Tag Archives: crafts

Last-Minute DIY Projects

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After a series of seven days of workshops, we capped off the orientation for the new hires with a really cool activity. It was a birthday party-inspired Culminating activity. Instead of the usual and very formal (and boring) activities to formally welcome them, we thought of doing this instead. However, we only had a couple of hours to set up and half a day to plan. What can you do with half a day of prep? Scramble ;-)

I’ve been notorious for doing last-minute DIYs lately. I seem to find myself in situations that require me to be resourceful and efficient.

I thought of making some really easy DIY projects for this birthday party-themed activity:

1. Lollipop Topiary

2. Candy Tower

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Since it was children’s party-inspired, we had candies, lollipops, cupcakes, etc. We used baking cups and filled it with lots of candies and arranged it on the Candy Tower. The Candy Tower was a very easy project and since it was made on the 11th hour, I had no choice but to use whatever was available in my craft supplies. I only had gift wrapping paper to cover the sides and bottom. Couldn’t even find my pinking shears so I just made crude scallops on the edges. But I think it came out pretty.

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I had a lot of birthday party decorations sitting in my tiny craft room. This was strawberry shortcake and Dora themed-decorations that I bought from Party City in Baltimore. I kept them and was put to good use yesterday.

Our team did a really great job preparing everything from the AVP to the food, loots, decorations and our most awesome dance number (wink *wink).

The Paper Pompoms were very last-minute but tied everything together for the theme.

A birthday party won’t be complete without loot bags. It was a simple Dora paper bag that we cut to look like t-shirts and we had the participant’s faces on to a superhero caricature of themselves. How cool is that?

Who says office workshops and culminating activities have to be so boring?

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Craft Classes in Cebu for March 2013

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Hi everybody! Would you like to join a Craft Party? Would you like to meet other craft enthusiasts and would like to learn about Bead Jewlery-making and Felt crafts?Are you from or anywhere near Cebu, Philippines?   If you said YES to all the questions, then please join us for the following classes:

1. March 3 (tentative schedule) – I ♥ FELT Class

2. March 24 – Beginner’s Bead Jewelry-making Class

Please visit our Facebook Page Marryl’s Arts and Crafts to register for the classes.

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See you soon at the craft party!

p.s. Please join our online community Cebu Craft Community.

Blog Stats That Are Slower Than The Infrastructure Development in My Country

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I was checking on my blog stats today and got a nice surprise. It was unusually busy. Yes, unusual for me because I know there is just a handful of my friends and family who diligently check on my posts (Hey, what are friends and family for, right?).

Today, I got so many visitors from the US. For a second there I breathed and thought I might have been freshly pressed! Inconceivable!  I breathed deeper…but, No. That freshly-pressed-honor-roll of blogs have been too elusive. Delusional? Maybe. I figured unless I get myself a Canon 5D (my Christmas wish from Santa Claus but is way too expensive here in the Philippines) and post really beautiful pictures that is Pinterest-worthy,  I may never ever be featured. Ever! Nor am I gifted with words that will make a reader smile or laugh at the computer screen because he read something amusing like what the husband does when he’s checking on The Daily What.

I have none of those. But what I did get today was a ping back from Tipnut.com that featured my tutorial on DIY Braided Suede Bracelet.

I did the happy dance!

I love doing crafts now more than ever. Even with many failed projects, I still want to keep making. Hey, with blog stats slower than the infrastructure development in this country, nobody would mind my failed projects. Heck, no one seems to be reading anyway.  This blog was meant for my four-year-old daughter anyway. Well, when she’s old enough to surf the internet. For now, she is limited to StarFall. The few handful and loyal followers are my treasures though!

Being featured under Tipnut.com’s DIY & Crafts category is enough reason for me to just keep on. As long as I am able to inspire someone out there to discover their creativity, I can take that even without the elusive FP :)

{ DIY Braided Suede Bracelet }

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This blog has been my playground for my kitchen mishaps and DIY/Crafts (and failed attempts!).

This tutorial I’d like to share with you is not at all a mishap (thank goodness!).

It’s  Braided Suede Cord Bracelet  with fresh water pearls and charms that you can easily find in your local craft store.

This is really quick and simple to make, probably 15-20 minutes tops. I took longer since I had to take photos so I can share this tutorial with you. Yes, I’ve thought about you my dear readers that I took step-by-step photos  to walk you through the entire procedure (grin! * curtsey * curtsey*).

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 3 strands of 8 inches suede cord
  • pearls (I used fresh water pearls since it’s so much better than using plastic pearls)
  • charms
  • lobster lock
  • jump rings or extender chains
  • tape or if you have a clipboard, that will work so much better
  • scissors

First, take 3 strands of suede cord about 8 inches in length each. In one suede cord, insert the jump ring or extender chain like so.

Tie the 3 strands of suede cord together making sure the jump ring is inside the knot.

Use tape to secure the suede cord in place.

A clipboard works well for this too.

Braid the suede cords. I prefer mine not too tight.

Add the pearls and charms to any strand as you go. It doesn’t really matter where and when you will add the charms. This jewelry is very forgiving as you can even adjust your braiding and the charms you add.

About 2-3 inches to the end of the cord, insert a lobster lock and tie a knot, making sure the lock is inside the knot.

Tada! Braided Suede Bracelet with Pearls and Charms. Super quick and easy to make. Yet so pretty.

Please post pictures if you’re making this. Please give me a pingback too, I’d appreciate it.

Happy Crafting! If you’re from Cebu and obviously we don’t have a craft store here (not just yet. I will hopefully have my own craft store – Marryl’s, when the universe conspires with me!). Menatime, go time my lil online shop Marryl’sArtsandCrafts for some craft supplies and classes. I offer this class too :-)

-Marryl

Rolled Felt Flower Tutorial

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I have a love affair with Felt and whenever I take out my stash of these pretty fabrics, I just have to make something and almost always, something really simple and quick comes out really beautiful. I kid you not! You have to try one of my tutorials and see how crafty you can be with this fabric.

Here’s another Felt Flower tutorial that you can try and just go crazy with them. I love these flowers as a brooch for large ones and headband or clips for smaller ones.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • 8 inches x 2 inches of felt fabric
  • glue gun
  • brooch pin or alligator clips

Cut a strip of felt fabric 8 inches x 2 inches. Fold it lengthwise and dab hot glue. Press it lightly.

It should look like this.

Snip strips about an eighth of an inch thick leaving just a few centimeters to the edge.

Dab hot glue on one end and start rolling.

Your rolled fabric will start to look like a  little flower.

Cover the bottom with a round felt fabric.

Here’s the rolled felt flowers that I made in light blue and pink. Aren’t they just pretty? These are just adorable as brooches or hair clips. It’s super easy and quick to make.

Please show me some pictures if you’re making these and a pingback would be very much appreciated.

Happy crafting!

-Marryl