Here's another one of my super cute Christmas gift tag designs! I've made it available for you to download for FREE! If you like it, spread the word please!
// Download here //
DIY: Christmas tree cupcake
Here's a gorgeous DIY Christmas tree cupcake tutorial by Better Homes and Gardens!
Directions:
1. Place white frosting (icing) on cupcakes
2. Place ice cream cones upside down on top of frosting
3. Fill an icing tube with green frosting and start from the bottom and work your way up around the cones
Voila~!
DIY: Distressed and ripped jeans tutorial
Just grab a cheese grater, sandpaper and an unpicker and distress away!
DIY: Make mascara last longer with 4 drops of saline!
I've seen this idea all over Pinterest, but I haven't got a clue who the original pinner was. Anyway, I've tried and it works a treat!
Here's what you need:
- Old clumpy mascara
- Contact saline solution or eye drops
All you have to do is add 4-5 drops of contact saline solution or eye drops into the mascara. Insert your wand and stir it around!
Voila~!
FREE: Printable Christmas gift tags by Maiko Nagao
Hot off the press! Just finished designing this cute Christmas gift tags! I've made it available for you to download for FREE! If you like it, spread the word!
// Download here //
We have a winner for my FunKi-wi FB giveaway!
We have a winner for my FunKi-wi Facebook giveaway! Congratulations to Zoe Spirrett! Please email me at maiko.nagao@gmail.com so I can get this baby to you!
Don't forget to follow me on Facebook here!
DIY: Bath bombs
Check out these gorgeous bath bombs by Idle Wife. Perfect for a last minute Christmas stocking stuffer don't you think? Make sure you check out her full tutorial here.
You willl need:
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of citric acid (or 1/2 tablespoon cream of tartar)
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon epsom salts
- 1/4 teaspoon almond/castor oil
- 3/4 teaspoon water
- 2 drops of food colouring
- 6-8 drops of essential oil of your choice
1. Dump the dry ingredients (baking soda, acid, cornstarch, and salts) into a bowl and whisk together to remove lumps.
2. In a small jar, shake together the wet ingredients (oils, water, and colouring).
3. While whisking, dump the wet ingredients into the dry mixture. You'll see a slight reaction, but keep on whisking until the mixture has started to clump together and is completely dyed the colour you added. It should still be a little crumbly which is what you want.
4. Spoon the mixture into your mould and pack it in as tight as you can.
5. Allow to dry for at least 5 hours before trying to get them out of the mould.
Let dry for another 4 hours before plopping one in the bath or let them dry another 1-2 days before wrapping them as gifts or putting them into a storage jar!
Voila!
DIY: Upcycled toilet paper roll advent calendar
I particularly love this DIY toilet paper roll advent by North Story. Just about everything she uses is upcycled! The treats are left over sweets from Halloween and ribbons from last Chritmas.
You will need:
- 25 toilet paper rolls
- 25 treats
- Stapler
- 25 numbered mini cardboard cutouts
- Foam board
1. Pinch one side of toilet paper and staple. Place a treat inside and pinch the other side and staple.
2. Tie the toilet roll with a ribbon and stick on (or tie through the ribbon) a number.
3. Repeat with all 25 rolls and hot glue gun onto a foam board.
Easy!
DIY: Newspaper Christmas gift wrapping
Save money and the environment by using newspaper to wrap your presents this Christmas! This is all part of my movement for an eco and DIY Christmas that involves upcycling and crafting with things around the house!! Who needs to buy wrapping paper right? Links to these gorgeous examples can be found here.
You can even top it off with some DIY magazine ribbons. You can view the tutorial here.
DIY: Simple and chic branch Christmas tree
This is sooo my kind of Christmas decor by Walther & Co. Pared down, organic and chic! Still very festive and you don't need to cut down a tree. Go for a stroll and pick up any branch that's fallen down! Too simple for you? What are your thoughts?
DIY: Giant tissue paper pom pom
How gorgeous are these DIY giant tissue paper pom poms by Martha Stewart!? They would be perfect for birthday parties, weddings and baby showers!
