Five Things for May

 Hey, hey, it's May!

One of the things I look forward to is seeing peonies bloom! Peonies are one of my favorite flowers because they can be as big as cabbages and their colors are vibrant, they unapologetically declare, "Look at me!" When I see them in a neighbor's garden or as bouquets at the supermarket, I really stop and admire them...TADA!

On May 12, we celebrate Mother's Day here in the U.S. Above is quote from the book "The Expatriates" by Janice Y. K. Lee, a book I thoroughly loved reading (and is now a drama series). Doesn't this sentence capture the essence of a mother?

To all mothers and mother-figures, thank you for your deep love and sacrifice! You all deserve a long rest on Mother's Day.

Apart from Mother's Day there are many other occasions in May. Did you know that there is a Lost Sock Day, Paper Airplane Day, and Talk like Yoda Day? You can find the full list of May celebrations here. I wonder who comes up with these? They definitely turn an ordinary day from blah to TADA!

Do you like washi tape? I have a collection and I like using them for my paper crafts. I thought this was a clever idea to keep tape rolls organized (c/o Yoseka Stationery). It's a wooden rack for plates or cooking pan lids but repurposed to house washi tape...TADA!  

Speaking of washi tape, does it ever happen to you that the washi tape has stuck to the roll, the edges are ragged from the effort of detaching, and you don't get a smooth peel? Many of my washi tape rolls suffer this condition and I found out that you can loosen the adhesive with concentrated heat. In this photo, I'm using an embossing heat tool but you can use a hairdryer, too. Apply direct heat to the tape for a few minutes (I hold the washi tape with a pair of tongs so that my fingers don't scorch) and set aside to let it cool. Magically, they heat loosens it up and it will be good as new...TADA!

Wishing you all a memorable May!

Three Thoughts for May

Welcome to the merry month of May!

A month of warmer weather, flowers in full bloom, and daydreams of slowing down or planning adventures...what's not to love?  May is also a time to celebrate some very important people: 

Here in the U.S., Mother's Day is on May 11. Why not invite your Mom or a special mom in your life to a relaxing activity: a yummy meal, a massage, or a long drive. If your Mom is far away, maybe you'd like to make a Mother's Day card like this one, or this one, or this one. Show them how much you appreciate them with little gestures of kindness. It will turn their day from blah to TADA!

May is also graduation season...TADA! To all the graduates of 2025, congratulations on this milestone. Bravo also to all the parents, family members, and the community that supported you. You all deserve to be celebrated!

In May, we have Memorial Day (last Monday of May). On this day, which is also a holiday, we remember all deceased service men and women. Most towns have parades and in national cemeteries, American flags and flowers are placed on each grave. Personally, I love watching the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS that's filled with heroic stories and uplifting music...it always makes me tear up. 

It's good to pause and remember all who served for their bravery and sacrifice, even if we don't personally know them. And for those who continue to serve, I have a special craft next week that we can do together. It's a little way to say thank you for their service.

Have a memorable May!

Something for Mom

It's Mother's Day on May 10th! What are you doing to surprise your mom? My mom and mother-in-law live far away but that's no excuse not to get them anything. Like a little kid, I'm made them cards for their special day.

I turned these blank cards from blah to TADA!

Here are a few items from my magical craft stash that helped me out. 

This pretty scrapbook paper is the star. I cut them out and attached them to the cards with adhesive foam dots for added dimension.

Craft stamps that spell out "Happy Mother's Day", glitter glue, and sticky gems finish the look.

Here's what it looks like from the side.

This other version uses watercolor.

I sent these cards a few weeks in advance via air mail. I hope they bring joy to my mom and mom-in-law.

Happy crafting to all of you and Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

Happy Mother's Day

Howdy folks! Do you remember drawing pictures for your Mom for Mother's Day?

Well today, I'm doing just that. I'm taking a page from my adult coloring book to honor all the Moms out there. 

I chose this page with blooms and birds and used some watercolor.

I like how it tells the story of a mama bird watching out for her baby. And even when the baby learns to fly and soar, mama bird will still be there whenever the baby needs her.  

To all you Moms, a big, big THANK YOU for all that you do for us! Happy Mother's Day!

Flowers for Mother's Day

Hi there guys! Thanks for stopping by.

Inspired by these cards I found at Anthropologie, I'm making a Mother's Day greeting.

 I did a little sketch and filled it in with watercolor.

I added some definition with colored pencils.

Then I trimmed off the white border.

Freshly-picked flowers in a mason jar!

I added a twine bow for textural detail.

After writing a message...

Tuck it into an envelope, ready for mom. TADA!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful moms out there!

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?

Happy Mother's Day

There is a quote that goes, "A Mother is like a flower, each one beautiful and unique."

To all our dear Mothers, may you all have a relaxing day today. Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four 

pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces 

she never did care for pie. - Tenneva Jordan

To all you selfless moms, you deserve a break today. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Sunday! To all the loving, courageous, and patient women who have the name "Mom", I want to wish each of you: 

Happy Mother's Day! 

Please know how much we appreciate you in our lives. 

And for you crafters who are interested in how I made this "mom" paper cut, this is what I did: 

I cut a piece of construction paper in the shape of a heart. Then, with a pencil, I drew a simple design of hearts and the word "Mom".

I made the cut outs with a sharp pair of scissors. A craft knife will also do.

Isn't it cool how a sheet of paper can turn from blah to TADA!?

Wrapped in Flowers

Hooray it's Friday!

Today, let's turn this empty tissue box from blah to TADA! 

I'm using some of these cherry blossom-print rubber stamps. 

I got them at an awesome sale.

The stamps have sticky backs that are to be attached to 

this clear block.

I made some blue blossoms...

...and some pink ones.

Then I cut around the flowers.

I liked the stem-print on the box. I thought a few blooms

{secured to the box with mounting tape} would 

make it TADA!

For handles, I added ribbon on two sides of the box with hot glue.

With tissue paper, wrap a gift like a candle, 

luxurious soaps or a bottle of perfume and

put it inside the box.

Now you've got a gift for Mother's Day 

with flowers as a bonus. TADA!

May you all have a delightful weekend.

To all the moms out there -- wishing you a 

Happy Mother's Day on Sunday!