Here's another one of my super cute Christmas gift tag designs! I've made it available for you to download for FREE! If you like it, spread the word please!
// Download here //
11 December 2013
9 December 2013
DIY: Christmas tree cupcake by Better Home and Gardens
Here's a gorgeous DIY Christmas tree cupcake tutorial by Better Homes and Gardens!
You can also follow me on facebook, pinterest, instagram and twitter, for more daily creative inspiration!
8 December 2013
DIY: Distressed and ripped jeans tutorial
Just grab a cheese grater, sandpaper and an unpicker and distress away!
5 December 2013
DIY: Make mascara last longer with 4 drops of saline!
I've seen this idea all over Pinterest, but I haven't got a clue who the original pinner was. Anyway, I've tried and it works a treat!
Here's what you need:
- Old clumpy mascara
- Contact saline solution or eye drops
All you have to do is add 4-5 drops of contact saline solution or eye drops into the mascara. Insert your wand and stir it around!
Voila~!
26 November 2013
FREE: Printable Christmas gift tags by Maiko Nagao
Hot off the press! Just finished designing this cute Christmas gift tags! I've made it available for you to download for FREE! If you like it, spread the word!
// Download here //
21 November 2013
19 November 2013
DIY: Upcycled toilet paper roll advent calendar by North Story
I particularly love this DIY toilet paper roll advent by North Story. Just about everything she uses is upcycled! The treats are left over sweets from Halloween and ribbons from last Chritmas - genius! Check out her full tutorial here.
12 November 2013
DIY: Newspaper Christmas gift wrapping
Save money and the environment by using newspaper to wrap your presents this Christmas! Who needs to buy wrapping paper right? Links to these gorgeous examples can be found here.
You could even top it off with my printable gift tag freebie! You can download from here.
9 November 2013
DIY: Simple and chic branch Christmas tree
This is sooo my kind of Christmas decor by Walther & Co. Pared down, organic and chic! Still very festive and you don't need to cut down a tree. Go for a stroll and pick up any branch that's fallen down! Too simple for you? What are your thoughts?
7 November 2013
DIY: Giant tissue paper pom pom
How gorgeous are these DIY giant tissue paper pom poms by Martha Stewart!? They would be perfect for birthday parties, weddings and baby showers!
Here's what you'll need:
- Tissue paper in desired colors (8 sheets per pom-pom)
- 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire
- Scissors
- Monofilament
1. Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2 inch wide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.
2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.
3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.
4. Tie a length of monofilament to floral wire for hanging.
Make sure you view Martha Stewart's full tutorial here.
Enjoy!
20 October 2013
Gold foiled wedding invitation design by Maiko Nagao
Just finished designing this special custom wedding stationery for a very special client! Love it so much that thought I should share it with you all! If you like it, contact me and I'll be happy to discuss a package for you!
I have some personalised wedding logos on Etsy too if you want to check them out!
17 October 2013
DIY: Skull cut out T-Shirt tutorial by LaurDIY
Check out this super easy DIY skull cut out T-shirt tutorial by LaurDIY on Youtube!
You will need:
- 1 oversized t-shirt
- Scissors
- Chalk
Directions:
1. Draw the skull on the back of the t-shirt (eyes, nose and mouth)
2. Cut out only the back of your t-shirt, where you drew the pattern
3. Strech the holes to make the cut part not so visible
4. Wash it to remove the chalk traces
You can view full video tutorial below too!
Perfect for Halloween don't you think? Have fun!
DIY: Turn your hoodie into a laptop bag!
I found this amazing 'Turn your hoodie into a laptop bag' tutorial via Youtube. Isn't it amazing? So practical and kinda stylish at the same time!
1. Lay your hoodie flat on a table and place your laptop
2. Fold
3. Wrap around
4. Take the hood
5. Place it over the PC
6. Tie the strings
7. Take the sleeves
8. Tangle them
9. Go to work!
Voila~!
13 October 2013
DIY: Super easy no sew tutu
So I found the cutest no sew tutu tutorial on The Pinning Mama. It's a little lengthy so I managed to cut it down a little bit. But make sure you check out her site for the full tutorial!
You will need:
- Wide elastic
- Tulle fabric
- Scissors
Directions:
1. Measure the waist dimension needed for the tutu and cut a elastic a little longer.
2. Tie or sew the ends of the elastic together to form a circle.
3. Cut the tulle strips twice the desired length for your finished tutu.
4. Take one strip at a time and form an “upside-down” U shape. Place the “upside-down” U piece of tulle behind the waistband. Make sure the ends are even and then put the 2 ends on top of the waistband and through the opening between the top of the tulle U and the waistband. Pull tightly.
5. Add all your tulle pieces until the waistband is full. Slide the tulle pieces together so they are close and no distances are showing between them. Voila~!
Enjoy!
