Chalk Board Inspiration

Yesterday, we gave some props to chalk artist Dana Tanamachi. I'm in awe with what she can do with just chalk and a chalkboard! With that said, chalkboard crafts are on the agenda this week. I hope you're as excited as I am.

I'll be using this chalkboard paint and a foam brush for my blah to TADA! transformations. I got this at my local craft store but there are many kinds available now.

I'm giving this napkin holder a face lift. We've had this since my husband's bachelor days. It's time to freshen it up.

I gave it a good sanding with a handy sanding block. Then I cleaned off the dust with a rag.

I applied several coats of the chalkboard paint. The package suggests two coats: one applied horizontally, and another vertically, with a one hour drying time in between. For good measure, I did about 10 coats and left it to dry overnight.

To condition it, I rubbed chalk all over the surface {both sides}.

Then, clean chalk layer with a damp cloth or dry eraser.

Now I can write little notes with chalk to add whimsy to our dining table.

Or to make a family member's birthday extra special.

And to make guests feel right at home. TADA!

The Chalk Artist

Happy new week, everyone! Steve Jobs once said that, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do" and I couldn't agree more. I've always admired people who pursue their passion and in doing so, found success and happiness.

via greylikesnesting 

One such person is Dana Tanamachi, a graphic designer and letterer.

via ellauniverse

She has made a name for herself with her chalk art, dressing up interior spaces, as well as pages of magazines.

via happinessis

She's even met Oprah {she designed one of the covers of The Oprah Magazine}!

A few years back, she created these alphabet paper weights for West Elm. 

via juxtapost

She's also made covers, rendered in chalk of course, for some classic books.

And just recently, she collaborated with Target for a limited edition line of home decor:

Above, a short write-up about her at the back of the products. Turning a blank chalkboard into an inspiring piece of art...I think that's blah to TADA!

You can read more about Miss Tanamachi and her work here, here and here.

Attempting to Knit

Hey, hey, Happy Friday! Have any of you, my dear readers, tried your hand at a knitting dolly?

You see, on a trip to England last year, I bought myself this knitting doll at their equivalent of a dollar store, Poundland! I couldn't resist how cute she was and I've always wanted to develop some knitting skills.

The package included the dolly, some yarn, and a crochet hook/pin.

It came with instructions, too, but I've been watching some tutorials on YouTube to help me along.

Instead of yarn, I'll experiment with crochet thread.

Here's what the knitted pattern will look like. TADA!

Allow me to get the hang of it as I carry it around my project pouch. I'll keep practicing and let's see what things I'll be able to make. And if you're an expert, please throw some tips my way. I would gladly appreciate it.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

A Stitched Anniversary Gift

Have you been to Paper Source? It's a sweet shop known for their stationery and gifts. 

I love their motto: "Do something creative everyday". I've since borrowed this mantra because making something with your hands truly nourishes the spirit. Don't you agree?

That's why I came out with a project pouch. It's just a simple pouch that contains the materials for the craft project I'm currently working on. Use any kind or any size pouch; it happens that I like turning blah to TADA!, so I made this one. Having a project pouch allows me to "do something creative everyday", wherever I may be.

I've been enamored with embroidery the past couple of weeks. 

Here are the contents of my pouch: fabric mounted on a embroidery hoop {the design comes from a Martha Stewart book; I just added the heart}, a pair of scissors, embroidery floss and a needle notebook.

I keep a few needles and pins in my needle notebook because a pin cushion is a little bulky. I only carry the colors of embroidery floss I need for my project. These are organized using cardboard spools.

It may take me days, weeks even, to complete a project.

But I know my project is safely hanging out in the pouch until I'm ready to work on it again.

Here are the stitched lovebirds, ready to be given away to a couple celebrating their anniversary. TADA!

Crafty Tags

Hello! Yesterday, I  turned a blah canvas pouch into TADA! by decorating it with iron-on patches:

This pouch's mission is to house my current craft project. That way, I can easily take it anywhere. Right now, the holidays are on my mind. To avoid being overwhelmed, I spread out my holiday errands throughout the year such as buying presents, assembling handmade gifts, and preparing tags: 

Here's what I put inside my project pouch: a "Made with Love" rubber stamp, an ink pad, and blank sticker labels. 

Moving on to gift labels, here are Christmas-themed rubber stamps and bigger adhesive tags. 

Sometime in the day, when I have a few minutes on hand, I can do a little stamping {it doesn't even require a lot of time} and TADA!, I'll be able to cross off an item on my "To Do" list.

To protect the surface I'm working on, I'd bring a sheet of recycled paper {ex. newspaper or packaging paper}. For quick clean-up, I would tuck in some paper towels and a plastic zip-top bag to keep any ink from getting to my pouch.

I hope this has inspired you to make a project pouch, too.

  

Patches and Pouches

I've told you before that I'm a fan of Cath Kidston's dainty prints and products. The brand is celebrating it's 20th birthday and they made a special line to mark this occasion. Here are my top picks from that line:

via Cath Kidston

I love that the patches look collected, each one telling a story. At the same time, these add interest to the basic purses. 

And because it's all about project pouches this week, I'm making my own today.

I found this canvas pouch at the dollar bin of Target. It's looking a little blah, right?

Inspired by the Cath Kidston purse, I'm going to add these patches to my pouch. I purchased them over the years. I was just waiting for the opportunity to use them.

Some of the patches can be applied with an iron.

Just position on the pouch and iron on. 

This other patch has to be sewed on but I'll try a no-sew fabric glue instead. Let's see how long it will hold.

Just dab on the wrong side of the patch, then place it on the pouch.

Here's what the pouch looks like now. Blah to TADA!

I hope to keep adding more patches on both sides...I like that it's a work in progress.

Tomorrow, I'll show you what I'll use it for. See you then!

Project Pouches

I hope you had a restorative weekend, lovelies! Do your days include pockets of waiting? Waiting for a flight or waiting for your kids to get out from school? How do you while away the time? I guess a smart phone or tablet would be an easy solution. But let's say you're the crafty type and want to do more creative things with your hands than just type on a keypad. Well, why not have a project pouch on hand?

A project pouch is a kit for your current craft project. 

Here is mine. I got the canvas bag from my favorite craft store. It's roomy yet compact, and can easily be thrown in the washing machine to tidy it up.

Because I'm trying to improve my watercolor skills, this is what you'll find inside:

A pencil and fine tip pen, paper towels, an eraser, a small visual journal, a watercolor pan and a small cup {it's a sauce container from a take-out meal} which I can fill with water from a nearby drinking fountain. 

When I know I have time to kill, I take this pouch with me to keep me from going crazy. It's also great to have when inspiration strikes.

I was in Brooklyn one beautiful August day. I can never get tired of this view of the Manhattan skyline.

And so I took out my project pouch to record the scene.

Here is the product of the afternoon. TADA!

I chose to use different shades of blue. The painting feels calm and restrained.

Compared to this one I made last year which was busy with color and packed with details. Oh what a difference a year {and some watercolor classes} makes!