Confetti, Confetti

Hello dear friends!

This week, I have three posts for you and our theme is CONFETTI. Its name and meaning conjure color and festivity, don't you agree?

I was inspired by this tiny package I saw at one of my visits to Anthropologie. The product write-up makes it even more desirable: a small packet of hand picked confetti for when even the smallest victories need to be acknowledged. 

That in itself is blah to TADA!, no?

I decided, maybe, I can make my own version. Here goes:

This empty plastic bag was once packaging for some gift labels. It's clear and has an adhesive flap. It's blah. But I wanted to give it another chance.

So I added some printed card stock cut to size to fit the plastic bag.

Add a few teaspoons of glitter...

And some vintage sequins.

A shiny, merry mix of happiness in a bag. TADA!

And why not scribble down some wise words that tie in to the sparkly contents?

It's now a thoughtful gift for a friend who's applying for a job, going on an audition, or making a big deal presentation. 

It just may be the little push that she needs.

And every time she sees it, her day will turn from blah to TADA!

See you on Wednesday for another confetti project.

From Russia with Love

Happy new week everyone! Have you been watching the Winter Olympics? The events have been exciting and inspiring at the same time. The games are being held in Russia which reminded me of the popular handcrafted souvenir that comes from there, the Matryoshka Dolls.

via russiangift

They are these nesting wooden dolls, each one carved and painted by hand. I remember playing with these when I was a child. My parents got one as a gift. I just loved how there was a doll within a doll within a doll! A whole collection in one neat package.

These dolls are so iconic, I wasn't surprised they were a jump-off point to many crafts that I found on Etsy. Here are my favorites:

via handz

An attractive poster with a play on words.

via yoltdesigns

A kitchen towel that's pretty and practical.

via Millionbells

A cute tea cozy.

via myrubberstamp

A set of rubber stamps that can be mixed and matched.

via valsartstudio

Charming felted dolls.

via osprojects

A set of useful pouches.

via dearvioleta

And a delightful necklace.

Aren't they adorable? I read this TADA! story about Matryoshka dolls, click on this link of you'd like to read it, too.

Have a fun week!

Craft a Work of Heart

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! What are your plans today? Leading up to this day of hearts, I decided to share the love with some crafting. I made a few cards for the Etsy Special Delivery Project.

And just last Tuesday, I headed over to West Elm Broadway for a good cause.

I stopped in to decorate some paper hearts. You see, West Elm has this dream of making the longest paper heart chain. And for each heart made, $1 will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. All the more reason to craft, right?

Tables were set up within the store. So many people came to decorate some hearts.

Everyone was engrossed with their projects.

We had complimentary snacks.

And all the art supplies we needed.

All we had to do was to jazz up this heart.

Here are some of the ones I proudly made:

I made a total of 10 hearts. That's instantly $10 for St. Jude's! I'm pretty sure each person decorated more than one heart. Woohoo!

I'm digging the shadows from this punched-out paper...it's love multiplied!

This is what the paper heart chain will look like. Hearts from West Elm's branches will be collected, strung together,and put up at the hospital, which will no doubt cheer up the patients and caregivers there. I think that's blah to TADA!

Have a great weekend!

My Crafty Valentine

Today, an easy craft that's also a gift.

  

blah: an empty egg carton

Inside, fill the cavities with mini paper baking cups.

Then tuck in some goodies like these mini craft stamps and ink pads.

Don't forget a thoughtful note.

Who wouldn't get excited over a surprise like this?

Wrap it up with a doily and a gift embellishment.

It's a sweet, sweet way to say, "Happy Valentine's Day!" TADA!

Chasing Away the Winter Blahs

How are you dear friends? Where I live, we've been getting a lot of snow. It's been snowing every week and there's more snow expected. Here are a few photos of our winter wonderland:

It's a really pretty sight. I'm grateful that we haven't had any power outages and the guys plowing the snow in our neighborhood have been doing a really good job.

It's been crazy cold and I'd like to share some of the things I've been doing to turn winter from blah to TADA!

I like going on winter walks and feeling the snow crunch under my shoes.

It was on one of those walks that I captured an awesome sunrise!

But winter also means being stuck indoors. So I decided to extend Christmas to March.

The garland that I put out for the holidays is still up. I turn on the fairy lights when the sun sets {that's as early as 4:30 pm}. The decorations are a collection from different travels and that ornament with a "C" on it is a new acquisition -- a handmade gift from a friend at work.  Looking at this garland makes me happy.

Because lighting a fire is not an option {we don't own a fireplace}, the flame on the stove is lit for a kettle so that I can brew some of this tea.

Then this record plays on the turn table. Christmas carols never fail to lift my spirits {I sometimes play them off season especially if I'm feeling the blues}. Snow outside, Christmas carols indoors...this ritual turns dreary days from blah to TADA! 

Here's something I received as a gift. It's an electric fragrance warmer.

The heat melts this wax, filling the home with such a soothing scent. And I like that the wax melts have seasonal scents -- florals for spring, ocean aromas for the summer, and things like pumpkin and apple for the the fall.

I also buy some flowers at the supermarket to add colorful cheer to my desk. A few more weeks and spring will be at our doorstep!

Please stop by on Wednesday so we can do a little crafting.

Oh by the way, a quick announcement:

The winner of my blog birthday giveaway is Jonnie L. of craftyprocratination. Congratulations! I'll be in touch with you so I can send this to you.

Have a nice day everyone!