Handmade By Deb

Photo Walk

2012-01-25T18:05:00.007-05:00

My friend Julie and I went on a photo walk. We stopped at a nearby mini farm where we met this young pygmy goat. Pygmy means anything very small of it's kind. I'm in love! Photo by Julie.

Photo Walk

2012-01-08T16:51:00.023-05:00

On Friday, I went on a photo walk with my friend Julie. One of our stops, a local Thai restaurant whose proprietor was kind enough to let us both come in and take photos. We had great fun!

Cath Kidston Masking Tape

2012-01-03T13:55:00.000-05:00

"Japanese-style decorative tape is the hottest new crafting material around." This set includes 3 rolls of washi tape featuring the wildly popular designs of the UK's Cath Kidston. Washi tape is so much fun! Like masking tape, except much prettier, it's slightly translucent. You can stick it, write on it, stamp it, tear it, reposition and remove it, all with ease. It can be used in a tape dispenser. This multi-purpose adhesive tape is excellent for labels, tags, gift wrapping, journals, collages, scrapbooks, card making and will enhance almost any craft project. Start your collection now!

Star (yellow) - 2/5" wide x 39ft long

Rose (floral) - 2/3" wide x 39ft long

Mini Dot (green) - 2/3" wide x 39ft long

Cath Kidston Masking Tape is available at chroniclebooks.com for US$8.95, click on my Chronicle Books ad and save 30%. You'll find more vintage inspired Cath Kidston products here. If you're interested in ordering from outside the U.S., please contact your local Chronicle distributor at International Orders.

Origami Christmas Tree Ornament

2011-12-21T17:40:00.002-05:00

This Christmas tree ornament is a traditional origami design. Each ornament requires 2 square pieces of paper to make, followed by several easy folds. I used 15cm x 15cm origami paper with two coordinating green patterns, the result a paper ornament 10.5cm in length. Red ribbon to embellish. No scissors, glue or tape used! Tutorial below.

Tutorial: Origami Christmas Tree Ornament

Tsuzura Wallpaper Origami Boxes

2011-12-17T09:21:00.002-05:00

These tiny boxes are made out of wallpaper samples. They measure approximately 3, 4 and 5cm square. The design is from Origami Boxes by Tomoko Fuse. Four square sheets of paper are required to make each box, two for the top and two for the bottom. This type of folding is also known as unit or modular origami. No scissors, glue or tape used! I think they would make fabulous ring boxes!

Origami Christmas Trees

2011-12-12T14:28:00.001-05:00

I found this delightful design in The Christmas Origami Kit by Anne Marie Harris. It comes with instructions for six traditional origami designs and twenty four sheets of 5.25" origami paper. The trees can be made in any size by using a smaller or larger square sheet of paper. A 5.25" square folds into a 2.5" tree. I'm using them as holiday ornaments, gift tags and place cards. Make your own with the simple tutorial below. No scissors or tape, a little glue is handy.

The Christmas Origami Kit is available for US shipment at peterpauper.com. The kit is also available in both my Canadian and US Amazon Store's for $7.95 and worldwide at select Amazon websites. Why not join my site with Google Friend Connect, bottom of page.

Tutorial: Origami Tree

2012 Asian Bird Calendar Review & Giveaway

2011-11-17T13:53:00.011-05:00

16-Month Calendar

Weekly Format

Elastic Band Place Holder

Inside Back Cover Pocket

Note & Address Pages

Size: 5" x 7"

This pretty and practical 2012 Asian Bird Calendar is perfect for keeping track of your busy schedule. It's compact size and light weight make it easy to take everywhere. The cover design is printed with gold foil highlights and glossy accents adding an elegant touch. My favorite features, a handy elastic band that marks the week and a clever pocket that expands to hold things like photos, notes, cards etc. It makes a wonderful gift, I sure like mine!

The 2012 Asian Bird Calendar is available for US shipment at peterpauper.com for $12.99. The calendar is also available in both my Canadian and US Amazon Store's and worldwide at select Amazon websites. Other Asian Bird products include a Monogram Journal and Note Cards. You'll find more Peter Pauper calendars here.

peterpauper.com has generously offered to giveaway one of these pretty calendars! To qualify you must be a follower of my blog with a US address, and leave a comment below about a Peter Pauper product you'd like to give or receive this Christmas. One winner will be selected at random. Good luck to you! Open until Sunday November 27, 2011.

