The Glass Box

To be consistently happy, everyone should have a box.

I know, that sounded totally weird so let's backtrack a bit. 

Last year, I wrote this post about creating a "Happiness Box" where, over time, you fill a box with mundane objects that you associate happy memories with. When you're feeling low, rummaging through the box should summon good times, thus helping to brighten your mood.

The past weeks have been blah for me. 

I lost my Auntie Edith, one of my favorite people in the world. I will never have those afternoon chats with her. She won't be there to help me out when I have a design dilemma {she was an interior designer, artist, writer and crafter}. Who would share my excitement over the Christmas windows on 5th Avenue? 

And so I'm making myself a box. It's inspired by the many shadow boxes she used to make. Maybe I'll write about them here one day.

I found this beautiful box at Anthropologie. It's a jewelry box made in India.

The glass and mirrored panels make it a perfect storage and display case. Here's how I turned it from blah to TADA!:

I filled it with treasures that my Auntie Edith gave me. I lined the bottoms of the box with items that she had touched {ex. a prayer card} or had her signature {photocopies of letters she had written me}.

Here's what I put inside:

An intricate watch with a black leather strap that she owned and passed on to me. I like the use of the Greek Key pattern, a symbol of infinity. Pardon the pun, but truly, with the people we love, time is gold.

This section of the box has a spiritual theme. Like many women in our family, she had a special connection to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Every year on her birthday {May 8}, we would go to Church, all dressed in white, and offer flowers to Mother Mary. After that, we would celebrate Auntie Edith's new year with a birthday feast. 

The medal, prayer card and silver cross necklace were all from her. She hoped these would bring me protection.

She loved jewelry and she also loved giving them away. In general, I prefer small, dainty pieces. Except when it comes to cocktail rings. And she knew I liked them. Here are the ones she gleefully gave to me: 

Aren't they TADA!?

And as a final touch, I added this locket with her portrait.

Auntie Edith and me. This is OUR box. A reminder of our special relationship and the little pleasures that we shared.

Take Away the Worries

"Look for these worry dolls." That was my Auntie Edith's last request from me.

My dear Auntie Edith, my mom's sister, was already at the hospital. Her spirits remained high but she was feeling much discomfort. Seeking different methods to ease what clouded her physically, emotionally and mentally. No harm in trying. 

In this tiny box are tiny people.

They are called Guatemalan Worry Dolls.

They can be purchased individually or as a group {doesn't this look like a family?}.

These are traditionally given to children. Legend has it that the dolls can take away their worries: "If you have a problem, then share it with a worry doll. Before going to bed, tell one worry to each doll, then place them beneath your pillow. While you sleep, the dolls will take your worries away."

I think these are adorable. They are local, handmade, and tell a cultural story. Just the kind of thing my Auntie Edith valued.

She is now in the great beyond. I'm quite sure she is peaceful and free from all worries.

I couldn't help getting a few more worry dolls that I'll hand to those near and dear to my Auntie Edith. She was just the kind of person to give away little gifts like these. 

I wish you a worry-free day today!

  

Crafting Away the Sadness

Last October 14, I lost someone I loved very dearly.

Auntie Edith was my mother's older sister. I was particularly close to her because she was the "cool aunt" -- very approachable, always there when you needed her. 

When I was a child, she was a fairy godmother who gave me the Barbie Doll for my birthday or a Swatch watch for Christmas. She always had presents for me and my brothers whenever she traveled. She was very thoughtful like that.

As I grew up, she was a big influence in my life. She was an interior designer by profession, always seeking and creating beauty. She was also very crafty -- decorating Christmas trees that would land in pages of magazines, wrapping the prettiest presents, and coming up with beautiful table settings. 

I recall all the beauty she brought to life and it pains me that I will no longer see any more of it. 

Sigh.

To help me through the sadness, I am going to craft.

When my husband and I got married, my Auntie Edith helped us create an "autumn wedding". Here is one of our tablescapes. If you look closer, you might notice the napkin rings? These were lovingly made by Auntie Edith {one for each guest...and we had quite a number of guests!}. They are made of cardboard {collected by my father}, ribbons, leaves and berries. They added a festive touch and our guests got to take them home.

Today, I'll make some of these napkin rings. I think they'll be perfect for the coming holidays. Here is what we'll need: an empty paper towel roll, raffia, dried leaves, a pair of scissors and a glue gun.

Trim the paper towel rolls into smaller rings {about 1 1/2 inches tall}.

Cover each cardboard ring with raffia. You may use twine, yarn or ribbon -- whatever you have on hand. Secure the ends with hot glue.

Here are the rings all wrapped up. Now, it's time to embellish with leaves {just trim the stems and attach with hot glue}:

These would be a nice addition to a Thanksgiving table: 

Blah paper towel rolls are now TADA! napkin rings! A tribute to my Auntie Edith and all the lovely meals we've had together.

