09 December 2011

Eco-Christmas


Hello and Happy Friday!

I'm wrapping presents but I'm trying to
avoid using traditional wrapping paper.
I'm trying to save money and the
environment at the same time.

Thank goodness for these paper bags with
a holiday theme printed on them.
Throwing them away would be blah.

So I've turned them into small gift packets.
TADA!

It's all about looking for a design on the bag
that you want to highlight, and then simply
cutting, folding & securing the
edges with glue.

Add a homemade ribbon to spruce it up.

Have a fantastic weekend!

08 December 2011

Red Envelopes

In Chinese culture, there is a tradition of giving away red envelopes on special occasions like weddings and the New Year. Inside the envelope, you'll find money. The red color of the envelope represents luck & protection from evil spirits, while the money symbolizes prosperity.

With this tradition in mind and this project at hand:

Transforming a blah paper bag into
something TADA!

I came up with this idea:

More gift envelopes but in a
raging red & a cheerful wish.

I cut this part of the bag into a
rectangle, folded it to make an
envelope and glued the edges
together, leaving one edge as
the opening.

Here's what the back looks like.

So whether or not I put money inside,
I hope my friends receiving these
red envelopes will find 2012 filled
with luck, protection & prosperity!

07 December 2011

Brown Paper Packages Tied up with String


All this week, you'll see how many things I
can do with a brown paper bag:

Okay, let's limit the the "things"
to holiday gift wrap. In the past
two days, I made a few envelopes.
Today, this blah...

...becomes this TADA!

I cut out the most festive word on the bag,
attached it to cardboard
{from an empty cereal box},
punched a hole &
threaded some string.

TADA! Easy, breezy gift tag!

And how else to mark this season
but through celebration!

06 December 2011

Wishful Packages


I found a few paper bags from my stash of blahs:

This one's from Trader Joe's and in the attempt of
reusing, reducing and recycling, I'm transforming
the bag into small packages instead of buying
gift wrapper & gift bags for the holidays.

What was once blah...

...is now TADA!

All I did was cut the bag into smaller rectangles,
fold these into envelopes and glued
three edges together.

I left the top open to tuck in the gift.
Then, I'll seal it with tape, a note & a ribbon.
I'm quite sure that whoever receives
it will appreciate that I'm having
a truly green Christmas!

05 December 2011

Paper Bags Turned Into Gift Wrap

Happy Monday! In 2009, I created this post where I challenged myself to recycle a paper bag from Whole Foods.

Well, I'm at it again! Why waste a paper bag when you know someone slaved away over the graphic design, the approval, the printing and the delivery to each and every store? {So much work all for a bag!}

This week, let me show you how we
can break down these bags from

blah: a paper bag
{got to love the pops of color}

Select a section of the bag that's
attention-grabbing.

Cut, fold, assemble & paste, and
this is what happens:

TADA!: An envelope with a handle!

I would use it to wrap a gift card to a restaurant
or a small present for a food-loving friend.

More tomorrow!

02 December 2011

Crafting a Blanket


How are you my dears?


Do you recognize this Peanuts character popularized by Charles Schulz? He's Linus and he's known for carrying a security blanket. See how much comfort he's getting by snuggling his blanket and sucking his thumb? So cute.

Linus is the inspiration for Project Linus, an organization that provides "security through blankets", where handmade blankets are distributed to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages ranging from zero to 18.

Maybe you'd like to make a blanket for a child?

All blanket styles are welcome: quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans or receiving blankets in child-friendly colors. As long as they are new, handmade, washable and come from smoke-free environments.

For more information, you can check the Project Linus website, join or start a chapter in your area and spread a little love through blankets.

I hope you found my list of crafting for a cause helpful. If you know of other groups with the same mission, I'd love to hear about it. Meanwhile, I wish you a restful weekend!

01 December 2011

Stitch and Craft


There are different reasons why we craft. Whether we do it as a hobby or as a business, we find joy while making something with our hands and a have a sense of fulfillment when we finish. Some of us craft to help others just like Craft Hope. It's a group of crafters headed by Jade Sims who make handmade gifts for those who need them.

The most recent project the group completed
was turning blah pairs of socks...

...into TADA! sock monkeys!
{photo c/o Craft Hope}

These sock monkeys will go to children who lost their homes in the Texas wildfires. Their past projects include dresses made out of pillowcases sent to an orphanage in Mexico, dolls made for orphans in Nicaragua and baby blankets for newborns in India.

I thought this concept was mind blowing... a humble craft that brings hope across the world! If you browse their pictures, you'll see how many kind crafters enthusiastically take part.

They've completed their projects for 2011 but I think we should be involved next year! If you're interested, keep checking the Craft Hope website or Facebook page, look under "Current Projects", leave a comment and start crafting...because I know that the dolls that we sewed, the hats we crocheted and the quilts that we assembled will change a child's life.