My Nephew Turned One Year Old

My nephew turned one and this the card he got for this first birthday from Aunty Twyla!  I love the dinosaurs!  Love how she made the body suit.

Tutorial: Snowman Magnets

 

More Snowman Crafts! This Time…Magnets!

Another tutorial generously offered by Eyeballs by Day, Crafts by Night.

The Paper Place: The 2nd Great Chiyogami Giveaway!

Yay!  The Paper Place is hosting another paper pack giveaway!

The prize this year is one 8.5 x 11 inch sample sheet each of over 700 patterns they carry online!  Of course I entered in hopes to win!  I have such a paper addiction. 

If you haven’t heard of The Paper Place, check them out! It’s a Canadian based store based out of Ontario, Canada.  They have such variety of paper and designs on their online store.  One day I’ll be visiting the East Coast and definitely be visiting

Cards of Christmas Past: Aunty Toy’s Treasures

One of the great things of handmade cards is that you tend to keep them because you know the card giver put his or her heart in making it just for you.  I was sorting through this year’s Christmas decorations and found the cards Twyla made for the past four years.

She started stamping at least 4 or 5 years ago.  She gave started to give out her cards pretty much when she started this hobby.  Because I keep them, I just noticed how much she has improved each year.  My favourite is the one she gave me in 2009, the snowman is actually in it’s own snow globe. 

I can’t wait to see what card she decides to bless me with this year.

2007	2008
2009	2010

West Coast Origami on Hiatus

If you’ve been following me or my Cindy Ho Designs Blog for a while, you’ll recall that my family decided to rebuilt our house and in a year, I’ll get my new studio!  We just moved out and the reality check is sinking in.  I have to give up crafts.  He knows this is painful.

My brother and sister in laws were very generous to allow our family move into their house to avoid renting.  It has been made clear that space is limited and clearly defined space allocated for our things.  I have many boxes of supplies, books and paper and unable to bring any of them.

It was a difficult decision but West Coast Origami shop is on hiatus.  It wouldn’t be so bad because I’d craft for fun.  I’m sad because I have to stop entirely.

My new focus secondary to my family are on any projects that don’t require a lot of workspace.  Anything involving my laptop, my sketch book and my cross stitching.

However, have no fear, I will be back and hope you support me in this decision!

Have you ever had to stop doing what you love in order to grow that passion in the future?

Origami Caravan Project–Auction Oct 25 to Nov 10

Origami Caravan is a volunteer humanitarian effort geared toward children affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.  Read more about the Origami Caravan project here

To raise funds, top origami artists in the world are donating personally folded origami and auctioning them off on Ebay!

If you not an enthusiast but still want to help, you can still donate to the cause!  Please click here and look for the PayPal button.

I could fold some of the models they are auctioning, but it’s different when you own something folded by a world famous artist.

For me, I got my eye on this one, Ren-Jishi (Kabuki Lion Dancers) & Makoto Rose folded by Makoto Yamaguchi

Being Canadian, I also have a liking to Bernie Peyton’s Polar Bear as well.

Thanks for reading.  Please let me know if you donate!

Today, I’m going to a Wedding!

I have another wedding to go to!  And of course gave me another excuse to be creative with another personal project!

Norman and Tracy have been together for a few years now and great friends of ours.  It’s an honour to make something just for them for their special day.

Initially, wanted to have a personally designed graphic like the one I made for my cousins last year.  After all, I’m focusing on my graphics and really want to show potential clients what I can do! However, my laser eye surgery I had last month prevented me to complete that design.  It took me over a month to allow myself to look at a computer outside of work.  So, fell back on my first love, origami!

The doves were my idea, but the ribbon, heart and photo were my husband’s ideas.  I love how it turned out.

Lesson’s Learned

You can’t simply create a bow with two different ribbon that small.  I had to use a needle and thread.  Took me three tries!  The gem in the middle was actually my cop out so I wouldn’t have to sew a centre.  However, I think the gem actually enhanced the photo.

Some creative projects take two people.  My husband had to hold the ribbon so I can put adhesive on the back