Gingerbread Houses

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving celebration. The Christmas season is upon us and many of you may be crossing out your gift lists this super shopping weekend, or staying home to begin decorating.

If you fancy something crafty with the kids, here's an idea:

Make your own gingerbread houses! Instead of the cookie and candy kind, make some that will last for years to come. And throw in some recycling by using blah cardboard like empty cereal or tissue boxes. Paint them, glue them together, embellish with stickers and paper cutouts, then shower with glitter.

Here are a few more:

 Make one.

 Or two.

Or an entire village. 

Put these on the table in the foyer or atop a mantle.

Have each child make her/his own. 

Or make one for your tree or one
to wrap presents.

Have an exciting weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving

We're celebrating Thanksgiving in the US today. 

I want to wish you all a "Happy Thanksgiving" and take a moment for some of the things I am very grateful for:

• For good health and the ability to wake up to a brand new day, everyday.
• For safety and warmth during Hurricane Sandy -- we lost power for one week, and even if we had the inconvenience of no hot water for showering or a heater for cold evenings, or the frills of life like cable and internet, I'm blessed to have a home to go back to.
• For the kindness of strangers, especially those who continue to volunteer to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
• For the opportunity to share ideas and small steps to help the environment through this blog.
• For all the visitors and regular readers of my blog who inspire me to turn blah to TADA! 

A Home for Pins & Needles

Thank you for visiting me today! Here's another photo for a potential blah to TADA! craft project:

I found these rainbow pin cushions at Grey's Fabric and Notions. They make fun wall/door decorations or maybe a tree ornament, too, if you're not a sewing enthusiast.

This is a good way to turn scrap fabrics or old t-shirts that are blah into something TADA! Find a similar tutorial here.

Postal Memories

One photo is all it takes for a light bulb moment to happen. That's why I like to hang out on Pinterest and Instagram -- they're a treasure-trove of visual ideas!

Today's photo of the day is something I found at Boston's SoWA Vintage Market:  

It's a memory box with a postal theme. The elements: the door of an apartment mailbox, a skeleton key to open the mailbox, a postal stamp, and an airmail envelope with the apartment's address. 

I love it for sentimental reasons -- it celebrates your first home as a single adult, a couple that moved in together or got married. It's an artsy reminder of independence and happy memories made within four walls. 

Now I don't suggest that you tear down your mailbox for this blah to TADA! project. Instead, you can use a photo or watercolor painting of your building or house. Another option is to recreate the numbers of your address with vintage brass numerals. Also, find a map of your town and include this your memory box.

    

Just Photos

Hi there! Do you agree with me that looking at photos can spark some inspiration for crafty projects? I like to take a lot of pictures, wherever I am, because I know I'll find use for them in the future.

So this week, it's about a single photo a day, starting with this one:

It's a wooden box that's blah. With minimal elbow grease, it's been transformed to a display case for handmade jewelry...TADA!

I spotted this at a booth in Boston's SoWA open market last month. I love its simplicity and functionality. The owner didn't even bother to paint the box -- chipped paint on the outside and the inside is left raw. I liked how the owner added these wooden rows, making use of yard/meter sticks from the hardware store. They're cut to fit the box and attached to it using small nails. A line of tiny holes are drilled at the bottom to hang the dangle-y earrings. Also, a hinge was attached to keep the box open.

I think this is a great idea to organize your personal jewelry at home, or for you crafty folks ready to sell your masterpieces for the holidays. Have a productive day everyone!
     

Pucci-Inspired

Happy Friday friends!

A final make-over for brown paper bags

that are looking a little blah.

Today, I'm using a design that's quite iconic:

These are prints by Emilio Pucci. They're geometric and vibrant.

Now, let's work on the paper bag:

Start with a pencil sketch.

Then assign some color {I used watercolors}.

Here's the blah to TADA! reveal:

I hope you like it as much as I do.

Have a sensational weekend!

Metallic Prints

Well, hello there! This week, it's all about DIY gift bags. They're made of blah brown paper bags, and with just some paint, they become TADA!

Today, this paper bag's up for a transformation.

My inspiration -- these metallic prints by Oh Joy available here.

Another good source of designs/patterns are books from the library.

I covered the brand name with a metallic pen.

Then I added more elements using the same

pen and some silver paint.

TADA! Same paper bag but with a new look.

Put a gift inside {wrapped in metallic tissue}...

...and this bag is ready for festive fun!