Creative Craft Punch

Happy Monday! Apologies for the lack of crafting here in my blog. This week, I will remedy that. First, let me show off my new toy:

It's a Martha Stewart craft punch. 

 It's heftier than the smaller craft punches I own.

And this one comes in two pieces. Magnets hold them

together to make the cut-out design.

Here's a little demo:

Position a sheet of paper on top of the base.

Allow the top of the punch to hover over the base

until the top and bottom magnets attract each other, 

locking the craft punch into position.

Another trick is to match the angled edges of

top and bottom pieces {the other three sides 

of the top and bottom are curved}, then

press down the punch on a hard surface.

Here's what the design looks like. TADA!

Since the punch comes in two separate pieces, it's

easier to add the design anywhere on the page.

In fact this craft punch is called

"punch all over the page".

Today, I'll cut out around the cut-out with scissors.

As an added detail, I curved the edges with 

a corner craft punch.

I folded some blah scrap paper in half and

curved the sides as well. 

I attached the cut-outs to the cover with a glue stick.

Instantly, I have all-occasion gift tags.

TADA!

Family Style Meals

Yesterday, I assembled a place setting for a solo meal. It was a bit mismatched but as they say, "If you want to be happy, surround yourself with things you love."  

Today, I'm dreaming up a meal for friends. Maybe a weekend brunch at home? My husband and I like to entertain every now and then, and for our next gathering, this is the look I'm going for:

1/2/3/4/5

Wood, white, glass and gold...I think these are timeless, match the existing serve ware we have, and can be both casual or dressy when the occasion calls for it. They don't have to be expensive -- these can be department store or thrift shop finds.

The sugar and creamer set (1) can double as a serving device for sauces {example: soy sauce and wasabi for sushi night}. The wooden plates (2) can hold anything from appetizers to dessert. The glass tumbler (3) can be used for cold or hot drinks, as well as soup or veggie sticks with dip at the bottom. Silver is the color for silverware, but why not gold utensils(4)? I found this toast rack (5) super cute! I think they'll still work for flat bread or rectangle crackers  {with a bowl of spinach dip on the side}. Maybe chocolate bars for an evening of chocolate tasting? Graham crackers for make-your-own S'mores? Or you can flip it over and serve a selection of cheeses or hors d' oeuvres on the flat side.

Dining pieces that do double-duty is always blah to TADA! And just for some crafty DIY, why not fold a cloth napkin to hold dinner rolls for an extra TADA!?

A Meal for One

Dining alone can be blah, but because I can't avoid it, here's my idea of turning a solo meal into TADA!:

1/2/3/4/5

   

   It's a mismatched affair! But hey, my meal, my style, right? The merry mix-up has 

   shades of blue, and a floral theme as the common thread. The pretty plate (1) 

   brightens up any home-cooked lunch or dinner. A cute cup and saucer (2) perfect

   for coffee or tea. A fancy rack (3) for freshly-toasted whole grain bread, while the 

   bowl (4) is just the right size for my morning oatmeal or yogurt with fruit and 

   granola. I'm getting giddy over the flowers on the beverage glass (5) for something

   simple like water or just-pressed juice. Put these together on a tray, maybe with

   a bud vase and a pink peony, and eating by myself won't be so bad.

   And because the weather is extra cold outside as I write this post, I might just

   make this satisfying dish. How about you, how do you put the TADA! when eating

   without company?

A Baker's Dream

It's a week of wishes! I'm making a few vision boards to keep me focused on the things I need to learn/improve/pursue. I feel that pictures that match my "To Do"  list helps me aim for the prize. 

Today's theme is "baking". I'm fond of baking and I like to decorate and package these homemade goodies. I think this is an act of affection and any expression of thoughtfulness is TADA! 

It's been months since I last baked anything. Life just seems to take over. But since friends' birthdays and the holidays are fast approaching, it's time to take out the flour and sugar, plus a few items to get me excited:

1/2/3/4/5

These cookbooks (1,2) are filled with old-fashioned recipes for comforting cakes. I already know they taste as wonderful as they look. The KitchenAid stand mixer is one of the best wedding presents anyone can ever receive. Adding a paddle attachment with a built-in scraper (3) will help make mixing extra easier {no need to scrape the bottom of the bowl with a spatula}. If you're into decorating cakes, cookies or cupcakes with different colors of frosting, this icing bag stand (4) keeps everything organized. And finally, if you are a fan of brownies, especially the crisp, fudge-y edges, this baking pan (5) was made for you! 

