A Basket in Bloom

Easter is this Sunday. And if you're into egg hunts and Easter baskets, I have a handful of ideas just for you.

This is today's inspiration. 

I'll give this empty yogurt container a make-over. 

Here's a collection of varying shades of pink paper gathered from gift wrapping and package stuffing. A ribbon, clear tape, scissors, and glue (white glue and hot glue) are the other materials we need. 

 Cut the paper into different sized petals.

Make sure there's at least a pair of each size.

Wrap the yogurt container in a sheet of plain paper to cover the busy design. Secure the paper to the container with tape or glue. Then, one by one, add the "petals".  

Add them alternately, keeping in place with clear tape, then reinforcing with a little bit of glue. 

 

When attaching the "petals", don't stretch them too much. Loosen them so the top folds will look natural.

 TADA! An Easter basket that resembles a rose!

Glue on some ribbon which becomes the handle. 

 Fill it with Easter eggs collected from the hunt.

Making a basket is all part of the fun!

Easter Baskets

Happy Monday! After that outdoorsy break last week, I'm back, getting my craft on. 

When you have allergies like I do, a box of tissue must be within arm's reach. When I replenish my stash at the supermarket, blah to TADA! transformations are always in my mind. That's why aside from softness and price, an attractive box is also part of the criteria in choosing which tissue to buy.   

Once this blah box is empty, here's what it can become:

An Easter basket! TADA!

I cut off the top of the box and trimmed it to yield two rectangles. These become the handles of the basket, secured in place with lots of hot glue. 

I added some ribbon to trim the top and lower half of the box for added color, and to conceal the brand name.

Add some decorative tissue paper or a plastic bag in a solid color to line the inside of the basket.

This basket is ready for an Easter egg hunt,

don't you agree?

Wishing you a colorful day!

Flower Power

Yay, it's finally Friday! I hope you enjoyed the week.

 Spring is in the air and you'll find flowers everywhere.

No need to look that hard:

Bangles at Forever 21

Hand towels at Anthropologie

A new wardrobe from Anthropologie

Festive dresses at Anthropologie

Bed linen from Ikea

Table cloths from Ikea

Paper table napkins from Ikea

Ceramic plates with floral motifs at Ikea

Glass dinnerware from Ikea

Pretty floral drinking glasses also from Ikea

Food storage containers from Fishs Edy

Please add some flowers in your life -- they turn the every day from blah to TADA! 

Have a blooming weekend!

Sweets and Spring

I'm taking a little spring break from crafting, but that doesn't mean a lack of inspirations. Today, I'm taking you to New York City's Upper East Side.

I thought it TADA! to make a pilgrimage to Laduree's first flagship store in the US.

Laduree is the well-loved Parisian patisserie.  

They sell tiny sweets like chocolates, even packaged tea 

and marmalade.

However, their macarons are the reason for long line at the store. Macarons are skillfully made bite-size confections in pretty pastel shades, with a slight crunch and delicate flavor.

Within the store, there is also a section with gifts such as candles, scarves, and stationery. 

I think the boxes themselves are enough reason to make a purchase! 

I didn't want to be too indulgent, just a small paper bag for me. 

With two macaron flavors: caramel with fleur de sel and cherry blossom. I took these with me to Central Park.

This is Central Park at this time of the year. 

The trees have awakened from their winter slumber. 

 How lucky is this statue, to be surrounded with a cloud of pink!

Cherry blossoms overhead

 The flowers up close

 I joined these picnickers...

Took in this view...

...and got a taste of spring under a canopy of blooms.

And that's how my day went from blah to TADA!

I wish you a TADA! day too.

Springtime in the Market

Today, I'm taking you to a popular spot in New York City.

Friends, welcome to Union Square! It's a park, a gathering place, an area where events and even protests are staged, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the Union Square Farmer's Market is open. 

The tents are filled with locally grown produce. 

There's also artwork for sale.

There are more vendors in the summer offering vibrant fruits and vegetables.

In autumn, the abundant goods match the colors of the season. 

During winter, leafy greens perfect for a stew, juicy red apples and cups of warm cider chase the frost away.

But in the spring, fragrant blooms are the star:

Don't these flowers instantly brighten your mood?

Have a lovely day!