Just Some Handmade Gifts

How was everyone's weekend? I got some handmade gifts from a dear friend at work:

My friend's nickname for me is "Claire Bear" that's why it's extra meaningful that she gave me this little sweetheart teddy bear. His arms are stretched out, ready for an embrace. 

She also gave me a hat, a scarf, and hand warmers in two of my favorite colors: black and Tiffany blue. They are perfect for the coming winter. 

Her lovely Mom made all of these. I wish I could knit like her. You know that I'm a frustrated knitter. 

Handmade gifts...I think they are TADA!

A Beautiful Biscuit Tin

A good friend of mine lives in Hong Kong and everytime he sees me, he always has a gift. It's usually food because food tripping is one of our favorite things to do. We always egg each other, "Here, you have to try this!", "And this!", "And this!" even if we're stuffed. And that's a mark of a true friend -- he or she wants you to take pleasure in his/her foodie discovery.

One of the things he let me try were these almond flakes. Light as air, buttery in every bite, and had just the right crunch from the slivered almonds. You can't stop at just one. Needless to say, they were polished off in very little time.  

But all was not lost because the almond flakes were packed in this adorable tin!

The bakery that makes it comes out with a new design every month to protect counterfits! I think it would be dangerous to have the bakery near me because I would be there everyday for the baked goods and to collect all the new tins that come out. LOL.

This one was designed for Mother's Day. And I could definitely feel the love between Mama Bear and Baby Bear. 

I've kept the tin with the promise that it'll always have a treat inside. When I feel like I need a snack or a sweet nibble after dinner, I just have to open the tin.  Here's what I've put inside so far: 

Molasses cookies flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger

Chocolate chip cookies with peanuts and pretzels

Fudgy chocolate Crinkles

Simple Snickerdoodles

Brown sugar shortbread

And even popcorn!

To this day, I've started quite a collection...TADA!

Do you like to keep biscuit tins, too?

Costume Party

We're getting ready for Halloween,

and all this week we're making

easy blah to TADA! decorations.

blah: stuffed animals picked up from

different parts of the house

Why not dress them up

for Halloween too?

Meet COW-nt Dracula

Here's Bear the Bandit...

And the Chick Witch!

These costumes were made with an

old black t-shirt and felt scraps.

TADA!

Still Sewing!

Happy New Week Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by today -- I really enjoy your company.

If you visited last week, I told you all about this

wonderful book where I'm getting my

current inspirations:

In this book, there are just too many "good things", as Martha herself would say. So this week, I'll be showing some more sewing projects, with my blah to TADA! twist of course!

I love to recycle shirts like I did here, here, here, here and here.

Today, it's a similar blah but just wait

'til you see the TADA!

Add the magic of a pattern, pins, scissors,

needle, thread, buttons, stuffing & felt...

And viola -- a TADA! Teddy Bear who's got

a lot of love to give away.

Remember the pillow I made last Friday?

The one made from a man's shirt?

You can't really see it here but the shirt has a pocket.

It makes a perfect home for dear Teddy!

This can be a great gift for a little boy

(or girl) using Dad & Mom's old shirts,

don't you think?

Aussie Style

It's difficult for me to imagine a world without

magazines. News stands in bus stations and

airports without magazines. Waiting rooms at

the dentist or doctor's office without magazines.

I can't bear the thought! So blah!

I guess one day we'll all be totting around some

kind of tablet PC like an iPad or Samsung Galaxy,

the same way we carry mobile phones everywhere.

Good thing there are now many

on-line magazines! TADA!

Today, it's off to Australia to see

some of the magazines they have.

Adore is Australia's first online home &

lifestyle magazine. It's first issue launched

in October/November 2010 and has been

wow-ing its readers with gorgeous homes

and beautifully designed products from

all over the world.

Paper Runway is a bit different from

the magazines I've shared this week

because instead of fashion, food &

decor, it's all about paper! And if

you love paper and the many ways

to create with it, it's worth checking

this one out.

Happy Reading!

Christmas at Bryant Park

Today, let me show you how Bryant Park celebrates the holidays. 

Bryant Park is located on 42nd Street and 6th Avenue in New York City.  I like this park a lot. It's a patch of calm in the middle of Manhattan's tall buildings and the always busy Times Square. And there's lots to do -- sip a coffee, read on a lawn chair, play petanque, chess or table tennis, take the kids to le carrousel, do some group yoga, and watch a concert or movie in the summer.      

When the holidays arrive, it's decked with 

a skating rink and a Christmas tree!

Ice skating in the winter and in New York City, no less! 

If you prefer to just watch, there's a heated bar

serving drinks and light meals. 

Surrounding all of this are the Holiday Shops -- glass-covered booths showcasing gifts, souvenirs, clothing and goodies to satisfy the tummy.

Get yourself a cup of tea to enjoy while walking around or purchase a canister for the tea-lovers in your life. 

There are at least two shops selling hot chocolate and another selling hot apple cider.

There are food stalls offering French macarons, churros, chocolates, crepes, waffles, popcorn and savory snacks.

Here are just some of the cute stuff you'll find:

 Desk accessories and stationery

 I'm not certain if these are costumes or funny pajamas

Gloves for children in the shape of bear paws 

Fuzzy animal slippers 

There are many tree ornaments for sale. Some can even be personalized! I was drawn to this bunch -- the characters from The Wizard of Oz. 

 Fragrant hand soaps and body creams

Wallets and bags with quirky photos as the main design

Creature clocks with wagging tails

This shop was selling girly merchandise like jewelry and accessories. I love the French country interiors!

 Lovely ceramics like mugs, bowls and wall decorations

This shop, called "Mr. Ellie Pooh's Fair Trade", takes recycling to a whole new level -- elephant waste is turned into gifts like notebooks and greeting cards.

And finally, a shop selling bracelets, clocks and journals made from old vinyl records {blah to TADA!}.  See you back tomorrow!

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
October 26, 2012 to January 6, 2013
Monday to Friday: 11 AM to 8 PM
Saturday: 10 AM to 9 PM
Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM

Bryant Park is situated behind the New York Public Library
in midtown Manhattan, between 40th and 42nd Streets &
Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Sweet Paul: Eat and Make

Happy Monday Lovelies!

If you're a crafter, you must have heard of Paul Lowe, also known as "Sweet Paul". Among his many talents, he owns an inspiring website and publishes his own magazine!

I've enjoyed his work ever since I stumbled upon his blog. The pictures he styles are a visual feast. His recipes and crafts are both easy and approachable.

So when the opportunity came to meet him, I didn't pass it up.

It all happened at the Hoboken branch of Anthropologie on a beautiful Spring evening.

I really like how this store has a regular schedule of meet-the-author events across all their branches.

You see, Sweet Paul just launched a book called Eat and Make. And as a treat, I got myself a copy. 

Sweet Paul adding an inscription to my book!

We got to chat a bit and underneath all those tattoos is a teddy bear, a sweet man indeed.

The "Eat" part of the event: cheese and charcuterie.

There was wine, too!

A table was also set-up in the store for a night of cocktails and crafting.

The "Make" part of the event: we made these paper flowers.

They are made of dyed {Rit Dye} coffee filters...

...and colored Q-tips, all attached together with floral wire.

These are just some of the flowers we made...TADA!