If you want your cakes to go from blah to TADA!, you'll find a few cake decorating ideas here.

For the Home Office

I appreciate your visit to my blog today! I have another "wish list" and this one's for the home office my husband and I share. Our office doubles as a TV room, and a guest room if needed. I'll share a photo one day when it's a little more spruced up.

Here are a few items that I think will add some personality, as well as function, to our work space:

1/2/3/4/5

The light fixture (1) is banker's lamp knock-off. I find the juxtaposition of old world pieces like pharmacy lamps and secretary desks with modern technology like laptops very appealing. Lighting a candle (2) while working keeps me alert and "in the zone". This little golden piggy (3) will secure a batch of well-loved books on our shelf, while the clear acrylic tray (4) can hold a series of jars carrying often-used supplies like pens and highlighters. The tray will make it easier to take these from office to the craft table. Also, several accordion envelopes (5) are nifty to store coupons and receipts.

Now that I know what our office needs, I can hunt for these at thrift stores and possibly do some blah to TADA! I'd like to try making my own golden pig bookends! It should be easy, I just need to follow this guide.

A Week of Wish Lists

I hope you had a restful weekend! As I've mentioned before, I like to make lists. Crossing out each item is always a big thrill. I've recently tried visual lists and discovered that they're TADA! Most of what I put in that list, I was able to accomplish. Many people talk about this {example: "The Secret"}; that you must visualize your goals. A lot of it is hard work, but sometimes, the universe offers it to you.

This week, let me share a few "wish lists". They may appear a little shallow but there's always a goal behind it. Today, it's a "Sewing Wish List":

1/2/3/4/5

I'm a big crafter but I'm a sewing machine novice. I know, I just have to do it and practice. This board will remind me to do just that. It's made of some adorable little things like this Singer sewing machine (1) that looks like grandma's vintage model but 

it's electric {choose any stitch just by pressing a button}!  

Do you agree that cute accessories are a great motivator? The sewing basket (2), pair of scissors in an owl case (3), and mini tape measure (4), I'll want to use everyday. And with lovely fabrics (5), I'll be able to turn some blahs into TADAs! 

If you're a beginner like me or if you're sewing machine savvy, you might appreciate this pattern and instructions for an oven mitt. Happy sewing!

The Victoria and Albert Museum

Hello there! Today's post is about one magical place in London. It's called the Victoria and Albert Museum, or simply, the V&A.

It's the world's greatest museum focused on art and design. I made sure to stop by on my very first trip to London many years ago. And I thought, it was time that we were reunited.

Earlier that day, I had come from the Tate Britain and I had very little time to explore the V&A {they close at 5:45 pm daily, except Fridays}. This wasn't a very good idea, squeezing two museums into one day, because of the overload of information/visual stimulation, and it just leaves you hurried. I like museum visits to be slow, just taking your time exploring one room to the next. But such is the life of a tourist -- need to maximize each precious day!

Anyway, notice the spikes at the museum entrance?

They're really inverted traffic cones painted black and white. Blah to TADA!, right? This shows that the museum has a cool sense of humor.

Right past security is the foyer with this glass chandelier hanging from the cupola by Dale Chihuly. Isn't it gorgeous?

Also in the main lobby are these chairs that spin like tops when you sit in them. Quite fun! 

I'm not a fashion blogger but I'm one to appreciate beautifully designed and meticulously sewn clothing.

So I decided to check out the exhibit Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950, showing off ballgowns, red carpet frocks and catwalk designs by talents like Alexander McQueen, Jenny Packham and Hussein Chalayan. It's on-going and runs through January 6, 2013. I have no photos to share, but you can read more about the exhibit here and get tickets here.

The V&A has an extensive fashion collection. Below are a few photos of the newly renovated Fashion Galleries:

Photos of mannequins dressed in couture, projected on the gallery's walls.

A history lesson on fashion through the years: 

The limited time I had at the V&A was blah, 

but all the things I saw was TADA!

I'm already looking forward to my return

and will definitely pop into the cafe'.

Look, even the museum shop is mind-blowing!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.