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july daily reads

Whenever I’m hit by the Procrastinating Bug, I go find something inspiring to bring me back to my working, thinking, designing mode. For this purpose, my flickr contacts have been very helpful.

This July, instead of design blogs, we are featuring six Flickr Photostreams for df’s Daily Reads. These are from my flickr contact list that are packed with photos which will surely encourage you to create, decorate, and make something beautiful for your space.

Here’s a quick preview of our July list:

day in the studio from artpropelled,

tilly & tommy elephants from retro_mama,

one of those moments from penwren,

my helper from fallon akers,

my studio from dottie angel,

and black wall from the happy home

Enjoy! -ardel

*top photo via dottie angel

diy project: illustrated ziplocks

Over the weekend, I started working on the items that I’ll be sending for the Art Swap Project: 1) a greeting card with a watercolor illustration and 2) a coffee painted throwpillow. I initially learned about Art Swap via a blog post by Babalisme, an illustrator & graphic designer from Indonesia. While I’m finishing my artworks, let me share with you these cute and practical illustrated ziplocks that Babalisme made for the swap.

When I finish my art projects, I’ll start decorating & labeling my travel ziplocks for my electronic items, toiletries, undies, and swimwear during my free time. They’ll be a better alternative to those expensive store-bought organizing bags.

You can even use these illustrated ziplocks as instant, reusable gift bags. -ardel

diy project: recycle those bottle caps

One way of  reducing our trash is to turn them into useful items. Our post on inhabitat’s Spring Greening yesterday featured sophisticated design projects that made use of common household trash like plastic bottles and soda tabs.

If that post inspired you to dig into your trash bin for possible craft materials, you can start with something small like bottle caps. Graphic designer Jessica Jones turned these humble caps into stylish mid-century clock magnets using the downloadable clock graphics she made. Click HERE for the full tutorial.

You can use these as party giveaways or loot bag fillers!

For the moms out there, another great idea is to make a ref magnet for each member in your household to hold their respective reminders and to-do lists. Instead of using Jessica’s clock graphics, you can print individual face photos of your family and stick them onto the painted caps. This way, nobody will miss any reminder!

diy crafts: flower power

Every May, Filipinos hold a Catholic tradition called Flores de Mayo (“Flowers of May”) in honor of the Virgin Mary. During the month-long celebration, young girls would offer flowers in their respective parishes.

So before we end this month of summer blooms, here’s a parade of flower crafts and projects which you might find interesting:

Flower wreaths (top and above) made of assorted paper by Dana Barbieri.

Hand carved woodland block print set and amapola print via Geninne’s Etsy Shop here and here. (Maybe I’ll ask my dad to teach me how to make the block prints. He’s a better sculptor than me! I just hope his carving tools are still in good condition. Haven’t seen them since elementary.)

Simple flower arrangements using empty glass jars and bottles via penwren.

Have a blooming weekend!

diy crafts: clay idol

Yesterday I posted an invite on a Clayfest happening this weekend. But, honestly, i don’t know anything about polymer clay (a sculptable material based on the polymer polyvinyl chloride). What got me really interested are the works of Arzu Musa, a polymer clay artists from Turkey. Her designs feature interesting patterns and yummy colors.

I would love to learn how to make these

and turn them into these

I would also like to make large custom buttons like these

and beautiful candle votives like these

Ok, one step at a time, haha! I wonder if i can self-study this craft… Will share a basic tutorial once i learn how this thing works.

To see more of Arzu Musa’s beautiful creations, CLICK HERE.

