Name: Maxine Chan

Location: Vancouver, B.C.

Title: Creator of Tulle Box Designs, a DIY blog for favour packaging

Website: tulleboxdesigns.ca

Twitter handle: @tulleboxdesigns

How did you get into crafting?

As a kid I always loved making things from paper – flowers, clothes for my Barbie, you name it. Before I was able to use my allowance to buy tissue paper, I literally used Kleenex. When I was older, my mom walked into a wedding invitation store and asked the owner if her teenage daughter (me) could work at the store for free. I happily worked there for 5 years (they did put me on the payroll shortly after!) and learned everything I know about paper, ribbon and, of course, weddings.

Why did you decide to start your own site?

For my own wedding, I spent hours and hours choosing the perfect décor – the linens, the flowers, the centerpieces. It dawned on me that my favours could also be another décor element. There weren’t any options that could achieve that, so I decided to make my own. Tulle Box Designs was born shortly after that.

What’s your favourite part about what you do?

I love using super simple crafting techniques and making something beautiful that looks like it was really complicated to do. Some of the projects on my site were inspired by crafts I did in primary school, though the result is much prettier. Like, in this project, I cut out tissue paper squares, wrapped them around a pencil and stuck it onto the box. I have yet to recreate the elbow macaroni frame though.

 Image courtesy of Tulle Box Designs

What are some of the challenges?

There are often days where I would sit at my desk for hours and have absolutely no inspiration come to me. On the flip side, there are days where the ideas come in batches, so that makes up for it!

What are some of your favourite craft/DIY websites?

Martha Stewart Weddings

Oh Happy Day! 

What was your first craft?

The craft that started Tulle Box Designs was the Luxe Peony. Here it is at my best friend’s wedding in France, on the favour boxes as well as behind the head table. Each flower cost only $0.20 and the result is worth far far more than that.

Images courtesy of One and Only Paris Photography

What was your favourite project? 

This Valentine’s Day project is one of my favourites. I got the idea from an old button and string envelope and recreated it as favour packaging. Plus, it is incredibly easy to make.

Image courtesy of Tulle Box Designs

Overall words of wisdom?

Inspiration comes from everywhere. Tulle Box Designs is mainly wedding focused, but I’d say the majority of the projects have been inspired by things that are non-wedding related. When I have a “crafting block”, instead of getting immersed in wedding blogs and magazines, I stroll through the aisles of office supply and dollar stores to get ideas.

Check out Maxine’s easy faux bow DIY favour box decoration here!

Customize your own floral arrangements by using different size vases and some greenery:

How about making your own garter?

Try a unique coneflower boutonniere:

A little DIY bridesmaid sash?

Here’s a few more we found on (where else) Pinterest that we had to share:

We’re loving these herb boutonierres:

Party favours that involve cookies are always a favourite:

Customize and create your own cards, wall decals and notepads using a variety of online sites (like this one from Pinhole Press):

Share your favourites with us!

Stay tuned for one of our feature bloggers who will be posting on wedding favour boxes!

Name: Virginia Fynes

Location: Annapolis Valley- Nova Scotia, Canada

Title: Creative maven, mommy, blogger, caterer, baby of the family

Website: www.fynesdesigns.com

Twitter: @FynesDesigns

Facebook: Fynes Designs

How did you get into crafting?

I have been crafty since I can remember. Toilet paper rolls, mismatched socks, and paper mache were a crafty girl’s best friend. From there it was onto my mother’s sewing machine, and my aunt taught me how to knit, with each craft I learned, I wanted more.

Why did you decide to start your own site?

I didn’t really think about it. (We had literally just installed Internet in our house a few months earlier). I wanted to enter a contest and the project had to be posted on the Canadian Living Craft blog. I set one up, won the contest, and then I was hooked.

What’s your favorite part about what you do?

I love to teach people and introduce them to new products and ideas. My favorite blog posts are when I’m given something to work with and I have to decide how to incorporate it into a project. I also love to thrift shop and re-create everyday items, that’s just a side bonus.

What are some of the challenges?

By far the biggest challenge is my lack of computer knowledge. Starting a blog, getting a DSLR, and learning Photoshop all in the same year was a bad idea. There is SO much to learn, I do a lot of research, and I’m trying to network with other bloggers.

What are some of your favorite craft/DIY websites?

 My go to sites are the 36th Avenue, Craftaholics Anonymous, and Tatertots and Jello I think our crafting styles/taste are similar and they are always fresh and bright, plus the May Arts blog because I’m a contributing designer there.

What was your first craft?

My first crafting memories are from my grandmother’s house. She didn’t have many toys but she had small plastic dolls and she would give me wrapping paper and tape to make clothes for them.

What was your favorite project?

It’s hard to choose, but I think I’d say my wedding cake and shadow box.

The cake was false so I made it the week before the wedding. I hand made the flowers, and this was before all the easy ideas that are now on Pinterest. I think they took longer than the 10 layers of icing!

When the wedding was over I arranged all the flowers, our cake topper, my husband’s button boutonniere (which I also made), my hairpieces and a stem from my bouquet into a shadow box, which still hangs in our hallway.

Overall words of wisdom?

Don’t be afraid of trying new craft mediums, take a class, or go somewhere by yourself. Be sure to take loads of photos… even of your 10^th kid. (P.S. I’m the baby of 10!)

Check out Virginia’s amazing dry erase calendar board craft here!

I’ve rounded up some of my favourite toys from Canadianliving.com. And we’ve got patterns for you too! Take a look and tell us which one is your favourite:

Knit a T-Rex dinosaur:

Knit a stuffed elephant:

Knit a toy bunny:

Knit a toy monkey:

How to knit a labrador retriever:

What’s your favourite?

