Experiments in Collage

Have you ever tried your hand at collage? I've played around with it to make DIY business cards, covering a plain box and turning it into a gift box, and crafting birthday cards.

Collage is a fun medium to play with because all you need are scissors, glue, and any kind of paper to create a piece of art.

I came across this book, Collage Your Life by Melanie Mowinski, and it encouraged to me try collage once again. In the book, Melanie describes collage this way:

"The word collage comes from the Old French coller, meaning "to glue." Collage is created from the actions of cutting to remove and pasting to add. You must have both. This double action can lead to double meanings and double entendres. For example, if you cut a human figure in half and then add bandage-like shapes linking it together, you are simultaneously showing its split and connection. As you cut and paste, explore how you play with these actions." - Melanie Mowinski 

One of my favorite takeaways from the book is to "Create parameters." Parameters, rules or a prompt are limitations that help you stay focused and get your creative juices flowing. Some parameters include: 

(1) Complete the collage in 30 minutes or less

(2) Use only scraps from your most recent collage process

(3) Take the first three papers from your collage bag and use only those papers 

(4) Only tear your paper, do not cut 

(5) Add a stencil element

Here are five different collages I made using some of the prompts in the book:

Prompt Number 1: Play with memory. Dive into your memories. Look for a picture, pattern, or text that reminds you of your childhood: 

A junk journal made from paper remnants with Snoopy and Woodstock cutouts

A junk journal made from paper remnants with Snoopy and Woodstock cutouts

Prompt Number 2: Create a collage that incorporates the patterns and textures from security envelopes. It can be part of the background or foreground or used as an accent:

Front of the bookmarks - security envelopes are the dominant pattern

Back of the bookmarks - security envelopes are the dominant pattern

Prompt Number 3: Use papers as paint. As you look through magazines, catalogs, and brochures, start to see how large blocks of colors are everywhere. Cut out just that, the colors. Look for different values, textures, and patterns, and then group similar ones together:

A beach-inspired postcard using magazine pages as paint

Prompt Number 4: You are going to make a portrait. Hopefully of yourself, but it can be of anyone. Perhaps you make an oversized head on a tiny body, or you exaggerate the size of certain features. Play. Have fun:

A portrait of my niece Kirsten made of magazine pages. I regularly
send her postcards and I think she'll get a kick of this one!

Prompt Number 5: Experiment with mixing mediums. This one uses a collage background, a neutralizing layer of gesso, rubber stamps, and packing tape transfer:

A plain paper bag is a nice background for a mixed media collage

Wasn't that fun? We can use collage in so many ways, instantly turning a blank page from "blah to TADA!"

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Tea Bag Envelope Transformation

I'm pleased to see you today!

Tea is one of my favorite beverages and the packaging they come in have made a starring role in many of my crafts. From recipe box, storage tins, gift box and gift tags, there are many ways to turn them from blah to TADA!

Some teas come in teabag envelopes like these. What a shame to just throw them away.

I covered up the labels with a few coats of white paint.

Here's what they look like after drying. I like that there's a faint hint of its past life.

I'm using cling stamps and an ink pad to decorate the teabag envelopes.

How could I not use the teapot stamp?

I love it as a repeating pattern, too.

A swirly soft serve ice cream? Yes please!

We could leave this as is or add some hues using colored pencils.

Here's another set of cling stamps with a romantic theme.

I suggest to stamp off-center or in layers and see what patterns you come up with. 

I'm all for the shabby chic look:

There are many things you can do with these teabag envelopes: for letter writing, scrapbooking, packaging...the possibilities are endless. I even used them in last week's Self-Love junk journal!

Insert small cards and use them as love notes.

Or use them to hold good wishes with the gifts that you plan to give.

And that is how I turned empty teabag envelopes from blah to TADA! 

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A Self-Love Scrapbook

Hello everyone!

Do you like art journaling? I've been practicing using an old book and also with my sketchbook.

I recently discovered Strawberry Moon, an independently-produced magazine by Suzanne Earley. The pages are filled with so much inspiration for art journaling, whether you're a beginner, dabble every now and then, or are an experienced artist. 

Guess what? A little scrapbook I made appears in the current issue about self care:

Here is my feature on page 89 of Strawberry Moon Magazine...TADA!

I call it  the "Self-Love Scrapbook" and I made it for a Valentine Card Swap hosted by Brittany of "The House that Lars Built" last February. All we had to do was to make a handmade card and send it to a penpal assigned to us. My partner was Michelle who lives in England. 

In today's post, I wanted to show you how I put together my self-love scrapbook.

The pages of the scrapbook are made from empty bill envelopes.

I folded each envelope in half and glued them together at the fold to make a booklet.

For the cover, I used some cute scrapbook paper that I cut to size and attached with glue.

I added a new design layer using cling stamps and an ink pad.

I painted the inner pages and decorated with more cling stamp impressions.

One of the inspirations I used for this scrapbook are children's pop-up books that reveal a surprise when you open a flap or pull on a tag.

I made small pockets out of tea envelopes and paper scraps. 

The messages are written on cardstock using a black felt-tip marker.

I had to add a surprise like these stickers for a fellow crafter...TADA!

And of course, I added some personalized messages, too. That's how I turned bill envelopes and paper scraps from "blah to TADA!"

My penpal, Michelle, loved it. And I'll forever remember what I made because it's in a magazine! 

