Let's say you can't find any in your

favorite haunts or think they're too expensive,

it's not the end of the world.

I'll teach you how to make your own.

All you need are plain masking tape & colorful markers.

Cut the tape to size & go wild with your own patterns!

Let them dry for several minutes.

TADA! Your own artwork!

Use them as you would commercially-printed tape.

Have a delightful weekend!

Pretty Jars

Thanks for stopping by again today!

This week, it's all about printed tape and how

I use these to transform blah to TADA!

I got this cheerful set of Japanese Washi tape

or Happy Tape at West Elm.

Even better, I got it at 50% off the original price.

Woot! Woot!

blah: an empty jam jar

TADA!: a vase with character

This is a fun & easy way to make old bottles

come back to life.

You've Got Mail

Reusing is the trend on my blog and printed tape

is this week's theme.

I found this pack of bird-print tape at the

dollar bin of Michaels early this year.

Birds on a wire -- cute, eh?

I'm reusing a padded envelope - cut in half to remove

the address labels, glued together to make a new envelope

and then, embellished with the tape!

Just right for a gift & thoughtful note

to be mailed to a special birthday girl!

Can blah to TADA! be any easier?!

I've Got it Covered

Today, I have another blah to TADA! project

using printed tape:

I found this decorative packing tape at a Japanese goods store.

{There were many colors available and I controlled myself

by getting just this red one.}

blah: A generic notebook with a

sad, sad cover.

But nothing that tape cannot fix.

{I like that it can easily peel off if it wasn't

positioned correctly.}

TADA!: A useful notebook with a noteworthy cover!

Printed Tape

Hello & happy Monday!

In the past year or so, design & craft blogs have been raving

about printed tape. And how could I not join the fan club?

These stickies are adorable!

This week, I'll show you how I use these beauties.

Blah: empty mint tins

Step 1: Cover the top & bottom with blank sticker labels

{these disguise the words on the packaging}

Step 2: Cover the tin with tape, starting from the outside

going in. Fold edges & crease neatly.

Step 3: Tape both top & bottom sides.

TADA!: Printed tins that can be used for small items like

vitamins/prescriptions, jewelry or hair clips.

Have an awesome day!

Soft Blooms

Have you been inspired by the many things

you can do with pompoms?

It all began with an empty ribbon spool that I

turned into a pompom maker, plus a stash

of neglected yarn.

Well, now they're ready to paint the town red.

From blah, they're now TADA!

Don't they remind you of freshly-picked flowers

sitting in a vase?

Or more like pens in cup?

Dress up regular office pens with these fun pompoms!

{Attach them to the caps with hot glue.}

Just imagine if these were waiting at

the dentist's office right before

you filled out your forms.

Won't it make your day?

Thanks for visiting and please have

a joyful weekend!