It's My Birthday Again!

What better time to re-start my blog than on my birthday??? Hello, again :)

I have always loved celebrating my birthdays. When we were smaller (and younger), my sister and I often had parties together. She invited her guests, and I invited mine. Even when we were financially strapped, my parents always made it a point to make our birthdays extra special. I remember giving out little "agogo" plastic bags filled with candies on my birthday because that was all we could afford. I didn't mind that my other classmates usually had grand parties in class. Nor was I ever embarrassed or bullied for having no money or new toys those years. I always just loved the idea that my birthday meant I was the "star" of the day at home. 

Growing up as the middle child, I shunned attention and was content to live in my own little world. But on that one special day of the year, I embraced the love and attention showered by my family and relatives on me. Mama always made sure to get us new clothes, or go shopping for a new pair of pants on special occasions. Birthdays are one of those "new outfit" days. We would wear our new attires at our birthday celebrations, then later for Sunday masses.

Now all grown-up (and hopefully, more mature-thinking), I can appreciate birthdays more than what it used to mean for me. It isn't about growing older now. It is about a new beginning. It means a fresh new start when I can reset the button for new goals or alternative solutions. I find it a blessing that I have July for a birth month because if after six months, my New Year's Resolutions haven't yet materialized, I can make little tweaks and adjustments by then.

This year, I have nothing to ask for except the continued good health for my loved ones. There is that proverbial saying that "health is wealth." I only now recognize its truth. As I go forward in my life, I encounter death in all its different forms. I realize my mortality and of those that are around me. I am humbled by this daily fact, and yet I am in awe at the idea that it has spared me to this very day. My end hasn't yet come because my God hasn't willed it yet. He still has something in store for me. And I bet it'll be a grand surprise.

Happy birthday to me. For the 39th time. 

DIY: To-Do List Memo Pad

Another DIY, whew! my creative juices are just flowing since last week! so, no further ado....

I gathered some old raffle tickets I had (I didn't win, huhu!)....these had no writings or printing at the back, so they were perfect! I also found some old ATM receipts I had stuffed in an envelope, and they were printed on thermal paper so through time, the print has faded and altogether disappeared. 

I also needed a clip and a same-sized card. I chose a yellow clip to match the shade of my Hallmark card. Besides, yellow is such a cheerful color :) 

Clip everything together in this order, from the bottom going up: the card (wrong side facing up, not the way it's shown in the photo), then the neat pile of raffle tickets (blank side facing up).

Write on your memo pad the list of errands you need to do for the day! Or make a grocery list! Or just doodle and daydream... on re-used and re-cycled paper. YEY! Love the Earth, it's the only one we've got! :)

back view

...and if you need cheering up, just turn over for a quick pick-me-up!


ENJOY YOUR DAY!!!

(Almost) Instant Sandwiches

Here're two things about me: I'm impatient and I love sweets :) No connection, right? Check out my own sandwich inventions, and you'll see the connection, instantly! 

Sandwich Invention #1: SMUUUUUSH-mallow Sandwich

You'll need a small bag of marshmallows and a couple (or make it three) pieces of bread. Place two pieces of marshmallows on top of the bread, toast for 3-5 minutes in an oven toaster, fold into halves, smuuush together and voila`! A yummy, sweet and chewy sandwich!!

Sandwich Invention #2: Yellow Sugar Sandwich

Sounds neat, huh? It's just a couple tablespoons margarine and sugar. hehe!

Whip together with a fork (or spoon, in my case!) and it'll come out creamy, like this!

Spread about a tablespoon on your kind of bread. 

Mine was wheat, the only thing at hand that time :(

Stuff into an oventoaster for 4-5 minutes. 

It'll come out looking sheen-y and golden like this!

Fold in half, then EATTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!! 

NOTE: 
ALWAYS be careful! .......HOT marshmallows and butter will burn your lips and tongue.

I think these are perfect as midnight snacks :) 

* * *

What's on your midnight snack menu tonight??

