Photo Inspiration

Happy Monday Lovelies!

Last week, I found myself at the greeting card aisle of my neighborhood department store.  It's not very often that I make a stop here since I like making my own cards, or sometimes, I get them at a warehouse sale.

This week, I'll show you some of the cards that caught my eye. Maybe we can use them as inspiration for future card making?

Doesn't the addition of balloons make any celebration extra fun? Make balloon shapes and letter cut-outs from gift wrap remnants and glue these to card stock. Embellish with yarn/colorful string and shiny stickers.   

Here's another option for a friend who's bag-obsessed:

Replicate these little bags using colored paper or magazine pages. Make two-dimensional ones with felt or fabric scraps. Strips of cord or ribbon ends act as the handles, and bling-y stickers fancy them up. Take note that the edges of the card were run through a sewing machine for added flavor.

Don't you think these are TADA!? See ya'all tomorrow!

The Power of Paint

Hooray, it's Friday!

All this week, I featured projects from the September issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Here's a final turn of the pages, in case you're fancying a home make-over. 

All you need is some bold paint color.

Liven up a closet with the shade of sunshine.

A punchy statement in the bathroom with a 

painted dresser and colorful floor tile.

Afraid to commit to a vibrant color? Then focus

on a corner like the foyer, hallway, or bar area.

Whatever your plans are, I hope you'll

have lots of fun this weekend!

Pompom Party

Happy Thursday!

Last year, I made a few pompoms with yarn I found in a garage sale, and cardboard rings detached from a ribbon spool. I turned my pompoms into a key chain, dressed up a beanie, and provided a colorful head of hair to some pens.

What a pleasant surprise to see pompoms in the September issue of the Martha Stewart Living Magazine! 

The editors have provided sophisticated ways to use pompoms, like adding an unexpected element to throw pillows. 

Or to add color and dimension to a lamp shade.

Decorate desk-top storage canisters with pompoms.

And heighten the soft and cuddly factor to a 
blanket by adding giant ones! 

There's also a pompom tutorial and a lesson 

on the different kinds of yarn you can use,

which I think is TADA!

Bowls and Dishes

I love magazines! At the airport, I'll while away the time at the magazine shop. When I'm at the bookstore, the magazine section is where I spend a good amount of time. I usually flip through the pages to decide if I'll buy them. If not, I'll speedily read through the articles I like, and leave without purchase, saving me $5.00.

The September 2012 issue of Martha Stewart, I just had to buy. There are wonderful ideas and recipes that I want to try.

If you have some bowls and dishes that are hiding in the cupboard, why not experiment with these:

Turn them into footed bowls to keep 

frequently-used jewelry.

Assign several for appetizers and dip.

Or use them to display desserts. 

Keep some by the sink in the 

kitchen or bathroom. 

Put the pieces together with adhesive. 

You'll find some that I made here, here, here, and here. 

An easy blah to TADA! that will allow 

neglected dining pieces to shine. 

Playing with Prints

Thanks for dropping by today!

I've been perusing the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living, and I'm really enjoying the articles and how-to's in each page.

Here are some projects that are right up my blah to TADA! alley: 

Glam up your blank walls {great for dorm rooms} with textile wall art made of fabric scraps and canvas/artist's panels. Simply attach the fabric onto the panel using a staple gun. Hang it on your wall, and you're done! 

This is my version using an old but well-loved t-shirt.

Another cool idea from the magazine is to add visual interest to your staircase...with wallpaper! Who says wallpaper is only for walls?

And because I love discovering lovely little shops in New York City, I'll be visiting the ones that Kevin Sharkey frequents in his article, "Love at First Sight".

See you tomorrow!

Martha Stewart Living, The September Issue

September has arrived, goodness me, the year is flying by so quickly!

One of the things I like about September are the magazines. You can guarantee that Vogue and InStyle have September as their thickest issue of the year. They're brimming with autumn's latest looks as the fall/winter seasons are finding their way to our doorstep, plus lots of product and lifestyle advertisements. 

Here's one that isn't as thick, but I'm loving the features in every page. Because sometimes, when you pick up a magazine, not all the articles are meant for you, don't you agree?

It's the Martha Stewart Living, September 2012 issue. 

"The Home Issue" and "Bold Color" are what sealed the deal for me. Likewise, the cover is very vibrant and engaging. Martha looks so laid back as she fulfills her grandmotherly duties to Jude, the daughter of her only daughter, Alexis.  

The crafting/DIY section always gets my top priority. The editors always come up with brilliant ideas that aren't all that difficult to do.  

This month, they take inspiration from luxury bags and make their version using the tromp l'oeil technique. Clip art is printed on fabric transfers, ironed on blah canvas bags, and TADA!, attractive satchels!

The same technique is used to dress up a plain t-shirt by adding sunglasses, a charm necklace, and a faux collar. 

And it works on bangles, too! The rope, chain, and cord designs are applied using decoupage. 

If you visit the Martha Stewart website to get the instructions and clip-art for these projects, here are some bonus ideas:

via Martha Stewart

Shoe clips

via Martha Stewart

Earrings with matching gift box

Another reason I bought a copy is because there's a house tour of Alexis' apartment:

It's minimalist and sleek, but still warm and inviting.

 Her mid-century furniture were purchased from 

vintage shops and on-line sources like 1stdibs.

Even if she comes across as strong and feisty, she is

a domestic queen like her mother. Here is her

modern kitchen where she bakes indulgent 

treats and cooks healthy meals. 

She has two children, Jude {17 months} and 

Truman {5 months}, but she'll never show

their faces to the camera!

Oh, and did you know that she has a blog?

More Martha tomorrow!

Looks Like Candy

Hooray, we made it to Friday!

 Yesterday, I made this pastel-hued necklace from a

blah necklace of wooden beads. All I did was paint

the beads, and added a few plastic ones to 

create something TADA!

I had a few extra beads left, so here's what I did:

I strung them on a piece of wire, looping the

wire at the ends to prevent the beads from

slipping off and...

 ...to accommodate strips of ribbon that 

will act as the strap.

 TADA! Another necklace!

 They remind me of candy on a string.

The bow at the back adds an 

ultra-feminine touch.

May you have a colorful Labor Day weekend!