Balloons and Bicycles

Card making is a low involvement craft that you can do in a few minutes. It's handmade and heartfelt.

With this as my inspiration... 

And these for my materials...

A plain canvas changes from blah to TADA!

This card is on it's way to cheer up a friend. {I hope she likes it!}

A Collection of Cards

Hello there! I hope your week is off to a productive start. I've told you before that I like making handmade cards. They're therapeutic to put together and are guaranteed to be one of a kind. 

Simple materials like watercolor, craft punches, double-sided tape and markers can transform blah card stock to TADA! 

This week, I'll show you some of the cards I've made recently.

This one is for my little niece who is turning one month old this October.

And this one is for the parents, my brother and his wife, who will mark their first month as "dad" and "mom". 

They say, "You'll always remember your first" -- whether a first birthday, first anniversary, first car, first home, first job...these are milestones worth celebrating.

A Chalkboard Vase

Today, I have a final chalkboard craft to share.

I'm turning this bottle from blah to TADA! by making it into a chalkboard vase.

After removing the label and cleaning the bottle, I put a strip of tape around its belly. Then I painted on three coats of chalkboard paint {with a one-hour drying time in between, and letting it fully dry overnight}. 

I gently removed the tape, hoping for a clean line. But the paint would cling to the tape as I peeled it off, thus the jagged edges. Oh well, it adds a homemade touch.

Because it's October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, I'm dedicating this craft to all those affected by Breast Cancer. 

I would fill my chalkboard vase with blooms and refill it often. I hope the words I write on it with chalk will tell my loved one battling the disease that we're here for her.

I would also send flowers to the primary caregivers because it's their battle, too. Emotionally and physically. 

And to all who fought the good fight, especially my dearest Auntie A and Auntie E, you will always be loved and remembered.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Chalkboard DIY

Growing up, I had a mini chalkboard where I would practice my penmanship and draw silly doodles on. I also used it when I pretended to be a teacher with my stuffed animals as my students. Somehow, it felt powerful that I was yielding the chalk and I had everyone's attention {even if they were all inanimate}.

I'm happy that chalkboards never really went away, that's why I'm making some chalkboard-inspired crafts all this week.

But today, I'm keeping it old school.  

I'm recycling this wood backing from a damaged frame. I think it deserves a second life.

 A quick appointment with the sanding block for paint to easily adhere.

After cleaning the newly-sanded wood with a rag, apply several coats of chalkboard paint. Let this dry overnight.

 Before we can christen it a "chalkboard", a few more steps:

Apply a layer of chalk to condition the surface.

Wipe away the chalk layer with a damp cloth.

Add a hanging device -- I'm using some twine and hot glue. And now, I present to you our chalkboard:

I'd use it to make mundane chore lists more fun...just erase the completed task and move on to the next.

It's also great for making signs for any occasion. TADA!

Take Your Seats

Hi there! Our chalkboard crafts continue today. Let's begin with the blah:

I found these small wood pieces in my stash. I have no idea what they're for but they make for good craft materials.

A bunch of wooden clothespins only add to the fun.

Chalkboard paint and a paint brush, too.

Ready for how it becomes a TADA!?

I put all the elements together, after painting and attaching with hot glue, to make these casual seating cards. 

I wrote the names of my guests in chalk. They tell the guests where they should sit on the table. They add a little accent to the napkin as well.

These seating cards can be used over and over again...if the guests don't take them home, that is. TADA!

Chalk Board Inspiration

Yesterday, we gave some props to chalk artist Dana Tanamachi. I'm in awe with what she can do with just chalk and a chalkboard! With that said, chalkboard crafts are on the agenda this week. I hope you're as excited as I am.

I'll be using this chalkboard paint and a foam brush for my blah to TADA! transformations. I got this at my local craft store but there are many kinds available now.

I'm giving this napkin holder a face lift. We've had this since my husband's bachelor days. It's time to freshen it up.

I gave it a good sanding with a handy sanding block. Then I cleaned off the dust with a rag.

I applied several coats of the chalkboard paint. The package suggests two coats: one applied horizontally, and another vertically, with a one hour drying time in between. For good measure, I did about 10 coats and left it to dry overnight.

To condition it, I rubbed chalk all over the surface {both sides}.

Then, clean chalk layer with a damp cloth or dry eraser.

Now I can write little notes with chalk to add whimsy to our dining table.

Or to make a family member's birthday extra special.

And to make guests feel right at home. TADA!

The Chalk Artist

Happy new week, everyone! Steve Jobs once said that, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do" and I couldn't agree more. I've always admired people who pursue their passion and in doing so, found success and happiness.

via greylikesnesting 

One such person is Dana Tanamachi, a graphic designer and letterer.

via ellauniverse

She has made a name for herself with her chalk art, dressing up interior spaces, as well as pages of magazines.

via happinessis

She's even met Oprah {she designed one of the covers of The Oprah Magazine}!

A few years back, she created these alphabet paper weights for West Elm. 

via juxtapost

She's also made covers, rendered in chalk of course, for some classic books.

And just recently, she collaborated with Target for a limited edition line of home decor:

Above, a short write-up about her at the back of the products. Turning a blank chalkboard into an inspiring piece of art...I think that's blah to TADA!

You can read more about Miss Tanamachi and her work here, here and here.