The Biggest Paper Mache Project 

I was fixing the files in my laptop when I found these photos!:) I can't believe I made this project more than a year ago already. All for the love of Gabby <3 Read on.

When my nephew was little, he super loved Dibo the Gift Dinosaur. So when he was about to celebrate his first birthday, I decided to make him a paper mache Dibo that he can hug or even sit on. I had no idea how to make it but I just went through the whole process. I guess with intense divine intervention and some cosmic alignment, I made it!!! Even I was surprised how BIG it turned out! 

I stacked big computer boxes and Styrofoam for the structure. Then I stuffed it with crumpled newspaper to create its form. Then, packaging tape everywhere! 

Time for the actual paper mache. I tore strips of newspaper and stuck it to the structure using a combination of white glue and water. I think I made 2 layers of this.

Now for casting! I applied 3 layers of toilet paper and painted it over with white glue and water. Thanks to my awesome assistant (Hi Dad!), i finished it faster. 

Then....

Some paint and a sprinkle of MAGIC! 

Hi Dibo!:)

This is Dibo on site, collecting birthday presents for Gabby. It was all worth it!:)

I hope my next nephew won't ask for transformers...;)

Reading About Handmade

Ever since I was a kid, I've been making things with whatever my hands can take hold of. (my ultimate dream then was to become an inventor coz I liked "inventing" things). I made an airplane made of big leaves. I made a "weapon" out of drinking straws and paper. I invented a foot massager for my mom using a piece of wood and nails (no, I did not consider this morbid during that time). I would practically make anything from whatever I had. My inclination to create came naturally, so from father's day cards to my sister's birthday gifts, I would make something special for them (until they begged me to give them a "real" gift that I bought from a "real" store. What's the fun in that?!).

Anyway, I've been crafting since forever but I've never really thought that it can be something I can earn from, or even do full time. With the boom of handmade now, I'm just soooooo excited to make more things with my hands, and maybe, earn from it eventually. I had no idea that being a crafter here in the Philippines was possible, I did not even know they existed! But meeting young crafters through workshops and through blogs have inspired me and opened my eyes that I can do what I enjoy and make sense out of it! *Hyperventilating* The handmade scene is slowly making people realize that there is value in creating and that by doing more things with their hands, they can feel more human. So I'm slowly learning about how the handmade marketplace moves. I read blogs. I talk to full-time crafters. I buy books. Here's my recent purchase. So excited to read it!

More about feeling more human. Yesterday was a tiring day for me at work. Have you experienced being soooo tired that you can't even sleep? That was my state. I had to find a way to relax so I decided to awaken an old craft. I bought a turquoise crochet thread and a number 5 needle in SM and crocheted my way to sleep. Nice way to end my day:)

 

 

Faith, Hope, & Love Magnets!

Yes, give love (and lots of effort!) on Christmas day!:) I wanted to give something handmade last Christmas so I experimented with polymer clay. I came across a Youtube tutorial video on mosaic pendants and I just fell in looooove with the whole concept! So I tried it myself. I made FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE magnets. There's just a sort of freedom in coming up with a new design especially when each piece just falls into place.

 

Each piece was baked four times, layer by layer. It was all worth it!

I printed my logo for the first time! (Thanks Ana) *dances uncontrollably* Then I wrote a short note at the back of each piece before I gave it to my office mates.

Wishing everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I pray that you receive the gift you need the most...:)