Here's what you'll need:
- Tissue paper in desired colors (8 sheets per pom-pom)
- 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire
- Scissors
- Monofilament
1. Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2 inch wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.
2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.
3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.
4. Tie a length of monofilament to floral wire for hanging.
Make sure you view Martha Stewart's full tutorial here.
Enjoy!
Gold foiled wedding invitation design by Maiko Nagao
Just finished designing this special custom wedding stationery for a very special client! Love it so much that thought I should share it with you all! If you like it, contact me and I'll be happy to discuss a package for you!
I have some personalised wedding logos on Etsy too if you want to check them out!
DIY: Skull cut out T-Shirt tutorial
Check out this super easy DIY skull cut out T-shirt tutorial by LaurDIY on Youtube!
You will need:
- 1 oversized t-shirt
- Scissors
- Chalk
Directions:
1. Draw the skull on the back of the t-shirt (eyes, nose and mouth)
2. Cut out only the back of your t-shirt, where you drew the pattern
3. Strech the holes to make the cut part not so visible
4. Wash it to remove the chalk traces
You can view full video tutorial below too!
Perfect for Halloween don't you think? Have fun!
DIY: Turn your hoodie into a laptop bag!
I found this amazing 'Turn your hoodie into a laptop bag' tutorial via Youtube. Isn't it amazing? So practical and kinda stylish at the same time!
1. Lay your hoodie flat on a table and place your laptop
2. Fold
3. Wrap around
4. Take the hood
5. Place it over the PC
6. Tie the strings
7. Take the sleeves
8. Tangle them
9. Go to work!
Voila~!
DIY: Super easy no sew tutu
So I found the cutest no sew tutu tutorial on The Pinning Mama. It's a little lengthy so I managed to cut it down a little bit. But make sure you check out her site for the full tutorial!
You will need:
- Wide elastic
- Tulle fabric
- Scissors
Directions:
1. Measure the waist dimension needed for the tutu and cut a elastic a little longer.
2. Tie or sew the ends of the elastic together to form a circle.
3. Cut the tulle strips twice the desired length for your finished tutu.
4. Take one strip at a time and form an “upside-down” U shape. Place the “upside-down” U piece of tulle behind the waistband. Make sure the ends are even and then put the 2 ends on top of the waistband and through the opening between the top of the tulle U and the waistband. Pull tightly.
5. Add all your tulle pieces until the waistband is full. Slide the tulle pieces together so they are close and no distances are showing between them. Voila~!
Enjoy!
DIY Magnetic Lil'me Paper Dolls
Look at what Little Miss Mama created with my Lil'me Paper Dolls! She had it printed on a sticker sheet from her local printer and stuck it on a magnetic sheet. The tray is a cookie tray from the dollar store - what a brilliant idea. She says it's been one of their favoured activities in their home since!
You can purchase my Lil'me Paper Dolls from my Etsy store here if you'd like to do something similar for your kiddo! Of course you don't have to be as clever as Little Miss Mama and just print it on normal thick paper from your home printer!
FREE: Printable photobooth props by Maiko Nagao
If you like the rest of these props, you can purchase the whole set (shown in the 2nd photo) for only $6 USD. Instantly download from my Etsy shop here.
// Download here //
Choosing the right necklaces for necklines
Inside Out Style has created this great chart for choosing the right necklaces for different necklines! Very handy. Make sure you check out their site for more amazing fashion tips here.
Turtle necks – best with longer necklaces: long chains, pendants
Crew necks – best with short necklaces such as bib style or ‘collar’
Scoop necks – fill in the space with multiple strands of beads or larger scale pendants
Strapless – look wonderful with small pendants or chokers, highlighting your lovely decolletage bare
Square necks – choose pendants with an angular finish to be in tone with the angular neckline
Asymmetric necklines – select necklaces that are asymmetrical
Halter necks – these make a narrow
V neck – so choose a narrow pendant with a sharper end
V neck – classically a necklace that matches the shape of the V depending if it’s a wider or narrower V neck
Collared shirt – there isn’t much space for anything too wide, so a choker style works if you have a long neck, if not a slimmer pendant that sits above the last open button
Boat neck – a long string or two of beads is ideal for this neckline
Cowl neck – this neckline is already detailed and has volume, so either a short and small pendant or a pair of feature earrings instead of a necklace
Sweetheart – a curved necklace that has width that will balance the open decolletage of this neckline
Enjoy!
