A New York State of Mind

Some years ago, I went to a different kind of exhibit

in a unique location.

The mobile museum was this spacecraft-like structure

in the middle of New York's Central Park.

Inside, installations, sculpture & interactive

experiences inspired by Chanel bags.

{The travelling exhibit was put together to celebrate

the 50th anniversary of Coco Chanel’s iconic

2.55 quilted leather purse.}

I couldn't take photos inside,

but each guest received this:

A magazine showcasing the process of

building this Zaha Hadid-designed art space.

And because this was being held in New York, the

pages were filled with gorgeous black & white

photos of the city:

South Street Seaport & the buildings

surrounding Wall Street

The Brooklyn Bridge

The Empire State Building

I was so smitten with this image, I put it in a frame.

And because I already had the frame,

I didn't spend a thing. TADA!

FAN-tastic!

This week, I'm rounding-up inspiration to

dress up blank walls in any living space.

Today, it's all about items with a practical

purpose but assigned with a more

noble calling, of becoming art.

A dear friend sent me this card from her trip

to South Korea. It's a fan and I think it's pretty.

I positioned it in a frame and TADA!,

it's artwork!

Here's another fan made of paper that I bought

in Chinatown. It was only $1.00.

I like how it folds compactly to the size of

a pen. I also like the art on it

inspired by nature.

It deserved to be framed too!

Can you tell, I'm a big fan of fans?

Framed Greetings

Hello there!

Blank walls can be blah but there

are many easy and creative ways

to make them TADA!

I bought this greeting card from

Melanie Linder at the Renegade Craft Fair.

I really like the message.

Don't we all hope and work hard

to have a happy home?

It's so special, it's worthy to be framed.

Some experts say art should have meaning to you.

I couldn't agree more!

Affordable Art

Do you have empty walls in your home or apartment?

Let's face it, artwork can be expensive

and not a lot of us are ready to make

the investment.

This week, I have a some suggestions

on dressing up those blah walls.

This is a postcard I picked up at a department store's

carpet section. It advertises British fashion designer

Paul Smith's wall hanging called "Love Too".

If you're a fan of Sex and the City, you'll recognize

the actual wall hanging in Carrie Bradshaw's

renovated apartment {from the first movie}:

via my little boudior

Here's another one called "Love" also

by the same designer.

Here's a coaster I found at the Renegade Craft Fair

from the Sesame Letterpress booth.

Here's how I turned them from blah to TADA!:

I trimmed the postcard to fit a frame.

Same for this one.

I removed the glass from this frame and glued

the coaster on scrapbook paper. There's

a 3-D effect going on.

Arrange the frames on one wall for a "love fest"

or display them in different parts of your home...

because it's always nice to spread the love.

TADA!

Name Plates

Happy Friday!

This week's stars are these alphabet cookie cutters

that I bought for less than US$5.00. If I got a

brand new set, I would have spent at least $10.00.

When I was paying for it, the shopkeeper asked,

"What would you use these for?"

Well, If he visited my blog, he'd have many

answers. And I didn't even use them

for baking cookies.

Today's craft, lovely name plates, again makes use

of salt dough. You can find how to make the dough in

Wednesday's post.

I made these rectangles by cutting the dough with a knife.

I also cut out letters {spell out names or favorite words}

using the cookie cutters. Attach the letters to the

rectangle with water {applied with a fine tip paintbrush}.

With a toothpick, I made holes on the four edges.

Place these on a cookie sheet and bake for two hours

in a preheated 250 degree oven.

After it cools, you're ready to paint:

Make sure to hit the nooks and crannies

and apply several coats of paint.

Here's how I would use it:

Sew it on a plain canvas bag.

This is an easy way to stay organized -- make one for

each member of the family. One that he or she can bring to

daycare, school, the office, the gym, dance class or art lessons.

Instead of names, you can also assign tasks like

"laundry", "toys", "books" or "knit & sew".

I hope you liked my ideas this week.

Have a wonderful weekend, okay?

Golden Pendants

How's it going?

I hope you're having an excellent week.

Today, I've lined up these thrift shop-find cookie cutters

for another task.

Similar to yesterday's TADA!, we're using

salt dough to make some pendants.

After the salt dough has been rolled out, I cut out

some circles using a 3 1/2 cm diameter cookie cutter.

Then I cut out a few letters.

It's important that you dip your cookie cutters in

flour before putting them into the dough to avoid

these from sticking.

I apply a little water {with a fine-tip paint brush}

to the back of the letter and lay it on the circle cutout.

This process makes the letter adhere to the circle.

I make a hole on top of the circle with a toothpick.

The circles sit on a cookie sheet, then baked for

two hours in a preheated 250 degree oven.

This is what they look like after baking.

Once cooled, paint them any color you wish.

I'm using metallic gold again so

they resemble real jewelry.

At least 3 coats of paint is necessary.

Add a ribbon {or chain} through the hole,

make a knot and TADA!, you've

got yourself a pretty necklace!

Use this as a party favor for older children, teens or

your best girlfriends!

Faux Ceramics

Ready for another craft project?

All this week, these alphabet cookie cutters are

showcasing their versatility. I got them at

a bargain price while treasure-hunting at

the Housing Works thrift store in New York.

Remember the holiday cards I made last year?

Enclosed is a heart-shaped ornament that can

be hung on a tree or around a door knob.

I made it out of salt dough and today,

I think it's time to play with salt dough again!

Here's how:

We'll need these ingredients.

Mix ingredients together until a dough is formed.

Add more water if the dough isn't coming together or

add flour little by little if the dough is too sticky.

Knead the dough on a floured board until it's smooth and elastic.

Roll out the dough with a rolling pin dusted with flour.

Roll until the dough is 1/4 inch thick.

Cut desired shapes with a cookie cutter dipped in flour.

Today, I'm using circles, 7 cm in diameter.

Then make indentations in the center with

your favorite letter {dip cutters in flour}.

Slowly take out the cutters.

I'm making small bowls with the letter

used as a monogram.

To achieve the "dome" of the bowl,

carefully transfer the dough circle to the back

of a small tart tin or the back of a muffin tin

{should be smaller than the dough circle}.

Make sure to grease the back of the tins with

vegetable oil so the dough doesn't stick to it

while baking. Also, the monogram should be

facing the back of the tin.

Put these on a cookie sheet.

Bake in a preheated 250 degree oven for 2 hours.

When done, allow to cool.

Here's what the mini monogram bowls look like. TADA!

I painted them in a metallic gold.

They're quite imperfect and lopsided, almost like a

beginner made them on a potter's wheel.

It clearly tells the recipient it's handmade.

This makes a thoughtful anniversary present

where the couple can rest their wedding bands.

It holds the jewelry you wear everyday and you can

take it when travelling because it's light & unbreakable.