Abuzz with Butterflies

Hi there sweet friends!

Today's craft has its genesis in a jacket:

Specifically a jacket that Michelle Yeoh wore during a television appearance. Can you see? It's studded with fabric butterflies...TADA!

The butterfly jacket was the accessory. It's by Oscar De La Renta. She paired it with a simple shirt, vintage jeans, and funky shoes. She looks great! She doesn't look at all like she's 60 and she just won an Oscar. She is the first Asian to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards! Check out her uplifting speech here. 

I am quite obsessed with this jacket because butterflies, specifically monarch butterflies, have a special spot in my heart. I've written about it here. 

Inspired by Michelle Yeoh's butterfly jacket, I made this gift box decorated with paper butterflies...TADA!

Here's how I made it:

 

I repurposed this box that was once filled with almond shortbread cookies (a gift from dear friends living in Hawaii).

I painted the entire box with bright blue acrylic paint. It took about five coats to completely cover the packaging labels, then I let the box dry for a few hours.

I cut a strip of cardboard that I attached to the lid of the box using hot glue. This will serve as the handle of my gift box.

Using an ink pad and a butterfly stamp (I've used it for this butterfly wall hanging and butterfly envelopes), I made repeating butterfly patterns on plain paper. 

When the ink dried, I added some color using colored pencils.

Then I cut around each butterfly.

I attached the paper butterflies on the box using white glue. As an option, you can use butterfly stickers, too.

I added butterflies all over, from the sides to the back.

I even put some butterflies on the handle, making sure not to glue all sides and folding the wings slightly for a "butterfly in flight" effect.

All I need to do is to add the gift inside the box and write my wishes on a nice card. 

This butterfly gift box is how I turned an empty box from blah to TADA! 

If you'd like to visit the archives, I've made similar gift boxes made from a tea box, pasta box, and most recently a coffee pod box...TADA!

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Repurposing Ribbons and Beads

I'm so glad to be crafting with you today!

I came across this necklace in an old catalog:

It's made up of two kinds of grosgrain ribbon, beads, baubles and gems. While it may be quite an over-the-top accessory, it inspired me to create something similar using ribbons and beads from my craft stash.

These stripe grosgrain ribbons once decorated a gift I received. I never throw things like these away. I save them with this ribbon storage technique until I'm ready to use them.

 

I decided that I'm making hair clips with the grosgrain ribbon. For that, we'll also need a set of barrettes in various sizes that I got from the craft store. 

I found a necklace and two bracelets that I no longer wear. Time to give them a new purpose.

I unfastened the beads from the jewelry findings using a pair of pliers. 

Now that all the materials for the hair clips are ready, let's begin.  

I took a strip of grosgrain ribbon (this is 5.5 inches long). I made a running stitch on one end of the ribbon with needle and thread. 

Pull the thread so that the grosgrain ribbon gathers up into a circle.

Make the ends of the grosgrain ribbon meet and sew them together with the needle and thread. Finish the stitch with a few tight knots. 

Instantly, we made a ribbon rosette...TADA!

Embellish the middle of the ribbon rosette with beads, sewed on securely with needle and thread.

Take another strip of grosgrain ribbon (this is 6.2 inches long).

Connect the ends together by sewing. We'll end up with a circle like this one.

Press the ribbon circle to form a bowtie. Pinch the middle section together and sew so that it stays in place. 

Attach the ribbon rosette and bowtie by sewing them together on the back side.

Then sew on the barrette (sew it on both ends and at the center). 

Take a look at what we made: a grosgrain ribbon hair clip...TADA!

Now, let me show you another kind of hair clip.

Take another strip of grosgrain ribbon (this is 13 inches long) with the tails cut on an angle. Form the ribbon into a bow and stitch the center to keep it from unravelling.

Next, make a bowtie using another strip of ribbon (this is 6 inches long). 

Join the two by sewing them together on the back side and attach a barrette. Decorate the bows with a smattering of beads.

Pretty hair clips for young ones and adults. That's how I turned some grosgrain ribbon and beads from blah to TADA! 

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A Handmade Gift Box

Hey there lovelies! 

Today, I'm turning an empty box from blah to TADA!

This box once housed a pair of coffee capsules. 

It's no surprise that I kept the box for crafting purposes. I like that it resembles a little drawer because the inner box can be pulled out.

With the help of some black paint and a paintbrush...

I covered up the branding and produced a clean, almost brand new-looking box.

Use a hole punch to make a hole on one side of the "drawer."

Take some ribbon (this one is also recycled from a gift).

Trim the ribbon to about five inches long and knot both ends together.

Insert the ribbon, loop-side first, through the hole on the "drawer." This will serve as a pulling device and also a handle.

Take the outer box and decorate it. I chose uplifting words to describe my friend who will be receiving this.

I'm using a white pencil to sketch it out.

I chose the words: You are beautiful, generous and extraordinary.

With white paint and a paintbrush, I permanently filled in the letters.

Allow each side to dry for a few hours.

Cushion the bottom of the "drawer" with gift tissue or shredded paper and add a thoughtful present like a small bottle of perfume, lipstick or chocolates. Something you know a dear friend will enjoy.

Connect the "drawer" to the outer box and it's ready to be given away.

And that is how I turned an empty box from blah to TADA!

I have a few more similar gift wrapping ideas using a tea box, pasta box, and cheese box.

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Sidewalk Furniture

On the streets of New York City, you are bound to find furniture -- free for the taking! Maybe the owners no longer need them or maybe they're moving out of their apartments. Personally, I would call the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity's ReStore to schedule a pick-up. The'll sell the furniture in their thrift stores and use the money for their community projects...TADA!

Here's one of the pieces I saw:

It's a half moon console table that looks brand new.

Had I taken it home, I would repaint it. The red is a little too vibrant for me. Here's what I would do:

via Pinterest

I'd paint it white and brush the table top with a natural wood stain.

via Pinterest

I could also give it a distressed finish and replace the knob with something more classic.

After it's been painted, this is how I would use it:

via Pinterest

It would be a nice accessory in the foyer.

via Pinterest

It can be a practical display space in a small corner.

via Pinterest

A mirror is always a good match with a console table to make the room bigger and for that final touch of lipstick before heading out the door.

via Pinterest

I can use it to display seasonal decor like flowers in springtime, potted plants in the summer, pumpkins in autumn, and a small tree for the holidays...TADA! 

via BakedBree

I can turn it into a well-appointed coffee corner.

via Pinterest

Or in lieu of a bar cart, a bar console table -- glasses on top, bottles on the bottom.

via Wedding Chicks

It can be useful for a birthday party or baby shower for a candy buffet or sweets station...TADA!

via The Inspired Room 

I can even bring it inside the bedroom and put it in between two beds.

via Pinterest

I can add a mirror and a stool to make a vanity...TADA!

These are just some crazy ideas. I hope you'll use them as a jump-off point to turn your old furniture from blah to TADA!

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