Providing Comfort

Freezing temperatures have made their way to where I live -- snow flurries on Tuesday morning and the winter wardrobe made its debut on Wednesday.

A bowl of hot soup seems to be the balm for the cold. This is a butternut squash and apple soup {the apples came from an apple picking adventure} garnished with a dollop of sour cream and a few pepitas.  

As I savor this, my heart is full. I have everything I need to keep warm  -- a delightful meal, a scarf and a heavy jacket when outdoors, a throw and an extra blanket when indoors. They may be basic but I often take these for granted.

via The Telegraph

I know you've heard about Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines exactly one week ago. Typhoons are not strangers to the Philippines. But this one was different. So much devastation and death. The pictures and stories are heartbreaking.

Many survivors lost loved ones. They lost their homes and all of their possessions. How could one ever start anew?

Let's all be grateful for all that we have.  Maybe say a prayer for all the victims, too? And if you have the means, share a little. That would be TADA!

Wishing you all a good weekend!

Reminds Me of a Picnic

When I need a little dose of "cheap thrills", I head over to the dollar section of my neighborhood Target. The bins are filled with items ranging from $1 to $3. Many of them are functional like list pads, fridge magnets, journals and toys. And since the holidays are just around the corner, cute things abound! 

I picked up this adorable pouch {one of three designs}. I've told you that I fancy pouches to keep organized; these also allow for crafting on the go.

Here's the other side. It's cute alright but I'm pretty sure there are hundreds of girls out there who own this same pouch. I need to make it stand out a bit...a touch of blah to TADA! if you know what I mean.

I found some felt remnants and buttons begging to be used.

And because we have an "apple" theme on the blog this week {inspired by a day of apple picking}, I decided to make this apple out of the felt and buttons.

I sewed it onto the pouch with needle and thread.

And those metallic zipper pulls?

I replaced them with gingham ribbon.

Doesn't this remind you of a picnic at the orchard?

I like how the pouch is large and has two pockets to carry my daily essentials. And now, I've made it my own. TADA!

Fresh and Vintage

An abundance of apples!

That's what happens after a morning of apple picking. Aside from eating them for breakfast and adding them to oatmeal, salads and sandwiches, I like to use them for baking.

I made this satisfying Apple Snacking Spice Cake from the Flour cookbook.

If you'd like to make it, here is the recipe:

Apple Snacking  Spice Cake {from Flour Bakery in Boston}
Makes one 10-inch round cake

Ingredients:
1 cup (140 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (90 grams) cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks/170 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
4 cups (450 grams) peeled, cored, and chopped apples (about 2 to 3)
1/2 cup (80 grams) raisins
1 cup (100 grams) pecan halves, toasted and chopped
Confectioner's sugar for dusting 

Procedure:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven, and heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a 10-inch round cake pan.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, sift together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. (Or, sift together into a medium bowl if using a handheld mixer). Fit the mixer with the paddle attachment. Add the granulated sugar and butter to the flour mixture and beat on medium speed for about one minute, or until the butter is fully incorporated into the dry ingredients. Stop the mixer several times to scrape the paddle and the sides of the bowl to make sure all of the butter is mixed in. Add the eggs and mix on low speed for 10 to 15 seconds, or until fully incorporated. Then, turn the mixer to medium-high speed and beat for about 1 minute, or until the batter is light and fluffy.
• Using a rubber spatula, fold in the apples, raisins, and pecans. The batter will be very stiff and thick. It will look like too many apples and not enough batter, but that's okay. Scrape all of the batter into the prepared pan, then spread it evenly to fill the pan.
• Bake for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the cake feels firm when you press it in the middle and the top is dark golden brown. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
• Invert the cake onto a serving plate, lifting away the pan, and then invert the cake again so it is right-side up. Slice and plate, then dust with confectioner's sugar.
• The cake can be stored in a airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or, it can be well wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for up to 2 weeks; thaw at room temperature for serving. 

I used a biscuit cutter to form this mini round cake, dusted it with confectioner's sugar, and garnished it with a cinnamon stick. Doesn't it look like a dessert from a patisserie? 

I also served it on a vintage plate {a gift from a cousin} and a thrifted fork. TADA!

Apple Art

We just came from a day of apple picking and while snacking on and cooking with apples is expected, I made sure to preserve their beauty before consumption. 

I purposely picked this apple with stem and leaves on. It's not something I regularly see at the supermarket!

I used it as a subject for practicing some watercolor. Fruits are one of my favorite muses.

I chose an old book as my canvas. A painting instantly turns a blank page from blah to TADA!:

A notation at the bottom of the page will remind me later on of this crisp autumn day. TADA!