*all photos via Arzu Musa’s Flickr photostream

diy crafts: clayfest 2010

For all crafting dudes and dudettes, you might want to visit the Clayfest 2010 happening this weekend, May 15-16, at the Cubao X, Quezon City. This is primarily organized by Angeli Sobrepena of The Beadlady Craft Cafe, her craft store at Cubao X which we have featured here last year. Here’s the schedule of the event:

Day 1 – May 15 (Saturday)

• 10am – 12nn  Workshop 1 (Venue: The Beadlady Craft Studio, 2F Shop 54)
• 1pm – 3pm     Workshop 2 (Venue: The Beadlady Craft Studio, 2F Shop 54)
• 4pm – 6pm     Sculpting Competition Level 1 (Venue: The Beadlady Craft Studio)

Day 2 – May 16 (Sunday)

• 10am onwards   Handmade Exhibit (Venue: The tents, Cubao Expo)
• 10am – 12nn      Workshop 3 (Venue: The Beadlady Craft Studio)
• 1pm – 3pm         Sculpting Competition Level 2 (Venue: The Beadlady Craft Studio)
• 4pm – 6pm         Craft Along (Venue: The Beadlady Craft Studio, 2F Shop 54)
• 7pm onwards     Fellowship night  (Venue: The tents, Cubao Expo)

Too bad, I just stumbled upon this today when all the workshops are already fully booked! Oh well, maybe i’ll just “window shop” for ideas and get myself a couple of clay bars.

diy crafts: will you marry me?

The other day, I heard that a friend’s friend wanted to propose to his girlfriend. Unfortunately, he’s having problems about getting an engagement ring—he finds it too expensive. I don’t blame him.

If I were his friend, I would suggest going unconventional/symbolical and consider these interesting alternatives:

Maybe (just maybe) his fiancée-to-be will appreciate the enormous thought, creativity, and effort (not to mention the meaning and the feeling) poured into making such “designer” pieces.

These rings are made by Maria Apostolou for the Ring-A-Day Challenge over at Flickr. She’s a jewelry designer and a metalsmith from Greece. I think her designs are playful, imaginative and well conceptualized. Talk about thinking out of the box!

I particularly like her “moss ring” (above) which looks like a living ring to me. I wouldn’t mind being the recipient of this (as long as it comes with a pair of diamond engagement earrings, haha! Kidding ).

Click here to see the rest of Maria’s designs for RAD.

*All photos via Maria Apostolou’s Flickr photostream

diy crafts: easter eggs in five ways

The egg was a traditional symbol of spring to stand for the earth’s rebirth. It also represented new life and resurrection, and was therefore used by early Christians as the symbol of Jesus as the risen Christ. This is the basic story behind the tradition of Easter eggs.

As we take a break for the Holy Triduum, we’ll leave you with these charming Easter egg projects which you might want to try.

Fabric-covered eggs via retro-mama (above),

Ukranian eggs decorated using hot wax + dye via design*sponge,

Stuffed crocheted eggs via craftastica,

Dyed eggs using natural onion skin dyes via craftastica,

Eggs painted with Christian orthodox art via pelagija.

Green Guide and I will be off to Sagada, Mountain Province tonight to spend a quiet four-day spiritual trip with nature. Have a meaningful Holy week and a blessed Easter!

diy project: love-is-[almost]-blind tray

Last week, I had to get an eye exam for the renewal of my driver’s license. As usual, I did really bad. I think I only got the letters correctly upto the third line. So, I guess my astigmatism is getting worse. *blag*

That’s why I can totally relate to this tray project, which I stumbled upon at ink bloom. This project calls for a printed vinyl decal on a typical serving tray. You can also make this project replacing the tray with a large wooden picture frame and a similar image displayed inside it. Simply screw in coordinating cabinet pulls to function as tray handles. 

diy project: printable valentine’s day cards

“Fixing a broken heart” front

It’s the day to say “I love you” to everyone!

Here are two last minute printable cards for our single (card below) and broken hearted (card above) friends. These cute cards were designed by Ms. Creative Director (a.k.a. Lilli Beth! ) for pushtheenvelope.

“Dateless on valentine’s?” front

“Dateless on valentine’s” back/inside

Click the photo for the link, print, and write your love thoughts! You can also throw in a gift with the card to make the person feel extra special.

To all our families’, friends, and df readers, we love you! Enjoy the day with your loved ones.