15 July 2011

Name Plates


Happy Friday!

This week's stars are these alphabet cookie cutters
that I bought for less than US$5.00. If I got a
brand new set, I would have spent at least $10.00.
When I was paying for it, the shopkeeper asked,
"What would you use these for?"

Well, If he visited my blog, he'd have many
answers. And I didn't even use them
for baking cookies.

Today's craft, lovely name plates, again makes use
of salt dough. You can find how to make the dough in
I made these rectangles by cutting the dough with a knife.
I also cut out letters {spell out names or favorite words}
using the cookie cutters. Attach the letters to the
rectangle with water {applied with a fine tip paintbrush}.
With a toothpick, I made holes on the four edges.

Place these on a cookie sheet and bake for two hours
in a preheated 250 degree oven.

After it cools, you're ready to paint:

Make sure to hit the nooks and crannies
and apply several coats of paint.

Here's how I would use it:

Sew it on a plain canvas bag.
This is an easy way to stay organized -- make one for
each member of the family. One that he or she can bring to
daycare, school, the office, the gym, dance class or art lessons.

Instead of names, you can also assign tasks like
"laundry", "toys", "books" or "knit & sew".

I hope you liked my ideas this week.
Have a wonderful weekend, okay?

14 July 2011

Golden Pendants


How's it going?
I hope you're having an excellent week.

Today, I've lined up these thrift shop-find cookie cutters
for another task.

Similar to yesterday's TADA!, we're using
salt dough to make some pendants.

After the salt dough has been rolled out, I cut out
some circles using a 3 1/2 cm diameter cookie cutter.

Then I cut out a few letters.
It's important that you dip your cookie cutters in
flour before putting them into the dough to avoid
these from sticking.

I apply a little water {with a fine-tip paint brush}
to the back of the letter and lay it on the circle cutout.
This process makes the letter adhere to the circle.
I make a hole on top of the circle with a toothpick.

The circles sit on a cookie sheet, then baked for
two hours in a preheated 250 degree oven.

This is what they look like after baking.

Once cooled, paint them any color you wish.

I'm using metallic gold again so
they resemble real jewelry.
At least 3 coats of paint is necessary.

Add a ribbon {or chain} through the hole,
make a knot and TADA!, you've
got yourself a pretty necklace!

Use this as a party favor for older children, teens or
your best girlfriends!

13 July 2011

Faux Ceramics


Ready for another craft project?

All this week, these alphabet cookie cutters are
showcasing their versatility. I got them at
a bargain price while treasure-hunting at

Remember the holiday cards I made last year?
Enclosed is a heart-shaped ornament that can
be hung on a tree or around a door knob.
I made it out of salt dough and today,
I think it's time to play with salt dough again!

Here's how:

We'll need these ingredients.

Mix ingredients together until a dough is formed.
Add more water if the dough isn't coming together or
add flour little by little if the dough is too sticky.

Knead the dough on a floured board until it's smooth and elastic.

Roll out the dough with a rolling pin dusted with flour.
Roll until the dough is 1/4 inch thick.

Cut desired shapes with a cookie cutter dipped in flour.
Today, I'm using circles, 7 cm in diameter.

Then make indentations in the center with
your favorite letter {dip cutters in flour}.
Slowly take out the cutters.

I'm making small bowls with the letter
used as a monogram.

To achieve the "dome" of the bowl,
carefully transfer the dough circle to the back
of a small tart tin or the back of a muffin tin
{should be smaller than the dough circle}.
Make sure to grease the back of the tins with
vegetable oil so the dough doesn't stick to it
while baking. Also, the monogram should be
facing the back of the tin.

Put these on a cookie sheet.
Bake in a preheated 250 degree oven for 2 hours.
When done, allow to cool.

Here's what the mini monogram bowls look like. TADA!

I painted them in a metallic gold.
They're quite imperfect and lopsided, almost like a
beginner made them on a potter's wheel.
It clearly tells the recipient it's handmade.

This makes a thoughtful anniversary present
where the couple can rest their wedding bands.

It holds the jewelry you wear everyday and you can
take it when travelling because it's light & unbreakable.

12 July 2011

Petit Gateau


Thanks for coming over today!
This week is all about these cookie cutters,
the latest treasure I found at the

When I'm hunting around at thrift stores, I usually look for
books, things for the home and lonely objects waiting
for a blah to TADA! make-over. Cookie cutters like
these are unexpected and even surprising that
they're in good condition & a complete set at that.

Here's what I'll use my cookie cutters for:
It's easy to use with professional looking results!

If you've never worked with fondant, it looks &
feels like clay. Pull out a piece and roll it out with
this special rolling pin that has rings to control
the fondant's thickness.

Take out the cookie cutters & punch away.
Make sure to keep the excess fondant in a zip-top bag
or air-tight container.

Doesn't it lend a special TADA! touch to a home-baked,
home-decorated cake?

It's a personal cake for a lovely birthday girl named Zoe.

11 July 2011

"C" is for Cookie Cutters


How was your weekend lovelies?
I hope you had one of the best ones yet.

Last Friday, I told you about my fab find

It's this set of mini alphabet cookie cutters.
I paid only US$3.75 for it! The set was complete, there
were no deformed letters and they looked hardly used.

When you buy kitchen accessories like this, it's best
to give them a thorough cleaning before use.

I washed the cookie cutters in warm, soapy water
and scrubbed them by hand.

Then I let them dry with the help of a dish cloth and
some time under the sun {I'm afraid of rust!}.

This week, I'm figuring out different ways to use them.

Let's start with toast.
It's a tasty breakfast or snack but it can look so blah.

Before putting them in the toaster, spell out some words
like "Yum", "Cool" or your kids' names if they aren't too long.
Press them half way through & gently remove the cutters.
You just want to make indentations, not remove any bread.

Pop the bread into the toaster and...

TADA! Personalized toast!

Depending on your toaster and heat setting, the
results can vary. I would have wanted a darker piece
but I prefer my toast on the less crunchy side.

Have a mighty good Monday ya' all!

08 July 2011

A Thrift Store in New York City


Whoopee, it's Friday!
We end our travel/shopping series today but I
hope to feature more markets in the future.

Today, we're in New York and instead of
a flea market, we're going to a thrift store.

This is just one of the many branches of the


Proceeds from shop sales go to New Yorkers
Isn't that TADA!?

All merchandise are donated and I visit
as often as I can because there's
always something new!

Recently, they arranged their books by color.

Lots of records, CDs and DVDs.

They have awesome furniture, too.
I would have loved to get that school desk and
matching chair and possibly add a fresh coat of paint.

They also have a nice selection of
clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.

I like to spend extra time in the houseware section.

This is what I found in my latest visit:

An alphabet cookie cutter set.

All 26 letters complete!

You'll have to tune in to see the many ways to use this set.
Have a fun weekend everyone!