The Crisp White Shirt

Hello there! 

I've been burying my nose in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living, and today, I've ear-marked something I'd like to add to my craft list. It involves a white button down shirt. I'm certain that many of us have this in our closets as a classic staple. On days when we feel the plain white shirt is looking blah, here's a quick TADA! to update the look:

via Martha Stewart

Add some fabric flowers!

via Martha Stewart

Find a matching fabric {this one's called cotton pima poplin} and follow this tutorial to make the flowers. Sew the flowers onto the shirt with needle and thread and TADA! -- it's like a brand new shirt with minimal cost and effort. 

Craft Room Envy

Happy Monday and Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! We get a day off today and I'll use it to rest, recharge, and do a little reading.

One of the items on my stack is the January issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Have you seen it? One of my favorite articles is "Pretty Crafty", featuring the craft room of Darcy Miller.

via Bride's Cafe

Darcy Miller is the editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings. She's very crafty and is one talented illustrator. Well, given that she's got those feathers in her cap {or sparkly tiara}, it would be expected that she have a craft room in her home. And a very fancy craft room at that.

via Martha Stewart

Just a selection of tools for her illustration needs,

neatly grouped in tumblers.

via Martha Stewart

Neat stacks of paper in a rainbow variety.

via Martha Stewart

Here she is with her three darling daughters.

I bet they spend hours and hours here!

via Martha Stewart

Her wall is filled with black and white family photos documenting her children's growth and many memorable moments. The black boxes in the shelf below contains more photos, which eventually end up in scrapbooks and scrapboxes.

via Martha Stewart

Uniform binders {properly labeled, too} keep the room neat and cohesive. A few shelves display some of her illustrations, many of which were used as cake toppers.

via Martha Stewart

A peek into her drawers: generous supplies in 
designated places. 

via Martha Stewart

Yes, even the crayons & pastels have their own drawers.

via Martha Stewart

Clear bins for more storage.

via Martha Stewart

Boxes containing greeting cards and decorating supplies segregated by occasion {ex. Valentine's, Holiday, etc.} fill the closets.

I'm feeling so much craft room envy! I only have a craft table, but wish for a craft room someday. I think that upgrade would be blah to TADA!

The Decorated Page

Hooray, we made it to Friday!

All this week, I added some TADA! to rather blah notebooks:

 Just a few floral touches using watercolor and these notebooks

have gained some charismatic character.

They're blank inside. Ah, but there lies even more blah to TADA!

Imagine all the good things you can put inside.

Here are a few ideas: 

via Jennifer Firth

 Turn them into journal pages just like Jenny's Sketchbook.

via Debra Cooper

 Use mixed media to record your day just like what Debra does.

via Donna Downey

 Or use some texture with paint and scrap paper the way

Donna makes hers.

via Geninne Zlatkis

 Or make something dreamy just like Geninne's

illustrations.

via Danielle Kroll

Of if you're totally proud of your "Outfit of the Day",

illustrate it the Danielle way.

Here's to beautifully decorated pages,

and an even beautiful weekend!

Thoughts of Springtime

Today, another transformation for a lowly notepad:

 This one's made from recycled paper.

 Decorate with lavender flowers using paint or markers.

Then add a touch of decoupage with a butterfly

cut-out from an old magazine and Mod Podge.

It secretly covers the label, too.

 Now a plain old pad {that will contain this year's 

"To Do" lists} has all the touches of spring and 

new beginnings.

Isn't that blah to TADA!?

More Flower Fun

All this week, I've been having a blast with my watercolors.

It all began with this plain notebook with a craft paper cover.

 The notebook was part of a set I found at Muji.

And then, images from this paper shop

only provided the right design inspiration.

A few lines... 

...and a whole lot of flowers turned my

notebook from blah to TADA!

A Note-worthy Bouquet

Well, hello there!

Today, another way to spruce up a plain notebook 

and turn it from blah to TADA!

Sketch flowers gathered from Liberty of London prints. 

Then paint with watercolor.

A bouquet you'll have all year round.

Drafts, doodles, drawings...fill it with whatever

makes you smile. And use colored pens

for an extra dose of TADA!

Floral Notes

Happy new week everyone! I hope you had a restful weekend. Mine started with a cold, followed by allergies {extremely blah}, but I'm better now, ready for some crafting.

There's a lovely stationery shop called Rifle Paper Co. and I'm smitten by all their paper goods and storybook artwork. Here are a few samples:

The artist and shop owner is the talented Anna Bond. You can read more about her here and here.

It's this set of notebooks that serves as inspiration for my blah to TADA! make-overs this week. Let's begin, shall we?

blah: kraft paper-covered notebooks

that I found at Muji

There are three notebooks in each pack.

I drew my design freehand. 

Then tinted with watercolor.

TADA!: A new notebook for plans and

dreams for the new year.

More ideas tomorrow!