Paper To Petal

 

This book marries my love for crafting & flowers, and I can not wait to get my hands on it! It will be released in August & you can preorder it on Amazon (which is what I just did). I'm seriously drooling over these pictures....

 

Abigail Brown

I've blogged about Abigail Brown a couple of times (here & here) & I'll keep on blogging till the whole world knows about her amazing handmade birds. I hope someday I will be able to purchase a peacock for myself (£500 pounds! Sob sob)

 

DIY: Fabric Typography Wall Art

Here's a way to create large typographic art for your walls without creating holes & a mess. Tutorial via Curbly.

 

 

A Little Cat Lovin'

I'm sure Hassan, my very spoiled & much loved cat, would appreciate a teepee of his own. Via Free People.

 

As the cat of a self-proclaimed craft maven, I'm also pretty sure he'll be miffed to get a hand-knitted, catnip stuffed mouse. Via Mungo & Maud.

 

Hassan is such a sweetheart (he's great with everyone, other cats & dogs, kids & adults alike) so what better way to dress a gentleman cat than with a bowtie? Via Silly Buddy.

 

Surprise Message Box

 

Aren't these just darling? Custom & handmade by Pamela Loops based in Paris, I think they make the perfect gift for someone who loves all things cute & unusual.

Via Happiness Is.

 

DIY: Rope Coil Vessel

 

Now here's a craft I could get hooked on. I have a slight obsession with boxes & containers that my husband can verify. I think taking the DIY route might help my bank account too. Tutorial over at The Red Thread.

 

 

Help, I Need A Laptop Stand

I have to admit, I'm not young anymore. At 31 (32 this year to be precise), my body seems to be giving up on me. Every other day now I'm plagued with mysterious aches & pains in my back, neck & shoulders. And this is without any strenuous activities! Yup, I'm no spring chicken. I think most of my bodily aches boil down to bad posture & although I'm usually quite conscious about my posture, thanks to years of drilling from my parents, I tend to slouch when I work on my laptop which I use every day. Bad Murni. So I think it's time to invest in a laptop stand & I've rounded up a few that fit my criteria: well designed, handmade, responsibly harvested wood & not bulky.

The first one on top by Vool is my favourite but at 299 Euros (with free worldwide shipping) I'll have to pass. The free shipping rocks but RM1196 is waaaaay to much for my blood. Luckily there are heaps of other affordable options, just have a look below!





Second from top to bottom: Greentunadesign puzzle shaped laptop stand in sustainable bamboo (RM255 + RM83 shipping to Malaysia), ergoRizer made with plywood (RM109 + RM46 shipping to Malaysia), Standup made with FSC certified Gabon Marine grade plywood (NZ$70 + shipping cost to Malaysia unspecified), Objectify made from sustainably produced Southern New Zealand Pine plywood (RM46 + RM18 shipping to Malaysia) & although this is too low for me, I think this is nice too; Stems available in 3 woodgrains such as cherry, walnut & ash (RM140 + RM36 shipping to Malaysia).

I'm leaning towards the Objectify one because it's the simplest, gives me the height I want, folds flat & a huge plus point, it's the cheapest! I like the Greentunadesign one too but the versatility of the ergoRizer is pretty awesome. Decisions, decisions.

UPDATE: I went ahead & bought the Objectify one. Will let you know if I like it when I get it. Fingers crossed!

2 Days To Handmade Love Market!

Don't forget kawan-kawan, Team Etsy Malaysia's very first market at Hello Deer is happening this Saturday! This has been in the works for a long time & it's just in time for Christmas so I hope to see you there. And hey, if you're feeling lucky, do join the lucky draw by simply sharing about the market on your twitter, Facebook or Twitter. Here are the simple steps explained:

 

DIY: Holiday Mobile

Wow, it's been awhile since I shared a DIY craft project huh? This is one I found over at the Freepeople blog & thought you folks might like it as it's something that can be easily adapted for any season. 


 

Peter Callesen

Paper cut art on plain ol' A4 sheets of paper by Peter Callesen. This is paper cutting taken to the next level & it's flippin' amazing! Make sure you check out the link for more crazy awesome samples of Mr Callesen's work. 

DIY: Tiny Fairy Door

Do you sometimes get a feeling like little fairies might be living in your house? Stashing wonderful little surprises for you to find later like a 50 Ringgit bill in an old pair of jeans? That recently happened to me & when I saw this post over on Design Sponge, I put two & two together. Thank you little fairy. I'm off to build a tiny door to make the fairy feel more welcome. 

