A Tote Bag Transformation

I always have a reusable bag with me wherever I go. It's the easiest way to be eco-friendly and eliminates the number of plastic bags used when doing groceries.

Here's a canvas bag that folds up into a neat package when empty.

It's a good size, quite roomy, and can easily be thrown in the wash.

However, it looks a little blah.

I found these canvas embellishments at the craft store for 50 cents a pack. It occured to me that I could dress up my tote bag with these.

I laid them out, choosing a right spot for each one.

I did the same on the other side.

I relied on fabric glue to attach them to the bag.

And because I wanted to tightly secure them, I sewed them on using embrodiery floss.  

An embroidery hoop made the task easier.

The combination of red and blue thread added some color:

And that is how I turned this tote bag from blah to TADA!

Candy in a Clear Case

Today's post is inspired by this candy shop. They sell their gourmet candy in these clear boxes:

via Crains

via automtk

via Prime Living

Aren't they gorgeous? The colors of the candy really shine through. They're like edible jewels!

Here's how we'll turn blah to TADA!

I have this clear case. It's now sad and empty.

I think it's worthy of a new life.

Just add some candy! I chose M&M's.

I made some handpainted labels using these materials.

And look, the box is ready to be given away:

For whatever occasion or reason, this candy in a box is sure to bring a smile on your loved one's face. TADA!

Furoshiki Fun

Furoshiki is the Japanese art of gift wrapping using a piece of cloth. Let's take a look:

via Ecoshiki

via One Million Women

via Ecoshiki

via Ecoshiki

via Omiyage Blogs

Aren't they beautiful? There's no need for scissors, tape or paper. You just need a piece of fabric like a vintage scarf, antique handkerchief, or fabric scraps that can be used over and over again. An impressive craft that turns blah to TADA!

Designer Spotlight: Kendra Dandy

So I was outlet shopping one weekend and I stumbled upon these scarves:

I almost died. I love, love, love these prints! They're playful, are inspired by mundane objects, and don't take themselves too seriously. It's like they had a point of view.

How awesome that the designer is credited on the label! 

I was instantly a fan. I just had to check out her work. Here are some of the cuteness she has created:

via Anthropologie

via Anthropologie

via Society6

via Society6

via Society6

via Society6

via Society6

I think Kendra Dandy turns blah to TADA! 

To learn more about her work, you can go here, here and here.

Photography Books

Hello there fellow crafters! I'd like to share a book that you might be interested in.

The Crafter's Guide to Taking Great Photos is a generous resource if you're a blogger or own a shop selling handmade goods. Most likely you are a multi-tasker with "photographer" as part of your many titles. It's always good to improve our photography skills so that our products will shine, right? Inside, there are many tips and tricks dispensed by our people -- the crafters!

This book, on the other hand, is a thrift store find. It's pretty outdated because it teaches you photography using film. I know, it's old school! I just thought it was cool to have because this is where photography began.

I hope you'll take really nice photos this week. If you have any book recommendations, send them my way!

Bottle Cover Crafts

The items that we use everyday like food and beauty products come in bottles. Once empty and before sending these off to recycling, let's use them for some crafting!   

Today, we're using these bottle covers. Just detach them from their bottles and clean them well.

We'll need some paint in different colors.

Pour the paint onto paper plates and assign a bottle cover for each color.

We'll use the bottle cover like a craft stamp. Simply dip it in the paint and stamp it on a sheet of paper (I'm using white tissue).

I like that this cover's spout provides an easy grip.

I made as many circles to cover the paper.

Now for the next color.

And add another color. Once happy with the pattern, let the paint dry for a few hours.

Here's how I turned a sheet of tissue from blah to TADA!

There are many ways to use your handprinted paper. I like to use it for wrapping gifts. 

I repurposed a bottle cover and I made some plain tissue a lot prettier. That's hitting two birds with one stone. TADA!