TA Project iPhone case design by Maiko Nagao
At last! TA Project's super cool 'Let the kids play - Help support the kids of Fukushima' project has launched! You can grab one of my iPhone case design by donating to this awesome cause. Donations start at $5 and there are some cool T-Shirt designs by top notch Japanese artists to check out too! You can read all about it on the project site here!
Growing up in nuclear free New Zealand, I never would have imagined being caught up in a 'nuclear plant meltdown'. In fact before the 2011 Fukushima disaster, I don't think those words even existed in my vocabulary.
The TA project came together last year to support the children of Fukushima who had limited time a day to play outside. With the overwhelming support from people all over the world, they invited children for a 4 day camp in Osaka so they could escape the everyday stresses and just be kids again. And they're doing it all again this year with a few changes!
Please help support the children and rebuild Fukushima together!
P.S Why peaches? Peaches are a popular delicacy in Korimachi, Fukushima ;)
DIY: Chocolate covered Kiwi pops
You will need:
- 2-4 kiwis
- 1 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 6-12 wooden popsicle sticks
1. Peel and cut each kiwi in 1 inch thick rounds
2. Stick a popsicle stick in each kiwi
3. Freeze on a tray in the freezer
4. Melt chocolate and coconut oil over a double boiler, and let cool to room temperature
5. Dip each kiwi-pop into the chocolate mixture. It will immediately turn crispy
6. Either place it on a tray to refreeze, or dig in!
DIY: Roll your own sushi - at home
I share the same conundrum as Nami from Just one cookbook. Being Japanese, I too often get asked “Do you make sushi at home?” Well, to make great 'Nigiri' sushi, it takes a sushi chef years of mastering. However, we do make an easy form of sushi at home called 'Temaki Sushi' (Hand rolled/wrapped sushi).
You just need to serve the sushi rice, nori (seaweed sheet) and fillings in the middle of the table. Each person then hand rolls/wraps their own sushi with their preferred topping. This is why you could call it 'DIY sushi'!
View her full recipe and tutorial as well as other fabulous Japanese recipes here.
Now everyone can make sushi at home!
DIY: Shoe hanger out of a clothes hanger
Here's a very clever DIY shoe hanger tutorial made out of old wire clothes hangers by EBOT. Check out their full tutorial here.
What you need:
- Wire metal hangers
- Pliers
1. Cut off the bottom section of the hanger
2. Roll up the two edges
3. Use both your hands and your pliers and bend your hanger into approx shape as per picture
4. Now for the pretty ribbon part. I skipped this step but you can view EBOT's detailed tutorial here.
Well, there you have it! Now you can organise your shoes in style!
FREE: You're so freakin' awesome card printable by Maiko Nagao
Everyone deserves to be reminded how freakin' awesome they are! You can use this card for any occasion. Birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's days... the list goes on! So here it is. My original 'You're so freakin' awesome design FREE for you to download!
// Download card here //
Make sure you print it on a thick A4 card and set it to 'fit to page'. There are two grey lines at the top and bottom as markers for you to cut in half. It makes two if you're lucky enough have more than one 'freakin' awesome' people in your life!I’m fairly active on facebook, pinterest and twitter, so let’s stay in touch!
DIY: Chocolate covered strawberries with ice cube tray
I came across this ice cube tray chocolate covered strawberries idea via Pinterest but there was no tutorial. Heather from Where the young learn to fly however has a lovely step by step tutorial. Make sure you check it out here.
Instructions:
1. Cut the tops of strawberries and place pointy side down in an ice cube tray.
2. Melt some chocolate and pour it over the strawberries. Leave chocolate to harden in room temp. Freezing is a bad idea and I don't think that refrigerating is much better.
3. Flip the tray over and cut into chunks.
Delish!
I’m fairly active on facebook, pinterest and twitter, so let’s stay in touch!
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