Sidewalk Furniture

On the streets of New York City, you are bound to find furniture -- free for the taking! Maybe the owners no longer need them or maybe they're moving out of their apartments. Personally, I would call the Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity's ReStore to schedule a pick-up. The'll sell the furniture in their thrift stores and use the money for their community projects...TADA!

Here's one of the pieces I saw:

It's a half moon console table that looks brand new.

Had I taken it home, I would repaint it. The red is a little too vibrant for me. Here's what I would do:

via Pinterest

I'd paint it white and brush the table top with a natural wood stain.

via Pinterest

I could also give it a distressed finish and replace the knob with something more classic.

After it's been painted, this is how I would use it:

via Pinterest

It would be a nice accessory in the foyer.

via Pinterest

It can be a practical display space in a small corner.

via Pinterest

A mirror is always a good match with a console table to make the room bigger and for that final touch of lipstick before heading out the door.

via Pinterest

I can use it to display seasonal decor like flowers in springtime, potted plants in the summer, pumpkins in autumn, and a small tree for the holidays...TADA! 

via BakedBree

I can turn it into a well-appointed coffee corner.

via Pinterest

Or in lieu of a bar cart, a bar console table -- glasses on top, bottles on the bottom.

via Wedding Chicks

It can be useful for a birthday party or baby shower for a candy buffet or sweets station...TADA!

via The Inspired Room 

I can even bring it inside the bedroom and put it in between two beds.

via Pinterest

I can add a mirror and a stool to make a vanity...TADA!

These are just some crazy ideas. I hope you'll use them as a jump-off point to turn your old furniture from blah to TADA!

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Envelopes Made from Paper Bags

How have you guys been? Quite well, I hope!

Last month, I took on the challenge of turning a grocery flyer from blah to TADA!

I turned the pages into envelopes.

Simply insert handmade stationery (plain cardstock decorated with brush lettering) and it can now be used for letter writing...TADA!

To make the envelopes, I used this template. It's just an old envelope that I opened up and traced onto cardboard. I must say, this template has gotten so much mileage already! 

Today, I'm using it on brown paper bags.

Trace the template onto the paper.

Cut along the lines.

Fold the three bottom sides and glue them together.

Then fold the top flap.

Now we've created these handmade envelopes...TADA!

For an added surprise, we can line the inside with colorful paper.

In the theme of recycling, I used old magazine pages and gift wrapping paper remnants.

Here's what I did:

I cut the envelope liner and glued it on the envelope before folding and gluing the sides together.

Inside, I chose plain and printed cardstock as my stationery:

Sometimes I like to pretend I'm a stationery designer and make use of what I already have. It's also a nice feeling when we are able to give trash a new life.

That is how I turned some old paper bags and magazine pages from blah to TADA!

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Repurposing Old Candles

How's it going everyone? I hope you are having a good start to the week.

Do you like candles? I use candles often -- for fragrance, to set a mood, or to get into a certain headspace (ex. meditation, writing, prayer).

Over the years, I've amassed these jars with candle wax at the bottom. To bring new life to the jars, I've learned to make my own candles.

But what about the candle wax? Surely, there must be a way to transform it from blah to TADA!

I turned the wax into candle shavings (using an old vegetable peeler or grater). I put the candle shavings into a plastic container and labelled it accordingly so that no one at home mistakes it for food.

For this candle, I used a plastic knife to pry the wax from the sides of the jar. 

In a previous post, I wrote about wax seals as a finishing touch for envelopes. Special sealing wax sticks are typically used but why not use the candle wax shavings? Why buy when we can D-I-Y? 

I dipped my sealing wax spoon in the jar of candle shavings and lit the tea light.  

I positioned the sealing wax spoon a few inches above the flame and let the wax melt slowly.

The candle shavings fully melted but I parked the spoon on top of the burner to allow the wax to cool a bit.

Then I poured the wax off the spoon and onto a waxy surface so it's easy to peel off (ex. wax paper, parchment paper, or the backing of sticker paper). When the wax is slightly cooler, the shape of the wax is easier to control (forms into a circle instead of spreading out in different directions).

I pressed the wax stamp on top of the melted wax and let it sit there for a few minutes.

Once the wax stamp is removed, the rose pattern is imprinted on the wax...TADA!

For a neater look, I trimmed off the wax that collected around it. The final result is thinner and more transparent compared to using wax sealing sticks. But I'm pleased that I was able to repurpose the candle shavings that would've just been thrown away.

That's how I turned old candles from blah to TADA!

I'll keep experimenting and I'll show you how I use these wax seals in my crafty projects. Meanwhile, please subscribe here if you want blah to TADA! ideas delivered to your inbox.
 

A Canister for Twine

It's so nice to see you today! It's a new month and therefore a new crafty recycling project awaits.

via Magnolia 

A few years ago, I stumbled upon some cute canisters from this shopping site. They are a pretty way to keep twine, ribbon or yarn neat and tucked away. But why buy when we can D.I.Y.?

I'm using this empty hot chocolate tin, turning it from blah to TADA!

I disguised the labels with several coats of black acrylic paint. Then I let it dry for a few hours.

I found this piece of leather that I'll use as an accent.

