Never too late for blessings

Mum passed me one of her Chinese New Year cards to make into a box when she saw the boxes I made using 'Condo cards' that I get in the mail. The boxes I made in the past had a separate cover and bottom 'cos I used 2 cards. Since this is a greeting card, 'both' are joined so I decided to do a flip cover. Yes, I do waste a bit at the end of the cover but I still like the result. Hope Mum likes it too :-)

BTW, it's also possible to make such boxes with a single condo card. I made one the other day but didn't take a pic. To maximise as in have as little wastage of the card as possible, score both short ends first then estimate the middle portion rather than just fold the card in half. The cover's always shorter. Email me if you need further clarity.

Cheerios!

This is taking a long, long time

This is taking such a long time. I can't be buying groceries for the sake of the plastic wrapper, right? Where am I going to get enough plastic to finish this project. As it is, I already started collecting few months back and I only have this. Thing is, each piece is folded and the final area that shows up is 1/32 of the original area. Imagine, if I want an area 10cm x 10cm, I'll need 32 x 10cm x 10cm.

Oh well, I think the end result will be very rewarding.

Someday I'll get round to them

I've been collecting business reply envelopes for a few years. I didn't have anything in mind when I started collecting. Just thought they'd come in useful one day. I wonder if there's a way to tell them that I don't need these envelopes since I don't pay by cheque. Anyway I think there're about a hundred of them and I took 15 to make 3 accordion files.

This is mine. I'll upload a pic of the side / inside when I take the pics tomorrow. I don't know how to use this camera in dim lighting as yet :-(

The envelopes were already sealed so I didn't have to seal them but just slit a bit off the top so they become pockets. Stuck 5 of them together, stuck them to the cardstock, strung the elastic and rounded the corners of the cardstock and voila! My new folder for vouchers. This way I'll keep all my vouchers in 1 place and hopefully won't let any expire like last time.

Have a good evening!

Afternote, the other 2 accordion files...

Marking a mark

DD and I found these pens in an old ice-cream box filled with other writing utensils. These 3, in particular, can't be used for writing anymore and that's why they're great for....scoring!

Scoring or making pre-folding marks along thicker paper or cardstock is necessary for clean lines and, of course, easy folding. The creases guide where the paper will be folded and thus it makes for neater folds than those that are not scored.

Recycle, reuse, reduce.

I'm tempted to go make some cardstock items, LOL!

Have a blessed weekend!

New life

These notebooks have familiar covers, no?
I like the Prima Deli ones for their thickness and lamination, Kellog's for the colour and Redoxon for it's brightness. Internal pages are all acid-free and bound with antique brass Zutter O-wire.

What do you do with your boxes?

Have a blessed day!

I want a surprise

That was what DD told me when I asked her what she wanted for lunch. She needs to stay back in school today so I'll be bringing lunch to her. Thing is, she forgot to bring her lunchbag back yesterday...hmm. It's supposedly under her table in class. I like that one lots, the green crocheted one that has a round base and integrated handles. I'll take a pic someday if it's still around.

And so, the surprise. I cooked something that I've done before, baked pasta, but the surprise is this.

While I have lots of other bags that I can use as a lunch bag I decided to make a throwaway one so that DD won't have to bring back anything after eating. I made it from the Fairprice Chinese New Year catalogue and a staple. I didn't use any tape or glue 'cos I wanted something quick and simple. LOL!

 This is the baked pasta. Do you want the recipe? I cut out part of a page for the cover.

While we're looking at food, thought I'd share this with you too. The tapioco flour cubes are so pretty in the green bean soup.

Have a blessed day and a yummilicious lunch :-)

WIP box

This was our Christmas present last year. Well, the box and its contents from The Body Shop. We took out everything and now this is the box that houses works in progress. I like it that it's huge, with a plastic window on the cover and now everything will smell really nice 'cos of the lotions and butters that were in the box. LOL!

Have a blessed day!

Try something new : Birthday card candy box

I don't get many greeting cards today. Well, not the physical card type. In this day and age, either the cards are electronic or scrapbook type. I much prefer the scrapbook type :-)
Anyway, when you do get a birthday card, or a condominium project launch card, credit card marketing event card etc, try making this today.

Equipment used: cutting mat, metal ruler, penknife, awl, double-side tape and the card, of course :-)

1. Cut the card in two down the fold.
2. Score a margin round the rectangle using the awl (or any sharp object like a fork). I used 3cm (3 squares on the cutting mat).
3. Cut 4 slits at the corners at both ends of the card and crease all scored lines.
4. Stick the flaps together using double-side tape (or glue. Tape is faster and less of a mess).
5. Do the same with the cover but have a smaller margin. I used slightly less than 3 squares this time.
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the cover.
7. Fill with candy and voila!

Have a blessed day!

Eco plastic

Do you like Ferrero Rocher? I've liked it for a long time. I like it even more today 'cos I picked up the plastic display tray and voila! Do you like it? I put some of Tobias' Shoppe and Tiffany's Shoppe stuff on it so you can't see it. It's clear plastic anyway. Super useful for displaying smaller items :-)

The Fairprice uncle was a bit surprised when I asked if I could have it. After all, I suspect they would throw the display tray away after that level was cleared and it happened to be clear when I passed by.

Point is, do your bit for our world. Reuse, reduce, recycle. Even plastic.

Have a blessed day!

A-frogging we will go

Do you remember the sneak peak a couple weeks back? I was knitting this Cascade yarn that I found on the bias.

The thing about knitting on the bias is that it’s difficult to estimate the size based on the amount of material at hand. My aim was to finish all the yarn, not just knit a throw. Long before I knitted 7 skeins, I was already uncomfortable with the size. It was more like a wrap than a throw, meaning it was much longer and narrower than intended. After deliberating for more than a week, I decided to frog it this morning.

I got this tip of the internet and it has served me well, when straightening frogged yarn : Get a basin of water, add some laundry softener/hair conditioner and soak the frogged yarns for a minute or so. Before you soak, please do wind it up and secure it so there won’t be a tangled mess. You could hang a weight to help with the straightening while hanging it up to dry but I don’t do this. I prefer the yarn to retain its natural elasticity (and thus it’s softness), if possible.

Have a blessed day!