New Uses for a Broken Shelf

Hey guys, thanks for dropping by today!

You may have heard the line, "One person's trash is another person's treasure." Sometimes you may have to really look at the trash pile to find that treasure.   

For me, the treasure here is the wooden shelf. It's clearly broken, the shelves missing. 

But if you pull it aside, can you see its potential? It's a free-standing ladder!

With some images from Pinterest, here's how I would transform it from "blah to TADA!":

 

via awedbymonica

I would turn it into a leaning shelf to keep throws and blankets tidy.

via urban outfitters

I can use it to display accessories like hats, bags, and scarves.

via Pinterest

I can mount it on the kitchen wall and use it to hang not-too-heavy pots, pans and other cooking utensils.

via Pinterest

I can use it to dry herbs and flowers.

via Ikea

Or hang some small potted plants using hooks.

via Pinterest

By bolting it to the ceiling, it gives a room character and an additional place to hang macrame planters.

via Pinterest

How about a greenery chandelier in the bathroom?

via Pinterest

For the outdoors, I'm totally loving this DIY light fixture.

How about this idea that I sketched out: a lighting and storage solution that's perfect for a reading nook. The top rung of the ladder is outfitted with a plug-in overhead light with Edison bulb. One rung is transformed into a shelf for paperbacks and a small plant. Another rung is a place to hang a favorite throw. Just add a chair and it's ready for cozy afternoons and evenings...TADA!

Before you get rid of your furniture, find a few ways to turn them from "blah to TADA!" But if you really must, please do so responsibly. To keep them out of the landfill and help those in need, donate them to charity: Salvation Army, Goodwill, Housing Works, Habitat for Humanity ReStore or at a thrift shop in your town. Consider selling them on Craigslist, Facebook Market Place or share on a Buy Nothing group.

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Handmade Birthday Cards

Hello lovelies!

I'm a big fan of sending out birthday cards because it's my way to celebrate those I love. Sure, it's easy to write a text or leave a message on their Facebook wall. Nothing wrong with that. But a birthday card means you went the extra mile -- choosing the card, writing a message, and mailing it; and doing these things in advance so the card arrives on time. 

I found these blank cards in my paper stash. I got them from the Target Dollar Spot a few years ago. There are eight cards and matching envelopes and the design reminds me of a chalkboard.

I found some embellishments in this book given by a dear friend. I love it because it's all about yummy things and paper crafts!

I zoned in on these adorable images.

They are die cuts that I'll use as stickers.

I put a dab of glue on each one and attached them to a card.

I played around with the orientation of the card, some vertical and some horizontal.

Then I took a white gel pen and did a bit of hand lettering:

"Buen Provecho" means "Enjoy your meal" in Spanish. What an appropriate greeting for any birthday, don't you think? Food and feasting are clearly the theme and inside, I'm writing personal memories of the meals we've shared and the food-centric gatherings that I look forward to in the years to come. 

I always add a signature at the back so that the recipient knows it was crafted especially for them.

That's how I turned a few plain cards from blah to TADA!

If you want some ideas on what to write inside a birthday card apart from a simple "Happy Birthday," you'll find some suggestions from the greeting card experts here and here. And if you'd like to subscribe to my newsletter, just add your e-mail here. 

Whether it's your birthday or not, I wish you all, Buen Provecho!

Learning a New Medium: Gouache

A New Year means new skills to learn!

I stumbled upon the work of Emma Block on Instagram and I've been a fan of her work ever since.  She creates whimsical illustrations with watercolor and gouache. Goo-what? Gouache is pronounced "gwash" or "goo-ash" and some describe it as opaque watercolors. Ever since I heard about gouache, I kept seeing different artists using it and the desire to try gouache kept growing inside me.

It just so happened that Emma Block came out with a book entitled "Get Started with Gouache." I borrowed a copy from the library and this is where my gouache journey began.

I bought this primary set of Holbein Acryla. I chose this brand because most illustrators use it so I'm taking a cue from the experts. Emma uses Designer Gouache from Windsor & Newton, and likewise recommends Holbein, Royal Talens, Caran D' Ache, and Schmincke. There are two kinds: (1) acrylic gouache has the matte finish of gouache but the waterproof permanency of acrylic and, (2) traditional gouache which is water soluble. So if you want to layer colors and make each shade distinct, acrylic gouache will work better. 

Solid gouache is available but she doesn't recommend it because it doesn't give the thick consistency she's after.

