Last minute Christmas DIY - Easy Advent calendar ideas

Couple of days to December! I know, it's crazy!!
Have you put up Advent calendar? Don't worry, here is some Great ideas for busy mum like you☆

From Craft Berry Bush

 Paper cup buckets advent calendar 

 From Just the Bee's Knees

No sew mitten advent calendar

From Lora Jeans magazine

Origami advent calendar 

From Sweet Paul

Miniature box advent calendar

From A Few Things From My Life

White envelop advent calendar

From Design Sponge

Falling stars advent calendar

From Spoonful

A Cone - iferous advent calendar

Last one, if you can find 24 toilet paper rolls .... I think you can cut the roll in half, so you need 12 of them. It's depend on what things you put in it.

 From Morning Creativity

 Toilet paper roll advent calendar

Don't stress it, Enjoy!!

Do you know Japanese washi masking tape? It's very useful and lovely design masking tape.

Must have some for in your craft room!!

mt ex washi masking tape – Embroidery Flower

 Zakka81 - Japanese online gift shop  

http://www.zakka81.com.au

Children's Day - Musya ningyo & Kabuto

 I wrote about Children's day last time, but let me explain again for new visitor's :)

Children's Day is a Japanese holiday which takes place annually on May 5th, It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness.
But also known as "Tango no sekku", Families with young boys put up "Koi-nobori" (carp stream) in their yard and display dolls called "Musya ningyo" patterned after historical warriors and heroes to pray for their health and success in life.

Today, I show you little bit about more "Musya ningyo"

Musha ningyo (武者人形：Warrior dolls) also called "Gogatsu ningyo" (五月人形：May doll).

A set of Armour, helmet and other things the samurai warrior of old carried during wartime are displayed.

Parents display the dolls wishing for their boys to grow into strong and powerful man like a samurai!!

But, whole "Musha ningyo" is pretty big, we just display samurai warrior helmet instead of whole doll these days.

Now, we have an another doll, called "Kintaro" , Kintarō is the childhood name of "Sakata no Kintoki" who was a hero in the Heian period. He having been famous for his strength when he was a child. It is said that Kintarō rode a bear, instead of a horse(!!) and played with animals in the mountains when he was a young boy. So, that's why we display "Kintaro" it represents strength and  healthy boy!

Why not make Samurai helmet by news paper?? 

Here is how... 

http://samuraikids.com.au/funstuff%20samurai%20hat.html

Don't forget to cut the news paper into the square!

I found a geeky one, it's Darth Vader Musha doll!!!!!! also Storm trooper!!!! OMG really?!

It's in Japanese, but you can buy these at here...

http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/musha_ningyou.html
http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/index.html
http://www.yoshitoku.co.jp/sw/S_trooper.html

I have small "Kintaro" decoration in my shop★

Kintaro and carp stream and origami helmet! All in one, very cute set!!

http://www.zakka81.com.au/?p=1237&preview=true

Wall decoration challenge!! 2

I tried to make something for my wall on every month, but I missed last month! :( I thought its "easy peasy!" .... well, I'll do my best!

This month I made "Toilet roll art", I found this idea from Pinterest as usual.
I had collected the core of toilet roll since last month, It took long time to collect, specially live in here just two of us, my partner and me. Men doesn't use toilet paper not so much like girls!
Anway finally I had enough to make this!

Ta daaa~~!!
It's peacock inspired toilet roll art. I used acrylic paint to paint inside of the roll. It has glitter gold but hard to see in these photos...
You just need to cut the roll around 2cm wide and stick with glue!
How easy is that!!

And I made another one with left over rolls ...
That is.......

Cherry blossoms!!
Bend in the one side to make petals.I really LOVE this one. Just now, cherry blossoms season in Japan and I miss it so much!
But I can see my cherry blossoms at home every day ;)
I will make more when I got more toilet roll. This is very fun craft!!



Hey, do you know mother's day is next month!!
Find unique gift at Zakka81 Japanese style ☆

Easter Ideas!

Easter is coming soon, 8th of April!! (from Good Friday 6th) Did you know that?
Are you going to do something? I'm not sure what we going to do. BUT I'll share some Easter decoration, food, craft ideas!!

Today I gonna show you great craft, decoration ideas.

((click title or image to jump original pages))

*Flower arrangement in eggshells (from Martha Stewart)It's very pretty!! Hollowed-out eggshells make naturally beautiful vases for tiny flower arrangements.

*Natural dye Easter eggs (From Creative Living)
Decorating eggs by attaching leaves before dipping them in dye from berries, herbs, onions and veggies... Beautiful!!

*Mosaic Easter Eggs (From Specialty Art Glass)This is very creative!! I really want to try this!

*Bunny Napkins (from Good housekeeping)
Wow!! How clever and cute!!! I do Origami(folding paper) but this is just great!

*Embroidery floss Easter eggs (From Crafts for all season)This one using water balloons but you can also use normal, big balloons!
What a fun!!

*Easter egg candy pouch ( From Simple as that)
If you are very busy, how about this? Great idea for busy mom!!