I'm making a label using alphabet stamps and an ink pad. I spelled the word "twine" and wrapped the stamps with washi tape so that I can stamp in one go (instead of using individual letters, just as I did when I made these tags):

A label on leather...TADA!

I trimmed the leather and attached it to the tin using hot glue. 

I only glued the sides of the leather, leaving the center loose and open.

That way, I can slip in a small pair of scissors. No need to scramble for one when I need to cut the twine...TADA!

For the lid, I measured the center and made a mark.

Using a hammer and nail, I made two holes on the lid. You can make one or more holes, depending on how much twine you want to store inside. Take note that all the hammering will leave scuff marks on the lid.

Not to worry! Just add a few coats of paint and let it dry (or begin with making the holes before painting the entire tin).

I use these two most often to tie around packages (I may need to go out and get some more).

Off they go into the tin...make sure to pull the tails out!

Then thread the ends of the twine/yarn into the holes on top of the lid.

And here it is, my very own twine canister...TADA!

Use it at your gift wrapping station, home office, kitchen counter or wherever you often use your twine.  

I highly encourage you to find new uses for empty tins. If you need some inspiration, here are a few more ideas: a portable watercolor palette, a storage container or gift box, a jewelry keeper, or a tea storage tin...TADA!

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Thanks for stopping by!

Butterfly Embroidery

Hello everyone!

Every January, I make a butterfly-themed craft. In the past, I made a butterfly wall hanging, a butterfly scent sachet, and even a butterfly watercolor painting.

It's my way to remember and honor my Mom who passed away in January 31, 2017.

This year, I made this butterfly embroidery:

I found the butterfly pattern from an embroidery book and I transferred it on fabric using carbon/graphite paper.

I mounted the fabric on an embroidery hoop.

With a needle and black embroidery thread, I used the back stitch and followed the outline.

For every stitch, I said a prayer for my Mom and told her I missed her. And on some stitches, I recalled my fondest memories with her.

Sewing was meditative with a mix of happy and sad feelings.

I'm pleased with how it turned out. For now, I'm satisfied with just an outline but I can fill in the spaces with colored embroidery thread later on. It can be a work in progress, just like grief and healing.

I've hung it on my wall. It will always remind me of my Mom and that her life is "just changed, not ended" because she will always be in my heart and my memories.

If you need some healing, why not take up an art or a craft? It may just turn your current state from blah to TADA!

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Learning Lettering: Illuminated Letters

How's it going lovely people?

One of the crafts I am thoroughly into is lettering. I still love writing notes, lists and greeting cards. But over time, I find that my penmanship is lacking legibility, even I can't read my own handwriting!

Lettering allows me to pay attention to each letter, the spacing, the sizing and the flourishes. That's why I try to learn new techniques that range from calligraphy, hand lettering, brush lettering, using stencils and more calligraphy.

I found this book, "Calligraphy and Lettering: A Maker's Guide," at the library. It gives an insight to the various forms of calligraphy, a short history of each and how they were used at that time. For example, Gothic Script, which was popular in Western Europe during the 12th to 16th centuries, was used mainly for prayer books. 

A particular kind of lettering that I've been curious about are the capitals and initials. You've seen these before in children's books or fancy novels where the first letter of the first word is a sophisticated capital letter, sometimes with elaborate designs surrounding it. I feel it turns a simple page from blah to TADA! 

And as if that wasn't enough, how about illuminated letters -- the practice of decorating text or images with gold or silver. I guess that was their version of "bring on the bling."

What I like about the book is that it has easy projects where one can apply these lettering techniques. I'm trying out the illuminated bookmark. 

Good thing the book provided a template. So here's what I did:

(1) Trace the template using tracing paper and a pencil.

(2) Transfer the image onto cardstock. I sandwiched a sheet of carbon paper/graphite paper in between the image sheet and a piece of cardstock. I used a paperclip at the top to hold everything in place, then I traced the image with a pencil. I checked if all the details transferred clearly on the cardstock before dismantling the layers of paper.

If you don't have carbon paper/graphite paper, here's another technique: turn over the tracing paper and, with a pencil, go over the lines using dark, heavy strokes. Flip the tracing paper and lay it on card stock or watercolor paper and tape it in place. Trace the design with a pencil (the pencil marks at the back should transfer onto the cardstock). Remove the tape and the template and go over the lines that you might have missed. 

In case there are unwanted pencil marks, remove them with an eraser. Then trim the cardstock into a bookmark shape with a pair of scissors.

I used watercolor to fill in the spaces, referring frequently to the book for the correct shades.

The corners of the letter S are gilded in gold. Traditionally, gold leaf or silver leaf is used. But since I didn't have that on hand, I'm using gold foil from a chocolate wrapper (I cleaned it with a damp towel to remove any chocolate stains and let it dry before using).

I cut the gold foil into small triangles and attached these to the cardstock with glue. I even made small circles (with a hole punch) to add more faux gold leaf around the vines.

Define the edges with a fine point marker. Let this dry for a few minutes.

Here is my first attempt at illuminated letters. It's also how I turned plain cardstock and gold-foil chocolate wrapper from blah to TADA!

I'll leave you with this quote from the book. As they say, "Start where you are, use what you have and do what you can." 

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