DIY Wall Decor - Watercolor Painting and Paper Flowers

My DIY wall decor. Including the spaces in between each piece, the size is approximately 32 inches x 20 inches.

Our wall in the dining area was bare and so boring. I had always made a mental note that I'd check out some paintings or framed poster to put there but I always forget whenever we go out. I was planning to make a mail organizer because our bills and fast food delivery brochures and flyers are cluttered atop our fridge so I bought some supplies to make one which include illustration boards. Then I thought that the boards are big enough to make my own wall decor, so I decided to make one first, I'll just make my mail organizer next.

These are what I used: two 15" x 20" illustration boards, metal ruler, cutter, pencil, mixing plate, brushes, and a watercolor set which is an affordable student grade set for only Php 220 (around 5$). 

I cut each board in half, vertically, to make four pieces of 7.5" x 20" boards. Then we painted each piece in different color. 

With my little helper. She enjoyed painting a lot, that even her clothes, skin, and the mat have paint all over after our activity. I just finished the painting to cover all spaces, and added another layer of watercolor. 

I painted in different directions to get some effects, but it still looked plain to me. I googled easy ways to make special effects using watercolor and I found this YouTube channel, Art Food Kitty - Kelly Eddington, with great watercolor tutorials. The method using salt is the easiest for me so I tried it. Good thing my husband still uses rock salt instead of the finer iodized salt. 

Since I already have layers of watercolor, I just wet the surface with water using a flat brush, and sprinkled salt on the wet part. I do this on a small part at a time to be sure that I'll be able to sprinkle salt on the surface before it dries. The salt absorbs the watercolor pigment so the space beneath the salt crystal and the area around it appear lighter giving a nice effect.

I did the same to the other boards with different colors and this is how they all look after the process. Though this isn't the usual result of the salt method, haha, I'm happy with it. Anyway, the watercolor, paper used, salt, and the wetness all affect the result, so I went wrong with any of those, or maybe on all of them, lol.

So, now that I have the background of my wall decor, the next process is to make the paper flowers using card stock, and I chose white orchid to be the main feature on my project. This paper orchid printable template and tutorial from Lia Griffith is the one I used. 

The template has three parts that make the whole flower. I looked up a picture of a real orchid for the color of the center part and then I painted it with watercolor. I rolled the sides a bit to give it a 3D effect before I glued them all together.

I made several more of this and glued them on the colored boards and arranged them like they're all connected to a long branch.

I just used a double sided tape to mount all the parts on the wall, that way I can easily remove it when I already have a nicer piece to replace it.  That's how it looks like. I'm happy with the finished project and it gives me a good feeling that what's on our wall is something I made myself with the help of my little girl. 

I hope you enjoyed reading this and you can try making one yourself, or any other wall art you can think of. It's our wall, right? We can do whatever we want with it, lol. Thank you for dropping by!

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My ZALORA Online Shopping Experience

I'm not new to online shopping but I still have doubts when it comes to buying from individuals whose ads I just saw from olx.ph or similar site. I actually love buying from people with small businesses like myself, yes, I do sell handmade items online. Though I haven't got the time to promote my page yet, it's already fully operational, and most of my clients are my friends so before I get to put up another ad for my item, it already has a buyer, lol. I'm blessed. So, I'd probably make time to create a lot of my stuff so I would have items readily available. You can visit my Facebook page Jordana's Treasure anytime, don't forget to like!

Anyway, like what I've said, having doubts is just fine, it's your money and you don't want to take the risk of losing it, and I wouldn't blame you because there are really bogus sellers out there. I used to always see if meet ups are possible, that way, I wouldn't be paying in advance and I get to see the items, but that seems to lose the essence of online shopping which is "the convenience of shopping from home". So it's really up to you, if you have doubts, don't proceed with the transaction, if upon checking everything and you're convinced that the seller is legit, go for it, but if you're still being careful and like some who are not comfortable with the idea, try trusted websites first. 