27 September 2013
FREE: Printable photobooth props by Maiko Nagao
If you like the rest of these props, you can purchase the whole set (shown in the 2nd photo) for only $6 USD. Instantly download from my Etsy shop here.
// Download here //
9 August 2013
Choosing the right necklaces for necklines by Inside Out Style
Inside Out Style has created this great chart for choosing the right necklaces for different necklines! Very handy. Make sure you check out their site for more amazing fashion tips here.
8 August 2013
TA Project iPhone case design by Maiko Nagao
At last! TA Project's super cool 'Let the kids play - Help support the kids of Fukushima' project has launched! You can grab one of my iPhone case design by donating to this awesome cause. Donations start at $5 and there are some cool T-Shirt designs by top notch Japanese artists to check out too! You can read all about it on the project site here!
Growing up in nuclear free New Zealand, I never would have imagined being caught up in a 'nuclear plant meltdown'. In fact before the 2011 Fukushima disaster, I don't think those words even existed in my vocabulary.
The TA project came together last year to support the children of Fukushima who had limited time a day to play outside. With the overwhelming support from people all over the world, they invited children for a 4 day camp in Osaka so they could escape the everyday stresses and just be kids again. And they're doing it all again this year with a few changes!
Please help support the children and rebuild Fukushima together!
P.S Why peaches? Peaches are a popular delicacy in Korimachi, Fukushima ;)
7 August 2013
DIY: Chocolate covered Kiwi pops by Show Food Chef
You will need:
- 2-4 kiwis
- 1 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 6-12 wooden popsicle sticks
1 August 2013
DIY: Roll your own sushi - at home
I share the same conundrum as Nami from Just one cookbook. Being Japanese, I too often get asked “Do you make sushi at home?” Well, to make great 'Nigiri' sushi, it takes a sushi chef years of mastering. However, we do make an easy form of sushi at home called 'Temaki Sushi' (Hand rolled/wrapped sushi).
You just need to serve the sushi rice, nori (seaweed sheet) and fillings in the middle of the table. Each person then hand rolls/wraps their own sushi with their preferred topping. This is why you could call it 'DIY sushi'!
View her full recipe and tutorial as well as other fabulous Japanese recipes here.
Now everyone can make sushi at home!
DIY: Shoe hanger out of a clothes hanger
Here's a very clever DIY shoe hanger tutorial made out of old wire clothes hangers by EBOT. Check out their full tutorial here.
What you need:
- Wire metal hangers
- Pliers
1. Cut off the bottom section of the hanger
2. Roll up the two edges
3. Use both your hands and your pliers and bend your hanger into approx shape as per picture
4. Now for the pretty ribbon part. I skipped this step but you can view EBOT's detailed tutorial here.
Well, there you have it! Now you can organise your shoes in style!
31 July 2013
FREE: You're so freakin' awesome card printable by Maiko Nagao
Everyone deserves to be reminded how freakin' awesome they are! You can use this card for any occasion. Birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's days... the list goes on! So here it is. My original 'You're so freakin' awesome design FREE for you to download!
// Download card here //
Make sure you print it on a thick A4 card and set it to 'fit to page'. There are two grey lines at the top and bottom as markers for you to cut in half. It makes two if you're lucky enough have more than one 'freakin' awesome' people in your life!I’m fairly active on facebook, pinterest and twitter, so let’s stay in touch!
27 July 2013
DIY: Chocolate covered strawberries with ice cube tray
I came across this ice cube tray chocolate covered strawberries idea via Pinterest but there was no tutorial. Heather from Where the young learn to fly however has a lovely step by step tutorial. Make sure you check it out here.
Instructions:
1. Cut the tops of strawberries and place pointy side down in an ice cube tray.
2. Melt some chocolate and pour it over the strawberries. Leave chocolate to harden in room temp. Freezing is a bad idea and I don't think that refrigerating is much better.
3. Flip the tray over and cut into chunks.
Delish!
I’m fairly active on facebook, pinterest and twitter, so let’s stay in touch!
DIY: How to fix broken eye shadow by Free People
Here's a super easy DIY broken eye shadow fix by Free People! I have so many cracked eyeshadows as well as blushers that have gone to waste...
What you need
- Rubbing alcohol
- Your broken eye shadow.
1. Pour a little rubbing alcohol into your eye shadow container — just enough so that the shadow is saturated.
2. Smooth out the mixture. You can use your finger, a spoon, a wooden stick — anything that will flatten it out.
3. Wait a few hours for the shadow to harden completely, and it will be as good as new!
Voila~! Thanks Free People for this fab trick! Make sure you check out their full tutorial here.
I’m fairly active on facebook, pinterest and twitter, so let’s stay in touch!
25 July 2013
FREE: Baby Shower 'guessing game' printable by Maiko Nagao
Hot off the press! I just designed this cute Baby Shower 'baby guessing game' for a dear friend of mine's upcoming shower. I must say it turned out pretty cute so I thought I should share it with you all - for FREE!
// Download here //