DIY: Piñata

 

Looking for a slightly adult version of a piñata? Well, how about DIYing this flower filled piñata? I think it's a marvellous idea & I hope one of my clients will let me do this one day!

Via Free People Blog.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

Make Someone Happy

Make Someone Happy - No. 02: A Sweet Surprise from Oh Joy on Vimeo. 

I've been as sick as a dog these last few days. Started sniffling & coughing on Monday but thanks to my stubbornness & lack of desire to see the doctor, I got progressively worse until yesterday when I broke out with fever & my mucus & phlegm turned a disgusting shade of yellow. I couldn't take it anymore & the hubby took me to the clinic while giving me a smug "I told you so" look. Now I'm on antibiotics & about a gadzillion other medicine. I could use one of these sweet fortune cupcakes but for now, I'm quite content watching this video of how to make them. So cute, I could die. Which I won't thanks to modern medicine. Hah!

Via Oh Joy.  

DIY: Floral Crown

Thanks to a recent customer's request, I've been looking up tons of floral crowns & found this nifty little video that teaches you how to make your very own. This is boho chic times a million & I love it! Let me know if you're trying out this tutorial & I'd love to see pictures of the finished product so send it over k?

Here are some pictures of more floral crowns to get you inspired…

Images via Blue Bird Vintage & Green Wedding Shoes 

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? 

DIY: Polka Dot Decals

This is genius, I tell you! When I saw this tutorial over at Fellow Fellow, I had an overwhelming urge to break into my washi tape stash & polka dot all the walls in my house till I remembered I married a man’s man. Bummer. Ah well, a girl can dream right?

DIY: Corsage Pendants

I think my heart did a little pirouette when I saw this adorable wearable posy that came with a little tutorial. You know me… I love flowers & the fact that these are meant to be worn like a necklace is just fabulous.

Via Oh Joy.

DIY: Picture Frame

I have a bunch of art prints & posters I’ve collected over the years that’s just sitting hidden away in a corner, waiting to be framed up because well, getting things framed can be pretty expensive. So if you’re like me, this DIY tutorial from Oh Happy Days is going to get you real excited. I think the only problem is getting your hands on a mat board cutter & plexiglass, but I’m going to forgo the mat board, substitute plexiglass with ordinary clear plastic sheets (the kind you use to make power point slides) & instead of using paper tape, I’m going to use up my washi tapes. Wheee, can’t wait to get started!

DIY: Piñata Tree

This color palette & miniature pink elephant had me at hello. So cute, right? Anyways, bring some last minute Christmas cheer to your space with this adorable little piñata tree that you can whip up with some basic craft supplies & this tutorial. Now, I’m going back to gushing over that elephant.

Via Anthology.

DIY: Washi Tape Magnet

Like most avid crafters, I love washi tape. If you haven’t already heard of it, I’d like to invite you to crawl out from under that rock & welcome you to the wonderful world of Japanese masking tape. What is essentially pretty, patterned rolls of gampi paper with a slightly sticky side, washi tape is cute yet tough & I use it on just about anything I can get away with. If you’re anything like me, then these magnet washi tapes made by twirlingbetty are sure to get you excited. She even made a lovely tutorial so that you can do it yourself! Have a looksee & while you’re at it, also check out Ira’s equally fantastic tutorial which has step-by-step pictures to help those of you who are more visually inclined. Have fun!

DIY: Painted Jars

Here’s a simple way to pretty up your collection of glass jars (if you’re like me, you would have stored your old jam, mayo & pasta sauce jars under the kitchen sink). Just pour in some leftover paint, screw the lid back on, give it a good swirl & shake then turn the jar upside down for the excess paint to drip off. And while you’re at it, why not spray paint the lids? Simple & rewarding. Now you have some pretty vessels to store your pens & little odds & ends. Here’s the complete tutorial.

Via Kootut Murut.

Freebie: Book Themed Invitations

What’s not to love about the designs Rifle Paper Co. comes up with? They’re whimsical & downright pretty down to the smallest detail. Well, if you love them already or the images above have piqued your interest, then this month’s Martha Stewart Living is a MUST for you because it includes a feature on a suite of book-themed baby shower invitation, bookmark & bookplate designed by Rifle. You can download right here but I seriously suggest you pick up the magazine & pour over the images + additional project ideas because they’re just so darn pretty!

