Tote Bag Stories: A Tote Bag for Wine Bottles

When you're off to a party bringing a bottle of wine, how do you carry it? Do you bring it as is or wrapped in cute packaging? 

But if you were bringing more than one bottle? In my mind, a wine bag like this one would be ideal. It's made of sturdy canvas, has six compartments to keep the bottles from bumping into each other (less chance for breakage), and can be thrown in the washing machine in between uses. 

But why buy when we can D.I.Y.?

I own many reusable canvas totes and I chose this one because it has a food/dining theme.

I also like it because the fabric is thicker and it's gusseted, allowing the bottom of the bag to stand on its own. 

I'm going to make three compartments. I measure the bag and divide it into three equal sections. I use a pencil to make light markings on the bag.

Then I stitch the front part of the bag to the back part of the bag together with a back stitch. 

Use thread that matches the color of the bag or a totally different color to give it an accent. I sewed this by hand but you may use a sewing machine if you prefer.

The compartments snugly fit three bottles of wine (or non-alcoholic beverages)...TADA!

It's a clever idea to include a small corkscrew in the bag...TADA! 

Tuck the corkscrew inside a small canvas pouch and throw in a wine stopper or two just in case you don't finish the wine. A tight seal from the wine stopper will prevent spills and keep the wine fresher longer.

Reusable water bottles (one for each member of the family) can also fit in this bag.

With a little measuring and sewing, this canvas bag finds new purpose and is ready for any picnic, party, potluck or BYOB (bring your own bottle/booze/beverage) event.

This bag, together with the wine inside, makes a thoughtful hostess gift, too!

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Five Things for November

Hello November! I welcome this season of warmth and coziness, and I make sure to spend some quiet time before the holiday season begins. 

Oh the joy of autumn! I love to take long walks in the cool, crisp air and marvel at the red, orange, and yellow wardrobe of the trees around me. This time outdoors prompts me to collect leaves for crafting or to create a painting...TADA!

The U.S. elections happen this month (November 5). A gentle reminder to exercise this most solemn right to vote and make your voice heard. 

November is also the month we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States. Most of the time, I'll make pie -- apple or pumpkin are the runaway favorites...TADA!

And since we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving, let's really pause and count all the things in our life that we are grateful for. An attitude of gratitude always turns the "blah to TADA!"

November is the beginning of party season! Whenever my husband and I are invited to a friend's house, we always make sure that we're wearing nice socks. Sometimes they have a "no shoes in the home" policy and we're fine with that. Here are some of the socks in my collection: croissants! heart-shaped waffles! sunny side-up eggs! Aren't they cute? Shopping for socks (or getting them as presents) does turn my day from "blah to TADA!"

Speaking of parties, let's not forget the hostess gift. A few ideas include: a thoughtfully-wrapped pie server, a personalized gift basket, and handmade gift tags...TADA! 

I wish you all a lovely November!

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Sketchbook Practice: Inspired by End Papers

Welcome back to my blog!

I maintain a sketchbook practice. It's something I've had for several years now.

An inexpensive spiral watercolor sketchbook is all it really is. I try to make time for it each day. I'll make a small sketch if I only have 10 minutes, or a bigger drawing during the laid back hours of the weekend.

Sometimes, it's difficult to start when faced with a blank page. Some of my solutions: painting using prompts, nature themes, and mundane objects. 

Another idea is based on END PAPERS. Say what? 

End papers are defined this way: The endpaper, also called endsheet, forms the connection between the book cover and the book block. It is itself often a design feature of a book, but also a technically necessary part for the durability. Thus, the endpaper is often reinforced by a strip of fabric in the spine. Of course, endpapers do not always have to be white... definition is from here.

I really loved the book "Things to Look Forward To" by Sophie Blackall. The swoon-worthy illustrations begin when you open the book:

This is what the end papers of "Things to Look Forward To" looks like. The drawings are hints to the title: babies, a cup of coffee or tea, and reading a beloved book.

The images are so playful and I like the red-on-pink color combination because you don't see this everyday.

So I'll try this color combination, too. On a page of my sketchbook, I painted it with a layer of water. Then I added several coats of pink watercolor and I let the page dry for a few hours.

With a red colored pencil, I drew my favorite candies when I was a child. They may not be familiar because these are local brands from the Philippines. 

• "Lipps" were red candies that colored my lips (like I was wearing lipstick) 
• "Nipps" are similar to M&M's 
• Chocolate Coins in their shiny wrapping were always a hit
• "Curly Topps" are milk chocolates with a curly swirl 
• "Butterball" candies tasted like popcorn 
• Pink Cotton Candy was a birthday party treat (it was mesmerizing to watch the machine attendant spin this confection out of sugar)
• Serg's Milk Chocolate Bars and Chocolate Eggs 
• Lollipops in different flavors 
• "Choco Knots" are chocolate covered pretzels
• "Orange Swits" are orange-flavored gummies

Some of these candies no longer exist. That's why I thought it important to document them in my sketchbook. It helped jog my memory and I'm feeling lots of nostalgia right now.