The first step is to mix colors and make a test swatch (gouache dries darker on paper). Always start with a test swatch and wait for it to dry (adjust accordingly) before painting your final piece. Write down the colors you mixed to help you remember.

Add water gradually (water will make the paint thinner, more translucent and causes it to dry less evenly). The paint has to feel creamy in texture but is not thin and runny. Mix the paint well to avoid streaky results.

A tip to remember: Always replace the cap on the tube after squeezing out the paint. If the paint inside the tube is looking dry, dip the end of the exposed paint in clean water and put the cap back on.

I practiced using the exercises in the book:

Gouache dries quickly and with a flat, matte finish. Emma suggests combining it with colored pencils, watercolors, collage, and India ink for more character and depth.

I'm very used to watercolors where strokes are light and delicate. Painting with gouache needed a different approach: more heavy-handed to get an even, solid color. Mixing paint is also something I need to work on (I've been spoiled by watercolor pans). But as with all skills, I'll keep practicing!

Apart from this book, I found insightful tutorials here:

Skillshare Gouache Tutorial

Beginner's Guide to Gouache

Gouache Paint Pro Tips

I love what Emma says about developing your style:

"People often worry about finding their artistic style. I always think everybody's style is like their handwriting, it's intrinsic to them. Everybody's artwork will have a unique quality due to their brushstrokes and line work. I don't think it's a good idea to try to  choose a style that you think is on trend and produce work like that. It's important that your style feels natural to you and reflects the way you see the world. Don't worry about trying to find your style as quickly as possible; just enjoy the process and create as much work as possible. Also, don't worry if your style is changing. That's completely natural. It will continually evolve as you are inspired by new things, new materials, and become more confident in your drawing and painting abilities. The number-one piece of advice I can give anyone is to just keep painting. Don't worry about making mistakes, just keep going and have fun." - Emma Block, illustrator and author of "Get Started with Gouche" 

Have you tried your hand at gouache? I would appreciate it if you send me some tips so my technique will turn from "blah to TADA!"

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Making New Memories in 2022

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope you are all feeling optimistic with renewed gratitude for new beginnings.

I serendipitously discovered the book "The Art of Making Memories" by Meik Wiking, the same author of "The Little Book of Hygge." It caught my attention because I value memories. Memories carry us through difficult times in our lives. Take for instance the Covid-19 pandemic. It wasn't safe for us to travel and clearly there was that desire for adventure. On social media, many people posted their travel photos from years past with wistful captions, "Hope to do this again soon" or "Can't wait to travel again." Nostalgia was one of the ways that helped us through lockdown. 

For those we lost during the pandemic, we look back on all the lovely memories we had with them and keep these in our hearts. 

Again, nostalgia. 

We should be more mindful about creating new memories and the book has these suggestions or what Meik Wiking calls, "The Memory Manifesto." 

These are the eight ingredients for happy memories:

Make sure your memory isn't lacking in sensory richness. Be aware of what you see, smell, hear and feel when you are happy. The more of your senses -- sight, smell, hearing, taste, touch -- you can use, the more vividly you can remember; and the more cues you line up, the more likely it is that you can hold on to that memory and retrieve it.

An emotional reaction will make the experiences and moments more memorable: first kisses, getting married, traumatic events, doing something that scares us.

Retrieval is one of the best ways to strengthen a memory.

These are thoughtful suggestions and aren't hard to do, don't you agree?

Meik Wiking ends the book this way:

Let's turn this New Year from "blah to TADA!" and let's all make an effort to create lasting memories.

Welcome 2022!

Well hello there everyone and hello 2022!

Do you know one thing I love? 

Sharpening pencils.

It makes me feel in control. That even if the pencil loses its point after so much use, I just have to sharpen it and the pencil is brand new again.

I love this long point sharpener.

I love the curly wave produced by sharpening. Bonus points if it's long and ribbon-like.

I love the smell of lead. It reminds me of shopping for school supplies and the beginning of a new school year.

I love a blank page. Sure, it's intimidating. 

But if you draw some lines or make some rectangles...

Then color in the spaces...you begin to fill the page. 

Write down the year.

Instead of resolutions, I choose a word. This is my intention for 2022: SIMPLIFY.

If you'd like to know, these were my words for 2021.

Add a quote. This one is by the wise and inspiring Morgan Harper Nichols.

Then make a list. Nothing grand. Realistic but still challenging.

Just like that, I turned a blank page from "blah to TADA!"

As we begin 2022, may your pencils be sharp and may your blank pages be filled with blessings. Happy New Year!