Gray to YAY!

I'm happy you could stop by today.

 At the start of the week, we turned this paper bag 

from blah to...

TADA! -- the paper bag's handle

transformed into a bag charm. 

 TADA! -- the other handle jazzed up

for its new life as a necklace.

With both handles put to good use, maybe we could do the same for the bag. 

I gave it new handles -- these are wire handles rescued from a Chinese take-away box {TADA!}.

For embellishments, I'm using foam glitter stickers, ribbon and punched-out scrapbook paper {notice the polka-do theme going on?}.

The ribbon disguises any brand name printed on the bag and layering the paper {use mounting tape for a raised effect} makes it more party-ready.

 Here's what the "new" bag looks like.

TADA!

A Summer Necklace

It's very nice to see you today.

My current project: I'm turning paper bags from blah to TADA!

Right now, let's focus on the handles. Yesterday, I made a bag charm out of one and today, what about a necklace?

I'm using a few beads. These ones, however, are looking a little blah.

A few coats of paint was all they needed. I chose the color pool blue...the name itself relaxes me already! 

Let's make a loop at one end of the rope/bag handle. Secure in place with a few stitches. I used embroidery thread in yellow as an accent color.

With a needle and thread, attach the beads to the rope/bag handle in an alternating pattern.

Use as many beads as the rope/bag handle can accommodate. Doesn't this look like peas in a pod? Then finish with a few knots and a second loop on the open end.

Add a simple chain and...

 ...TADA! -- instant summery necklace.

For a little more detail:

 ...add some teardrop beads and tassels.

Sea and sunshine as an accessory...yes, please!

Fashion by the Book

While I was exploring one of Brooklyn's pretty neighborhoods,

I found these on somebody's stoop:

I wasn't quite sure if the owner left these books free for the picking. I browsed but didn't take any because I didn't know if there existed a book-taking etiquette.

Wherever you are, there are books that need new owners, and sometimes, new life. I'll show you how to turn your blah books into TADA! with a few ideas I found on-line.

Check out Academy-award winner Natalie Portman's bag:

image courtesy of the LA Times

It looks like she's carrying a book to

her Black Swan movie premiere.

It's actually a clutch!

image courtesy of Green Charm Press

Here's another title.

image courtesy of The Fashion Police.net

And two more.

All created by French designer,

Olympia Le-Tan.

image courtesy of Kate Spade.com

American designer Kate Spade

has some lovely versions, too.

If you want to turn your old, blah book into

a TADA! clutch, check out See Kate Sew's tutorial.

Bear-y Christmas!

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by and thanks for

visiting Delia's blog yesterday where I turned a blah paper bag

into a TADA! envelope. Perfect for money gifts and tips.

Today, I have another idea to "disguise" a gift card

(some people may think it's impersonal to give a gift card,

I don't -- I think it's practical and let's the recipient pick

what he or she really, really wants!)

Blah: a teddy bear that was a promotional freebie.

Remove the tag and replace with a small envelope

(I made this using construction paper).

Secure it to the bear with ribbon or small amount of hot glue.

Insert the gift card and finish with a sweet note.

TADA! No one can resist the charm of this bear

who comes bearing a gift!

Have a great day!

Simply CHARMing

Happy Tuesday!

All this week on my blog, I'm turning odd items

from a bag of scrap from blah to Tada!

Today's pick: gold charms & a faux diamond bracelet.

Individually, they're quite blah.

But if you put them together, they're Tada!

I really like the weathered look &

how each charm tells a story.

Have a charming day!