Flowers for My Books

Daffodils are this week's theme. I'm crafting ways to preserve their beauty long after they've moved on to that garden in heaven.

Of course I've taken many, many pictures.

While they're at their peak...

...and even as they start to dry up.

And because I want to practice my watercolor skills, 

I've been attempting to paint them.

Here's the result of one session.

Once dry, I cut around the flower.

I'll use it as a bookmark.

Sometimes, I like to mark more than one page.

Now, who wouldn't want a book to look like that? TADA!

Hand-painted and Handwritten

Do you like having flowers in your home?

I really do! I promised myself to have flowers as often as I can {where are I live, flowers can be pricey}. They really enhance my mood -- they bid me goodbye when I leave, provide a cheerful welcome when I come home, and keep me company when I'm around.

The reality about flowers is they wither and die. 

So blah.

That's the reason I'm capturing them through watercolor. I must say, I like the daffodils when they're a little wilted at the edges...adds character.

Today's painting is a Thank You card that's travelling across the world where daffodils don't grow. I hope that my friend who receives it will fall in love with daffodils, too.

Delightful Daffodils

Howdy! How are you today? It's still a bit chilly in my side of the world and that means I can't ditch the winter wardrobe just yet.  But look at what nature surprised me with:

The daffodils have sprouted!

I wanted to bring the sunshine indoors -- I bought two bunches from the supermarket {only $1.49 a bunch}. Whenever I see them, I feel happy. 

I think Mother Nature created the daffodil as the town crier, declaring to all the world, "Spring is here". With its vibrant yellow outfit and prominent "trumpet", wouldn't you agree? 

When I see my daffodils, I stop {even if I'm in a hurry} to admire them. They tell a story of fresh beginnings as a new season arrives.  At the same time, I know how fleeting the life of these flowers are.

That's why I used them as a muse for a watercolor painting.

Here's another one...so even if the daffodils have wilted or it's the middle of winter, I have them to remind me of the coming of spring. TADA!

Party Decorations

Hello and Happy Friday! All this week, we got to dip our toes into the world of Confetti System. I don't know about you, but the colorful paper, shiny foil and pinatas has left me dreaming of parties. 

If you're planning a party {or just in a dreamy mode like me}, here are a few ideas:

via style me pretty

A tassel garland to add drama to a dessert bar

via style me pretty

Long strips of ribbon used as a curtain

via style me pretty

A tent made of fabric strips {maybe a place to exchange 

vows or where the little one can blow out 

her birthday candles}

via style me pretty

Shades of pink for a ceremony backdrop

via style me pretty

Ribbon in a variety of colors and lengths 

to define a portrait area

via style me pretty

Chair decorations for the guests of honor.
These make use of ribbon...

via style me pretty

...or lace is a sweet option, too.

A few more ideas for the section serving sweets:

via style me pretty

via style me pretty

via design dazzle

What about a little something for the ceiling:

via be different act normal

Whether you choose ribbon, lace, crepe paper or tissue paper, they're sure to turn a room from blah to TADA! 

Have a fun-filled weekend, everyone!

Tassel-licious

I'm using the creations of Confetti System as a blah to TADA! inspiration this week.

One of their iconic pieces is this tassel garland.

via Confetti System

It's used for party decorations and shop displays.

They're really so festive!

via Confetti System

You can purchase a tassel garland here.

Or even make your own using this tutorial.

 As for me, it's gotten me excited to make a necklace.

Here's what we'll need: small tassels {I made them using embroidery thread}, a silver chain, jump rings and pliers.

Put a jump ring on each tassel and attach to the chain {evenly spaced}. Close the jump rings with pliers. You can experiment with one color, multiple colors or a gradating/ombre effect.

A tassel necklace that's as fun as the tassel garland.

TADA!

Petite Pinata

Are you ready for some blah to TADA! crafting?

 We'll use these pyramid pinatas by Confetti System as our peg.

To make our version, we'll use blah cardboard boxes and tissue left over from gifts and packages.

First up, the cardboard: make one square and four triangles. The bottoms of the triangles must be equal to the size of the square {I opted for four inches}.

Link the pieces to form this shape. Secure the parts of the triangles that touch the square with clear tape.

When folded up and tips are linked together, it will form this pyramid.

Now on to the tissue paper: let's make some fringe! Prepare several strips of tissue {one inch thickness}. Fold the tissue in sections and make the fringe {about half an inch} with a regular pair of scissors or with these nifty fringe scissors {five-blades-in-one for faster fringe-making}. 

To assemble: cover the cardboard diamond with a layer of tissue paper. A glue stick is a TADA! way to attach this. Then glue on the strips of fringe, starting at the base {where the bottom of the triangle meets the square}. Trim off the excess. Keep going until you've covered the tip. Do this on all four triangles.

Attach some ribbon or twine at the inner tips of each triangle using hot glue. Allow to dry. Tie these together to close the pyramid.

Use it to wrap presents, game prizes or party favors.

TADA!

Confetti System

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by today.

When you think of pinatas, what do they remind you of? Kiddie parties, right? Well, the team at Confetti System used this as the jump-off point for the art they make: pinatas for grown-ups. 

I got the chance to see their work at the MoMa PS1, a space in New York City dedicated to contemporary art.

Entitled Confetti System: 100 Arrangements, it displays their creations at the venue's event space -- merging art with everyday life.

This is what the space looks like -- an explosion of shimmer and color.

Here's a write-up from the exhibit:

For MoMA PS1’s two-story gallery, CONFETTISYSTEM (Nicholas Andersen and Julie Ho, est. 2008) has created an immersive environment inspired by the mechanics of theatrical staging and fly systems. Evoking theatrical scrims and curtains, 100 Arrangements features new and older design elements by Andersen and Ho that are suspended from above and can be adjusted to varying heights to produce nearly endless permutations. The work serves as a performance space, playing host to live events that are part of MoMA PS1’s Sunday Sessions program. The variable environment can be reconfigured to best suit each event, highlighting a compositional system that allows for a functional design.

Mylar curtains, flower walls and pinatas suspended in varying heights.

The look of the room is easily changed with a system of ropes and pulleys.

Here are a more photos showing detail:

Pineapple pinatas

Branches and paper flowers {my personal favorite}

Honeycomb lanterns

Glittery diamonds

The view from below

via Confetti System

Just one of the parties hosted by MoMa PS1 with DJs in the house and a wild dancing crowd!

Concerts and celebrations are TADA! with the Confetti System touch, wouldn't you agree?