Sunday, March 15, 2015

Another update

Hi guuyyss! I'm back :)

I've been gone for quite a while now.. Not posting or giving any updates for these past weeks...

The reason why I was absent, is because I was busy packing and buying stuff for my move. I'll finally further my studies in graphic design in just a few weeks! (yayyyyyyyy) 

I actually have started packing awhile back, and should have finished it by now. But I  had to unpack and repack a lot of times just because I was very indecisive on the things that I should bring or not. 

And during those times I was absent, I've been thinking whether I should keep this blog or not.. Since I'll begin studying again soon, I want to focus on my studies, so I don't know if I'll have time to keep updating the blog. Writing is still manageable, but DIY posts would take some time to do. I just started this blog, so I really really want to see it grows, but for now I guess I'll just go along with it first and see how it goes...

~Jess

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Happy Lunar New Year

For those who celebrate,
Happy Lunar New Year!


And this year, it's the year of..... (drumroll).......    
























Sheep! 


Wednesday, February 18, 2015

5 Easy decorative flowers

I feel like I'm doing a series of Gift DIYs, since I've just posted a gift tag DIY last week. But I have no plans whatsoever for anymore gift-related DIYs, so moving on...

Today I'll be showing you guys 5 easy-to-make paper flowers that you can use as decorative pieces on your walls, curtains, presents and more.  I thought that this decor would be perfect for the Lunar New Year celebration, which by the way is tomorrow!


What you need:

1. Coloured papers, decorative papers, scrap papers, origami, gift wraps or magazine cut-outs
2. Buttons, beads, or other small decorative pieces
3. Scissor, tape, double-sided tape



1. The 4-Petal











1. On a piece of paper, trace out the shape of the template and cut out 4 pieces of petals
    <petal template download> remember to adjust the size
2. Join the 4 petals together and secure them using tapes
3. Using the scrap paper earlier or a new one, cut 12 or more strips of paper (equal length)
4. Make a loop using the strip of paper, joining both ends together and secure them. (If this is confusing, refer to the picture above. The ends that meet are from the same side)
5. Repeat step 4, and stick both loops together.
6. Create another loop (step 4), but this time loop it directly in between the other two strips. Make sure that it intertwine both loops.
7. Repeat step 6 until you create a flower
8. Stick the petals and loops together
9. And for the finishing touch, add a button or bead in the middle of the flower.


2. Fan Flower


















1. Using an origami or square-shaped paper, fold about 1cm of the paper on one side.
2. Flip the paper over and repeat the step
3. Keep repeating step 1 and 2 until the end of the paper
4. <Optional> You could round-out both sides of the paper if you want
5. Fold the paper into half. If you think the size is too big, you could cut them into half
6. Open up the paper and stick each ends together.
7. Use a double tape to close the gap in the middle.
8. You can leave the flower like so, or...
9. <Optional> Add other decorative pieces on top


3. Layered Flower























1. On a piece of paper, trace out the shape of the template and cut out 5 pieces of petals. Don't throw      away the inside of petal, you'll need them later.
<petal template download> remember to adjust the size.
2. Cut 5 teardrop shapes from a piece of paper
<teardrop template download> remember to adjust the size
3. Use the petals you cut out earlier and join them together to form a flower.
4. Join the 5 teardrop shapes together and stick them on top of the flower.
5. Using the scrap pieces from step 1 (the insides of the petals), stick them together on top of the flower to create another layer. It's okay to overlap them together.
6. Add a button or a bead in the middle, and you're done!

4. Ribbon Flower
























1. Cut 8-16 strips of paper, roughly in equal sizes
2. Fold a strip into half and secure the ends together.
3. Repeat step 2, until you have 8 of them. Then make 2 crosses, made up of 4 strips each.
4. Stick the two crosses together.
5.<Optional> Repeat step 2 again using the leftover strips and stick them around the flower.
6. And again, add a button or bead for the finishing touch.


5. Hearts Flower


1. Cut out 20 hearts with 4 different sizes, from big to small. (So 4 different size, with 5 hearts each).  They don't necessarily need to be of the same shape
< heart template download > remember to adjust the size
2. Leave out the 4 smaller hearts. And using the bigger hearts, create 3 flowers with 5 same-sized hearts each.
3. Join the together, by layering starting from the smallest to the biggest.
4. Depending on the shape of your hearts, stick 4 or 5 small hearts in the middle of the flower.
5. Add a button or bead in the middle of the flower, and there you have it, your own hearts flower.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

We're on Instagram!

Hey guys, I'm excited to say that today Mint Papermint's  Instagram account is finally open! 

Don't forget to follow us @mint.papermint



10 Valentine's Day Gift Tags

Valentine's day is just a few days away, I'd figure that people have already bought their gifts to give. So... instead of giving some tips or ideas on what to gift your loved ones, I would share some templates and ideas on making your own gift tags.



Here are 5 templates those of you who prefer something simple...

1. The Basic 



download:  blank  -  happy valentines day  -  lace red  -  lace pink  -  gradient

2. Square




3. Round




4. Cloud



5. Rectangular



download:  blank  -  heart  -  chevron mint  -  chevron pink  -  only for you


And here are the other 5 for those who prefer something a bit more unique and different


6. Pixel Heart



download:   blank  -  red   -  purple-pink  -   light pink   -  pink


7. Hearts 


download:    blank  -  love  -  stripe red   -  stripe pink  -   fuzzy 

8. Rose


download:   red   -   mix   -  pink   -  peach

9. Letter



download:   front   -   back xoxo     -   back stamp

10. Lips



download:    blank  -   red   -  pink  -   light pink    -   mix


All templates are in .png format, for easy editing

Here are some tips on to use the templates:

1. You could either print the templates as stencils ( trace over on any coloured or decorative paper ) or print them directly on the paper you wanted, and cut

2. If you don't prefer writing hand-written letter or notes, you can always type over the templates on your computer

3. You can use photos or any images as the tag's background, by editing the file on photo editing softwares like photoshop.

4. You can cut outside the border, leaving about 3-5mm gap

5. Try to use a thicker/ sturdier paper, or print on normal paper then stick them to a thicker one

6. You can trace the template over a thin wood or acrylic/pvc

7. If you have difficulty punching the holes or if you don't have a hole puncher, use a pen knife to cut the holes

8. You can use hole rings to make them neater

9. You can always change the size of the template if you want to

10. Decorate and personalise your tag: draw, doodle, write, paste, be creative! :)


Share your v'day gift tags with us on instagram with #mintvdaytags