Valentine's Day Card Swap

What's up guys?

Let's talk about Valentine's Day. Do you celebrate it? Do you go all out and exchange cards, flowers, and chocolates or is it just another ordinary day?

Last year, I participated in a Valentine's Day Card Swap hosted by House That Lars Built on Instagram. All we had to do was make a handmade Valentine card and mail it to a penpal assigned to us. It's a simple way to spread love and share in some handmade magic.

I was paired with Michelle who lives in England. This is what I made for her:

It's a little scrapbook fashioned from empty bill envelopes and decorated with paint, paper remnants, rubber stamps, brush lettering, and ribbon.

It's inspired by children's pop-up books where there are hidden messages tucked in pockets.

When you open a flap or pull on a tag, there's a reminder about self love...TADA!

I'm proud to say that this scrapbook was featured in Strawberry Moon Magazine last year.

The Valentine card I received came from Caroline who lives in South Carolina. I just love what she created! It still hangs on a cork board right above my desk. Again, a reminder of self love...TADA!

I was so grateful, I sent Caroline a Valentine card, too! The concept was "I want to give you a hand," which means:

Everything associated with friendly hand gestures: waving, shaking hands, and high fives. It's also a literal representation of "handmade."

I included another handmade card with a more personalized message inside. 

I wrapped everything in this heart-shaped doily, put it in an envelope, and sent it on its way...TADA!

This exchange of cards may be old fashioned but I find thrill in making and receiving them. I also love the idea of encouraging others and being able to celebrate Valentine's Day in non-romantic and more inclusive ways.  

May these cards spur you to make and send your own to those who need cheering up. You might just turn their day from blah to TADA!

If you want crafty ideas delivered straight to your inbox, please subscribe here. 

Five Things for February

Hello everyone and hello February!

I live in the East Coast of the United States and February tends to be one of the coldest months of the year. 

Snow days in February are a sight to behold. When the ground has a fresh layer of snow and everything is white and peaceful. I like to take walks and watch the neighborhood kids build snow people or go sledding. The scene is like a postcard...TADA!

Because in winter, the days are shorter and all you want to do is cozy up under a throw, I like to put on this eye compress. It can be used warm (a few minutes in the microwave) or cold (keep in the fridge for a few hours). Wearing it forces you to close your eyes and be still. It's very calming after hours on the computer or reading and has health benefits, too. A face towel (warm or cold) can be an easy alternative...TADA!   

The Lunar New Year is on February 10, and from the year of the Rabbit, it will transition to the year of the Dragon. There are many traditions that go with the celebration and I'd like to recommend this book that both kids and adults can learn from. It's called "A Sweet New Year for Ren" written by Michelle Sterling and illustrated by Dung Ho. It's about family and feasting, and there's a recipe for Pineapple Tarts...TADA!

It's also Valentine's Day this February. I've always believed that you don't have to be in a romantic relationship to celebrate this day. Love exists in many forms (grandparent and grandchild, best friends, aunt and niece, etc.) and Valentine's Day can be the appropriate occasion to tell them they are appreciated. This handmade postcard was sent to me by my penpal. Though we've never met, I do feel very loved...TADA!

I stumbled upon this store in Chicago called "Worn Wear" (not a sponsored post) and I'm impressed by the intention of reselling, repairing or trading in gently used winter coats. It's the responsible thing to do to keep clothes out of landfills...TADA!

Wishing you a February that's filled with warmth and coziness!

A Butterfly Embroidery

I'm so glad you are here!

Over the years, I've created butterfly-inspired crafts like this butterfly wall hanging, butterfly scent sachet, and butterfly watercolor painting. I've made it a tradition to make a butterfly craft at the end of every January. You see, I lost my Mom in January 31, 2017. She makes her presence felt through monarch butterflies -- during my walks in the park, when I see one in a book, on TV, or printed on fabric. Making these helps me honor her memory and is a form of healing for me, too. 

Last year, I made this butterfly embroidery. I love the simplicity of the black thread on white fabric. But I thought we can still turn it from blah to TADA!

I took out my embroidery thread selection.

I was drawn to the shades of pink and purple embroidery floss. 

Slowly, I filled in the little blank spaces, similar to a coloring book but using thread.

I relied on a satin stitch and a few French knots for dimension.

As you can see, I didn't complete the embroidery in one sitting. I would do a little each day (only a ten minute commitment). Sometimes I would repeat my Mom's name or told her stories as I sewed each stitch. It's my way of keeping her present.

Here is the embroidered butterfly...TADA! I'll add it to my gallery wall to remind me that Mom is always close by.

How about you, are there special ways you honor the loved ones you've lost?

Please subscribe here if you'd like my future blog posts delivered right in your inbox.

A Sketchbook Practice: Collage Fodder

As a creative practice, I've been playing around in my sketchbook. Most of the time, I make watercolor paintings, work on some experimental portraits or create travel sketches.

But I learned another exciting way to dress up a blank sketchbook page.

It's called FODDER or Collage Fodder. 

Fodder School (yes, it exists!) defines collage fodder as "anything that can be used in the creation of a collage. Collage fodder can be collected (think old vintage book pages or ticket stubs) or handmade (think gelli prints or handmade pattern papers)."

I've done a lot of the paper collecting over the years, filing them randomly in plastic folders. The "handmade fodder" part really got my attention. 

