Happy Mother's Day

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four 

pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces 

she never did care for pie. - Tenneva Jordan

To all you selfless moms, you deserve a break today. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Wrapped in Flowers

Hooray it's Friday!

Today, let's turn this empty tissue box from blah to TADA! 

I'm using some of these cherry blossom-print rubber stamps. 

I got them at an awesome sale.

The stamps have sticky backs that are to be attached to 

this clear block.

I made some blue blossoms...

...and some pink ones.

Then I cut around the flowers.

I liked the stem-print on the box. I thought a few blooms

{secured to the box with mounting tape} would 

make it TADA!

For handles, I added ribbon on two sides of the box with hot glue.

With tissue paper, wrap a gift like a candle, 

luxurious soaps or a bottle of perfume and

put it inside the box.

Now you've got a gift for Mother's Day 

with flowers as a bonus. TADA!

May you all have a delightful weekend.

To all the moms out there -- wishing you a 

Happy Mother's Day on Sunday!

A Spring Wreath

Howdy everyone! Ready for a blah to TADA! transformation?

Our blah -- a wire hanger.

Mold it into a circle. 

Using these pretty cherry blossoms as our peg...

 ...let's make flowers out of pink tissue.

To make a flower, three pieces are layered and secured

at the center with all purpose glue. 

 Once we have enough flowers, we can attach them to 

the wire with a glue gun. Fluff up the petals to make 

them look lifelike.

TADA! -- a wreath to decorate your door!

Handmade Greetings

Today, let's get our craft on and make a handmade card.

I'm inspired by the pink cherry blossoms against 

a clear, blue sky. 

 I'm using baby blue card stock and white envelopes.

{I got these on sale at Staples}.

 My impression of cherry blossoms rendered in watercolor.

I painted a few more blooms on a separate sheet and 

once dry, cut around the flowers. 

Then I attached these on the painted branches with 

mounting tape. 

That way, some blooms are raised, giving the 

card a two-dimensional effect. 

All I need to do is write an inscription inside, then it 

will be ready for mom for Mother's Day!

Blossom Bowl

If you look in our cupboards, you'll see that my husband and I like white dinnerware. Our dishes, platters and mugs are all white. Similar to how they do it in restaurants, we want our plates to be a canvas for appetizing-looking and delicious-tasting meals. 

White is also easy to replace in case we break a piece. And even if they're mismatched {as long as they're white}, there's a sense of harmony on the dining table.   

Here's the white bowl we use for everything from breakfast to dessert. Honestly, sometimes, I feel it's quite blah. Especially if I'm eating by my lonesome.

When I came across this bowl at a homeware store, it was love at first sight.

I was drawn to it because of the cherry blossom print. I think cherry blossoms are TADA! They represent new beginnings, the changing of the seasons, the quick passing of time, and that it's necessary to stop and admire the flowers sometimes. 

I bought this bowl without hesitation and it has officially become my breakfast bowl.

I use it for oatmeal {there's some apples, cinnamon and raisins in there}. 

I use it for a fresh fruit salad with a slice of banana bread on the side. 

I've also used it as a noodle or rice bowl for a solo lunch or dinner.

This bowl is a simple joy that turns my busy day from blah to TADA! 

Japanese Cherry Blossoms

Happy Monday everyone!

A dear friend of mine sent me this postcard from her holiday in Japan. How lucky was she to be there during the cherry blossom season! 

Cherry blossoms or sakura are a sight to behold, especially if they are planted in clusters. The Japanese even have a tradition called Hanami or "viewing of flowers". I think any reason to stop and appreciate nature is TADA!

Where I live, I get to experience Hanami even if I'm many miles away from Japan. I simply go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Around mid to end April, the cherry blossoms are at their peak. Being surrounded by pink trees is so surreal, it's like living in a fairy tale!

After a long winter, the trees exhibit these pastel flowers before growing their leaves. 

It's a common sight for urban dwellers to sit under this glorious canopy of pink. There are lots of picnickers, mommies and babies on a play date, and couples out to enjoy an afternoon. 

Japanese in this part of the world get to live and share their culture.

It's no surprise that many photographers and painters come here to capture this fleeting season. 

So beautiful. Sigh. 

A confetti of petals.

Sakura-inspired merchandise at the Garden Shop. 

 I zeroed in on the dishes and teapot-shaped salt and pepper shakers.

If you're ever in New York City, a visit to the garden will surely turn your day from blah to TADA!

Wear the Word

Hooray it's Friday! This week was all about bookshops, libraries and old books. Aren't they TADA!?

Today, I'm finding inspiration from crafters who've turned old book pages into jewelry. 

via etsy

This one's a pendant.

You can wear it with a chain, cord or ribbon.

via etsy

Dainty, dangling earrings.

via etsy

These are stud earrings for your little worrier friend.

via etsy

Leather wrap bracelets for a reader or writer.

via etsy

A statement ring that instantly takes you to Paris.

May you all have a wonderful weekend!