★Don't forget to get some presents!!
http://www.zakka81.com.au

Milk bottle case

I found this idea from the Pinterest, the original web site is not in English, but you can easily see how to make it.
It's very easy to make and useful craft. only take around 10 minutes! Easy craft for the weekend ☆
Original page (http://elmundodelreciclaje.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/recicla-un-bidon.html)I used 3 Litter milk bottle. Rinse it and Peel off the stickers.Mark the guide lines, I marked 5cm from the bottom, and another 5 cm for the folding inside cover. As for the top lid I took 10 cm. And just cut it!
Put little hole in it and tied elastic (I used hair tie) with wire.
You can use Velcro or button or some other material for instead the elastic band.
Now I need more Milk bottles!!

*Have you check my website yet?
Japanese style shop --> http://www.zakka81.com.au

How to make Origami Ornament Ball (Kusudama)

Have you try to do some Origami (Folding papers) work? Do you think it's very difficult? hard to do??
I'm sure you need practice at first, but once you use to folding papers, this flower ornament ball is a piece of cake!!
I found this tutorial on youtube, you need 60 piece of Origami paper (square paper) and glue. Oh, and specially you need patient!! ;) I recommend to use Origami paper because the color. When you fold some "both side same color" paper doesn't looks great, still fine but two color combination is much better.
I was cut the origami (mine was 15cm square) in four equally (make 7.5cm) and my origami ball size is around 11cm diameter.

Ok, here is the link...
Anniversary, Designed by Mio Tsugawa

Enjoy your Origami!! :D

Bubble wrapped flower vase

I bought a gorgeous artificial flower today, unfortunately fresh flower is always very expensive in Australia. I had always bought some fresh flowers when I was in Japan. It's cheap enough to buy every week.
Anyway, I bout artificial flower but I didn't have a vase that suits it. I found empty glass jar (it was in tomato paste) and it's perfect size!! but I want a bit some design. Somehow I thought "wrap it with bubble wrap" it has like a polka dots pattern and of course nice protection (if you dropped on the floor)

Here is how... super easy!!
You need a glass jar, bubble wrap, scissors, acrylic paint (your favorite color) and glue, ribbon to dress up.

1. Measure the size of the jar and cut the bubble wrap.
2. Use sponge to put some acrylic paint on to the bubble wrap. (like stencil work) then dry it.
3. Put some glue on the jar and wrap the bubble wrap on it.

4. I wrap ribbon around the neck because of I just cut the bubble wrap into rectangles and the jar becomes thinner as it goes to the neck. And looks more prettier :)

Cute polka dots shade...

Valentine's day ideas ♥ 2

Photo from Belle the magazine

Did you already decided what to do Valentine's Day?
Here is an another ideas for Valentine's day!!

Budget food ideas
1. Bacon of Hearts - the paper mama If your love's one doesn't like a sweet things. Why not to give him a bacons!!

2. Delicious Roasted Potatoes - from Haniela's food & photography This is so cute idea! Roast any meats with this cute potatoes, perfect Valentine's dinner! so easy!!

3. Hot Chocolate with Marshmallow Hearts - from Martha Stewart
Don't worry if you can't cook, lovely idea is still there!! thank you for Martha Stewart :)

4. Weaving Danish Heart Baskets - from radmegan in words and picturesWonderful no sewing project. This is a little baskets, so you can put some chocolates in here!

5. 3D card - from duitangThis website is in Chinese but you can get the template from there. Easy to make!!

6. Heart bookmark - from Martha StewartAnother idea from Martha. Isn't it cute?! Idea for your favorite bookworm ;)

Good luck everyone!!

Wall decoration challenge !!

February's wall decoration " infinity love " - hand stitched art

This year I try to express the seasonal event ... actually I try to NOT forget them and try to keep me creative!

Christmas to January's wall decoration " Celebration " - recycled paper art

I found this from some crafty youtube. I used old yellow page and artificial flowers and gold ribbon. Simply roll the yellow pages and stick on the cardboard base. I sprayed gold paint for bit more Chrismasy taste.





And now, I made February's wall decoration. I've seen this design at the Pinterest and I fell in love with it. Originally someone made this for tatoo, very special I think!
I love hand stitches but not embroidery person, if I could do more embroidery stitches it will be more "WOW" art, that's sure lol.

Valentine's day ideas♥

DIY Sugar Heart

Do yo celebrate Valentine's day?
I picked up few Valentine's day ideas from everywhere and want to share with you ♥

At first, decorations!
1: Crayon heart - from Martha Stewart You can find more Valentine's day craft from her site. This is my favorite and I'll definitely try this!

2:Paper rose - from Mon carnet blogLook at this!! One gorgeous HUGE paper rose!! This will surprised your partner, sure it will!

3: V'day nailVery cute! I have to try this!!

Now, Valentine's food!!
4: French toast with stewed berriesSeriously cute!! Great idea for breakfast in bed. Very simple but very effective!

5: Sweet heart cupcakes - from Glorious TreatsThis is an another pretty idea!! You can make your favorite cupcake and fill with the pink cherry frosting!

6: Cherry chocolate kisses - from The curvy CarrotThe combination of cherry and chocolate are always my favorite! It's not heart shape but lovely pink!! it use maraschino cherries to make pink, very clever!!