Jars and Bottles

Happy new week dear friends! This week, we're turning empty jars and bottles from blah to TADA!

Let's start with this yogurt container. I'll admit, I bought it, first, for the the packaging and, second, for the flavor.  Cute and yummy fall in the criteria of my food choices!

I know that in Europe, glass yogurt jars are a common sight. Not here in the US. Most of them come in plastic tubs. I guess that'll explain why I'm swooning over this.

I'm reusing it as a sugar jar {this is coconut palm sugar}. Sugar usually comes in big packs or unattractive boxes, I thought decanting it in a smaller container would be more practical. 

It's just right for an afternoon coffee break.

TADA!

A Tape Collection

It's finally Friday...hooray!

Yesterday, we made an envelope out of a doily and sealed the edges with decorative tape. 

Here's my humble collection of Washi tape. I think Washi tape is TADA! The blah -- I just stuff them in this sad plastic zipper bag.  

Then I saw this at the Michael's craft store. It's a desktop Washi tape dispenser!

 It's made of wood and has a removable dowel where the tape will rest.

Grommets are supplied if you want to attach more "shelves". 

Stackable shelves are sold separately. With this, it'll be easy to keep up with a growing collection.

It even has "teeth" to make cutting the tape easy. 

 Colorful tape all in a row, waiting to be used 

{or admiring them is just fine}.

Add some favorite writing instruments to the party.

Now that we're all organized, writing notes and 

wrapping presents will be much more fun.

Have a spectacular weekend dear friends!

A Lacey Envelope

Hello There!

Yesterday, we made some thank you postcards. Let's say the message written on the back is a little too personal -- maybe put the card inside an envelope instead?

Not just an ordinary envelope, but one made from a doily!

Choose one big enough to cover the entire postcard. 

Position the postcard in the center and fold in the 

edges of the doily.

It's almost like wrapping a gift. 

It looks like an envelope already! 

Write names and addresses at the back and affix a stamp.

Seal the front with glue or decorative tape.

Isn't that blah to TADA!?

Handmade Thanks

Boxed thank you cards are TADA! Sometimes, however, I have the urge to make my own.

Especially if I find cool things like this booklet of plain white post cards. 

One side is completely blank -- ready for sketches and a wild imagination. The other side tells you it's a post card with spaces for a handwritten note, an address and a place for postage.

Inspired by spring, I'm decorating it with flowers. 

Add layers of watercolor and here's what happens: 

 Unique postcards that deliver an all important message. TADA!

A Correspondence Station

When I saw this in Southern Living Magazine, I was totally on board with the idea!

via Southern Living

Writing a thank you card can honestly be a daunting task most of the time: hunting for the stationery, figuring out what to write, taking it to the post office. This is one of the reasons people forego writing one. Such a blah.

But turn it into a TADA! by putting together a "thank you card" station! Stock it well with note cards {even personalized or monogrammed ones}, fancy pens and postage stamps.

Here's the version I made:

I used a mail caddy that we've had for ages. You can get one at an office supply or home store. Or you can also make your own.

The upper compartment contains cards for different occasions {ex. birthday, get well, wedding} and the lower section has blank cards and thank you cards.  

This occupies very little space on my desk and every time I see it, I get in the mood to write a card!

How To Write a Thank You Note

I love receiving thank you cards. I think it's one of the highest forms of gratitude. That's why I also try to give them away generously.

Here's a bunch of adorable thank you cards I've come across:

1/2/3/4/5

Once we've picked the card, how exactly do we write on it? 

In her book Cupcakes and Cashmere, Emily provides a guide to craft the proper thank you card:

•  Address the person
•  Express thanks for the special gift. {If you were given money, thank the person for the "generous gift". If you were given a gift certificate, make sure to mention the actual store. If someone hosted you for a weekend or for a lovely meal, simply thank them for their hospitality.}
•   Describe how you intend to use the item
•   Mention time spent together and the next time you'll see each other
•   Thank them again
•   Sign off 

Not too difficult, right? Write the card as soon as you can and mail it without delay. Because gratitude and acknowledging kindness is always TADA!

Yard Sale Tips

via Country Living

A lucrative way to spring cleaning is having a garage or yard sale. Get rid of unwanted things and earn some cash at the same time...that's double TADA! 

Considering putting one together? Here are a few links:

• Insightful tips for a successful yard sale 

• The do's and don'ts for making a yard sale sign

• Yard sale pricing tips

Here are some more ideas:

Display items on tables and garment racks.

Make sure there's a collective price tag {ex. all shirts $5.00},

or better yet, put a price tag on each piece. 

 Group similar things together.

Make use of boxes... 

 ...bins or baskets.

You can use old suitcases or bags, too. 

Display jewelry like they would in a 

boutique and have some mirrors handy

{including a full length one if there are 

a lot of clothes on sale}. 

Have old newspaper and scrap paper to wrap breakables. 

Have bags in different sizes {opt to reuse paper/plastic 

shopping bags} for customer purchases.  

If you're feeling extra generous, offer free treats

like drinks and snacks for all who participated.

Good luck and may you all enjoy the weekend!