Chiyogami Paper Lavender Envelopes - Tutorial

This is my first tutorial and my full thanks go to Martha Stewart for the idea and direction.

1. I would suggest you make your own pattern, for two reasons. First, it's just more personal and second there is nothing worse than the pattern not looking like you want it to.

2. Paper choice - Chiyogami paper is excellent for crafting and is generally available in craft and art shops, but I'm bias because I love the stuff. On a more even note patterned paper can also be used and should work just fine.

3. Draw or trace your template pattern onto your selected paper.

4. Carefully!! Cut out your envelope - I'm a stickler for sharp folded edges, so if you're like me I would suggest that you fold and gently press along internal seams.

5. With a glue stick, seal the seams.

6. Fill the envelope with Lavender or as Martha suggests ... blends of scented ingredients, like the following combinations: cedar tips, cedar shavings, and lavender; orange tea and dried roses; and lemon verbena, chamomile and dried lemon peel. (Vary the amount depending on the envelope size; we used 1 tablespoon in the gift-card envelope.)

7. With a glue stick, seal the envelope.

8. With a thick pin, punch holes through the envelope until there are enough to release the scent, I followed the design on the envelop to mask the holes.

9. Poke whimsical designs in your paper envelopes and then add your choice of aromatic blends.

Shower for Baby G

Yesterday was the shower for Baby G - the commission that I have been working on for the last few weeks. It was a commission close to my heart as it was for one of my closet friends.

The entire shower theme was based on Giraffes and the associated colours of orange, yellow and brown, the giant paper poms poms and giraffe shaped cake to the giraffe toys we gave away as mementos of the day.

Chiyogami Paper Lavender Envelopes

Today, I opened one of my chest of draws and pulled out a black vest, instant problem. A giant moth hole just below my left ribs and along the collar, to my horror two other tops and a pair of leggings have a similar affliction. My current protection must have worn off, but this is the new me - a crafting goddess!
While in Japan, I bought some beautiful Chiyogami paper (Japanese folding paper) which I had never used. I needed something that had a repeating pattern and this stuff fit the bill perfectly.

To cut a long story short, my drawers now have some moth protection.

I will be making the tutorial available shortly, it's a simple project that even a beginner can manage.

Before the baby comes

Just so you know that I'm not the one currently expecting.

Today, we (me and my friend E)hosted a handmade babyshower for one of my bestfriends - the showers theme was Giraffes (which turned out to be one of the mum-to-be's favourite animals), the colour palette oranges, yellows and browns.

As shower favors for the guests I made soft fabric Giraffe toys. E was the creative genius behind the entire event, and between us we made all and everything from the toys, giant pompoms to the nappy cake and quiz cards.

I can tell you one thing, after tasting baby food as part of the party games, I now understand why babies spit up so much. Aarrgghhh! My favourite activity was DIY designer babygrows, just another chance to be creative.

All in all, it was a great day.

TTFN,
MagpieSpirit