Update: The 2012 Asian Bird Calendar winner is bettycd from the USA. Congratulations! Thank you to all who participated.

The Christmas Origami Kit Review & Giveaway

2011-11-11T09:09:00.019-05:00

I just discovered the most charming origami kit ever, The Christmas Origami Kit by Anne Marie Harris, published by Peter Pauper Press of NY. The thoughtfully assembled kit includes an 80 page book with instructions for six traditional origami designs, use as gift tags, place cards and ornaments for a touch of handmade this Christmas. Six festive patterns with solid colors on the reverse make up the twenty four sheets of 5.25" origami paper. The kit's trim size 4.25" x 3.50" x 1.50" and price $7.95 make it the perfect stocking stuffer and secret Santa gift. I just love it!

The book is arranged into three sections.

INTRODUCTION

ORIGAMI BASICS

Origami Symbols

Waterbomb Base

ORIGAMI PROJECTS

Trim-a-Tree

Delightful Bauble

Kirigami Snowflake

Heavenly Angel (Traditional & Contemporary Designs)
Sensational Star
Peace Crane

The Christmas Origami Kit is available for US shipment at peterpauper.com. The kit is also available in both my Canadian and US Amazon Store's for $7.95, and worldwide at select Amazon websites. You'll find more Peter Pauper holiday kits here.

peterpauper.com has generously offered to giveaway one of these lovely kits! To qualify you must be a follower of my blog with a US address, and leave a comment below about a Peter Pauper product you'd like to give or receive this Christmas. One winner will be selected at random. Good luck to you! Open until Friday November 18, 2011.

Update: The Christmas Origami Kit winner is janetfaye from the USA. Congratulations! Thank you to all who participated.

Haiku: Japanese Art and Poetry

2011-11-02T21:26:00.009-04:00

Haiku: Japanese Art and Poetry
Authors Judith Patt, Michiko Warkentyne and Barry Till
Publisher: Pomegranate; Bilingual Edition
Hardcover: 80 pages

Haiku, the Japanese form of poetry written in just three lines, is popular all over the world. "Its popularity is probably due as much to its brevity and seeming simplicity as to its imagery and evocative qualities."

Haiku: Japanese Art and Poetry is a collection of 35 poems composed by the renowned Japanese haiku masters of the past four hundred years, including Matsuo Basho, Taniguchi Buson and Kobayashi Issa. The haiku, written in English with Japanese calligraphies and transliterations, are paired with beautiful paintings, ukiyo-e prints and shin hanga woodcuts from the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Canada.

The book is arranged into three sections.

1. INTRODUCTION

The Poetic Form

Evolution of Haiku

The Lineage of Haiku Masters

Preparation of This Book

2. HAIKU
Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

3. ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Chrysanthemum, c. 1930s | Nishimura Hodo | Woodcut on paper

Image ©Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

Yellow mums, white mums--
as for me, I crave a red
chrysanthemum too!

--Shiki (1867-1902)
from Haiku: Japanese Art and Poetry

I chose an autumn haiku to share with you, the stunning chrysanthemum woodcut caught my attention. I read and then began to interpret the haiku, my first, observing that as a traditional haiku, it contained seventeen sound characters, a reference to a season, as well as a distinct pause or interruption. I learned that reading and practice are the best ways to enter the world of haiku, and that if I wanted to learn about the chrysanthemum, to go to the chrysanthemum. So I did, and my efforts were rewarded with a 'haiku moment', an experience where my heart moved in response to nature and its inspiring beauty. Now I know why people find haiku so fascinating. These short poems remind us to slow down and uncover the beauty of ordinary moments. Do you haiku?

Haiku: Japanese Art and Poetry is available at pomegranate.com for US$24.95. There's a Haiku: Japanese Art and Poetry 2012 Wall Calendar too, for US$13.99. Pomegranate ships throughout the United States, Canada and world. They also have a selection of spectacular Christmas Cards.

