Lost and Found

Maybe I've told you before, one of my favorite places in New York City is Grand Central Terminal.

I admire the architecture. I also like how one can be thoroughly entertained by the food hall and shops while waiting for their train to arrive. I love how this train station is a melting pot of locals and tourists, of what's current and historic, of many hellos and goodbyes. 

Did you know that Grand Central Terminal just marked its 100th birthday? One of the many ways to celebrate are changing exhibits at the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex located inside the terminal.

I was able to catch this one called  "On Time", featuring different artists working on the theme, "Time". If you're curious, you can watch this video, too.

I was drawn to this installation by Jane Greengold. Affectionately named, "Lost and Found 2013", it's a family of random items that passengers have left on trains and never claimed. 

The items are a collection of a conductor named Joe Wenham. He and his family members, who were all conductors since the early 1900's, gathered these from Grand Central over the years.

Miss Greengold creates a fictional narrative {handwritten notes on tags} bringing some soul to each piece:

March  4, 1952: A kid loses one of these almost every day.

July 3, 1971: I saw the beautiful baby boy with a sleepy Mom and
grumpy Dad. Why didn't they claim it? Dad too grumpy?

September 11, 2001: Woman showed this to me. Her son sent it to her.
She was coming to see the site.

June 19, 1995: Very subtle button. Never saw anyone wear it.
My cousin died of AIDS in 1983.

February 4, 1965: Very proper gentleman, but he must
have hated his shoes. On and off. On and off.

Shoes, February 14, 1949: I saw her open the box -- Valentine's present.
I don't understand, but she loved them! Why not claim a new present?

Perfume bottle, September 12, 1947: The woman put on so much
perfume, people could hardly eat dinner.

March 3, 1947: The woman was as round as a bottle.

December 10, 1963: I think they left this behind
because it was too sad.

I saw the man pace up and down again and again, looking at
the box, worrying it. I could not believe he'd lost it. Why didn't
he claim it? Was the marriage over?

August 23, 1952: Imagine losing a letter from the President's wife!

He was bringing it to work to show it off.

May 8, 2004: I could keep hundreds of these. People lose
them like popcorn at the movies.

October 10, 2010: At least not everything I find is electronic.

December 2, 1983: The boy spent hours with it. I am sure he had a fit
when he discovered he'd lost it. I wish they had invented for me.

September 10, 1958: Boring travel diary of a spoiled
13 year old. Went to Europe on Queen Mary, lost
the diary on a fancy train. Must be a brat.

February 27, 1946: I'd be so sad if I lost my babies' photos.

June 13, 1962: Fancy but not too practical.
I'm getting tired of rich people.

July 3, 1937: A young man but in love with his old camera.
But I bet he got a new one.

I never saw anyone using this but I fell in love with it
when I found it.

August 28, 1932: New grandparents coming home after seeing their
granddaughter for the first time. Waving around telegram and photos.

February 28, 2013: And now they've given me a gift for
sharing our collection.

Objects with stories to tell, each one revealing secrets of a moment in time...isn't that blah to TADA!?

  

Peek-a-Boo

Today we conclude "Project: recycling paper bags".

 These handles were elevated from blah to...

TADA!: a rope and chain arm accessory!

 Instead of just tossing the bag away, let's make 

one that's more present-able. 

Cut out the labels on the bag to create windows.

We'll cover the windows of the bag with plastic rescued 

from a cleaned-out food container.

 Cut the plastic to size 

{a little bigger than the windows}.

 Attach the plastic to cover the windows 

using clear tape in the inside of the bag.

 Fashion new handles with ribbon or fabric. I'm using wire 

I saved from a Chinese take-out box dressed up

with colorful wooden beads.

 Tuck in a little gift {the windows give the recipient a

hint of what's inside}.

Or wrap the gift in tissue for an air of mystery. TADA!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Gray to YAY!

I'm happy you could stop by today.

 At the start of the week, we turned this paper bag 

from blah to...

TADA! -- the paper bag's handle

transformed into a bag charm. 

 TADA! -- the other handle jazzed up

for its new life as a necklace.

With both handles put to good use, maybe we could do the same for the bag. 

I gave it new handles -- these are wire handles rescued from a Chinese take-away box {TADA!}.

For embellishments, I'm using foam glitter stickers, ribbon and punched-out scrapbook paper {notice the polka-do theme going on?}.

The ribbon disguises any brand name printed on the bag and layering the paper {use mounting tape for a raised effect} makes it more party-ready.

 Here's what the "new" bag looks like.

TADA!

Tying a Knot

Maybe you like to shop and you've accumulated a bunch of paper bags.

 Before throwing them away, please consider giving them a second life.

 Let's rescue the handles and turn them from blah to...

TADA! -- it's a cute little bracelet I made myself.

via Etsy

To make it, I followed this genius tutorial on Etsy.

I ended up with this knot because the bag handles I used were not long enough. But it's still pretty, right {wink}? I sewed the ends with a needle and embroidery thread. It seals all the edges together and provides a pop of color.

 I also recycled this bracelet I hardly wore.

{Double TADA!}

 With the aid of a pair of pliers, my paper bag handles 

have officially become a bracelet!

I hope this has inspired you to make your own and, 

if you get a carried away, make a few more

to give to your besties.

A Summer Necklace

It's very nice to see you today.

My current project: I'm turning paper bags from blah to TADA!

Right now, let's focus on the handles. Yesterday, I made a bag charm out of one and today, what about a necklace?

I'm using a few beads. These ones, however, are looking a little blah.

A few coats of paint was all they needed. I chose the color pool blue...the name itself relaxes me already! 

Let's make a loop at one end of the rope/bag handle. Secure in place with a few stitches. I used embroidery thread in yellow as an accent color.

With a needle and thread, attach the beads to the rope/bag handle in an alternating pattern.

Use as many beads as the rope/bag handle can accommodate. Doesn't this look like peas in a pod? Then finish with a few knots and a second loop on the open end.

Add a simple chain and...

 ...TADA! -- instant summery necklace.

For a little more detail:

 ...add some teardrop beads and tassels.

Sea and sunshine as an accessory...yes, please!

A Makeover: Paper Bag Handles

Hello and Happy Monday!

So I have this habit of keeping shopping bags and gift pouches -- to be reused for the same purpose or for something totally unrelated. 

The gray handles of this bag has caught my fancy. Gray handles. I know. I'm bizarre like that.

I've detached it from the bag by undoing the knots. Now that that's done, let me show you the inspiration for today's blah to TADA!:

via JADETRIBE

I'm making the pompom embellishment {featured in this post}.

Of course we'll need some pompoms {I chose bright neon shades}.

Attach the pompoms to the ends of the 

rope/bag handle with hot glue.

If you have some yarn lying around, you can use that, too.

Just wind it around the rope/bag handle and secure with more hot glue.

Added some more yarn and TADA! -- my own pompom embellishment!

Tie it onto a bag handle...

...and my bag has instantly turned from blah to TADA!