P/S: This DIY project would be so cute in a little girl's room. Those tiny milk bottles & letter makes me want to go, "sqeeeee!"

Team Etsy Malaysia's Market!

Come one, come all! On the 15th of December, Team Etsy Malaysia is hosting a Handmade Love Market at Hello Deer, just in time for some Christmas shopping. Here are the list of Etsy sellers all offering unique, handmade goodies…

Mimpi Murni - succulent arrangements (& something new I'm working on with a buddy!)
I Heart Badges - button badges
Notbook Notbuk - notebooks & journals
Sew Fabby - gadget sleeves, bags & baby stuff
Bisou Bonbon & Bisou Rose - bath & body products
F64 - prints, films, cameras & darkroom services
Nukilan - stationery, tiles & mugs
Beadcraftz - jewellery, soaps & more
Guiirin - tags, postcards & accessories
totoro2008 - sewn pouches, dolls & bags
Mettaville - journals, magnets & jewelry
MaykeMe - ceramic figurines
Nottypooch - recycled banner gadget sleeves, marshmallows & baked goods
Snazzy & Such - pouches, bags & kids clothing
Okinokiyo - sun hats
Love And Craft - supplies, accessories & bags
KatrinaGumal & EmiKaz - jewelry
The Lollipop House - jewelry & bags
huhubag - bags

Remember now, it's on Saturday, the 15th of December from 11am - 7pm so don't miss out! There will be a lucky draw as well with over a dozen prizes to be given away, so watch this space.

P/S: If you make cool things & you're an Etsy seller (or would like to be), come be part of Team Etsy Malaysia. Here's how: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5026/etsymalaysia

Check out the following links for more info on the market:
EtsyMalaysia Site
EtsyMalaysia Facebook
EtsyMalaysia Twitter

I Want To Be A Unicorn

Think I can pull off this look for Halloween? Hehehe. Handmade leather unicorn mask by Tom Banwell. 

Wishlist: Filigree Skulls

I think I nearly let out a gasp when I first saw these intricate skulls. Made by artist Joshua Harker, they were made with the help of 3D printing & funding from Kickstarter. More of the story here at Etsy's blog.

Olympic Torch Cupcakes

My obsession with the Olympic Games continues folks & lookie what I found! A recipe of how to make these Olympic Torch Cupcakes! Now, can someone make these for me, please & thank you.

Via Stasty, via CRAFT. 

Freebie: Olympic Cards

I'm so glad I'm not the only Olympic nut out there. Erica of Crash Notes created these cards & has kindly shared them on her blog so head on over there to download them. 

Olympics For Kids

Here's a list of some fun Olympic activities & DIY projects for your kids. I think it's nice to get the little ones excited about the Olympics. My mama helped me set up an obstacle course of various Olympic games in our living room when I was a kid & that was heaps of fun! 

Oympic Fever

I am quite shameless in my love for the Olympics. For those of you following me on twitter, I apologize for the unasked for sports commentary. I can't help myself. Usually, I'm not the kind of gal that follows sporting events but when it comes to the Olympics, I will become a rabid sports fan. During the next month of the games, you will most likely find me glued to the telly watching either gymnastics, swimming, equestrian, badminton (goooo LCW!) & just about anything else that catches my fancy. So far I've even found myself watching archery & canoe slalom which never in a million years I would've thought was interesting until now! I can't even explain this fascination but all I know is that I have Olympic fever. Think about it folks: amazing athletic feats & world records are about to be set... I'm getting goosebumps just typing this!

Here's an Olympia headpiece by Bundle MacLaren Millinery for all you fellow Olympics lovers to consider. I would DIY one for myself, but I think my husband wouldn't let me wear one out in public. Maybe he won't mind if I wear it at home? Hah!

 

DIY: Camera Strap

It has proven super hard to find lovely yet affordable camera straps so when faced with that problem, what do I do? DIY of course! Stumbled on this awesome little tutorial that I'm itching to get started on thanks to Design Love Fest. Try it out with me, why don't you? 

Mad Hatter's Tea Party In Miniature

Ok, I've made this admission a few times here in the blog but it needs to be said again: I don't think I've quite grown up & this Alice In Wonderland tea party in miniature just made the little girl in me clap my hands in glee. Made by the talented Christel Jensen, the amazing attention to the tiniest detail is just mind-blowingly lovely. Click here for more pictures & check out her Etsy shop.