So you see, inspiration from end papers and memory keeping are just some of the ways we can turn a blank sketchbook page from "blah to TADA!" 

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Learning from Suzy Ultman: Cardboard Birds

So lovely to see you!

Awhile back, I took a free on-line class on Creativebug. 

 

Our teacher was the talented illustrator and product designer Suzy Ultman and the session was hosted by adorable crochet artist Twinkie Chan. 

The craft we made was right up my alley -- we upcycled an empty cereal box to make this cardboard bird!

Suzy provided a template but it's easy enough to draw freehand on the cardboard (just think of an elongated plus sign with oval corners). Cut out the cardboard and paint it in any color you want. Once the paint is dry, add the details like the beak, eye, and patterns such as dots and lines. When this layer has dried, write words with a black marker. Suzy chose words that represent birds: happiness, soaring, freedom, feathers, and fly high. 

Here is the version that I made:

I used similar colors and found a quote about nature and gratitude...TADA!

It's such an easy craft for kids and kids-at-heart and the materials are readily available. I couldn't help but make a few more:

I tweaked the shape of the bird, decorated it with primary colors, and added some encouragement using brush lettering...TADA!

For this cardboard bird, I first made abstract prints on the cardboard using paint, markers, and rubber stamps. Then I cut the bird into this shape and added details like the eyes, beak, and feathers using a black marker...TADA!

Here's another bird cut-out that I personalized with my penpal's name. Imagine using this as birthday or baby shower banners, or seating cards for a party...TADA!

Here are other versions. Notice the flower in their beak!

Wasn't that fun? That is how I turned empty food boxes from blah to TADA!

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A Tin Box Decorated with Decoupage

It's so nice to see you today!

There is a stall at the Union Square Holiday Market that I always love to visit. They sell all these gift items from India and I'm particularly attracted to the enamelware decorated with flowers. They are vibrant and remind me of folk art.

One of the things I bought from them is this lovely bangle.

If I'm not mistaken, this style of decorating is called Kashmiri paper mâché.

I'm using this design as a launching point for today's craft.

This used to be filled with chocolate covered coffee beans. It's now empty but I saved the tin container.

 

After cleaning it inside and out, I painted it with several coats of plum-colored paint.

Once the paint was dry, I decorated the tin box this way:

I found some floral gift wrap remnants that I cut into smaller shapes. 

With a paintbrush, I applied white glue on the backs of the gift wrap cutouts. The paintbrush helps spread the glue in an even layer and covers the surface until the very edges. 

I attached the floral cutouts onto the tin container, a crafting style called decoupage. 

Here's what the tin box looks like after attaching the floral cutouts...TADA! 

We can leave it like this or add more flowers:

This is just one of the ways I turned a tin container from "blah to TADA!" 

If you like this idea, maybe you'll like this recipe box, paint palette, storage bin, trinket box or twine canister...all made from empty tin boxes.

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Five Things for October

Autumn rites and spooky vibes...that's one way to define October energy!

Plan a trip to the farm to pick some apples or pumpkins.

Then paint the pumpkins and make them part of your Halloween decor...TADA!

How cute is this Goldilocks and the Three Bears costume for a little girl? No need to buy...you can D.I.Y.! Find something similar in your girl's closet, make an easy apron, and add three teddy bears...TADA!

Halloween candy isn't just for kids! Which one is your favorite? I'd pick Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and KitKats first...TADA!

Before October ends, I'll definitely spend time outdoors to marvel at the colorful autumn leaves. The way Mari Andrew describes fall is true poetry!

May October bring you lots of treats!

A Sketchbook Practice: Line Drawing

Hey, hey!

Today, we're going back to our sketchbook to explore how we can turn a blank page from "blah to TADA!"

Every blank page is waiting to become a piece that we can be proud of. It only takes a few materials such as black pens, whatever you have -- Sharpie markers, fine liners or brush pens. 

Here I created a simple sketch of daffodils. I used different sized pen tips for a subtle background and more pronounced petals...TADA!

This is another flower accentuated with shading, dashes, lines, and crosshatches to give it dimension...TADA!

I learned how to draw in perspective from David Drazil during Workshop Week a few years back. I'll keep practicing so that I can use this for future entries in my travel journal.

Have you ever tried one-line art or continuous line drawings? Pablo Picasso used this style where he didn't lift the pen until the drawing was finished. It's quite exciting not knowing what it will look like, while being mindful to keep the line going. 

I was tapping into my memories when I made this piece. These are two of my favorite dresses when I was about 8 years old. I also added some fashion accessories that I liked to wear at that age.  Maybe this can be a page of a coloring book one day?

And finally, instead of drawing, why not write a favorite word or name? Use different pens to get different sizes, experiment with shading and fonts, too.  

I saw this artwork at a hotel and I thought it fit our theme. I love how you can tell a story with just some lines and shading made with a black pen. 

Feeling stuck with what to draw? Try out some line drawing! 

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