Origami Envelope

2011-10-07T19:07:00.013-04:00

This very practical design is from Origami Note Cards by Florence Temko. It comes with step-by-step instructions for 15 handmade stationery projects along with 48 large sheets of double-sided origami paper. The colorful folding paper, suitable for a variety of occasions, is patterned on one side and has a coordinating solid color on the other. Here an 8" square folds into a 4 3/4 by 5 3/4" envelope, perfect for your handmade cards. No scissors or tape used, just a little glue. Tutorial below.

The Origami Note Cards kit is available in both my Canadian and USA Amazon Stores and worldwide at tuttlepublishing.com. Tuttle has long been known for—everything from Asian literature and language learning to cooking, art, crafts and design. Check out their fabulous Fall 2011 catalog at Tuttle Publishing.

Tutorial: Origami Envelope

Origami Giveaway

2011-09-29T14:21:00.161-04:00

Win six origami bookmarks also seen here, made out of exquisite handmade Japanese papers in blue. This unique yet easy to make bookmark slides neatly on to any corner of the page and stays securely in place. No scissors, glue or tape used!

To qualify you must be a follower of my blog and leave a comment below. One winner will be selected at random. Good luck to you! Open until October 9, 2011.

Update: The origami bookmarks winner is Merry from Indonesia. Congratulations! Thank you to all who participated.

M. C. Escher Kaleidocycles

2011-09-23T18:05:00.040-04:00

M. C. Escher ® Kaleidocycles:

An Illustrated Book and 17 Fun-to-Assemble Three-Dimensional Models

[Box Set]

Creator Doris Schattschneider

Designer Wallace Walker

Publisher Pomegranate

Paperback 48 pages

Simply put, this is the only kit of it's kind. Mathematics or art? Dutch graphic artist M. C. Escher (1898-1972) "was a genius of imagination, a skilled graphic craftsman, but the key to many of his surprising effects is mathematics." Kaleidocycles takes you on a fascinating journey through graphic art and geometry.

The book is arranged into six sections.

1. Acknowledgments

2. In Three Dimensions: Extensions of M. C. Escher's Art

Geometric Solids, Kaleidocycles, Repeating Designs, Surface Design of Solids, Surface Design of Kaleidocycles, Coloring the Designs

3. Notes on the Models - Geometric Solids and Kaleidocycles

4. Instructions for Assembly of Models

5. Sources for More Information

6. Authors

You will be amazed as you explore the form, design and color of the 6 geometric solids (tetrahedron, octahedron, icosahedron, cube, dodecahedron, cuboctahedron) and 11 Kaleidocycles (hexagonal, square, twisted). You learn by assembling, examining and playing with the models. "A Kaleidocycle is a closed chain of tetrahedra that can cycle endlessly through a center hole." It's a moving paper sculpture. Check out the video below!

I tucked my Escher book under my arm on the way to a doctor's appointment, something to do in case I had to wait. To my surprise Dr W knew of Escher's work, was very interested and even asked to browse my book! He was thinking about assembling the kit with his son. What a brilliant idea!

M. C. Escher ® Kaleidocycles: An Illustrated Book and 17 Fun-to-Assemble Three-Dimensional Models is available at pomegranate.com for US$24.95. You may also purchase an extra set of the 17 models for each additional participant. Pomegranate ships throughout Canada, the United States and world. For more Escher art publications please visit Pomegrante's M. C. Escher Gallery.

Square Kaleidocycle Video

Cranes and Peacocks: Japanese Folding Screens Notecards

2011-08-16T20:15:00.015-04:00

Look at these Cranes and Peacocks: Japanese Folding Screens Notecards published by Pomegranate Communications Inc of California! The box alone conveys distinction. It opens to reveal notecards that can only be called exceptional. Each like a work of art, one more exquisite than the other, celebrating the art and culture of Japan.

The screens reproduced for this set of notecards are elegantly adorned with two revered and feathered creatures—the crane and the peacock—which symbolize such desired traits as honor, longevity, good fortune, and peace. Housed in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the screens date from the seventeenth to the late nineteenth century.

There are twelve blank notecards with white envelopes. Card size is 4 inches wide x 9 1/4 inches high when closed, and opens to three times the width. They make the perfect gift for someone special... or even yourself! I think I'm going to frame some and put them on the wall.