If you want to support a small business and the artists behind it, you can buy a copy (paper and digital versions available) or subscribe to Strawberry Moon Magazine.

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An Easter Cake Topper

Happy Easter everyone!

I have a quick and easy craft for you today.

We're making bunny-shaped cake toppers...TADA! I got the idea from this party. It's a festive way to spruce up a plain cake.

Simply take some card stock or white cardboard and draw a bunny head. You can draw freehand or use a stencil or cookie cutter as a template. 

Then use pink paint for the ears and cheeks. 

Use a black marker to draw the eyes, nose, mouth and whiskers.

You're free to add eyelashes, dimples and other marks to make your bunny unique.

Attach some toothpicks with some tape.

Then position the bunnies on the cake. Add some sprinkles or candy if you have them.

That is how we can turn a plain cake, cheesecake or pie from blah to TADA! 

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Easter Egg Decoupage

Hello guys! Easter is next Sunday and if you're looking for new ideas on how to decorate your Easter eggs, I've got an idea for you.

Let's start with clean and empty egg shells. To empty the eggs and keep the shell intact, you can follow the tutorial right here. 

This is a grocery flyer that I find hard to throw out. I really like their newsletter format, something fun to repurpose after it has done its job. 

Last January, I turned the pages into handmade envelopes...TADA!  

The pages use colorful fonts and easy-to-read layout.

They also use lots of cute clip art:

So why not use this grocery flyer to turn plain Easter Eggs from blah to TADA!

I cut the paper into many strips so I can decoupage these to the eggs.

Decoupage is a technique where paper is attached to a surface with glue.

Using white glue, I attach the strips to the egg in a spiral pattern until the entire egg is covered. I let the glue dry and place the clip art in the middle of the egg with more glue. I add another layer of glue (spreading it with a paintbrush) to seal all the paper in place. 

If you'd like to see more detailed instructions, follow this decoupage tutorial. 

And look at the ones I made:

A very smart octopus

A fire-breathing dragon

And a handsome hummingbird...TADA!

I hope this inspired you to do a little decoupage yourself, whether to decorate Easter Eggs or on other non-traditional items.

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Have a great day!

New Life for Old Storage Baskets

I'm very happy to see you today!

Has spring cleaning been on your agenda? Whatever the season, it's a good habit to tidy our spaces and give away the things that no longer spark joy.

Well, someone in our apartment building got rid of these storage baskets. They're still in great shape and here are a few ideas on how they can be used in a new home:

via The Everygirl

I would put it in an office or den to store anything from files, paper, user manuals or tech-related paraphernalia like chargers and cables. The muted tones of the baskets and accents make the look clean and cohesive.

via Citrine Living

Another option is to use these baskets in the linen closet to corral hand towels, pillow cases and extra toiletries allowing more shelf space.

via House of Harper

These storage baskets are a big help in the pantry, too. Group together similar items such as bags of rice and beans, baking ingredients, canned goods, paper goods and cleaning supplies. Label accordingly so that they're easy to find.

via Cotton Stem

One of the best spots to put these storage baskets are in a child's bedroom or playroom. This way, all their toys and books have a place to go.

via Hobby Lobby

Here's a neat solution for the craft room. The storage baskets are used in two ways: (1) as drawers to fit a dresser; (2) as shelves to display colorful craft materials.

One person's trash is indeed another person's treasure! These are just a few suggestions on how to turn old storage baskets from blah to TADA!

If you must get rid of your unwanted items, consider selling them on Facebook Marketplace, Kaiyo or Mercari. You can also donate them to places like The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore or Goodwill.

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Abuzz with Butterflies

Hi there sweet friends!

Today's craft has its genesis in a jacket:

Specifically a jacket that Michelle Yeoh wore during a television appearance. Can you see? It's studded with fabric butterflies...TADA!

The butterfly jacket was the accessory. It's by Oscar De La Renta. She paired it with a simple shirt, vintage jeans, and funky shoes. She looks great! She doesn't look at all like she's 60 and she just won an Oscar. She is the first Asian to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards! Check out her uplifting speech here. 

I am quite obsessed with this jacket because butterflies, specifically monarch butterflies, have a special spot in my heart. I've written about it here. 

Inspired by Michelle Yeoh's butterfly jacket, I made this gift box decorated with paper butterflies...TADA!

Here's how I made it:

 

I repurposed this box that was once filled with almond shortbread cookies (a gift from dear friends living in Hawaii).

I painted the entire box with bright blue acrylic paint. It took about five coats to completely cover the packaging labels, then I let the box dry for a few hours.

I cut a strip of cardboard that I attached to the lid of the box using hot glue. This will serve as the handle of my gift box.

Using an ink pad and a butterfly stamp (I've used it for this butterfly wall hanging and butterfly envelopes), I made repeating butterfly patterns on plain paper. 

When the ink dried, I added some color using colored pencils.

Then I cut around each butterfly.

I attached the paper butterflies on the box using white glue. As an option, you can use butterfly stickers, too.

I added butterflies all over, from the sides to the back.

I even put some butterflies on the handle, making sure not to glue all sides and folding the wings slightly for a "butterfly in flight" effect.

All I need to do is to add the gift inside the box and write my wishes on a nice card. 

This butterfly gift box is how I turned an empty box from blah to TADA! 

If you'd like to visit the archives, I've made similar gift boxes made from a tea box, pasta box, and most recently a coffee pod box...TADA!

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