Origami crane on the brain.

For the next 11 weeks I will be posting one tutorial per week (every Wednesday). There are going to be quite a few talented guest bloggers making an appearance, so don't miss it.

I was never really an origami fan, not a hater either. Just not opinionated. But take away my sewing machine and force me to sit at my office desk from 8:30am till 4:30pm with nothing to do (yes that is correct, there were no kids at school but according to my contract I only have a certain amount of vacation. So there I sat...) And so started my love of origami. 

Inspirations

This will probably be my last inspirations post for the next few weeks. 

My husband and I are leaving South Korea on Sunday, to start some new adventures. Even though the inspirations will be put on hold for a while there will still be tutorials to look forward to over the next few weeks. And of course some updates while we travel ;)

Here are some sources of inspiration for this week.

1. UK free online magazine for the vintage style and craft lover : 91 Magazine

2. Wallet tutorial from Lola Nova. 

3. Babron (baby apron) tutorial from Craftiness is not optional.

4. Boy's bowties from Papernstitch.

5. A collection of teacup inspirations from College Life DIY.

6. A DIY tack free message board from Martha Stewart.

Have a great Monday and a superb week. I will be packing ;)

Blessings

Gabi

Monday Inspirations

Here are some ideas for you to get you inspired for this week.

1. A needlepoint purse tutorial from Craftzine.

2. An owl themed/striped party from Kara's Party Ideas.

3. Homemade meringue candy necklaces from Bakingdom.

4. Paper scrap recycling from Design Sponge.

5. Zippered pouches with personalized iron-on vinyl from make it and love it.

6. Photography tips, guides, resources, and tutorials from Shrimp salad circus. (my favourite inspiration for the day, seeing as I want need to work on my photography skills.)

Have a great week!!

Blessings

Gabi

DIY leather strap tote

 Today's post has me especially excited.
A while back I made a bag for a friend and I decided to share my tutorial with you. You can find it (and me) over at Sew Sweetness - YAY for guest blogging :) 

Pop on over for the full (free) leather strap tote tutorial. 
If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below or on the post over at Sew Sweetness and I will try my best to give you some good answers.

This is what it looks like: 

zoom out

Zoom out some more.

There is also some more exciting news. 
I told you a while back that a friend and I will be starting a business.

The name is Pickalilly. (I LOVE that name)

The business, for now, will mainly be focused on baby accessories and clothing. My friend, whom I had the pleasure of teaching with for a few years, is starting things up from TODAY! I will be joining her from June 1st this year (when my travels are over.) Here is the website - go take a look :)

And if you want updates on what's happening then here is the Pickalilly facebook page.

 For now purchases can only be made by South Africans, but give us time (its only day 1) we will spread out soon :)

Some more love

Last week I shared 25 Valentines day projects and because people are just getting so darn creative lately I decided to share a few more.

1. A DIY GIANT paper flower from Pepper and Buttons - loving this blog :)

2. 21 Valentine's day printables from Tatertots and Jello

3. 3D book page heart mobile from Being Brook

4. Red heart pillow tutorial (by Noodlehead) on Ucreate

One more week before Valentine's day, better get crafting :)

Blessings

Gabi

Free Feb desktop calendars

I love a good desktop calendar, one that makes me smile when I turn on my computer at the start of a new day.

If you don't have a desktop calendar for Feb yet, then here are some free options ;)

Feb wallpaper from Insights Into Me.

A few good Feb wallpaper options from Double Mesh.

Love this one from rottencupcakes

A cute one from Studio of Mae

And my new desktop calender from Pepper and Buttons.

Happy February!!!

Blessings

Gabi

DIY notebook/ sketchbook/ whatever-I-want-to-use-it-for-book.

Here is a quick tutorial on how to make your own little notebook.

You will need:

Card stock (I used a cereal box - of probably the worst cereal I have ever tasted, hence why you won't see the label in any photos)

Paper (preferable blank paper, but if you want to do something different I'm not going to stop you) I used 10 small sheets.

Needle and thread

Washi tape

A marker

Mini (savoury) pies

I'm just popping in quickly to share this miracle snack with you - one that I accidentally found (and modified a bit). I hardly EVER share food on this blog so this is definitely something you should make a note of.

Ingredients: 

Cream cheese

Bacon (fried)

                 Jalapenos (chopped/fresh or bottled)

                  Puff pastry (store bought or home made) 

   1 Egg white

Cut small circles, I used the lid of a glass jar - 6cm/2.4", out of the rolled out pastry (about 3mm/0.1"thick) and layer as follows: 

Blob of cream cheese, piece of fried bacon and a piece of Jalapeno.

Brush some egg white on the edges of the pastry and place another pastry circle on top of it. 

Press down the edges with a fork (the top pastry will stick to the bottom one because of the egg white).

Brush the top of each mini pie with egg white to allow it to brown easier.

And bake at 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit) for 15min or until brown.

AND TA DA!! 

(Sorry for the ugly plate, they where about to be eaten so I had no time for nice styling.) 

If you want to do something more, which only adds to the delightfulness, then get a bowl of salsa and dunk the pie in it before taking a bit. 

Do it - trust me you'll thank me later.

Blessings

Gabi