Painting on Leather

She painted on a $10,000 leather bag!

via Pinterest

This is an Hermes bag that costs at least US$10,000. The price can go higher depending on the size and the leather used. It's a beautiful bag, no doubt, but I can't see myself buying something for such an expensive amount. And let's just say I did, I would take very good care of it, wiping it down after each use and reserving a chair just to lay it on. And I would hold it tightly under my arm because the bag alone is enough to bail me out of a ransom situation. 

But this artist painted on it! 

She PAINTED on it! 

I applaud her audacity.

  

via Jung Jin Lee

How about this artist who paints on a Louis Vuitton wallet?

Apparently, a lot of people are having their designer bags custom-painted. The paintings add personality to the bag and makes it stand out from others who own the same kind. But do these paintings add or diminish the value of the bag? 

Anyway, while spring cleaning, I found this passport case. It was an airline freebie.

Here's what it looks like inside.

It's plain and simple on the back.

I was contemplating on how to turn it from "blah" to "TADA!" and I decided to paint on it. But no fear here because if I mess it up, it really didn't cost me a thing.

I decided to paint a portrait of an adventurer. I used white acrylic paint to make my outline.

Then I added details using a pencil. 

I took out more acrylic paint and a small, flat-tipped paintbrush.

Then I added the corresponding colors.

This cool girl is ready for adventure!

I don't know if you can see from here -- her sunglasses are metallic. And the leather-stamped branding is no longer obvious...TADA!

Simply add a passport, IDs, and a pen for the adventure to begin now that the world is starting to open its doors to tourists after months of lockdown.

This is my first attempt to paint on leather and I enjoyed it a lot. 

Thanks for stopping by today!

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Creative Calligraphy Made Easy

This is a story of how I got back into practicing calligraphy. It all started with a book called "Creative Calligraphy Made Easy."

It's written by Karla Lim, a calligrapher and wedding invitation designer based in Vancouver. She is also the woman behind Written Word Calligraphy where she blogs, teaches classes, and even has a shop. 

 

Karla's style is feminine and elegant with a muted color palette. She's been doing this for more than eight years, making her an expert to write this book. She defines "Modern Calligraphy" this way:

"Modern calligraphy uses the exact same tools as traditional pointed-pen calligraphy but you set your own "lettering rules," styles, flourishes and more. When you use a pointed pen to write in calligraphy, you will be going back in time, dipping a pen into an inkwell and writing with a flexible pointed nib. The flexible pointed pen creates thick and thin lines when you write, which leads to the signature look of modern calligraphy. I always think of modern calligraphy as drawing or painting letters and words, rather than simply writing them to be read. Modern calligraphy is truly an artistic expression." - Karla Lim, Written Word Calligraphy   

I've taken a calligraphy class with Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls (who also writes the foreword to Karla's book) but I haven't practiced in ages.

So I assembled my materials, an assortment from Maybelle's class, as well as thrift shop and art store finds.

Then I practiced.

And practiced.

And practiced (the uppercase letters weren't easy to do at the beginning).

Karla's mantra is "Practice makes progress."

The book suggests many projects where we can apply our newfound calligraphy skill.

There are guidelines on how to address envelopes in calligraphy for wedding invitations or to fancy up everyday envelopes we send in the mail.

There's also a lot of wedding and party DIY ideas.

Plus ways to add flair to wrapping gifts.

I'd love to try this calligraphy on ribbon using a foil quill.

To give this idea my own little twist, I wrote down some phrases on scrap cardboard to make these salutation cards.

And used them to decorate some presents...TADA!

This book is very helpful to learn the basics and discover new applications for modern calligraphy, turning ordinary objects from "blah" to "TADA!"

"Calligraphy is an invitation for rediscovery and creativity. It invites us to slow down and think about the shapes and intention behind every stroke, rather than just writing simply to read. Because of that, writing in calligraphy is typically slower than usual hand writing. It is more intentional, technical and purposeful, which is what I love about it." - Karla Lim, Written Word Calligraphy

How about you? Have you tried calligraphy?

By the way, if you like my crafty "blah to TADA!" ideas and would like these blog posts automatically delivered to your inbox, you may subscribe here.  Thank you!

Jewelry from the Jersey Shore

Hi guys! Before I share my craft project today, a little announcement:

If you're subscribed to "blah to TADA!" you may have noticed something different with how it's delivered to your inbox. I switched my e-mail subscription service to follow.it. But don't worry, no need to do anything. You'll continue to receive updates from me every week. As always, THANK YOU for subscribing and for being a loyal friend all these years!

