The Year of Cozy

I've had this book for some time now and I decided to pull it out of my bookshelf.

The title says it all. And in the middle of winter, being cozy is all I want.

"The Year of Cozy"  by Adrianna Adarme is brimming with recipes, crafts, and activities that you can make and do in the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Adriana describes that, "The good life is measured in moments like these."

Here are a few of her suggestions:

Enjoy some warm Chai Tea

Do nothing as a counterpoint to working very hard. By "doing nothing" like unplugging from technology, the simple act of drinking, watching the clouds, taking a walk, or letting go of guilt, you make room for creativity and calm.

Write handwritten notes

Make some tomato marinara sauce

Bake a batch of cookies

Go on a food adventure and eat something you've never eaten before

Visit a thrift store

Have a staycation: Go to the beach 

Or visit a museum

Put up a gallery wall

I hope these ideas encourages you to live a life of cozy...TADA!

Little Love Notes

Here is an easy craft for Valentine's Day for the young and the young at heart.

It's inpired by these mini notes, a package of miniature envelopes and cards that I bought at a Martha Stewart craft fair.

I made my own mini stationery by repurposing old bill envelopes. The blue and white checkered pattern was too hard to resist.

Then I made little cards out of cardstock trim and wrote down a few messages.

I sealed the envelopes with these sweet stickers. TADA!

A Miniature Message

Well hello there!

Let's say you had an empty match box. What would you do with it?

Here's what I would do:

I would make it pretty with some scrapbook paper.

I would add a heartfelt sticker.

I would fill it with confetti hearts.

Lots and lots of hearts!

Then I would give it to my sweetheart.

I hope he'll like it. TADA!

A Shawl for Prayer

It's very nice to see you today!

I'd like to talk about prayer shawls. Have you heard about these?

I first learned about prayer shawls when I saw this book at the craft store. Its written by the same women who began The Prayer Shawl Ministry combining compassion and the love of knitting/crocheting. 

As the shawl maker begins his/her project, prayers are said on every stitch until its completion. Then a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent to its recipient (ex. a bride to be, a mother to be, someone who is sick or is to undergo a medical procedure). Sometimes, the recipients make new shawls to pass along to others in need thus maker and receiver feel an embrace of love and kindness. Isn't that awesome?  

As I did some research, I came across the above description. What a thoughtful present to give! But don't forget to enclose a prayer or tell the recipient why this shawl is special.

And speaking of prayer shawls, can I share mine?

It's not handmade, not knitted nor crocheted. But my Mom owned it. 

When she passed away last year, my Dad had mentioned this scarf, "Maybe you want to keep it. It's from Auntie Marcia" (Auntie Marcia was a long time friend of my Mom).

I wear it when I miss her. Sometimes I wrap it around me when I pray. Maybe the butterflies will deliver my messages up to heaven. 

And speaking of butterflies, I came across this lovely Monarch late last year. Just as autumn turned into winter and I was taking my regular walks at the park. She was the lone butterfly and I saw her on four different occasions. Perhaps she's my Mom saying "hello".  

I hope this post inspires you to make your own prayer shawls and to admire butterflies, too...TADA!

Washi Tape Flags

I've got a collection of washi tape. What's not to love? The cheerful prints and colors are irrestible!

To justify my purchases, I find new ways to use them.

Out of washi tape, I made these flags that are ready to party. 

It's a festive (and easy) way to decorate a cake.

And we surely deserve some cake. Today, blah to TADA! turns 10 years old! Woohoo!

Thank you to all of you, my dear readers, for encouraging me to keep on blogging. The past 10 years have been absolutely TADA! Here's to many, many more!

A Cool Cushion Cover

Hey, hey everyone! I have an easy and fun craft today, if I should say so myself.

I love interior design. I like to make my living space relaxed yet visually appealing, and going to home decor stores brings me joy. I usually go in with something specific in mind (ex. a throw or kitchen towels), but sometimes little items catch my fancy.

Such as this table napkin. It was on sale but it was the only one. 

One. single. napkin.

If I were to use it on my dining table, I could make it work by gathering other table napkins in the same color palette and make an attractive table setting.

Instead, I'm turning this lonely napkin from blah to TADA!

I unearthed some black fabric I had left over from this project, some sewing supplies, and a throw pillow.

Yes, I'm making a cushion cover!

Measure the napkin so it can cover the pillow (adding a 1/2 inch margin all around). With the black fabric, cut a matching square. Pin them together and sew around it, leaving a hole to insert the pillow. A zipper, buttons, snaps...how you want to close the cushion cover is entirely up to you.  

And here is my pillow with its new outfit...TADA!

Use it as an accent on a sofa or favorite chair.

Or make it a floor pillow. Perfect for lounging!

My Journaling Box

Very nice to see you today! 

Last week, I shared my version of the Bullet Journal. 

And because I use a collection of craft supplies for this, I put together a kit also known as my Journaling Box.

This is an empty cigar box which I got for $2.00 last summer at a little shop in Nyack, New York.

I don't smoke but I do appreciate the art of cigar making (I've seen them make it in the Dominican Republic) and the craftsmanship of cigar boxes.

This pretty box is just right for the items that I'll be using everyday of this year.

It houses craft stamps, an ink pad, and washi tape.

I spelled out words with alphabet stamps. You can find a tutorial here.

Because a good pen is a deal breaker, I have a lot on standby. 

I can add more items like page flags, sticky notes, and colorful pens later on.

My bullet journal and journaling box make a handsome pair.

They also make my desk extra attractive...TADA!