Cranes and Peacocks: Japanese Folding Screens Three-Panel Panoramic Boxed Notecards are available at pomegranate.com for US$15.95. Pomegranate ships throughout Canada, the United States and world. They also have a selection of beautiful 2012 Asian Art Calendars.

Origami Giveaway

2011-08-13T10:59:00.009-04:00

Win a pair of charming origami photo frames as seen here, made out of this gorgeous handmade Japanese paper. Each frame is folded out of one 15cm square of chiyogami plum blossoms paper in lime. Finished they measure 7.5cm and 8cm square.

To qualify you must be a follower of my blog and leave a comment below. One winner will be selected at random. Good luck to you! Open until August 26, 2011.

Update: The origami photo frames winner is Berendina from Canada. Congratulations! Thank you to all who participated.

Origami Lane Social Notes

2011-08-06T09:16:00.014-04:00

I love finding a handwritten note in the mail box. These very pretty note cards with delicate plum blossom designs are from Galison New York. You get two sets of 10 crisp note cards and 20 matching pink envelopes in a beautiful gift box. No folding required! Make someone’s day by writing and sending them an Origami Lane Social Note.

Origami Lane Social Notes are available at galison.com for US$12. There are Origami Lane Sticky Notes too, for US$10.00. Galison ships throughout the United States and Canada. Take advantage of a generous 15% off by simply entering coupon code ZZZ2 at checkout. Galison offers gorgeous boxed note cards and stylish stationery for personal gifts or correspondence.

The Hip Girl's Guide To Homemaking

2011-07-25T13:37:00.012-04:00

The Hip Girl's Guide To Homemaking

Decorating, dining, and the gratifying pleasures of self-sufficiency - on a budget!

Author Kate Payne

Publisher Harper Design

Paperback 288 pages

Discover the simple joys of homemaking in today's world! Blogger Kate Payne takes you through the basics of setting up your first apartment, through entertaining and all things in between, expertly utilizing thrift stores, garage sales, recycling, the hardware store, Craigslist, markets, street finds, co-ops and last of all retail.

The book is arranged into three sections.

Part One: Room-by-Room Guide to a Homey House, Homie

Part Two: Impressive Acts of Domesticity: Do Try This at Home

Part Three: Life after Restaurants

Kate demonstrates that you can live well, though frugally with some resourcefulness and creativity. Her book is filled with practical advice on function and comfort. Not only will you live healthier and greener you will discover the rewards of self-sufficiency.

Kate gets right to the point. Use what you have, start gardening on your front steps, in a window and on your little balcony. Get only what you need, why spend money on expensive and chemical laden cleaning supplies when vinegar and baking soda work very well, without the side effects.

A cool idea that I'd like to try from the book is hosting a food (or craft) swap. "Hosting a swap is a fun and easy way to trade goods you make with others. Make (or gather) stuff that's edible and swappable, i.e. a loaf of bread, a jar of preserves, a half-dozen eggs from your backyard chickens, portions of soup, packages of homemade candy, etc."

The Hip Girl's Guide To Homemaking is an easy read, Kate doesn't bog you down with too much information. At the end of each chapter she provides excellent resources in case you want to learn more. Take it from someone who's been there, this book summarizes the basics, and more, of everything I have learned about homemaking from my first apartment through now, and with the money I've saved can now enjoy some fancy splurges.

The Hip Girl's Guide To Homemaking is available in both my Canadian and US Amazon stores. Harper Collins Canada is one of the world's leading English-language publishers.

HarperCollinsCanada

Lavender Farm

2011-07-22T21:22:00.003-04:00

Friend Louise and I spent the morning on a lavender farm. We enjoyed strolling the grounds, admiring the lavender, lily pond, bird houses and wind chimes. We relaxed on a well-shaded bench accompanied by an angel. Later we browsed the boutique on the century old farmstead and sipped lavender infused lemonade. Photo by Louise.

Wallpaper Origami Box

2011-07-14T11:09:00.011-04:00

I started this project with wallpaper samples measuring 8 x 10 1/4", a repeat pattern and a stripe. Any size rectangular paper will work. Then I modified a traditional origami design and the result, these charming boxes measuring 3 3/4 x 4 3/4 x 1 3/4".

A few hole punches, some green raffia and I'm done. I'm going to fill these sturdy and washable boxes with something delectable...

