Cuteness Overload

When time allows it, I like making my own birthday cards. I send them to a select number of friends every year. And every year, I am rewarded with grateful texts or e-mails all because of a simple gesture.

A walk down the card aisle has given me lots of inspiration for the birthday cards I'll soon be making. Here are more pictures:

How lovable are these animals/creatures bearing gifts? I especially love the googley eyes! Maybe I'll incorporate some of these eyes in a card for a goddaughter's birthday or for a little fella turning a year older.

These cupcakes can't be eaten but they last without refrigeration! Let's make our own with jewel stickers, glitter paper, and micro-beads glued on cardboard. Just what you need for a birthday -- sweetness and sparkle!

For Baby

I've secretly taken some photos of cute cards at the greeting card section. Okay, so maybe my paparazzi attempt isn't so secret since there are surveillance cameras all over the store. But I tried to be as discreet as possible, I promise!

Here's what I have for 'ya today: 

It's a congratulatory card for parents of a baby boy. I think we can create something similar with plain card stock. Colors can be added to the card using paint, the edges achieved with scallop scissors, and the salutation with a marker. The bunny slippers is a blah to TADA! sewing project. Make them with old towels or kiddie bibs that have seen better days. Eyeball a pattern, cut, tuck, fold and then sew! Hand-stitch the faces using black embroidery thread, and attach to the card with hot glue.  So adorable, yes?

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!