I was introduced to the collage fodder concept when I attended Sketchbook Revival hosted by Karen Abend and Fodder School teacher Tiffany Simply Sharpe.

The first step is to make the focal point. In this case it would be a mushroom.

We started painting mushrooms (I don't think I've ever drawn mushrooms in great detail before). I chose this color palette: green, blue green, purple and fuchsia. Then when the paintings were dry, I outlined the edges with a fine-tipped black marker.

Tiffany used watercolor paper. To make it my own, I repurposed an empty cardboard box, turning it from blah to TADA! The back side won't be seen anyway because it will be glued down.

Cut around the mushrooms to remove the excess white border.

I also made toadstools and flowers using the cardboard.

The second step is to assemble the background using a collection of paper remnants, fabric, packing tape, magazine tear sheets, gift tissue and gift wrap. Perhaps you have old magazines and catalogs or a library of collected papers? These are a good place to start.

Narrow down your paper choices to a color story. I chose greens, blues and purples to complement the mushroom I painted.

Using the page of the sketchbook, try out different layouts before committing to anything. Tiffany calls this the audition process.

The third step is to glue things in place (I used a glue stick).

The final step is to add some journaling or finishing touches like designs from cling stamps and an ink pad. 

Here is what I made...TADA!

This is another version using both the mushroom and flower that I painted...TADA!

And finally, this fairytale toadstool collage.

Collage fodder is another way we can turn a blank sketchbook page from blah to TADA!  

If you'd like more crafty ideas delivered to your inbox, please subscribe here. 

A Hostess Gift Idea and How To Wrap It

Hello creative people! I hope you are having a nice day.

Whenever we are invited to a party, it's always good manners to bring something for the host or hostess. A few safe ideas include flowers arranged in a vase, baked goods and a pie server, and a few nice things for the home.

Another hostess gift idea is a candle. Choosing the scent might be little tricky. If the host/hostess is a dear friend, you may know what scent he or she leans to. If it's an acquaintance, it may be smart to ask around and do some research. The hostess I'm giving this to loves candles, loves coffee, and is into neutral shades...TADA!

And because it's a gift, let's wrap it! I'm trying to use more sustainable gift wrapping, something the recipient can re-use, too. This is a cloth napkin, also in a neutral shade. Other options include block-printed fabric, scarves/bandanas or vintage handkerchiefs. 

In Japan, this method of wrapping gift with fabric is called Furoshiki. It requires folding, tucking, knotting, and no need for tape.

Start by placing the gift at the center of the fabric.

Fold one end toward the center and tuck it under the gift.

Bring the opposite end towards the center and fold in the ends. 

Bunch the open edges so that it looks like this.

Twist each end and bring both to the center so they meet in a knot.

Make a second knot. Doesn't it look like a bow? No need for adhesives or ribbon...TADA!

Don't forget to add a card telling the host/hostess how much you appreciate the invitation and hospitality.

And that is how I turned a cloth napkin from blah to TADA!

If you'd like more crafty ideas delivered to your inbox, please subscribe here. 

Coffee-inspired Crafts

Are you a coffee lover? If you are or know someone who is, here is a round-up of coffee-inspired crafts that may just be as exciting as a jolt of caffeine: 

1. Sketchbook Pages 

I have a regular sketchbook practice. My intention is that if I use it often, I can improve my drawing and painting. 

I use the blank pages of my sketchbook just to play.  

I get my inspiration from everyday objects like these to-go cups from different coffee shops I visit.

I try to capture the to-go cups as best as I could using watercolor and colored pencils...TADA!

2. Reusing Cardboard Coffee Sleeves

Those cardboard sleeves that come with coffee to-go cups...make sure to save them! They are a blank canvas that's fun to decorate:

Here, I used collage and die-cuts to dress up the cardboard sleeve. I used it to "wrap" a gift (reusable coffee cup)...TADA! 

This cardboard coffee sleeve is given a new look with brush lettering. I used it to "wrap" a beer (a thoughtful gift for Dad)...TADA!

3. Coffee-stained Papers 

These are various kinds of paper like kraft paper, copy paper, and pages from an old book that I stained with coffee (I took the wet coffee grounds from the coffee maker and let it sit on the paper for a few hours). The coffee ages the paper with a warm sepia tone and I especially like how the degree of staining varies from dark to light.

I experimented with other papers like notebook paper, graph paper, construction paper, and security envelopes. The patina from the coffee gives them a lot of character.

I trimmed my coffee-stained paper into uniform squares and added more elements like rubber stamps, coffee shop stickers and labels, confetti and hand-stitching...TADA! 

I like to use the coffee-stained papers for scrapbooking, making greeting cards, and junk journals...TADA! 

4. Coffee-stained Fabric 

If you have a stash of fabric remnants, why not give them a new look by staining them with coffee? 

The fabric on the left is the original color (white) and the one on the right was soaked in coffee (liquid) for a few hours. I rinsed the latter with some detergent and warm water then let it dry. 

I took a coffee-themed stamp (this is a bag of coffee beans) and an ink pad and pressed on some repeating patterns on the coffee-stained fabric. I can use it to sew small pouches...TADA!

5. Coffee grounds

Most households have spent coffee grounds. Another crafting idea is to use it to make a coffee scrub or coffee soap. It's also a good idea to compost your coffee.

I hope you liked these coffee-inspired crafts and may they inspire you to turn blah to TADA!

Want more crafty ideas delivered to your inbox? Please subscribe here.