DIY Candy Wrapper Gift (with Gloves)

Another holiday gift idea I found online - ended up making it for some of my coworkers. 

I got the idea from http://befickle.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas%20Gift%20Giving

And the printout from http://pattywraps.blogspot.com/2012/11/snowman-candy-bar-box-free-of-course.html

I printed out the snowman, then wrapped and taped it around a candy bar.  I placed one glove around the top of the candy bar.  Next I placed the second glove behind the candy bar, about an inch below the first glove.  I taped the second glove to the candy bar wrapper.  Then, I tied the pinky and thumb of the second glove, around the first glove - so that it would look like a winter hat!  

I also added some handwritten directions to the back - just in case they didn't notice they were gloves (and not just fabric) hehe.

Happy Holidays!!!

DIY Ninja Ornaments

. . . taking a little break from the DIY wedding craft posts . . .

Happy Holidays!!!

Pictured here are some DIY ornaments made for my best friend, who loves ninjas (and they match the ninja pillows I made her and her family: http://www.lwadamelon.blogspot.com/2012/07/more-felt-crafts.html )

I got the idea from The Cheese Thief http://www.thecheesethief.com/2011/11/ninja-ornament-tutorial.html

I bought the plain ornaments - and decided on plastic ones, to help ease anxiety about them breaking in the mail.  I used acrylic white paint and then permanent marker for the eyes.  I decided to use more of a rectangular shape for the white paint, to match the pillows I had previously made for her. 

It was fun taking pictures of them, too!

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

DIY Wedding Crafts - Origami Flower Wedding Cake

To add to the numerous origami flowers made for our wedding, my husband, mother-in-law, and I, folded 2 different sized flowers for our wedding cake!  Again, we used regular printer paper in different colors.  We did not want to use Japanese newspaper for the cake, in fear that the buttercream icing would leave oily marks on it.  So, my husband - being creative - typed random words in Japanese characters on regular white paper and printed them out.  Things like - sushi, unagi, oishii, etc!

Each flower had a skewer hot glued to it (about halfway up the middle of the flower).  Then, we gave the flowers to the cake shop, and they were able to snip the skewers as they saw necessary.

  Photographed by Quinn Photography

Photographed by Quinn Photography

On the top of the cake are hand-painted kokeshi dolls, made to look like us.  We love them so much! - they were given to us by my matron of honor and her family!  (painted by http://www.kokeshiclan.com/#! )

DIY Wedding Crafts - Origami Flower Centerpieces

In addition to the origami flower bouquets, we made origami centerpieces!  (Inspired by etsy http://www.etsy.com/listing/80323307/paper-flower-centerpieces-origami ) Again, using regular printer paper in different colors, and Japaneses newspaper.  We made about 25 centerpieces.  Each centerpiece had about 17 flowers - each with 5 petals - needless to say . . . we did a lot of folding!  But, we saved a lot of money!

First, we purchased a bundle of small shipping boxes for cheap (at most, $1/box).  I wrapped/glued a thick brown ribbon around the middle of the box (cheap find from a local flea market).

Then, I bunched a bunch of old recycled papers (i.e. our old junk mail! $0!) into a ball.  I used many layers, so that it would fit tightly into the box.  To hide the outer layer, I wrapped old white tissue paper (leftover from gifts we received) around the ball and taped the bottom.  The ball was then stuffed into the box - with the top sticking out just a tad, in order to create a rounded dome, on top.

Next, I hot glued about 9 flowers in a circle, to the tissue paper - creating the bottom level.  About 6-7 flowers were in the next layer up.  Then I bunched up a small wad of tissue paper, glued it to the top of the dome, and added 1 flower in the middle (otherwise the top flower would look like it sunk in).  I used strips of paper to fill in the gaps between flowers (I glued the 2 ends of the paper to the tissue paper dome - so that they were a U-shape).

 Photographed by Quinn Photography

The centerpieces were placed upon a rounded mirror surrounded by tea lights (provided by our venue).  Guests were able to take home the centerpieces.  We also have a few displayed in our home.

 Photographed by Quinn Photography

Photographed by Quinn Photography

DIY Wedding Crafts - Origami Flower Bouquets

Wanting to keep everything under budget, we decided to make all of the flowers for our wedding.  In addition, this was a great way to incorporate our Nikkei culture into the wedding - through origami.  An added bonus was that all of our flowers would last forever.  My bouquet is currently displayed in our family room!

