Halloween Decorations

Happy Monday! I've been taking a lot of quiet walks lately. I'm liking the comfortable chill, and I'm loving that the colors of the leaves are slowly changing into their autumn best.

Orange against a blue sky...breathtakingly TADA! I hope the leaves hang-out on the trees as long as possible because I think barren trees are blah.

I come across lots of twigs during my walks. I think they make wonderful crafting materials for Halloween. Here are some ideas from magazines that I put together to show you how twigs can turn from blah to TADA!:

via Martha Stewart

via Better Homes and Gardens

via Martha Stewart

via Good Housekeeping

via Good Housekeeping

via Good Housekeeping

Whether you use these twigs to display Halloween characters like bats and birds, or use them to display Halloween treats, they are sure to add a spooky surprise in your home. Have a nice day!

To those in the US East Coast, wishing you warmth and safety as Hurricane Sandy approaches.

Wrapped in Lace

Hey, hey, it's already Friday! Woohoo!

Today, let's give this blank sheet of paper

a mini make-over. 

Using this genius crafty device, blah will become TADA!:

The blank sheet is now looking fancy with a lace pattern.

All because the craft punch can be placed anywhere 

around the page {less wasted space}!

Together with some tissue paper and baker's twine, we

can use this to wrap presents!

The white over-lay reminds me of eyelet dresses

I used to wear as a child.

Graceful texture and peek-a-boo color 

{go ahead, choose another shade or 

something with print + pattern} 

A TADA! idea for holiday gift wrap!

Have a delightful weekend, everyone.

An Easy-to-Make Gift Box

Happy Thursday!

This gift to self has proven to be a smart purchase. I've used it to make different kinds of stationery. Let's see how we can use it to embellish a plain box.

First, we'll need to make the box. We'll need two sheets of paper, ideally card stock. Trim both sheets to make an 8 inch by 8 inch square.

Position a ruler on top of the page. At the 2 inch mark, mark the paper from top to bottom by scoring {use a bone folder, popsicle stick or a pen with no ink, with the aid of another ruler}. Do the same at the 6 inch mark. Rotate the paper 90 degrees. Score again at the 2 inch and 6 inch mark. You'll have what appears to be a tic-tac-toe pattern.  

Make slits {with scissors}  at the four edges and fold. 

 Glue the edges together and TADA! -- the box bottom is made!

Do the same for the other sheet but don't assemble it yet. 

This is the top of the box that we'll decorate using the craft punch. Position the paper in between the top and bottom parts of the craft punch, let the magnets click, and press down {works best on a hard surface}.

 Once the design is made, link the edges together to form the box. Seal with glue.

 A gift box that's easy to make...TADA!

Tuck the gift in colored tissue paper for an element of surprise,

and to keep it from moving around inside the box.

Use the gift tag we made on Monday to add a sweet message.

How's that for blah to TADA!?

Lattice Work

So lovely to see you today!  

Take a look at these note cards. They're a set by Vera Wang. I found them at a sample sale and I have no intention of using them. Is that evil of me? They're too pretty to part with. The delicate laser-cut details make me weak in the knees. Sigh. They're the ones you tack on your mood board to be used as a muse for a dress, a bag, a cake...the list is endless!

So that I don't appear too selfish, I made a version of this card {that I can give away} in my own blah to TADA! manner:

 Here's my little masterpiece...TADA!

I made this out of blah scrap paper and a TADA! tool:

...the Martha Stewart  "punch around the page" 

craft punch!

It's easy to use and has sharp "teeth".

Because the top part of the craft punch can be separated

from the bottom part {they attach with magnets}, 

it's easy to play around with it on a sheet of paper.  

Here's the lattice detail that I achieved using the craft punch.

I trimmed the edges with a pair of scissors and

made a triple fold to produce a 

cute DIY note card!

Lacey Envelope

When I feel I deserve a little treat, I like to buy crafting supplies. Why, it's an excuse to go to the craft store! Crafting supplies are gifts that keep on giving. I buy it for me but I make things to give away. 

Here's one of my most recent purchases -- a Martha Stewart "punch all over the page" craft punch. 

It's made of two pieces. All you have to do is put the paper in between the pieces and punch away. 

Unlike other craft punches that limit the punches to the edges, this one can be positioned anywhere on the paper.  

I'm turning this blah yellow sheet into an envelope.

I finished the sides with scallop scissors

and glued two edges together.

Now, this postcard I got from Little Otsu

has a pretty home.

TADA!

This is what the same card looks like

on the flip side.

I'm ready to write a heartfelt note

and give it to a dear friend.

Have a nice day!

Creative Craft Punch

Happy Monday! Apologies for the lack of crafting here in my blog. This week, I will remedy that. First, let me show off my new toy:

It's a Martha Stewart craft punch. 

 It's heftier than the smaller craft punches I own.

And this one comes in two pieces. Magnets hold them

together to make the cut-out design.

Here's a little demo:

Position a sheet of paper on top of the base.

Allow the top of the punch to hover over the base

until the top and bottom magnets attract each other, 

locking the craft punch into position.

Another trick is to match the angled edges of

top and bottom pieces {the other three sides 

of the top and bottom are curved}, then

press down the punch on a hard surface.

Here's what the design looks like. TADA!

Since the punch comes in two separate pieces, it's

easier to add the design anywhere on the page.

In fact this craft punch is called

"punch all over the page".

Today, I'll cut out around the cut-out with scissors.

As an added detail, I curved the edges with 

a corner craft punch.

I folded some blah scrap paper in half and

curved the sides as well. 

I attached the cut-outs to the cover with a glue stick.

Instantly, I have all-occasion gift tags.

TADA!