I prefer this box lidless. It stores flat in case your want to make a bunch. Tutorial below.

Tutorial: Origami Box

Origami Invitation

2011-07-01T13:33:00.010-04:00

One sheet of 8 1/2 x 11" craft paper, a few simple folds, and the result is this fabulous origami invitation. The rectangular paper folds into an envelope with a banner across the centre. One side of the paper has a bold pink floral design while the other is white. The invitation text is on the white side, I put it through the printer.

Folded it measures 5 1/2 x 3 3/4". The banner width of 1/2" can be increased or decreased to taste. I'm going to personalize the invites by putting the recipients name across the slanted banner. No scissors, glue or tape used! Design creator unknown. Tutorial below.

Tutorial: Origami Invitation

Water Lilies

2011-06-04T22:23:00.003-04:00

My mother and I spent the morning at M Water Gardens. They specialize in growing water lilies and aquatic plants. We enjoyed exploring the outdoor ponds, greenhouse facilities and gained an appreciation for water gardening. Afterwards we went for fish and chips!

Origami Basket

2011-04-16T13:59:00.032-04:00

I found this wonderful design in the Origami Party Time! Kit by Florence Temko. It comes with instructions for 25 simple party projects including decorations, favors and table settings, along with 104 sheets of colourful origami paper in two sizes. Here a 21cm square folds into a 7.5cm x 7.5cm x 4cm basket. What I love is that the handle, a 20cm strip of ribbon (or paper) is folded right into the basket and it is very secure. You may find many uses for this basket, which can be made in any size by using a smaller or larger square sheet of paper.

The Origami Party Time! Kit is available in both my Canadian and USA aStore's and worldwide at tuttlepublishing.com. Tuttle has been publishing origami since 1948. You can check out their Spring 2011 catalog at Tuttle Publishing.

Origami Giveaway

2011-04-03T13:21:00.016-04:00

Win a package of Spinning Hat's Origami Napkins! It contains 40 quality napkins with an assortment of designs, the Bird of Paradise, the Flapping Bird, the Jester Boot and the Polo Shirt. Simply follow the instructions printed on the napkins to create your own origami masterpiece. To qualify you must be a follower of my blog and leave a comment below about what you'll do with the Origami Napkins. One winner will be selected at random. Good luck to you! Open until April 12, 2011.

The Origami Napkins are available in my USA aStore and worldwide from spinninghat.com a UK based gift design company.

Update: The Origami Napkins winner is Jasmine. Congratulations! Thank you to all who participated.

Origami Napkin Polo Shirt

2011-04-02T19:28:00.030-04:00

I found this design in Spinning Hat's Origami Napkins. Each package contains 40 quality napkins with an assortment of designs, the Bird of Paradise, the Flapping Bird, the Jester Boot and the Polo Shirt. The white and black napkins measure 16 x 16cm or 33 x 33cm when fully open. Instructions are printed on the napkins along with a difficulty rating for each design, the Polo Shirt is a 2 out of a possible 5. Have some origami fun at your next dinner party!

The Origami Napkins are available in my USA aStore and worldwide from Spinning Hat.

Tutorial: Origami Napkin Polo Shirt

Origami Crane Place Card Holder

2011-03-24T08:39:00.021-04:00

I folded this striking origami crane place card holder with one sheet of 15cm precision square origami paper from Folded Square Origami. Completed it measures 7cm in height, 10cm in width and 3cm in depth. It's very sturdy, holds a place card securely and is not difficult to make. I really like it. Please check out the tutorial below!

I've inserted a small piece of paper as a place card. I'm thinking dinner party, birthday, shower, wedding reception, meeting etc... It folds flat in case you want to make a bunch and store them. Design creator unknown. No scissors, glue or tape used.

foldedsquare.com is a worldwide supplier of award winning origami modelling packs and paper. Based in the UK this environmentally friendly, vegetable ink paper is produced locally and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The fresh design on the paper above is Paul Robson's, one of Folded Square's international design team.

This designer paper is available in my USA aStore, amazon.co.uk and worldwide from foldedsquare.com. It comes in a unique hand-folded origami gift box.

Tutorial: Origami Crane Place Card Holder

Spring

2011-03-20T06:49:00.008-04:00

Spring arrives today! Photo taken at C Nurseries.