I originally got inspiration from here http://www.capitolromance.com/2011/09/21/diy-how-to-origami-paper-flower-bouquet/  But, I wanted to change it a little, to match the colors or our wedding, and to create a little more space between flowers.  2 sizes of origami flowers were used for the bouquets.  We used regular printer paper (in different colors), free Japanese papers (from my old job, or from the local Japanese grocery store), and leftover Washi paper (from making our wedding invitations).

Each flower had a toothpick hot glued in the bottom/center.  This helped keep the flowers together.  And, this was how I stuck the flowers into a styrofoam ball (I snapped the toothpicks in half, so they would not be as long.  Also, I added hot glue to the hole I poked the toothpick in, in order to help keep the flowers in).  A larger styrofoam ball was used for the bride's bouquet. To fill in little gaps between flowers, I glued both ends of a strip of paper to a toothpick, and stuck it in the styrofoam.
 
For the handles, disposable wooden chopsticks were bunched together - then ribbon was wrapped around them.  This was also hot glued and poked into the styrofoam ball, in order to hold it together.  For the flowergirl's bouquet, I glued a ribbon holder on the top, instead of using wooden chopsticks.

Here are a few pictures:

This is the bride's bouquet.

 Photographed by Quinn Photography

Photographed by Quinn Photography

Here are a couple of the bridesmaids' bouquets (Sorry they are a little blurry - the camera focus was on the bridesmaids' faces).

Photographed by Quinn Photography (but cropped by the bride)

Photographed by Quinn Photography (but cropped by the bride)

Here are a couple pictures of the flowergirl's bouquet.

 Photographed by Quinn Photography (but cropped by the bride)

Photographed by Quinn Photography (but cropped by the bride)

DIY Wedding Crafts - Handbeaded Sash

. . . and so it begins! The DIY wedding craft blog posts! . . .


My husband, family, and I spent numerous hours with DIY projects for our wedding . . . so be prepared for quite a few posts!  hehe.

Let's see . . . to begin . . . one of the first things I had to buy was my wedding dress.  Being Nikkei, we wanted to find different ways in which to incorporate our cultures into our weddings.   So, one of the first things I purchased was a Japanese obi for my dress (My favorite website for purchasing vintage kimonos and obis!  http://www.ichiroya.com/index.php  - I spent hours and hours searching the web for authentic obis sold for decent prices).  I got this idea from a family friend.  The bridal shop helped to make the sash and bow.  However, I wanted to make the design on the sash more noticeable, so I decided to hand sew glass beads, following the design of the obi.  This took many, many hours - as each bead needed to be sewn, one by one.  For the end beads, I sewed/threaded the clear string back and forth, both ways, so that they were less likely to move.

Here are a couple pictures of the hand-beading I did on the sash.  

Photographed by Quinn Photography (but photo was cropped by bride)

Photographed by Quinn Photography

Classroom Quilt

. . . Whoops!  October was a busy month and flew right by!

This next post is about a quilt I made for my classroom, my first year!  I had a rectangle for each student in my class - where they placed their handprints.  I wrote each student's name under their handprints.  In the middle rectangle, I wrote information about the classroom, including the year, my name, the aides' names, etc.

After that, I wanted to try and find a way in which to make something where I could try and add students each year I taught . . . because, if I made a quilt every year, I might end up with 20+ quilts?!  So, I decided to make a train! . . . with a car for each student. 

The train was getting to be quite long, and there were some discrepancies about fabric being on the wall - so in the end, I decided to find another way in which to remember all of the students I have taught.

After everything, I decided to make a photo album instead.  Each student gets a page - with his/her handprint and a couple pictures.

Now, whenever I am feeling down, or if things aren't going as well due to school politics and such - I look at the album to remind myself why I do what I do . . . it's all for the students!  

DIY Duvet Cover

This is where the quilting began.  I had been looking for the perfect duvet cover for years.  But, I could never find anything I liked, for a good price.  I wanted something red and black, with a bit of asian influence.  The pillow on top served as my inspiration - something I bought from a trip to Thailand.  After years of looking for a duvet cover in the stores, I decided to try and make my own.  Then I found this beautiful, red curtain fabric on sale!  What's interesting about it is that it has dimension - the ripples are actually indentations.  I also purchased black fabric for the border and buttons to close it (I left an buttoned opening, so that the duvet cover can be taken off for washing). 

