For A Sweet Toothed Somebody

                       Hello there! Here's a quote I stumbled upon on Pinterest:

via Pinterest

Chocolate, indeed, is TADA! It's a treat you give yourself and it's a delightful gift for anyone, especially a chocolate lover.

So remember this wooden crate that I bought? It could be a possible gift. To turn it from blah to TADA!, here's what I would add:

Chocolate! Lots and lots of chocolate! 

Just a mix of old and new faves:

Tuck them in the box with shredded paper and write a cheerful note on the chalkboard.

A chocolate gift basket that's nothing short of TADA!

A Beverage Station

I fell in love with this wooden crate the moment I saw it:

 I'm showing off its versatility on the blog all this week.

Today, I'm using it for a party -- glasses, drinks, straws and a twist of citrus, you can find all of them in this crate!

Just add your most loved alcoholic {and non-alcoholic} beverages for everyone's enjoyment. TADA!

Ways with a Wooden Crate

Thank you for your visit today! Can I show off a recent purchase that I'm quite proud of?

It's a wooden crate that I got for about $15.00 at a discount store. I like that it's divided, I like that it has curlicue handles, and I like that the front panel doubles as a chalkboard. A TADA! score, wouldn't you agree?

If you're handy, this crate can easily be replicated with reclaimed wood or wood from the hardware store. Just paint or distress it afterwards.

Or why not use old crates from a flea market or garage sale. Just nail on some handles and turn the front into a chalkboard with chalkboard paint.

All this week, I'll show you how I turn this wooden crate from blah to TADA!

I think it's an organizing tool with so much character for the home or studio.

Put in some empty jam jars in each cubbyhole. 

 Add your most commonly used art materials.

Then with chalk, label accordingly. TADA!

Photo Inspiration

Friday has finally arrived! Before I send you off for the weekend, just a few more snaps from my trip to Rhode Island.

I take photos to help me remember. I also take photos of good ideas -- ones that turn blah into TADA!. Maybe like me, you'll find these useful, too:

No. 1: Hand-painted signs for a storefront: 

No. 2: Old sails turned into sturdy bags:

No. 3: Why settle for plain chairs when they 

can be painted in pastel hues:

No. 4: Photos on a clothesline as an inspiration board:

No. 5: Use drift wood for storage or to display merchandise: 

No. 6: Capture attention with a provocative headline: 

No. 7: Use more colored chalk:

No. 8: Make any gathering into a party:

I wish you all a joyful weekend!

Coffee and Crafts

How are you my lovelies? Summer is the time to go outdoors, go on a road trip, get some sun, and gather inspiration.

We're still visiting Providence today, a city I knew I'd love even before I set foot on it. For one, I like its friendly and creative energy. There are also a handful of independent shops and cafes that are conducive to dreaming. 

That's exactly what I felt at the Small Point Cafe. 

The interiors are laid back with a bit of a bohemian, earth-friendly vibe {furnishing are mostly recycled, lights are LED and composting is a habit}.

It's a place that invites lingering: meeting friends for breakfast, or if by your lonesome, reading the morning paper or getting some work done on the computer.

The drinks {a cappuccino and a Chai latte here} are hand-brewed, and the food selection, local and organic.

But wait, there's more.

There's a gift shop within the cafe! A shelf displays a succinct product line championing learning, the environment and local talent. 

Here are some noteworthy items:

 Coffee bean sacks turn from blah to TADA! They now

have a second life as wallets and pouches.

 Picture frames made from reclaimed wood and bags

made out of flour sacks. 

Handmade greeting cards for any occasion.

The owners,  Adam and Anne, are artists who love good design, coffee, food and community. I would so love to hang-out with them!

And one day, maybe own a cafe and shop similar to this one. 

Sigh. One day.

Sublime Explorations in Paper

One of my most recent weekend trips was to Providence, Rhode Island.

Yesterday, I told you about a shop called Craft Land. It's a darling of a store! Aside from unique merchandise that's handmade by talented crafters, there's a gallery space for special art shows.

I was able to catch the exhibit, "Peaked, Sublime explorations in paper", highlighting the work of four artists:

Doris Hausler / Ingolsdt, Germany

Esther Ramirez / Chicago, Illinois

Matthew Shlian / Ann Arbor, Michigan

Rebecca Siemering / Pawtucket, Rhode Island 

These artists show off the versatility of paper like paper sculpture {Matthew Shlian}:

Or alter books to create decorative objects {Dorris Hausler}: 

Rework scrap paper to mimic clothing {Rebecca Siemering}:

 {I love this cape made of shredded paper -- doesn't it 

look like a fur coat?}

And wall art made by coloring and folding paper {Esther Ramirez}: 

{The initial sketch before the sculpture was made}

These artists have certainly turned paper from blah to TADA!