And I do recommend Zalora. It is already a well known online shopping site but I just tried it very recently, and yes, it was a good experience. I placed my order last Wednesday, April 15 at around 3pm and I received the package yesterday, Thursday, at 1pm. It does say on their website that the delivery takes 1-3 days within Metro Manila, I'm just lucky to get my package in less than 24 hours, maybe because my order was easy to process since I ordered 2 items of the same brand, I'm not sure, but that might be a factor.

This is the box, cute isn't it? It's sealed with my name on top and on one side are the shipping details.

Included in the package is this black envelope with all the info regarding my order and an order return slip.

And here's what's inside that beautiful package. I'm not conscious with brands, as long as I like it and it's comfortable, it's fine with me, and I found these really affordable dresses. I was just supposed to order the grey shirt dress but if I buy 2 or more of the Zalora Basic brand, I'll get 20% off for my purchases and it's also free shipping for orders above Php 995, so I bought 2 items instead.

The gray shirt dress is Php 899 and the off-white shift dress is Php 649 for a total of Php 1548, but I only paid Php 1238.40 because of the discount and free shipping. I chose the cash on delivery option which was convenient for me, I just prepared the exact amount and the transaction was smooth.

The actual dresses look nice, the fabric feels good, and I think they look good on me but they look better on the models, haha. Honestly, the grey shirt is long for me, it almost reaches my knees. I was expecting it to be at least 3 inches above the knee, then I checked, the model is 5'10" and I'm only 5'1", lol, that's a big difference. I did check the size details but maybe I was just concerned more on the bust and waist circumference, anyway, I'm still comfortable with it. 

Overall, it was a nice experience. No hassle. For those who don't have credit cards, COD is a good option. 

If you haven't tried Zalora yet, this might encourage you, they have a free voucher for Php 250 off  on your purchases when you sign up, they will send the code to your email. But coupon codes are not accepted on already discounted items and some brands. You can also choose to use this coupon code: ZBAPZSD7 to get 15% off if your purchase will get a bigger discount than the Php 250 voucher, and you can only use one code at a time.

Thanks for reading. Happy shopping!

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Lips Amigurumi Free Pattern

I've been making some amigurumis lately, with patterns mostly I got from the web for free. They're great, only sometimes it takes me longer to make some adjustments because I want them really small, for a keychain, a pendant, or a bracelet charm. It's almost the same as making a pattern, so I guess I already had enough practice and decided to make my own patterns. I'm going to start with an easy one here, lips amigurumi

What you need:

Cotton crochet thread (color of your choice)

1.40mm crochet hook

Stuffing

Yarn needle (to sew the parts together)

Stitch marker (it's good to use one)

With these materials, I ended up with a small amigurumi, approximately 1.8 inches by 0.9 inch, the one on top, the smaller one in the picture. The bigger one is 2 inches by 1.2 inches approximately where I used a bigger hook, 1.60mm. Both have about half an inch thickness. 

Terms used:

sc - single crochet

inc - increase which is 2 single crochet in one stitch

dec - decrease which is single crochet 2 together

Upper lip

Magic ring

Row 1:         6 single crochet (tighten ring then work in spirals)

Row 2-3:      sc in each stitch around (6)

Row 4:         *sc, inc* repeat from * to * around (9)

Row 5:         *2sc, inc* repeat from * to * around (12)

Row 6:         *sc, inc* repeat from * to * around (18)

Row 7:         sc in each stitch around (18)

Row 8:         *sc, dec* repeat from * to * around (12)

Row 9:         sc in each stitch around (12)

Row 10:       *sc, dec* repeat from * to * around (8)

Row 11:       *sc, inc* repeat from * to * around (12)

Row 12:        sc in each stitch around (12)

Row 13:        *sc, inc* repeat from * to * around (18)

Row 14:        sc in each stitch around (18)

Row 15:       *sc, dec* repeat from * to * around (12)

Row 16:       *2sc, dec* repeat from * to * around (9)

Row 17:       *sc, dec* repeat from * to * around (6)

Row 18-19:  sc in each stitch around (6)

Weave in and fasten off.

