23 March 2011

Classic Tees


Giving old books a make-over...
that's the mission on my blog this week.

How many of your books are hanging out on a shelf {or worse,
sitting in a lonely box}, waiting for some attention?

Alright, I'm guilty, too.

I saw these awesome t-shirts.
They're sold at The Strand Bookstore:






The Classics as t-shirt designs.
What a great idea!

I'd like to turn my favorite books as a child into t-shirts like these. Or maybe make t-shirts for friends using their all-time favorite book! Maybe print them on iron-on transfer paper and apply them to a blank shirt with a hot iron. I haven't tried, though -- afraid of any intellectual property rights that I might step on.

Now, keeping your beloved tome close to you has a whole new meaning.

22 March 2011

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,
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.


21 March 2011

Old Books


Happy new week everyone!

I've been going through my bookshelf, putting aside the books that I'll forever keep and books that I'm ready to part with. I'm planning to donate these for others to enjoy. In this exercise, I've been thinking about books in general and how e-readers are slowly replacing books. Sigh. It makes me sad.

Books that are still in good shape need to be shared. Books that are missing some pages, well...that's a blah waiting to be a TADA!

This week, I'll be sharing some ideas on how to reuse books. They aren't my ideas but I assure you that by Friday, I'll do some crafty recycling, okay?

Today's idea came from the brilliant mind of {Oprah's} interior designer Nate Berkus:

image via The Nate Show

TADA! A coffee table made of books & a tray.

image via The Nate Show

TADA! A desk created from two stacks
of books and a piece of glass.

Talk about space saving & versatile.
Genius, right?



18 March 2011

Your Very Own Printed Tape


It's been a week since the tragic earthquake
and tsunami in Japan.

Before I share a blah to TADA! craft today,
join me in a prayer?

A Prayer After the Earthquake in Japan

Lord, at times such as this,
when we realize that the ground beneath our feet
is not as solid as we had imagined,
we plead for Your mercy.

As the things we have built crumble about us,
we know too well how small we truly are
on this ever-changing, ever-moving,
fragile planet we call home.
Yet You have promised never to forget us.

Do not forget us now.

Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster.
Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still,
and shelter them under Your wings when homes no longer exist.

Embrace in Your arms those who died so suddenly.
Console the hearts of those who mourn,
and ease the pain of those left behind.

For though the mountains leave their place
and the hills be tossed to the ground,
Your love shall never leave us,
and Your promise of peace will never be shaken.
Amen.


My printed tape collection is a result of trips
to craft stores, a little shop in Chinatown &
Japanese stationery stores.

Let's say you can't find any in your
favorite haunts or think they're too expensive,
it's not the end of the world.

I'll teach you how to make your own.

All you need are plain masking tape & colorful markers.

Cut the tape to size & go wild with your own patterns!
Let them dry for several minutes.

TADA! Your own artwork!
Use them as you would commercially-printed tape.

Have a delightful weekend!

17 March 2011

Pretty Jars


Thanks for stopping by again today!
This week, it's all about printed tape and how
I use these to transform blah to TADA!

I got this cheerful set of Japanese Washi tape

Even better, I got it at 50% off the original price.
Woot! Woot!

blah: an empty jam jar

TADA!: a vase with character

This is a fun & easy way to make old bottles
come back to life.

16 March 2011

You've Got Mail


Reusing is the trend on my blog and printed tape
is this week's theme.

I found this pack of bird-print tape at the
dollar bin of Michaels early this year.
Birds on a wire -- cute, eh?

I'm reusing a padded envelope - cut in half to remove
the address labels, glued together to make a new envelope
and then, embellished with the tape!

Just right for a gift & thoughtful note
to be mailed to a special birthday girl!

Can blah to TADA! be any easier?!

15 March 2011

I've Got it Covered


Today, I have another blah to TADA! project
using printed tape:

I found this decorative packing tape at a Japanese goods store.
{There were many colors available and I controlled myself
by getting just this red one.}

blah: A generic notebook with a
sad, sad cover.

But nothing that tape cannot fix.
{I like that it can easily peel off if it wasn't
positioned correctly.}

TADA!: A useful notebook with a noteworthy cover!