My fleet is made up of 6 different types of marine vessels where each has a sweet heart on board.

If only the boats were real, hmm…it bears mentioning that each of them has room to slip in or hold little things; some have more space than others.

For the hearts, I made the 2-sided heart and this one because they each have a back flap which makes it handy to “clip” onto the boat.

1. Sampan with twin shade

Here’s how (alt) it was made.

2. Speedboat

Cool huh? I watched this clip.

Notes:

1. Uses square.
2. If using 2-coloured paper, begin with plain side up to have a coloured exterior.

3. Sail boat I and II

Sail boat I has 2 sails and is designed by Joost Langeveld.

Sail boat II is more common, and can be easily made by following these instructions (alt).

4. Long narrow canoe

Instructions of this design by Hyo Ahn are found here.

Notes:

• Use a square.
• At about step 16, pinch the two sides (on each end) inwards, then bring the long flap to cover over them.
• The base has to be well defined so that the canoe will sit upright.

5. Logo boat box

A cute 4-sided-boat square box by Rachel Katz.

Notes:

Random wip pics:

Since there are many ways to fold a heart (thanks to all their designers), I can afford to pick one that rewards details that serve my purpose. I chose the following heart because of the back flap which in a way makes it easier to hang/slip into something else, and in my case to hang onto a boat (see more).

Here’s how:

1. Divide a square into 3 equal parts.
2. Bring A to align with the first 1/3 crease.
3. Bring B and C to align with A.
4. Turn the paper as shown. Fold down the flap behind.
5-6. Curl the sides and tips to shape.

More:

• Conversation heart box
• Another heart variation
• Brick Link, Lego parts shop

One day late last year as I was browsing in my favourite Print store, starring at their range of Marimekko items (like I always do), I was offered a copy of a Marimekko newspaper by a sales staff. In fact I had spotted it on top of a rack but dared not touch lest it costs $30 per copy. I uttered a big thank you and very gladly accepted it.

This was the autumn 2011 issue. I like that section on DIY ideas which featured the making of a sleeping bag (designed by a 7-year-old boy!) and dominoes, using Marimekko’s fabrics of course. I shouldn’t say anymore because you can take peek at the newspaper contents online right here!

We are probably familiar with magazine pages coiled into useful bowls or baskets in their usual roundish or oblong shapes, but have you seen it turned into a heart shape?

Isn’t it lovely? Check out how it’s assembled at Saved By Love Creations.

A great colour coding idea and equally great execution is the building of this spool rack that engages pencils as dowels to match each thread colour.

Find out more the whole process at Roubidou.

What kind of house should a doll live in? I think she should call a suitcase home, just like this cosy one built by Stacy of Hart and Sew. Love everything, especially the interchangeable rooms. You got to check out how she does it!

Looking at this lovely doll, I can’t help but think about a cheap doll set I saw in a department store recently. It consists of a plastic doll (about Barbie’s height) and at least 20 dresses that was selling way below $20. The worksmanship on the clothes looked decent which actually makes me even sadder that someone’s workmanship is only worth this much. In other words that someone must be grossly underpaid, isn’t it?

The way to wrap a bottle seems somewhat predictable to me but I realise that’s because I forget that the way to wrap a box is also just as predictable. It is how we work around it or add to it that makes the wrapping intriguing, isn’t it?

Left to right, top to bottom:
Furokishi (in Japanese, with how-to pictures)
Bottle Bloom (NPJFI*)
Gift wrap
Tomai (NPJFI*)

It suddenly hit me that you could attempt all of the above when gifting long umbrellas!

* No pictures just for inspiration