21 February 2012

Reminders on a Ring

 Paper, I find to be, is quite a common 
blah around our apartment. 

Name it: receipts, junk mail, menus...

...magazine subscription inserts and 
bill envelopes.

But for every blah, there's a TADA! 

 I'm on a mission to save the "blank spaces" 
on each piece of paper I get my hands on.

And I've got my trusty craft punch to help 
me with this dizzying, but satisfying task. 

Old paper bags, empty envelopes
and magazine pages can't escape
the clutches on my craft punch!

Add some holes with a smaller punch.

Round them up in a giant binder ring 

Add a pen {this one's got a nifty handle
that allows it to become a key chain} 

 TADA! It's a notebook on a ring!

Draw on it to while away some time... 

Or use a page as an instant gift tag!

20 February 2012

Paper Projects

Happy Monday everyone! This week, it's all about paper and the different ways to make it prettier. 

Today's blah is this binder taken home 
from a seminar. 

There's a footnote at the back panel 
requesting for responsible recycling. 
It would be my pleasure! 

The inside pages include specially printed
dividers, meeting agendas & notes. 

I got myself some printed card 
stock, traditionally used for
making scrapbooks. 

I decorated the cover, spine & back 
with black & white polka dot paper
cut to size. 

I covered the dividers with 3 different 
patterns. A glue stick kept the paper 
in place and I cut around the tabs
with a pair of scissors. 

 This is what the new dividers look like.
TADA!

and eventually label the tabs. 

I haven't determined what to use this binder for. If I were a magazine editor, I'd take it with me to the shows at Fashion Week to store invitations and take notes. If I were planning a party, I'd fill it with details like floor & seating plans, menus and photo pegs for table settings and gift bags. If I were an artist, it would be filled with poetry, sketches and ideas for an exhibit or collaboration. I just love the many possibilities! 

17 February 2012

Desserts in a Jar

New uses for mason jars -- that's the blah to TADA! transformation this week. When I saw photos of how bakers used these as containers for dessert, I really liked the idea! Mason jars can take really high temperatures (they need to be sterilized before use after all), allowing them to withstand the heat of the oven. Take for example:  





My eyes are the size of saucers and my mouth is watering with all this deliciousness! I wish you all a fabulous weekend! 

16 February 2012

Pin Party

Mason jars are a reminder of a simpler time where summer afternoons were spent canning fruits and vegetables for the coming winter. Hard labor my friends -- sterilizing the jars, peeling and cutting the produce, sealing the jars, listening to the lids pop. But what a joy to see them lined up on the shelf, then tasting summer's glory at the peak of winter.

That's what I think of when I see mason jars. I've kept the ones that used to be filled with jellies and pickles because even if they're empty, they're still very useful. 

Here's my version of the famous sewing kit in a jar. It's a brand-spanking new home for my safety pins. You know why? Whenever I'm getting dressed, in a hurry, then suddenly realize I need a safety pin to add some modesty to a low-cut top, secure a skirt when the button has popped out {and there's no time to mend it} -- I'll have to rummage through my sewing kit for that safety pin. So blah! Time's a ticking!

This is where the safety pins hang out. Some straight pins and a travel sewing kit have been invited to the party too. TADA!

Maybe I'll introduce some fashion tape or accessory dots to the gang because you'll never know when you'll need them.

I keep this in the bathroom medicine cabinet to keep it accessible whenever a family member says, "Where are the safety pins?"

15 February 2012

Light and Bright

 Howdy Friends! Appreciate that you 
could stop by today. 

Empty mason jars can be practical 
even outside the kitchen.

They can be transformed into
light fixtures: 

Window display at Fishs Edy 

A closer view 

On the ceiling of Haven's Kitchen 

Use bigger jars & replicate these
hanging lamps from West Elm

To make your own, you may find some easy instructions here and here. Have a de-LIGHT-ful day!  

14 February 2012

Light My Fire


Do you like mason jars? It's a vessel for storing jams and pickled fruits and veggies that you canned yourself. I have yet to learn the proper way of making my own preserves. In the meantime, I'm using these for crafting. 

blah: a mason jar that once contained
strawberry-rhubarb jam

TADA!: a container for matches

I saw a photo of this on Pinterest and I thought it was brilliant. You put the matches in the jar and add sandpaper to the lid. Just strike a match on the sandpaper to light it! I tried it out but it didn't work.

Maybe because I didn't use strike anywhere matches? I just have these ordinary ones. So here's what I did:

I put all my match sticks inside the jar 
but saved the boxes.

I decorated the lid and attached it in place with glue. I cut out the striking surfaces from the match boxes and glued these on the lid. Then I sealed the lid to the rim with some hot glue. This is necessary because the lid easily detaches from the rim and falls out when the jar is opened.

Just strike to light

Now I have all my matches in one place and storing it in a clear container tells me when I'm running low. Buddy it up with candles {but away from children please} and setting the mood can be ready in an instant. TADA!

Happy Valentine's Day!

13 February 2012

Last Minute Valentine Gift


Happy New Week Everyone! Today, I'm carrying over last week's Valentine's Day theme for another crafty idea.

blah: an empty jar and a cloth-like 
sheet rescued from packaging of 
birthday present

I like that the material is similar to 
fabric but the edges don't fray 
when you cut through it.

The pale pink color reminds
of peonies.

Attach the petals onto the lid of 
the jar with hot glue.

Here's a top view of the flower

Fill the jar with chocolate dressed 
up for Valentine's Day.

Or some salted caramels
would be yummy too.

TADA!: A cute and easy
Valentine's gift! 

See you back tomorrow, and let's see what we can do with mason jars. Have a nice day!