20 September 2011

A Corsage for your Package


I take my own tote bag on shopping trips but
I still have plastic bags at home. I use them to
line our garbage cans...I know, there has to be
a more environment-friendly solution to this.

I set aside the most colorful ones.

They're awesome to turn
from blah to TADA!

This week, I'm turning them into
decorations for presents, like so:

Aren't they lovely?

Here's how you can make them at home:

Aside from the bags, you'll also need some cardboard
{I'm re-using these empty ribbon spools}, a stapler,
hot glue and scissors.

Fold each bag to make about a one-inch strip.

Staple one end to the cardboard and
twist the plastic bag into a coil.
As you do this, attach the underside
of the plastic to the cardboard using
a glue gun.

Here's what the coil will look like.

Repeat the process with another
plastic bag.

Now you have two!

If you still have space on the cardboard, add
another one or a few more coils or "flowers".

I think three is a good number.
{I had to trim the last plastic bag for it to fit}.

Add some leaves & some beads and trim any
cardboard that sticks out.

Then attach this to a wooden clothespin.
{I got a whole bag from the dollar store}.

Clip it like a corsage to brown paper packages,
to elevate them instantly from blah to TADA!

19 September 2011

Gift Embellishments


Happy New Week Lovelies!
I hope you had a memorable weekend.

Do you remember this project?

I made a gift topper out of plastic bags.
With some upcoming birthdays and the holidays
fast approaching, I wanted to create a few
more of these gift embellishments.

Who doesn't love a beautifully-wrapped present?
I'm a sucker for beautiful gift wrap & ribbons
but they can be quite expensive. So I do the
next best thing: blah to TADA!

blah: a pink and green plastic bag

Draw circles on the pink plastic. Use different round objects
you can find at home (ex. yogurt container, cans,
jars, etc.) to make at least three
different-sized circles.

Cut around the circle, making sure to cut away
the ink marks.

Slide the edges of the plastic circle against the sharp side of
a pair of scissors {ideal position: your thumb, plastic circle,
scissors}. This will produce a soft curl, mimicking a petal.
Do this on four sides of each circle.

Layer the circles on top of each other,
biggest to smallest.

Then make leaves out of the green plastic bag.

Attach them together by hand stitching and
adding a pearl or bead at the center.
Now you've got a pretty flower. TADA!

Attach the flower to a clip {rescued from an old ID badge}
using hot glue. That way, this gift topper can be used
over and over again.

Just clip it directly to your gift or on a piece of
string or ribbon.

Encourage your friends to re-use this ribbon
or teach them how to make it!

Enjoy your day!

16 September 2011

India-inspired


Yipee, yay, it's Friday!

This week, we came up with TADA!
solutions to answer the question,
"How can I recycle old jars?"

I've got one more idea up my sleeve:

blah: a lonely glass vase

blah: bold-colored tissue paper that were once
used as gift wrap

We're using this as inspiration: Indian block prints
from West Elm's latest collection

Trim the tissue paper to fit around the vase
{add an extra inch so we can glue the edges
together later on} and draw a pattern.
You can do this freehand or trace it from
a source. Finish with permanent ink.

TADA! Here's the red version.

A votive candle will make it glow.

Here's the blue version.

Add current design trends to your home
without spending a cent.
I think that's TADA!

Have a spectacular weekend!

15 September 2011

Lots of Character


I've got this uber cute planner
decorated with Hello Kitty and her gang:

Of course it's made up of calendar pages but
there's a bonus at the back.

A few pages of stationery with perforations for easy tearing.

One side looks like gift wrap...

And the other side has a generous space
to write a thoughtful note.

But here's another way to use
these strips of fun paper.

Take out those blah jars hiding in
the cupboards.

Roll the paper and put it inside.
TADA! You've got yourself an
adorable jar!

Fill it with straws for your next
milk shake soiree.

Here's another idea:

Cut out your favorite designs & glue them on the jar.

Then you can fill them with lollipops
for your next kiddie party!

Go ahead and experiment with gift wrap
remnants too.

Enjoy your day!

14 September 2011

Lacey Details


If you've been tuning in since Monday,
you may have observed that I'm at it again.

Recycling glass jars that is.
I know, I've crafted with them so many times
before. But isn't that what recycling is about?

Today, I'm using left-over lace from this project
and a few meters of tulle...

...which was really a garlic sack in its past life.

Allow the jar to fulfill its fantasy of becoming
a bride in a white dress.
{I guess they would have fantasies, right?}

All you need are scissors and a glue gun to put
this together.

Add a few herbs and use it as a
chic table decor in your next
celebration. TADA!

13 September 2011

A Handmade Wedding Present


A big thank you for stopping by my blog today!

One of the gifts my husband and I got received
during our wedding a few years ago were
these glass cozies:

They were handmade by an aunt which
makes them extra, extra special.

How do you use them?

Just slip one on the bottom of a drinking glass.
It's decorative and works as a built in coaster.
So wherever you lay your glass, you'll avoid
those water marks on the table.
Isn't that TADA!?

If you're crochet savvy and want to make
your own, you'll find a similar pattern here.

Then I thought, these glass cozies can
turn old jars & bottles...

...from blah to TADA!

From simple, they're now...

spectacular!

12 September 2011

A Vase Full of Flowers


Happy new week everyone!

Today's blah to TADA! transformation is
once again inspired by something
I found at John Derian's shop.

It's these votive holders made in Paris by

Notice the tissue paper-like background,
gold rim and delicate design.

Here's my attempt at making
something similar:

blah: an old flower vase that sometimes doubles
as a candle holder.

blah: pink tissue paper saved from a

Trim the tissue paper to fit around the vase
{and an extra inch of overlap} and draw or trace
your design on the center.

Take out the watercolors and paint away!

Once dry, gild the edges using a metallic gold pen
and a ruler.

Wrap this around the vase and attach
the edges with glue.

Even if this vase has no fresh flowers in it,
it's still very eye-catching.
Another option is to put a votive inside and
you'll have a blooming & glowing centerpiece
for the dinner table. TADA!