Part II: DIY: Dress, Skirt, Scarf, and Poncho from a Maxi Dress

TO MAKE THE INFINITY SCARF/PONCHO/MINI SKIRT

To make the scarf/skirt/poncho,

 you will only need an elastic and a safety pin

and the scrapped left-over fabric from a maxi dress
(see previous post)

use a sharp pair of scissors to make a tiny slit at the hem

Make a tiny slit at the bottom hem of the scrapped fabric, just enough for your safety pin to get through. Pin one end of the elastic securely to the safety pin. Make sure to measure just enough elastic to fit your waist snugly, or around your shoulders. Next, thread the elastic through the hole, pushing the safety pin into the hem. Knot together the elastic once it gets through around the hem. Re-sew shut the slit or hole at the hem.

To see how I turned my tube maxi-dress into an asymmetrical dress, please click here :)

idea inspiration 1

idea inspiration 2

Part I: DIY: Dress, Skirt, Scarf, and Poncho from a Maxi Dress

I got a Christmas present last year from a cousin: a maxi dress. I loved the print but couldn't wear it because it was too long. I couldn't bear to give it away, of course!... and was too chicken to cut off the extra length lest I ruined it. It took me more than half a year to get my courage up and do something about it. So, finally tonight, I happily present to everyone: my new wardrobe! :) CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!!

my Christmas maxi tube dress in a very pretty pink print

First, find your desired length. I wanted my dress to fall just below my knees, and to have a longer back...just like one of those trendy asymmetrical skirts! So I just decided to cut off about 17-inches off the front. To have a longer back-skirt, I subtracted about 3-inches from that to make the slant or curve of the hem not too drastic.

ready to do the measurements? 

You'll need a tape measure, some pins, a tailor's chalk for marking, and a sharp pair of scissors. Turn your dress inside out so you can easily see your markings. Lay the dress flat on a table (or bed, in my case!) and find the middle fold of the front part of the dress. Fold the dress horizontally, with the sides right side up. 

Pin the hem together to handle the material better. 

Mark where you want the shortest length of your skirt to be (front). I measured 17-inches from the bottom. 

On the opposite side of the skirt, mark the spot where the longest part of the skirt should be (back). This  should be 3-inches longer than the front, or 14-inches from the hem. Measure that and mark with your chalk. Connect the two marks you have made with a gentle sloping line or soft curve. You may use a ruler or freehand it.

pin together near the length you want to cut
so the material doesn't slip or separate
and for easier cutting

Ready to cut?

 When cutting, do not pull or stretch the material. Cut from one side (longer) to the other side (shorter). Or vice versa. 

cutting halfway through

After cutting through the skirt, pull and tug at the hem to stretch the fabric. It will curl a bit and you will not need to sew or hem it.

this is how the hem looks! 

ta-dahhhh! my new asymmetrical dress!

this is the remaining scrap from the dress.
I will make it into a scarf/poncho/mini-asymmetrical skirt!
Please see next post here

***

So many possibilities!!!

Check-in

it's been almost a year. it's time to check-in, i know. so much has happened. and yet, everything's the same. and yet still, everything's different. stay tuned. habang may buhay, may pag-asa, 'ika nga :)

DIY Bills Organizer

With the push for recycling and loving Mother Nature, I loathed having to throw out envelopes that come in the mail bringing in my bills. They get used only once if I don't find a way to reuse them. So, I found an easy DIY that's quite useful when it is that time of the month: PAYING THE BILLS. :)

These are the things we will need:
some used envelopes, of the same size
scissors
paste or paper glue
a colorful page from an old magazine

First, cut open the top part of the envelopes instead of opening the mail through its flap. Second, stack 4 to 5  envelopes and glue them together.

To make your organizer sturdier, spread glue over all the envelopes' surface.

Leave a bit, about 1/2 inch from the sides, free from glue.

It will look like an accordion.

Next, attach the colorful page and glue to cover your "accordion" with the excess part of the page acting as flap.

Mine had no excess paper, so I had to cut  out another piece  to make a flap.

Attach labels to organize your bills. 

Label according to your electric, phone, credit card or other bills.

So, ta-dahhhh! here's the final picture of my new Bill Organizer. It is pretty enough to show off :) I plan to make another one to organize all my bank accounts, too! :)

I just love the color blocking!

What else can you do to recycle old mailing envelopes? I'm sure you'll be able to think up of more creative "re-uses".