Lower lip

Magic ring

Row 1:         6 single crochet (tighten ring then work in spirals)

Row 2-3:      sc in each stitch around (6)

Row 4:         *sc, inc* repeat from * to * around (9)

Row 5:         sc in each stitch around (9)

Row 6:         *2sc, inc* repeat from * to * around (12)

Row 7-8:      sc in each stitch around (12)

Row 9:         *sc, inc* repeat from * to * around (18)

Row 10-11:  sc in each stitch around (18)

Row 12:       *sc, dec* repeat from * to * around (12)

Row 13-14:  sc in each stitch around (12)

Row 15:       *2sc, dec* repeat from * to * around (9)

Row 16:       sc in each stitch around (9)

Row 17:       *sc, dec* repeat from * to * around (6)

Row 18-19:   sc in each stitch around (6)

Weave in and fasten off, but leave a long tail for sewing

I was writing the pattern as I crochet and I was going back and forth with some changes, so if there are errors in the pattern or you have questions, feel free to leave a comment. As you can see on my notes, there are a lot of erasures, haha. 

That's my stitch marker right there, just a strand of crochet thread because I don't have a real one. You can start stuffing as early as this stage if you're comfortable with crocheting with some stuffing already in.

I'm using fiber fill, I put in stuffing little by little, I find it easier to adjust or form the shape this way than putting in big chunks of stuffing at once.

These are the upper and lower lips, I did a little pinching and squeezing to shape them that way.

Then, I just sewed them together like so, attached a jumpring and a key ring.

Now, I have a keychain of my own design. You can use the amigurumi as a necklace pendant or a bag charm, too, or anything you can think of. It's cute and girly, don't you think? It would also be a nice gift for your friends. Thank you for checking it out. Kisses!

Note: This is a free pattern created by yours truly. Feel free to share it but remember to give credit and link to this site, and do not sell this pattern. You may also sell finished items made from this pattern, provided you credit me as the designer.

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Ladies and Gentlemen, The Liebster Award goes to...

I was nominated about a month ago by Lisa of Transitions Into Mommy-Hood, a friend I met through Mom Bloggers Club for a Liebster Award. I'm thrilled to have been recognized by my fellow blogger, thank you for that. So, what is a Liebster Award?

A Liebster Award is an award passed around the blogging community to support, encourage, and get to know each other and our growing blogs. I'm just happy to be given the chance to continue this cool tradition of recognizing my fellow bloggers' works. As I understand it, here’s how it works: 

- Devote one of your upcoming posts to this award.
- Thank and link the blogger who nominated you.

- Along with the nomination, there are 11 questions for you, answer them.

- Nominate 11 other bloggers who have less than 200 followers and ask them 11 new questions.

- Notify your nominees.

It's kind of a way to get link backs and have fun while doing so. Here are the questions given to me and my answers:

1. If you could make a movie what would it be about?

It would be about supernatural beings, yes, I'm a sucker for everything supernatural.

2.Do you consider yourself frugal or a big spender?

In between. There are things that I really want to spend a lot on, and there are things that I'd rather make myself or I just can get a cheap version of. 

3.Name four things on your bucket list.

I honestly don't have one. Am I boring? 

4. What do you do to de-stress? 

I play with my baby girl, but a day in a spa helps a lot, too.

5. How many children do you have? Anymore, or were you planning for this many?

I only have one right now, but I still hope to have one more, maybe after 3 years.

6. What at home chore do you absolutely hate doing?

Cleaning. Anything from sweeping the floor to disinfecting kitchen countertops, that's why I have a household help for that.

7. Most embarrassing moment with your child.

None, so far. 

8. One thing you always said you would never do when you had kids. 

I would never think of myself first before my baby, looking all made up and like I'm going to a party while my baby is filthy. 

9. What's you favorite childhood tradition? Do you continue this with your kids.

Gift giving. I like giving gifts whenever there's a reason to give gifts. My princess is still a baby but I'll definitely continue this with her.

10. If you could only visit one website daily what would it be?

Facebook.com, yeah, yeah, I know, boring.

