Black Patent Clutches

I love me a little black clutch. They are so versatile for a casual or dressy night out. I've made a few here, here and here.

But let's say you had a blah patent clutch in great need for a make-over. Here are several ideas we can use to make it TADA!:

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Add some polka-dots or fun sketches with a permanent marker in white or silver!

More inspiration boards tomorrow... until then, have a spectacular day!

Pretty Pillows

Hi there everyone! I hope you had a nice weekend. This week, I'm making a few inspiration boards for future gifting projects.

Today's theme is "throw pillows". They add color, comfort, and coziness to a couch or bed. Where I live, they can be quite pricey, so maybe I'll try my hand at making a few to give as wedding gifts or hostess presents.

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Here's how I'd make these my own:

1. Special Words - use a fabric pen and alphabet stencil {with the aid of a ruler} to write a favorite verse, family motto, or even wedding vows to a plain pillow cover.  
2. Print on print - add a hand-stamped image using craft stamps and fabric paint or silk-screen an image onto a printed cushion case. 
3. Black and white with a little bit of color - find a fabric with whimsical black and white images that will be sewed as a pillow cover. Color some areas of the images with fabric paint; allow to dry.
4. A favorite word in felt - choose a favorite word {like "love" or "joy" or "smile"}. Write this on felt and make a cut-out with precision scissors. Sew this onto a bright-colored pillow case.
5. Heart-y Party - add some color to a blah cushion cover by sewing on some felt or fabric cut-outs to make it TADA!

Friendly Felt

A final photo inspiration before we jump 

into the weekend:

Don't these greeting cards crack you up? They are characters made of felt that can be turned into magnets once the card is read. Blah to TADA!, if I should say so myself. Plus each one has a witty name: Umbrella Ella, Wesley Whip, Cup-Katie and Tequila Terry.

I would love to make these little toys with fabric remnants or felt scraps, embroidery thread, and stuffing from an old pillow or dryer lint. Hot glue a magnet at the back, or sew on a safety pin for a cute brooch for a little lady. The matching card can be recycled from an old gift box -- crafting and recycling at the same time!

Wishing you a very inspiring weekend!

Glue, Cut, Sketch

They say, you can find inspiration anywhere. It's really true and this week, I'm gathering creative cues from the greeting card aisle.

Here's one for a couple expecting a baby:

I love how this can be made using plain card stock and freehand cut-outs of clouds. The words are hand-written with a black pen and the innocent sketch can be be filled in with watercolor. The best part of this card is the pompom trim, secured around the card with hot glue.

Have a blissful Thursday!

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!