Happy New Year

It's a brand new year! May calm and creativity fill our homes always.  

Cheers everyone!

How To: Rose Water Mist

If you're feeling a little stressed (especially this holiday season) and you want to take a "me moment", do it with some Rose Water Mist. Rose water soothes and refreshes the skin.

The recipe comes from this book:

• Fll a clean spray bottle with rose water and store it in the fridge. You can find rose water at the international aisle of most grocery or healthfood stores.
• When you need a quick pick-me-up, just take the bottle, relax into your seat, close  your eyes, then mist your face.
• Take deep breaths and have a few relaxing moments all to yourself.

Merry Christmas

To you and yours,

Wishing you comfort and joy, abundance and laughter, gratitude and hope.

Cheers,
Claire 

Felt Gingerbread Men

Well hello there! I spied this idea at Anthropologie:

See the little gingerbread men hanging on to the mug's handle? I thought it was cool to make these if you had some scraps of felt, construction paper or cardstock. They make cute gift embellishments! I think it's blah to TADA!

A Christmas Stocking

Last week, I featured a wreath make-over. Today, let's give this stocking a new look:

It's a felt stocking that I paired with a Santa ornament. I didn't even buy any of these. They were part of the packaging of some gifts I received. I thought they looked good together. 

This year, I'm changing the look:

I added a Teddy Bear (a freebie at a party), wrapped an empty box to look like a present, and completed the look with a ribbon. TADA!

With a little bit or recycling and resourcefulness, you don't need to spend a lot for decorations.

A Wreath Re-Do

The holidays have arrived and it's time to decorate. Some people go all out with the tall tree, outdoor lights, and lawn ornaments. But if like me, you live in an apartment, it can be quite a challenge because of the lack of space.

At the very least, why not put up a wreath? It doesn't take much commitment and it brings cheer to those who dwell there and to everyone who visits.

Here's a basic wreath and door hanger that I got at the craft store. It's looking a little blah.

If you'll recall from a few years back, I turned it into TADA! by adding these salt dough ornaments. It's a candy-inspired wreath!

This year, I made a little change:

With a new ribbon, some berries and an ornament, my wreath is a little more grown-up. TADA! 

Craft Technique: Wood Burning

One sunny day, I went to Chinatown and I was able to buy these:

A few kitchen essentials: a pair of oven mitts, a spatula and pastry brushes. And I got all of these for less than $10! Let me show you how I turn them from blah to TADA!

I'm using this new tool in my craft arsenal. It's a burning tool that can be used for wood, leather, gourds and many other stuff. 

It comes with several screw-on tips and is powered electrically. To use it, it's held like a pencil. These tips and hand pressure will determine the design. I still have to get the hang of this, though.

Instead, I'm using these hot stamps alphabet set to add an initial.

While still unplugged, I screw the letter (my choice for this project is the letter "O") on the wood burning tool. I plug it to a socket, set it on its cradle, and let it heat up for a few minutes. Then I tested it on some scrap wood, applying even pressure and holding it still for several seconds.

Once I was comfotable, I decided on which part of the spatula I wanted the initial.

I chose to brand it on the handle.

As for the pastry brush, I made the initial more prominent.

Once done, I gathered everything together with a ribbon. 

I think this makes a nice hostess gift or a present for someone who just moved into a new home. TADA!