A Corsage for your Package

I take my own tote bag on shopping trips but

I still have plastic bags at home. I use them to

line our garbage cans...I know, there has to be

a more environment-friendly solution to this.

I set aside the most colorful ones.

They're awesome to turn

from blah to TADA!

This week, I'm turning them into

decorations for presents, like so:

Aren't they lovely?

Here's how you can make them at home:

Aside from the bags, you'll also need some cardboard

{I'm re-using these empty ribbon spools}, a stapler,

hot glue and scissors.

Fold each bag to make about a one-inch strip.

Staple one end to the cardboard and

twist the plastic bag into a coil.

As you do this, attach the underside

of the plastic to the cardboard using

a glue gun.

Here's what the coil will look like.

Repeat the process with another

plastic bag.

Now you have two!

If you still have space on the cardboard, add

another one or a few more coils or "flowers".

I think three is a good number.

{I had to trim the last plastic bag for it to fit}.

Add some leaves & some beads and trim any

cardboard that sticks out.

Then attach this to a wooden clothespin.

{I got a whole bag from the dollar store}.

Clip it like a corsage to brown paper packages,

to elevate them instantly from blah to TADA!

Gift Embellishments

Happy New Week Lovelies!

I hope you had a memorable weekend.

Do you remember this project?

I made a gift topper out of plastic bags.

With some upcoming birthdays and the holidays

fast approaching, I wanted to create a few

more of these gift embellishments.

Who doesn't love a beautifully-wrapped present?

I'm a sucker for beautiful gift wrap & ribbons

but they can be quite expensive. So I do the

next best thing: blah to TADA!

blah: a pink and green plastic bag

Draw circles on the pink plastic. Use different round objects

you can find at home (ex. yogurt container, cans,

jars, etc.) to make at least three

different-sized circles.

Cut around the circle, making sure to cut away

the ink marks.

Slide the edges of the plastic circle against the sharp side of

a pair of scissors {ideal position: your thumb, plastic circle,

scissors}. This will produce a soft curl, mimicking a petal.

Do this on four sides of each circle.

Layer the circles on top of each other,

biggest to smallest.

Then make leaves out of the green plastic bag.

Attach them together by hand stitching and

adding a pearl or bead at the center.

Now you've got a pretty flower. TADA!

Attach the flower to a clip {rescued from an old ID badge}

using hot glue. That way, this gift topper can be used

over and over again.

Just clip it directly to your gift or on a piece of

string or ribbon.

Encourage your friends to re-use this ribbon

or teach them how to make it!

Enjoy your day!

India-inspired

Yipee, yay, it's Friday!

This week, we came up with TADA!

solutions to answer the question,

"How can I recycle old jars?"

I've got one more idea up my sleeve:

blah: a lonely glass vase

blah: bold-colored tissue paper that were once

used as gift wrap

We're using this as inspiration: Indian block prints

from West Elm's latest collection

Trim the tissue paper to fit around the vase

{add an extra inch so we can glue the edges

together later on} and draw a pattern.

You can do this freehand or trace it from

a source. Finish with permanent ink.

TADA! Here's the red version.

A votive candle will make it glow.

Here's the blue version.

Add current design trends to your home

without spending a cent.

I think that's TADA!

Have a spectacular weekend!

Lots of Character

I've got this uber cute planner

decorated with Hello Kitty and her gang:

Of course it's made up of calendar pages but

there's a bonus at the back.

A few pages of stationery with perforations for easy tearing.

One side looks like gift wrap...

And the other side has a generous space

to write a thoughtful note.

But here's another way to use

these strips of fun paper.

Take out those blah jars hiding in

the cupboards.

Roll the paper and put it inside.

TADA! You've got yourself an

adorable jar!

Fill it with straws for your next

milk shake soiree.

Here's another idea:

Cut out your favorite designs & glue them on the jar.

Then you can fill them with lollipops

for your next kiddie party!

Go ahead and experiment with gift wrap

remnants too.

Enjoy your day!

Lacey Details

If you've been tuning in since Monday,

you may have observed that I'm at it again.

Recycling glass jars that is.

I know, I've crafted with them so many times

before. But isn't that what recycling is about?

Today, I'm using left-over lace from this project

and a few meters of tulle...

...which was really a garlic sack in its past life.

Allow the jar to fulfill its fantasy of becoming

a bride in a white dress.

{I guess they would have fantasies, right?}

All you need are scissors and a glue gun to put

this together.

Add a few herbs and use it as a

chic table decor in your next

celebration. TADA!

A Handmade Wedding Present

A big thank you for stopping by my blog today!

One of the gifts my husband and I got received

during our wedding a few years ago were

these glass cozies:

They were handmade by an aunt which

makes them extra, extra special.

How do you use them?

Just slip one on the bottom of a drinking glass.

It's decorative and works as a built in coaster.

So wherever you lay your glass, you'll avoid

those water marks on the table.

Isn't that TADA!?

If you're crochet savvy and want to make

your own, you'll find a similar pattern here.

Then I thought, these glass cozies can

turn old jars & bottles...

...from blah to TADA!

From simple, they're now...

spectacular!

A Vase Full of Flowers

Happy new week everyone!

Today's blah to TADA! transformation is

once again inspired by something

I found at John Derian's shop.

It's these votive holders made in Paris by

artist Geraldine Gonzalez.

Notice the tissue paper-like background,

gold rim and delicate design.

Here's my attempt at making

something similar:

blah: an old flower vase that sometimes doubles

as a candle holder.

blah: pink tissue paper saved from a

Victoria Secret package

Trim the tissue paper to fit around the vase

{and an extra inch of overlap} and draw or trace

your design on the center.

Take out the watercolors and paint away!

Once dry, gild the edges using a metallic gold pen

and a ruler.

Wrap this around the vase and attach

the edges with glue.

Even if this vase has no fresh flowers in it,

it's still very eye-catching.

Another option is to put a votive inside and

you'll have a blooming & glowing centerpiece

for the dinner table. TADA!