SF Giants T-Shirt Quilt

I can show it now! . . . here is the completed Giants Quilt!  Again, I wish I could have kept it for myself! 

The back is made up of the back of the Giants shirts and extra fabric (as the SF Giants border was quite expensive).

And this is the front!

GOOOOO  GIANTS!!!

Recycled T-Shirt Bags

I went to visit my best friend this weekend and she was knitting recycled bags!  It reminded me of some projects I had finished over the summer . . .

I had been trying to think of other ways to recycle old shirts that I don't want to get rid of (because they have my name on them, they are funny, or because they have a special memory tied to them).  As much as I enjoy making T-shirt quilts - I wanted something different . . . I already have enough blankets as it is.

So, I searched online, and found this http://www.instructables.com/id/FASTEST-RECYCLED-T-SHIRT-TOTE-BAG/?ALLSTEPS


It is super easy!  You basically cut off the sleeves (leaving the seam), then cut the middle/neck (size depending on how big you want the opening to be), and sew the bottom!

I also started using 2 shirts in order to make thicker, more heavy duty, recycled bags - one for the outside of the bag, and one for the inner lining.  

For this particular bag (above), I sewed the straps on (also made from the same T-shirt).  Then I realized it might be easier if the straps were sewn so that one strap is sewn in a U-shape to one side of the bag, and the other strap is sewn in a U-shape to the other side of the bag - Making it easier for loading and carrying (as seen below).

Recycled bags are perfect, too - great for the environment, washable, and many stores are now requiring you to bring your own bag.

(Apologies for the bags looking wrinkled in the photos - I carry/leave them in my car).  

SF Giants T-Shirt Quilt

. . . and my next project . . . another T-shirt quilt - a surprise.  Apparently, an old coworker somehow got her husband to get rid of his Giants shirts!  Little did he know that she kept them . . . and handed them over to me to make a surprise T-shirt quilt.  I felt so guilty cutting them up! (although, when I finished the quilt, I wanted to keep it for myself!)


Here is a little peek . . .

Go Giants!

T-Shirt Quilt Continued

. . . still getting estimates on repairing my sewing machine, so I was on a break.  However, I was able to borrow a sewing machine in the meantime!  Here is one of my finished products!  A T-shirt quilt for one of my old coworkers. 

T-Shirt Quilts

My current project - for a coworker . . . a bunch of her old T-shirts and fabric pieces (after 3 hours in the fabric store! . . . decisions decisions . . . but I was excited for JoAnn's Fabric Store's Coupon Commotion!  And, proud that the receipt said I saved $74!)

. . . This quilt has been difficult to make!  I was supposed to start it back in April, but I fractured my wrist and had to get a cast.  I had to put the project on hold because it even hurt to hold a ruler down.  I picked the project back up last week, and was almost done, but then my sewing machine broke! . . . so I have to wait to get it repaired :(


In the meantime, here are a few other quilts I have made:

This is a T-shirt quilt for another coworker of mine.

After her quilt was made, she recommended me to the district, to make a quilt - which is now hanging in the office!  Each staff member wrote on a square, and then I sewed them into a quilt.  I am pretty much self taught in quilt making, and use trial by error (which is why I tend to veer towards using squares and rectangles when making quilts).   

More Felt Crafts

A little while later, my coworkers and I went to a training, where they raffled off prizes throughout the day.  One of the prizes was a weighted snake to be warn on the shoulders or on the lap.  It is supposed to help give students input, in order to increase focus and concentration.  One of my coworkers really wanted it, but did not win it - so I surprised her by making her one, using the leftover felt I had.  I filled it with a small bag of pinto beans.

Another project I made was for one of my oldest friends!  She has a ninja collection, so I wanted to find a way in which to add to her collection.  Also, she had just moved into a new place, so I wanted to give her something as a housewarming present.  I looked online for things to buy - then came across some pillows (www.etsy.com) . . . and thought to myself, "I can make that!"  So, I bought black and white felt, and sewed away!  I made one ninja pillow per family member (although, if I had to make them again, I would make them using material that did not pill).