Made It Myself: Handmade Stationery

Last weekend, I spent a rainy Saturday afternoon at a cozy cafe with some fellow crafty people making cards and envelopes with my brand new Martha Stewart punchers.

My friend Mikko has the biggest collection of craft punchers. I'm not even kidding. So when she opened up a craft huddle that came bundled with a free puncher, I didn't even think twice about signing up.

Here she is at Cordillera Coffee along Xavierville Avenue with the busy participants handcrafting their own stationery sets.

We were free to use as much paper as we wanted and had unlimited borrowing rights to Mikko's tools just for that afternoon.

Funny how it was my first time at Cordillera Coffee when I pass by it every single day. This was the super yummy tuna pesto sandwich I had paired with Tableya coffee.

Merienda break! See that paper garland strung across the room? Mikko made that too!

My punching skills aren't perfect so you'll notice one of the loops got cut off, haha! But I'm mighty proud of this pretty little envelope I made. I didn't use a template and just eyeballed the dimensions using the card I made. Didn't realize it was that easy to make an envelope until I did it. Ha!

This was made using a template Mikko cut out for me. Next on my things-to-buy list? That envelope template maker! Sooo convenient.

Our class picture after an afternoon of making. Now I can't wait to sit down and get to work on my stationery sets for the swap next week!

I Try DIY Craft Huddle: Paper Folding

I always hover around the origami paper section in Saizen,but never really buy because my origami skills are very basic. I used to be so jealous of my classmates in grade school who could turn paper bills into polo shirts or hearts (like magic!). I could make a paper boat, if I remembered the right order of folding. Haha!

So when one of Mikko's Craft Huddles—the paper folding one!—fell on a holiday, I took it as a sign. I headed over to Harvest in The Fort that afternoon, excited over the thought that I'd be coming home with some paper folding skillz.

First up: choose your paper. Mix had a ton of pretty paper! I couldn't decide which ones to get. Look at all those pretty patterns!

Our first project was the paper wallet. She actually did a tutorial for this on candymag.com. You can totally make this and stuff with a few 20-peso bills for your godkids!

Tried making one on my own (had to ask for help, though!) the second time around. Not too shabby, right?

Next: a box! We had to choose paper with matching prints. I got cupcake-themed ones. So cute!

 We made the base first.

And then the lid. I didn't put enough allowance in my folds so the lid was kind of too small for my base. Whoops!

Paper bags that don't need glue or tape! All they're missing are handles and your gift bag is ready.

This box was my favorite. A bit hard to make (I'm not entirely sure I can recreate it on my own without troubleshooting from Mikko) but it looks so nice! It's like a box within a box. Very fancy, haha.

Pillow boxes for tiny trinkets like earrings or bracelets. Here's a link to the tutorial in case you want to try making them on your own.

My happy family of paper products. I have yet to sit down and attempt to make another batch without help, but this will make gift wrapping for Christmas fun!

Want to learn more holiday crafts? Head on over to I Try DIY for the November schedule of Craft Huddles (I'm personally eying the Craft of the Card next!).

I can read you, you're my favorite book

Music Monday


Tasty Tuesday

Salidou (Salted Butter Caramel crepe) from La Creperie

Wishful Wednesday

I wish I'd have cute babies someday. (:

Thoughtful Thursday

The best gifts are those that come with no occasion! Swapped beauty products for paper products. Love!

Fashion Friday

Treated myself this payday weekend. Got the shoes I was looking at for a week plus a top and a dress. I also got a few things from Mikko's stash. Thanks, love!

Eager Beaver, 2011 Edition

Most people were dreading their first day back at work. I was mostly bummed at the fact that I couldn't use the computer while lying on my tummy. Work never really feels like work for me because I do practically the same thing on vacation: surf! The only difference is, I actually upload stories online at work.

But that's not the point of my entry. I just want to show you another reason why I was so excited to go back to work: my new office supplies!


Goodies from my birthday and Christmas. I love that my friends are equally obsessed with paper products and office supplies. The Candy Girls gave me my second Teneues planner by Hanna Werning. They were worried I wouldn't like the zebras, but I actually do! Last year's planner had bunnies and deer. (: My former boss Ines gave me the dolphin paper clips (so cute!). The sticky notes set is from Mark♥Barb. I love it! I was thinking of getting myself another design when we went to National Bookstore's Work Station launch but I'm glad I didn't because this pattern is so me! Thank you!


I got these cutesy sticky notes on a trip to Fully Booked with the Candy Girls. Hee. I have another Parisian-themed set but I thought these animals went perfectly with my planner. Donchathink?


How cute is my new mousepad??? Thank you, Margs!!! (: When I opened it, I let out a squeal. She wasn't kidding when she kept asking me to open it already because she said it was so me. Also, her gift had a bunch of sticky notes, too. (There are so many more I got that are not pictured here!) What I'm going to do with all these notes, IDK. But expect a note from me soon! d:


Here's my planner finally broken in: my first, uh, plan for the year. And I'm using a pen now instead of pencil because wala lang. That way deadlines, dates, plans are final because using white out is just going to make my planner ugly.

I can't wait to make plans for 2011!