DIY: Tiny Polaroid Magnets

Looks like I'm on a DIY roll this week huh? With the mountain of pictures that we have from our wedding & honeymoon, I think this tiny polaroid magnet tutorial by Ambrosia Girl is definitely something I need to do. It’ll give me an excuse to dress up the fridge too which I’m sure the hubby won’t object to.

Via Creature Comforts.

DIY: You’re My Little Teapot Paper Cut Art

Yesterday, as the sun was setting & I was enjoying a pot of herbal tea, I was inspired to create my own paper cut art of a teapot with a cute lil’ saying. If you’ve been following this blog for some time now, you’d know that I have a soft spot for paper cut art. I’ve made a few pieces in the past for loved ones so this time I thought I’d create a little something just for my darling blog readers. Please excuse the pictures though, as I started working on this piece when it got dark but I was so excited over the outcome that I just went ahead anyways. Here’s how it goes…



You will need:
an A4 printout of the teapot template below that I created
an xacto knife or sharp blade will do
a self-healing cutting mat or a smooth surface to cut on
some patience & a steady pair of hands


1. Right-click the image above & save it. Print it out on an A4 sized paper. I’ve already prepared the image in reverse as you can see above & it should measure about 19.5cm across & 15cm high but you can scale it to make it whatever size you want.

Tip: Medium-weight paper like your normal printer paper is fine but if you want it to be a little sturdier, try cardstock paper (not too heavy though otherwise your hands will really hurt by the time you’re done!). While you’re at it, try some pretty patterned paper for added interest.

2. Start cutting out the words on the printed side of the paper on a self-healing cutting mat.

Tip: Try cutting down towards you & moving the paper in small motions at the curves. That way you’ll have better control of your xacto knife/blade.

3. Once you’re done with the words, cut out the teapot outline.

Tadaa, you’re done! It will take you about 20 – 30 minutes tops once you’re done printing. Just for fun, I also drew some teardrop shapes free-hand on a scrap piece of metallic copper paper I had laying around to illustrate tea pouring out of the teapot so why not give that a go as well?

Let me know if you’re going to attempt this & if you do, please send me some pictures of your completed work as I’d love to see it! Hope you enjoy my (very first) craft tutorial & please do not hesitate to email me or leave a comment below if you have any questions & I’ll try to help as much as I can. Thanks for having a looksee!

Please note that this tutorial is for non-commercial use only. Alteration of the image or words does not void the copyright. Also, please link to this post for the download & tutorial. A little shout-out for my blog is always very much appreciated too!

DIY: Fabric Heart Garland

I have to admit it... I’m seriously pooped out. After two bazaars, at two different venues, back to back, I’m ready to sleep the whole day away today. But hey, I came across this awesome craft project while catching up with my tweet feed & I just had to share it here. I mean, who could blame me? With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this fabric heart garland is perfect & just so gosh, darn adorable. Tutorial here.

Via How About Orange.

DIY: Pom Pom Lamp

I just fell in love with the simplicity of this gorgeous little project that seriously won’t break the bank. Don’t you think the light looks like a little dandelion? I need to make me one of these stat! Tutorial here.

Via Ruffles & Stuff.

DIY Nutella (Grown Up Version)

When I was a little girl, my mother would reward me with a small tub-like packet of Nutella especially if I’ve been behaving well. Ever since then I equate Nutella with something incredibly satisfying (not to mention yummy!).

Now, how about whipping up a batch of your own Nutella with a little grown up twist of using cocoa nibs & some espresso powder? Sounds good? While you’re at it with the help of this recipe from Bon Vivant, make me some too k? Thanks. (I need to get me a food processor, stat!)

Via Happiness Is.

DIY Plush Christmas Carolers Pattern

Aren’t these chubby plush coralers just the cutest things you’ve seen? Make them with this handy tutorial by Gingercake.

Via CRAFT.

Freebie: Typographic Gift Tags

Like many people who are into design & perhaps more specifically, graphic design, I’m a certified typographic nerd & these hand-lettered holiday gift tags made by Amy are certainly making the nerd in me very happy. It doesn’t hurt that they’re a free download too. Download them here (thanks Amy!).

Via Eat Drink Chic.