11. Are you content?

Yes. Life ain't perfect but I'm happy with what I have.

And now, here are my nominees:

1. Who's Jo Mama
2. Daily DIY Life
3. Global Munchkins
4. The Juggling Mom

Nominees, here are your questions:

1. Why do you blog?

2. If you're given a chance to be another person for a day, who would you like to be and why?

3. Who is your favorite author/writer?

4. What talent/skill you don't have that you really wish you do have?

5. Who is your favorite singer/band?

6. If there's a song that you wish you wrote, what would it be?

7. What is your ideal man/woman?

8. What superpower would you like to have?

9. When you were a kid, did you believe in the Easter Bunny, Tooth fairy, or Santa?

10. What is your favorite quote from a movie, tv show, or a book?

11. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 

That's it. Let's keep this going. Enjoy everyone, cheers!

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DIY Dangling Earring Holder

I made a watch organizer a couple of weeks ago as shown in this blog post, where I've also mentioned that I was into organizing stuff, well, I still am. I'm actually still far from getting everything done. Right now, it's my jewelry's turn to get a little bit of tender loving care. 

My dangling earring holder.

I'm not really into jewelry but I still have some pieces that I keep all together in a jewelry box, and that box is already getting crowded. I have these dangling earrings, maybe six pairs, that I don't really use but I'm not the type to throw away things that aren't broken. My husband always says that there's a chance that I'll become a hoarder like those we see on TV, but he says that in a sweet tone, lol. So, these dangling earrings that I'm talking about are what make my jewelry box a bit of a mess, they get tangled on their own and with my finer pieces. I think that it's just okay even if they're not kept inside a box since they are just fashion jewelry. Since I'm in the mood for making another DIY project, I decided to make this little earring holder. 

This is my a bit disorganized jewelry box, by the way. That space in between the sections for rings is where those dangling earrings are kept. When this picture was taken there were only two pairs left there that's why it doesn't look too messy. Like I said, I'm not really into jewelry, I didn't buy any of these myself, they're all from my mother, except for my wedding and engagement rings which are given by my Honey, of course, but they're not in that box, so yes, everything in that box is from my mother, even the box is actually from her, haha. Thanks Ma! 

There are already earring display holder similar to this out there, but with different materials. If you have a wooden frame and a chicken wire, you can make something like this with those things. But, since I don't have any of those available, I made my own version.

I made a piece of crocheted lace using larksfoot stitch pattern. Any crochet stitch pattern will do as long as there are enough space to hook the earrings into. Although I forgot to do it here, I think it would be nice to brush on some mod podge on the lace to stiffen it, or even better, dip it in mod podge.

I don't have a frame ready so I have to make one out of a cereal box. I just cut pieces with the sizes that would form the frame I want. The frame is 10.5 inches tall and 8.5 inches wide, each side of the frame is 1.5 inches wide. I wrapped it with scrapbook paper, covering one side completely. I made two frames so I can put the crocheted lace in between them. On one of the frames, I left the wrapping paper open on the outer side so when I glue them together, I can include to wrap the other frame, too. Uhm, I think I didn't explain that clearly, well, I'll just show it in the pictures below.

So, I glued the lace on the uncovered part of one of the frames first. I used hot glue on all of the edges of the lace, I did the same on the other side and placed the other frame on top, so both of the frames are glued to the lace. When the lace is already secured in between the two frames, and the frames are also glued to each other, I finished folding and gluing the wrapping paper from one of the frames to its back, now including the other frame. That frame where the edge of the wrapping paper is shown would be the back of the frame.

I cut two strips of cardboard and wrapped it with the same paper for the stand. It's done. But, I couldn't just leave it like that, of course. A little bit of embellishment is a must for me.

I want it quite simple this time so I just cut 32 pieces of 1x1 inch of paper, put generous amount of white glue on the surface and sprinkled each with seed beads. I used white and gold seed beads. I just glued them on the frame as shown in the picture.

It's finally done and I'm happy with the result. It's embellished but still looks simple. 

Thank you for reading. Have a nice day!

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