Part of the Family

Plastic is still very much part of our daily life.

Because total elimination is not yet an option,

let's put plastic to good use.

blah: a plastic & Styrofoam take-away container

Let's use the black Styrofoam plate today.

TADA! It's frame to hold silhouettes for members of the family -- people or pets!

Learn how to make your own silhouettes here. Add a ribbon {attached with hot glue} for easy and decorative hanging.

A Few Cartoon Characters

Okay, I admit, today's idea is recycled from yesterday.

I just have to show you that even if plastic bags are

blah and are a big threat to the environment,

their use can be extended.

blah: plastic bags with cute character prints

TADA!: turn them into padded envelopes! Instructions here.

Perfect for mailing presents to children.

I quite like this Hello Kitty-print plastic bag.

I was able to make two small padded envelopes out of it. TADA!

Plastic Recycling Projects

Hello Lovelies!

I hope the weekend was kind to you.

This week, I'm back to recycling plastic bags.

I've been doing my best to bring my own canvas bags

to the store but I found this stash in the coat closet:

blah: plastic shopping bags

I love the bright colors be it plain or printed. So I decided to make more padded envelopes. I can never have too many -- I use them to mail little parcels within the country and even across the world.

First, I made a pouch using left-over bubble wrap, the three edges sealed with tape. I added some glue on both sides to allow the plastic bag {now cut to size} to adhere to the bubble wrap:

TADA! Fashionable padded envelopes in a cool graphic.

TADA! The fun colors will guarantee smiles...even if the package hasn't been opened yet!

From Plain to Printed

Thanks for your visit today!

Maybe like me, you have some bags that

you haven't used in awhile.

You can either sell them, give them away

or give them a face lift. Who knows what

new potential is waiting to be unleashed?

I attended a Real Simple event last year and

received freebies stuffed inside this bag.

You can see that the brand name is peeling away.

Well, I went ahead & peeled some more until

the bag was all blank & white.

With the help of a stencil, pencil & marker,

I created a print for my white bag.

From plain blah, it's now printed TADA!

Have a sweet weekend!

Instant Monogram Tote

Hey there! So nice to see you today.

I'm giving some blah bags a make-over and

today's inspiration comes from here:

via who what wear

These bags are quite expensive and my wallet has no

plans to get one. However, I'm really drawn to the

bright stripe and the initials.

I think these elements would be perfect to

spruce up this old, blah bag:

It's a Nine West bag that was well used because of

the versatility of color, roomy interior and

assortment of pockets inside.

Ready for the TADA!?

TADA!!!

Hot glue a fun grosgrain ribbon, initials made from felt

and a matching tassel!

This bag's ready for Spring!

This Old Sack

One way to save money & be eco-friendly is to

buy household needs in bulk.

We like to buy a sack of rice & have it handy when

we're in the mood for some Asian or Latin cuisine.

And how cool that the sack is both striking & sturdy:

But I know it can even be more TADA!...

...with some festive embellishments like strands of yarn,

pompoms, sequins, flowers & a cute elephant pin.

Use this to store current craft projects

{ex. scrapbooking, knitting, etc.}

or to carry a bunch of magazines.

Have a nice day!

Canvas + Leather

It's all about bag make-overs this week.

And let me tell you, I've been obsessing over

canvas bags with leather trim:

via Infusion

via cryptictextures

via buckaroousa

Aren't these fabulous?

Pretty yet utilitarian & fashionably laid back.

I found this blah bag at the top of my closet:

It's canvas with a cute print in the inside flap.

I bought it at Target some years ago

and very rarely used it.

Inspired by the above combinations,

here's how I made it TADA!:

I added a leather closure that I bought from the sewing

supplies shop {alternatively, you can re-use an old belt}.

Attach it to the bag by sewing.

I might change the strap to match the closure later on.

But now, the bag has a little bit of attitude,

ready to be used on a regular basis!