And if you're new to the blog...WELCOME! Go ahead and have a look around. There's lots of cozy corners to make yourself comfortable. If you like what you see, please subscribe here and you'll get new "blah to TADA!" ideas in your inbox every Monday. I have nothing to sell. This is simply a passion project full of crafty tutorials to turn the ordinary from "blah" to "TADA!"

I really appreciate that you are here.

So, what are your favorite summer rituals?

I love going to the beach.

The sun, sand, and the sound of the waves are both relaxing and invigorating. 

When I'm at the beach, I always dip my toes in the water, even if the temperature is ice cold.

I always take long walks and search the shore for treasures.

Sometimes I find just one.

And other times, I discover a handful.

When I get home, I give them a rinse and let them dry overnight. I love to use them for crafting.

Let me show you how I turned the seashells from blah to TADA!: 

I made them into earrings.

 I used findings and jump rings from the craft store...

...as well as different beads from my stash.

I chose colors that remind me of the sea.

I've also used the seashells to make these necklaces:

These are broken shells but their edges have become smooth with the help of the waves. I simply added some jewelry findings and a chain...TADA!

These are pieces I can wear all year round and always remind me of summers at the shore. Have a good week everyone!

Treasures from the Trash: A Bar Stool

Hey guys! I found this lonely bar stool on the sidewalk: 

It's made of wrought-iron...

It has a curved backrest and a comfy seat cushion.

I wonder why the owner let go of it? And if it came with two or three more bar stools, a typical number for a kitchen counter.

Sadly, I didn't take it home with me but here are a few ideas on how I would turn it from blah to TADA! had I room for it:

via Hometalk 

Paint it in a vibrant shade and replace the cushion cover to match one's kitchen decor. 

via Town and Country Living 

If I had a collection of mismatched bar stools, I'd use paint to give them a unified look. 

via For the Love of Wood

Or I would give it a modern farmhouse feel with distressed paint and graphic fabric.

via One Kings Lane

For an upscale look, maybe paint it in a matte metallic gold?

via Wisteria 

A gold and white pairing gives it a clean and polished look.

via Pinterest

But luxurious colors like mustard or gray can be options, too. 

via One Kings Lane

Experiment with textured fabric to give some contrast.

via Decorpad

via Wayfair

Or fabric in a favorite print can also work well.

via Havenly 

And maybe some faux fur material that will go well in a girly dressing room.

via Pebble and Leaf

But if you prefer painting the chair in rose gold, go right ahead!

via Home Sweet

What about painting the chair in a clean white and replacing the seat with a stained wood?

Before discarding your old furniture, find some ways to turn them from blah to TADA!

More Indian Block Printing Projects

I'm excited you are here and thankful that you stopped by! A few weeks ago, I wrote about Indian Block Printing.

I learned the basics of Indian Block Printing through a virtual class. We were each given a kit complete with paint, sponges, and wood blocks. Initially, we decorated a few gift tags.

Then, when we were confident, we used the block prints on fabric...TADA!

I turned the fabric into gift wrap. The Japanese call this Furoshiki. That way, the receiver of this gift can reuse the fabric in other ways -- as a headband, hair tie, pocket square, or wrap another present. 

Then I remembered that I bought this carved wood block a few years ago. I got it from a gift shop in Austin, Texas. I never used it but now I know how.

Just like our teacher instructed in the class, I made an ink pad. I put a few drops of paint on a flat surface (this is a takeout container), positioned the sponge on top of the paint, and tapped the wood block on the sponge until the paint lifted to the surface of the sponge.

I kept tapping until the paint transferred to the wood block.

Then I stamped onto the fabric.

I just repeated the design in a straight line, inking the wood block each time after stamping.

This is another piece of fabric where I experimented with a more playful layout.

Indian Block Printing instantly turns these pieces of scrap fabric from blah to TADA!

I sewed the sides of my block printed fabric together to make small pouches.

I assigned a button and elastic string as a closure mechanism.

These small pouches will become jewelry gift bags...TADA!

Since I had more scrap fabric on hand, I took out the liquid dye to give it a new look. 

 

I was going for a rough ombre look, mimicking the ocean.

My fish-shaped wood block added some life.

I stamped randomly, as if the fishies were doing somersaults. 

I sewed the edges and sides to make a bag.

I folded the open end...

And likewise added a button and elastic string allowing the bag to be closed.

These will become gift sacks, a more sustainable solution to wrapping presents...TADA!