Mason Jars and Dried Flowers

What a pleasure to see you!

We're finding new uses for mason jars and dried flowers.

Anthropologie

This photo is the inspiration for today's "blah to TADA!" transformation. They are essentially candle jars but look at the dried flowers and leaves pressed between the glass lid. Aren't they darling?

I've made it a habit to collect flowers and leaves wherever I go. It's my form of nature appreciation and these make good materials for arts and crafts.

I usually put them in between pages of a book or in my flower press. I let them sit there for weeks until they are flat and dry.

I also save all kinds of bottles like this mason jar. Then I thought, "I can use this to show off the pressed flowers I collected!"

Apart from the mason jar, I found some card stock or thick paper and an acetate sheet. I used the lid of the mason jar as a template to cut the card stock and acetate. 

Now for the assembly: place the metal lid on the mason jar.

Then put the card stock/paper circle on top of the lid. 

Add a pressed flower that fits inside the paper circle with just enough margin. You may attach the pressed flower to the paper with white glue and a small paintbrush and let this dry.

Top with the acetate circle that acts like the glass top of a picture frame.

The metal screw band will secure everything. But to keep all these layers in place (they will unravel when the mason jar is opened), it might be a good idea to glue the edges of the layers together.

Here are the different pressed flowers I used:

Experiment with dried flowers, too:

This is a dried up hydrangea flower I foraged in winter.

Off it went into the flower press.

I left it to flatten for a few weeks.

And here's what they look like all flat. It's a good idea to press a full flower and also separate petals.

Just follow the layering process to decorate the mason jar lid. In the end we'll have these unique jars that can be used for packaging or gift wrapping...TADA!

And that is how I turned some mason jars and pressed flowers from "blah to TADA!"

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Cereal Box to Gift Box

Hey guys! 

Maybe you have a lot of food boxes at home with loose flaps like this one:

Could there be a way to close the top so that it's tighter and more secure? So you know...the contents stay crisp longer. 

My friend clued me in on this clever folding technique.

A neat way to close the box without clips or tape...TADA!

Let me show you how:

Take your box and fold both small flaps into the box.

Fold one of the long flaps into the box.

Take both sides of the box and push the top part inwards, forming a letter V shape. Add pressure to form a crease.

 

Then tuck in the remaining flap to close.

Instantly, the box stands taller and the contents more secure...TADA!

But here's another idea that you can use when the box turns empty:

Paint the entirety of the box (to cover all branding) and paint on some images to decorate it.

I attempted to draw some cute dogs. You can try flowers, fruits, and other festive illustrations.

Tuck a gift inside and fold the box based on the above instructions. 

A clothespin embellishment like this one or this one holds the tag in place...TADA! 

This gift box can be used over and over again. No need to use gift wrap or tape! That's how to transform an ordinary box from "blah to TADA!"

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A Card for Father's Day

Thank you for your visit today!

Many posts ago, I wrote a tutorial on how to make letters using hot glue and a silicone mold:

I spelled out words and made them into cards and a cake topper...TADA!

Today, I adopted the same technique to make this Father's Day card.

I spelled out the message using the hot glue letters, then attached them to plain card stock with regular glue. 

It's handmade and delivers the sentiment...TADA! You can use the same method with letter stickers or alphabet pasta.

Next Sunday is Father's Day. Make this for your Dad or a special father figure in your life to turn their day from "blah to TADA!"

A Midyear Pep Talk

Hello Everyone!

How is it that it's already the middle of the year?

I hope you are slowly crossing off the list that you made at the start of 2022. Are you feeling accomplished, frustrated or defeated? Wherever you're at, celebrate your little victories and don't be too hard on yourself if the task isn't done. Sometimes there are things that we can't control. And that's okay.

I came across this message on social media. It didn't give credit to writer but I hope he/she doesn't mind that I'm sharing it with you. It resonated with me and maybe it'll encourage you, too: 

In this time where "likes," "hearts," "views," and "followers" are the indicators of success, don't let this dictate what you create. Keep making things that are authentically your own because you'll never know who you're inspiring.

If you're in the mood to turn "blah to TADA!" here are a few easy crafts from the archives:

Make a pendant out of an empty perfume vial...TADA!

Create your own packaging or gift wrapping using rubber stamps...TADA!

Dabble in hand lettering with words that inspire...TADA!

Practice your calligraphy using quotes that hold meaning to you...TADA!

Embroider a plain pouch with your favorite phrase...TADA!

Don't stop creating and keep turning "blah to TADA!"

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Treasures from the Trash: A Round Table

How was your weekend guys? I hope it was both exciting and restful!

I found this in the trash/recycling room of our apartment building:

It's a round end table with heavy legs in brushed nickel.

Except for its dusty surface, it was in good shape.

If only I had room in our apartment, I would have called this piece "mine."

Had I taken it home, here are some ways I would transform this table from "blah to TADA!":

via Pinterest

I would paint the legs black and stain the tabletop in a dark shade of brown (and maybe even distress the surface) giving it an industrial vibe.

via Pinterest

For a more glamorous look, the legs can be spray-painted gold and the surface can be given a marble look with either paint or removable wallpaper.

via Pinterest

Another option is to paint the legs a matte gold or bronze and a mahogany stain on the tabletop. 

Just like in this photo, an end table is just the right size for a small bedroom to hold a lamp and bedside essentials like a glass of water, a book, and a mobile phone.

via A Burst of Beautiful

An end table is ideal in a reading nook -- for all the books you are currently reading.

via Pinterest

And finally, an end table can showcase a pretty floral arrangement...TADA!

How about you? How would you change the look of this end table to match your home? 

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Flowers: Pressed and Framed

Nice to be with you today!

I love flowers! They have always been a muse for my work. From card making, wreath assembly, floral arranging, embroidery, block printing, and gift wrapping, there's usually some kind of floral element present. 

That is why when the springtime months come around, I'm out in the park gathering fresh flowers. One of my favorites is this fragrant lilac bush.

I keep them in a plastic container to maintain their shape until I get home.

Then I position them between sheets of scrap paper and cardboard then place them in a flower press (an old book works just as well but you may need to weigh this down with a heavier book).

After two weeks, I check on my flowers to see if all moisture has evaporated... 

...and that they are flat.

There are certainly many applications for these pressed flowers like cards and jewelry. Today, I am going to frame them. I want to use the different flowers that I collected.

Lay them out on dark colored paper and once satisfied, apply a small amount of acid-free glue at the back of each flower with a small paintbrush.  Lightly press the flowers onto the paper.

Allow the glue to dry for several hours.

Then I put this in an old frame...TADA! This is a nice way to remember a season that has passed.  It also makes a beautiful gift allowing these pressed flowers to last for years to come.

Instead of just letting the flowers wither, I turned them from "blah to TADA!" 

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