DIY Cardboard Desk Organizer

For the longest time, I've been meaning to find a way to organize my desk in such a way that everything I need is within an arm's reach and that I don't have to dig though my things to get something. A couple of weeks ago, while browsing through Pinterest, I saw a some desk organizer ideas (here and here) and I knew I had to make my own to replace the plastic cups and ceramic mugs that have populated my desk for years.

I salvaged some Swiss Miss boxes (they're pretty sturdy), cut them into parts and covered them with white paper. I picked out some washi tape to cover the exterior with and then I used leftover kraft wrapping paper with floral designs for the interior. Finally, I covered everything with two coats of ModPodge (I got a bottle from Deovir in SM North Edsa).

my choice of washi tape: pastel colors, lace, florals and a map

Some photos in action. Of course I forgot to take a 'before' photo of my desk. And of course, I've no 'during' photos either. LOL.

I have to say I'm satisfied with how the project turned out. My desk looks more organized and prettier now. Plus, I didn't have to buy anything because all materials are either recycled or has been in my crafting stash ever since.

I hope to keep up the desk organizing. Right now, I'm thinking my next project shall either (1) fix my notebooks and paper stash or (2) fix my drawer and be inspired by this. One at a time, one at a time. 

Handcrafted Birthday Cards

the world needs more love letters

Agree or not?

Tutorial: Map Envelopes

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked by Elise to post a tutorial for the map envelopes shown here. Perfect because I was actually meaning to make a tutorial for my blog and finally, here it is. Enjoy!

1. Get a map. Or an atlas page. Early this year, I bought an old atlas from Book Sale (a secondhand book shop) for PhP245 (around USD 5 to 6) for crafting purposes. It took me months before I was able to tear it apart. It's just too painful having to tear pages of a book but I did it anyway.

2. Have an envelope template ready. There are envelope template generators in the internet or you can just create your own, like I did. Cut your map according to your template.

3. Fold and glue the appropriate edges together. I prefer using glue stick for paper because white glue tends to warp paper if not spread properly. However, I could not find my glue stick so I still ended up with the white glue.

4. Cut some kraft paper for the address and the stamp. I also drew a dashed border using a calligraphy pen to make it look like the kraft paper was "sewn" onto the envelope. Glue it onto the envelope and that's it! You may use a double tape to close the flap.

Aside from maps, I also use other things like gift wrappers, music sheets or any random pieces of paper I can find for my envelopes. Keeps things interesting. 

Mail Last Week

Last week, I made some stationery (including custom envelopes) and wrote on postcards to send to some friends. 

Crafting and snail mail really relaxes me. :)

Also, some lovely mail I received over the past two weeks:

Handmade Stationery

I owe this blog a lot of stories, seriously.

The past couple of weeks (maybe you can even say the past month) has been really tough on me. It's not the bad kind of tough but the challenging kind instead. And I'm always up for challenges.

I also realized that for the first time since kindergarten, I am not directly affected by the first day of classes. I worked as a university instructor immediately after graduating from college so now that I've resigned from the academe, there's a feeling which is so difficult to explain. It's neither good nor bad. Maybe it's just a weird feeling.

***

Last Thursday, I woke up early (despite staying up until 3am, working) and made this stationery before going to work. I've written a letter on it to send to a penpal. I still want to make more!

made with kraft paper, felt-tip pen, sakura puncher and handmade sakura stamp

I haven't written a lot of mail recently but maybe when I regain my footing (which will probably happen when I stop overbooking my weekends), I can get back to my hobby (and write all my overdue blog posts too).

Confetti, DIY Envelopes, Outgoing Mail

I've been sending a lot of mail recently. Maybe it's because I really like sending snail mail or maybe because writing messages and full-length letters by hand relieves my stress and takes out my worries even just for a little while.

Star confetti card

I like making my own envelopes because (1) I can customize the size and (2) they're cheaper. These ones were cut from gift wrappers (which I got from National Book Store for less than PhP15 per roll). I will post more handmade envelope ideas soon (hopefully)!

Sweet stuff also helps. 

I abstained from drinking milk tea during the Lenten season so I couldn't wait to grab a cup from Moonleaf after Easter.

I also haven't been drinking coffee like I used to because I recently got a hyper-acidic stomach (it really hurt). My stomach feels a lot better these days so I treat myself to coffee occasionally. :) Iced coffee is so awesome during the afternoon heat.

Mail Outbox

Because I've been really stressed out recently (tons of work, problems, worries, etc.), I decided to make cards and write letters to some people. It's my way of relaxing.

Since I'm pretty sure that the recipients of these cards won't see this blog entry (I don't want to spoil it for them of course. It will defeat the purpose of sending snail mail), here are photos of my handmade cards:

I used washi tape/deco tape/fabric tape, paper punches, felt-tip pens and a Unipin for these cards. I will try other stuff/other media next time. :)

Mailing People Happy

I don't know if it's just me but I can feel the happiness of my friends (who live/study abroad) whenever they receive snail mail. Some of them have told me that they get pretty lonely sometimes. And what's a little snail mail (a few minutes of my time, a few hundred steps to the post office and a few pesos) to make a friend happy? :) I don't expect them to send anything back (I never put a return address haha). I'm just happy when they suddenly PM me via Facebook (or when they announce via Facebook Status) that they're happy to receive mail. Makes the effort worthwhile.

Here are some cards I've sent to friends.

Sent to my AME friend, Red, who's currently studying music in New York. Done with purple Sharpie. I'd send Red another but then he's coming back to the Philippines this October.

Second postcard (no photo of the first) sent to my AME friend Stychen, an exchange student in Tokyo. He's flying home tomorrow!

Also the second postcard I sent to my AME friend Roxy, an exchange student in Oita (Southern part of Japan). I was wondering why she hasn't told me anything about receiving the card... apparently, she was home this September. She's gone back to Japan yesterday so I hope that she sees it soon. 

Sent to my high school friend Karen, who's living in Canada. I bought the postcard at the bookstore in Taipei (the one where I went on a rampage with deco tape haha).

Will be sending to my AME friend/buddy Ali, who's living in Australia. Done with brown felt-tip pen, craft paper, colored paper and a sakura puncher I got from Daiso.

I need to learn how to photograph [postcards] better! That, or I should stop being lazy and install that scanner. =\

Can't wait to have free time so that I can make more handmade cards to send to friends (or even strangers). :) I really miss doing paper-related crafts.