19 March 2018

Crafty Ideas from the book "Hello Tokyo"

I love books and I love craft books even more! Here is one that I found while browsing the shelves at my library:

It's called "Hello Tokyo" and is written by Ebony Bizys, the talented artist, designer, and photographer behind the blog Hello Sandwich. She's an Australian/Lithuanian who calls Tokyo home.

The book is packed to the brim with tidbits about Tokyo, insights on the Japanese way of life, and projects that are both thoughtful and kawaii (Japanese for "cute").

Inspired by the book, here are some crafts that I made:

pipe cleaners, hot glue gun, origami paper, handmade
A flowery gift bag. This bag and tag are made from origami and scrapbook paper held together by glue. The handles are made from bent pipe cleaners...TADA!

Handmade gift tags. I found the blank tags and stickers in my craft stash. 

By putting them together, I instantly have tags for all the birthday presents I'll be wrapping this year...TADA!

scrapbook paper, bakers twine
A handmade notebook. I'm going to use this as a journal/portable scrapbook. "Oui" is French for "yes" and I say "Oui" to more adventures!

Putting together a collection. I have a bunch of little collections, among them are these tea bag rests. I use them individually or when company comes over. What a neat idea to just group them together for a themed display...TADA!

ososuwake, hand lettering, brush lettering, Japanese words
Learning Japanese words. One of the words I learned in the book is "osusowake" (sharing) and Ebony defines it this way:
"It's a Japanese word that describes one of the most charming Japanese customs: the giving of something inexpensive, but important between friends. For example, when you buy a roll of stickers or box of candies and you find yourself with more than you need, you might share a small section of them with a friend. The history of the word osusowake is really lovely. It has its origins back when handmaking kimonos was very popular. The leftover fabric from making the kimono was shared with other friends. From what I can gather, suso is "hem" and wakare is "to share", so it's like the division and sharing or excess fabric. To me, this is so beautiful and poetic."
The book has definitely encouraged making, giving, and dreaming of a trip to Tokyo!

12 March 2018

The Birthday Plate

I hope you like birthdays. I like birthdays a lot and everything associated with it like greetings, gifts, and gratitude. 

Maybe you have some traditions to mark birthdays? A family I know will stay up until midnight so they are the first to greet the birthday celebrator with hugs and a cake. A friend I know will always celebrate with children at an orphanage to share her blessings. And still another friend I know always travels on her birthday, usually by herself so she can reflect on her past year and her plans for her new year.  

When I saw this plate at Anthropologie a few seasons back, I thought, "This is perfect for a birthday tradition." It can be the special plate of the family.

This plate takes the place of a regular dining plate during a family member's birthday, from breakfast, lunch, snacktime, and dinner. It will make him or her feel extra special. And, it will remind the whole family that it's someone's special day when they sit at the table. 

It's also the best way to serve the birthday cake. TADA!

What traditions do you like to do on your birthday?

05 March 2018

Silver Slivers

Jewelry-making is one of my favorite crafts. Just look at my bead collection:

Here are some of the earrings I made, all with a silver theme:



I know these will turn a simple outfit from blah to TADA!

Enjoy your week, everyone!

26 February 2018

More Blackout Poetry

A while back, I shared the process of blackout poetry.

Altered books, art journal
It's taking a page printed with words (like a magazine or old book), choosing a few words to make your own poem, and blocking-out the rest of the words. Usually a marker will do, but to add an artistic spin, I use paint.

Altered books, art journal, acrylic paint, blah to TADA!, crafty recycling
Here's what my page looks like. It looks a little blah.

Altered books, art journal, acrylic paint, blah to TADA!, crafty recycling
I'm embellishing with a stamp and ink.

Altered books, art journal, acrylic paint, blah to TADA!, crafty recycling
This is from a set by Jane Davenport.

Altered books, art journal, acrylic paint, blah to TADA!, crafty recycling
With a brush pen, I'll style her hair.

Altered books, art journal, acrylic paint, blah to TADA!, crafty recycling
Add some flowers.

Altered books, art journal, acrylic paint, blah to TADA!, crafty recycling
The words I chose fittingly describe this lady...TADA!

19 February 2018

The Year of Cozy

I've had this book for some time now and I decided to pull it out of my bookshelf.

The title says it all. And in the middle of winter, being cozy is all I want.

"The Year of Cozy"  by Adrianna Adarme is brimming with recipes, crafts, and activities that you can make and do in the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Adriana describes that, "The good life is measured in moments like these."

Here are a few of her suggestions:

Enjoy some warm Chai Tea

Do nothing as a counterpoint to working very hard. By "doing nothing" like unplugging from technology, the simple act of drinking, watching the clouds, taking a walk, or letting go of guilt, you make room for creativity and calm.

Write handwritten notes

Make some tomato marinara sauce

Bake a batch of cookies

Go on a food adventure and eat something you've never eaten before

Visit a thrift store

Have a staycation: Go to the beach 


Or visit a museum

Put up a gallery wall

I hope these ideas encourages you to live a life of cozy...TADA!

12 February 2018

Little Love Notes

Here is an easy craft for Valentine's Day for the young and the young at heart.

It's inpired by these mini notes, a package of miniature envelopes and cards that I bought at a Martha Stewart craft fair.

upcycled bill envelopes,Valentines Day Crafts
I made my own mini stationery by repurposing old bill envelopes. The blue and white checkered pattern was too hard to resist.

upcycled bill envelopes, blah to TADA, crafty recycling, Valentine's Day crafts
Then I made little cards out of cardstock trim and wrote down a few messages.

Valentines Day crafts, crafty recycling, blah to TADA!, upcycle old bill envelopes
I sealed the envelopes with these sweet stickers. TADA!

05 February 2018

A Miniature Message

Well hello there!

Let's say you had an empty match box. What would you do with it?

Here's what I would do:


paper crafts, ideas for paper remnants, scrapbook paper, love notes, Valentines Day crafts
I would make it pretty with some scrapbook paper.

Valentine's Day crafts, blah to TADA!, love notes, paper crafts
I would add a heartfelt sticker.

confetti hearts, how to use paper remnants, Valentine's Day crafts,
I would fill it with confetti hearts.

Valentine's Day crafts, how to use paper remnants, confetti hearts, love notes
Lots and lots of hearts!

love notes, Valentine's Day crafts, how to repurpose paper scraps
Then I would give it to my sweetheart.

confetti hearts, Valentine's Day crafts, love letters, secret messages,
I hope he'll like it. TADA!