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

Earl52 Thousand Crane Instagram Project - Around the World

A few months ago, I posted a review raving about Instagram.  The past few months I’ve been following a feed from a particular user whose user name is earl52.

A few weeks back earl52 started a project to give 1000 personally folded cranes to anyone worldwide.  He never stated it, but I think he just wants to share peace and friendship around the world.  I’ve always thought about doing a project like this, but it’s nice to see someone actually doing it and recording the process through the Instagram feed

If you are a “Instagrammer”, all you need to do is email him and he’ll mail you one.  Please don’t forget to give him thanks for this generosity. 

One thing you notice is that he loves his Starbucks!

Oh if you are looking for me, my user name is CindyHoDesigns.

Free Origami Paper from Everything in Paper Crafting

I stumbled upon this through random surfing to feed my origami addiction.  Everything In Paper Crafting is offering free origami paper!  This company is offering 50 sheets free to anyone in the US (Sorry my fellow Canadians)

I’d get some myself but I’m up to my ears in origami paper.  I should give some away, (no seriously, I really need to get rid of some…)  maybe I should offer a similar promotion one day!

Everything in Paper Crafting specializes in origami supplies and literature.  Click here to directly to the form for your request!

Give A Way Contest *Closed*: My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software

Update August 24, 2011: Announcing the Winner: Gustosa Giveaways

There were many of readers but a humble number of entries.  Even so, it was a great learning experience hosting my first giveaway.

Congratulations, I’ll be connecting you to My Memories today!

Original Post Cont..

One of my pastimes that I had to give up when ‘life happened’ was traditional scrapbooking. In the midst of advancing my career at my day job, getting married, having children and started both my businesses, scrapbooking was something I just stopped doing. 

So imagine my delight when Liz from My Memories asked me to do a review and giveaway on their digital scrapbooking software and offer you $10 Promo Code off My Memories Suite Version 2.0. 

I was looking forward in trying it out.  I was surprised how user friendly this program is, but if you need help, there’s tutorials on their blog. 

My Memories Suite Version 2 

It comes with a great variety of predesigned templates and there’s many free kits offered on their online store.  I spent a couple of hours just looking at their add-ons, nevertheless the software itself!

Of course must dedicate a page just for my children.  The longest part of the process was selecting the photos and thinking up the caption.  Creating this layout took less than 5 minutes.  After exporting it to a JPEG, it’s ready to be emailed or print!

It’s not just for scrapbooking too.  I realized you can also use it to create layout of your products. 

After trying this program out, I absolutely can say that it’s worth buying this software.  It’s easy to learn and you can be as creative as you imagination allows.  My two examples above were just using pre-made templates.  You can make your page as simple or elaborate as you desire.

You have a chance to win your own  copy of My Memories Suite Version 2!

Rules for the Giveaway:

Leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry.  In your comments leave me a way to contact you when you win, otherwise, I may need to select another winner.

Giveaway ends Friday, August 23rd at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time.  For each entry below, please leave a comment stating each entry.  When I choose the winner, I will be checking to validate the win! 

1. Visit My Memories website.  Tell me which digital kit is your favourite!
2. Follow my blog West Coast Origami.
3. Visit and like my Facebook fan page.
4. Follow me on Twitter. 
5. Blog about or Tweet about this giveaway, linking to this post

Three Bonus entries:

• Like my Cindy Ho Designs Facebook Fanpage 
• Follow my other blog Cindy Ho Designs 
• Follow me on my other Twitter Account, CindyHoDesigns

Leave a comment on THIS blog for each bonus entries that you liked and followed me. 

Good luck everyone!  

Do you want the software now? 

If you don’t want to wait for this give-away or didn’t win, you can still get it for $10 off!  The regular price is $39.97.  You can get the software for $29.97.  Ensure you enter this code upon checkout:

My Memories Suite v2 PROMO CODE:

STMMMS36954

This is only good for US and Canadian customers.

Check them out:

• Blog- http://blog.mymemories.com/
• Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/mymemoriessuite
• Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/mymemoriessuite

Thank you for stopping by.  This is my first give-a-away, please help me make it a success!

Happy First Anniversary!

This was made for a special lady as a gift from her husband for their first year anniversary. 

This rose was made with delicate handmade paper.  I chose this paper because of the boldness of the red and green make the rose realistic.

It was short notice so didn’t get the time I usually get to ‘tweak’ this project.  Being my own worse critic, I wasn’t sure it was up to standards.  However, my client was pleased with it.  I hope his wife like his present to her.

What I learned from this project

It’s more challenging folding with handmade paper.   Working with it for a rush project was a first for me. 

Don’t doubt.  In the end, the client was happy, even though I wasn’t sure.

** UPDATE – Aug 11**

My client’s wife didn’t like it.  I’m not happy because she wasn’t.  Overall it was the price.  I listed an old rose on my Cargoh store which is much smaller @ $10 and looks like she felt ‘ripped off’.  I don’t blame her reaction.  The photo doesn’t represent how small it really is.

I had to write an explanation on how I price, materials and the fact the rose on my store I’m just trying to destash it prior to my move next year.  Even if satisfies them, it’s disheartening because this is my first unsatisfied customer.  However, what I learned is I should always explain my pricing.  Her husband was in a rush and though he had every opportunity to ask, I should have taken that step.

Origami Money Ring

Originally my client requested an origami ring.  He wanted to re-propose to his wife.  (Isn’t that romantic?).  The rings I offered wasn’t to his liking.  He did his own internet search and brought attention a common one.

It’s a pretty simple ring so I couldn’t charge him for one without letting him know he could make her one himself.  In the end he asked me.  Since he purchased the rose, I just made him the ring no charge.  If you want to make one yourself, please click here. There’s easy step by step instructions and even a video!

Origami Rabbits and Bunnies: My Treasury Was Featured

I was poking around the net and discovered someone featured a treasury I built for Easter this year by Frills and Bil’s Blog

Thank You!