Souvenirs from the Shore

I hope you are all doing well!

At this time of year, we always hit the beach. The sun, ocean breezes, and the sound of the waves are energizing and relaxing at the same time. If I could, I would live at the beach all summer long.

Let me show you a few scenes from Spring Lake, New Jersey:

These photos really turn my day from "blah to TADA!"

A trip to the beach is never complete without some souvenirs. I collect them as I walk the shore. 

Here are the shells up close. I love the different textures and colors of each one. These will be part of my craft stash and I'll use them when inspiration strikes.

But for now, here are some simple pieces of jewelry that I made: 

A bracelet made of elastic string, vintage beads, and a seashell attached like a pendant using a jump ring.

I was deliberate in choosing these bead colors that remind me of the sky and the puffy clouds...TADA!

Similar to these earrings, I made another set using these ready made jewelry findings, seed beads, and a pair of sea shells...TADA! I'll be sending this to a friend who now lives in California (to remind her of the Jersey Shore).

 

A summer souvenir that's handmade using materials that I already had on hand...TADA!

I hope you'll find some time to relax this month. It's always helpful to take care of ourselves. 

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Embroidered Shoe Bags

Thank you for keeping me company today! 

This week, I am inspired by these embroidered shoe bags:

I got these embroidered shoe bags at a craft fair. They are very practical to use at home or for travel. I thought, why not make my own?

I found some plain white fabric in my craft stash. I sewed the two edges together to form this bag. The side with the open end was folded to itself and sewn to keep the fabric ends from fraying. I also left a small opening where I would later on add a ribbon. 

But this bag is looking a little blah, don't you think? 

I'm using a stencil to add a design. I just traced it onto the fabric with a pencil.

Time to embroider! I follow the pattern using a needle and embroidery thread. I'm using simple stitches like the back stitch, satin stitch, detached chain stitch, and french knot. 

Even with just two colors, this shoe bag has turned from blah to TADA!

I inserted a ribbon that will allow me to tighten and close the bag. A neat trick is to put a paper clip on one end of the ribbon (loosely sew in place) and use the paper clip as a needle to "thread" the ribbon through the opening until it comes out on the other end. Cut off the thread, remove the paper clip, and trim the frayed ends of the ribbon.

Presenting my embroidered shoe bag...TADA!

Experiment with different designs and embroidery stitches. You can even give these away as personalized presents...TADA!

Here are a few more shoe bag DIYs: one is made from an old t-shirt and another uses a handmade stencil for added flair.

Here's to shoes and embroidered shoe bags to put them in! Happy crafting and just so you don't miss new crafty ideas, please subscribe here. 

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!"