Name:  Andrea Sabean

Location:  Quispamsis, New Brunswick

Title: Owner and Artisan at Artisan in the Woods

Website:  www.artisaninthewoods.com

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/artisaninthewoods

Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/artisaninthewoods

Twitter: @NaturalArtisan

How did you get into crafting?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t crafting!  Both my grandmother and my mother were avid crafters so there was always something creative going on in the house. It started with paper crafts when I was really young, and then I graduated into hand sewing and plastic canvas. Eventually my mom taught me to crochet, and then to use the sewing machine, and I’ve since added quilting, knitting,and scrapbooking to the list. It seems I’ve always been surrounded by glue, paint, beads, yarn, thread, fabric and paper and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Why did you decide to start your own site?

I started blogging on WordPress several years ago, and a year or two after that began selling some of my creations on Etsy.  I love WordPress and still use it for my classroom blog (I’m a Kindergarten teacher) but there was a lot of things I wanted to do (like showcase my Etsy shop) that I couldn’t do in that format. So last year I took the plunge and bought my own domain and haven’t looked back since. I love having complete control over my on-line space and it has been a great way to showcase the custom creatures that I make.

What’s your favourite part about what you do?

I love that every single creature I make is so different. I love the challenge that each new drawing brings. And I love seeing the drawing come to life right before my eyes! When I’m not working on creatures I also really enjoy working with wool sweaters and other recycled textiles, it’s a great feeling to take something old and make it new again. I also really love having the opportunity to share my craft with others by teaching them how to sew. Whether it be teaching my young students to thread a needle or showing an adult how to thread their first sewing machine it’s amazing to be able to show others how to enjoy this craft that I love so much!

What are some of the challenges? 

Every once in a while I am given a really complicated drawing with shapes that are tricky to create in three dimensions, or with a body position that just doesn’t work in real life (for instance a really big bird standing on really thin legs.) Those are the days where I have prototypes and animal body parts strewn all over my sewing table before I finally get it right.

What are some of your favourite craft/DIY websites?  

There are so many amazing creative blogs out there and I am constantly thankful for all of the generous people who share their tutorials and patterns.  A few that I read regularly are:

Make It & Love It

Sew, Mama, Sew!

Sew Can She

What was your first craft? 

I’m sure there were crafts before this, but the first thing I vividly remember is my friends and I making dolls out of handfuls of long grass (similar to a corn husk doll in concept) and then hand-sewing clothes for them.

 What was your favourite project?

Wow, I’m not sure I could pick just one! This past Christmas I made a turtle and snake toy that was pretty cool. The drawing was given to me by a woman who wanted the toy as a present from her sister, who loved this character from a favourite video game.

I also had an opportunity to bring this crazy squirrel to life. He was definitely one of the more challenging ones to create, but I can’t help smiling every time I see his picture, I just love the look on his face!

Overall words of wisdom?

Don’t let mistakes or the fear of “not getting it right” keep you from finding the joy in creating. There is no such thing as not being creative. Everyone is creative. You just got to find your thing and then let yourself run with it. And if the finished product doesn’t look like something you would find in a magazine, who cares? Change it and turn it into your own thing. It will look like it was made by you, and that’s far more important.

Check out the craft Andrea wanted to share: how to make a laptop cozy from a wool sweater!

Don’t miss our next craft! Follow Canadian Living on Twitter and Facebook for the latest blog updates.

Here’s how she did it:

1. Select a shadow box wide enough to fit your chosen object. (Fit the shadow box with a hanger on the back if necessary.)

2. Pick a mat to fit the frame. (Cut to fit if necessary.)

3. Put the mat in the shadow box. Centre your object in the mat. Back with a thick piece of paper and put the back on the frame. (The coral Jill used just happened to be the perfect width so the shadow box held it in place, but if that’s not the case, you’ll need to glue the object to the backing paper.)

Name: Maggie Patterson, owner of I Love Papercrafts

Location: South Mountain, Ontario

How did you get started? 

Nearly nine years ago I had my son, and I was looking for something to do to fill my time as I was home at night and I was blessed with a championship sleeper. I was coming off a very intense year both personally and professionally and wanted to seize my mat leave as a time to settle in to being a mom and to some new things. As I was wandering the aisles of a big box store and found a scrapbooking kit.  I thought I’d give it a try and within weeks was totally obsessed!

Why did you decide to start your own business?

A couple years later a friend introduced me to a direct sales company (Stampin’ Up!) and with some encouragement from a few friends, I started teaching cardmaking to my friends, family and neighbours using their products. I’m entrepreneurial by nature, so it quickly took off and I fell in love with how much fun it was to teach people to create. Five years later, I’m still teaching, but now I’m doing more and more business online as busy crafters look for new ways to learn and stay on top of the trends.

What’s your favourite part about what you do?

My absolute favorite thing is the moment when a new crafter realizes they do have a little bit of craftiness waiting to be unleashed. Something magic happens when they make their first card or scrapbook page and I’ve come to recognize that glimmer in a new crafter’s eyes.

What are some of the challenges?

My biggest challenge is keeping balance between my family, my business and life in general. As a sole proprietor, I have to do everything under the sun, so I’ve learned to ask for help and find the experts to help me when I need it.

What are some of your favourite craft/DIY websites?

I find that lately I’m not checking out as many web sites and spending my surfing time on Pinterest.  It’s the ultimate hangout for crafters! I love that it’s gotten me exploring other projects outside of papercrafting and incorporating bigger DIY/crafting trends into my designs.

What was your first craft?

My first real craft was probably an art journal in high school and it’s really just an early version of a scrapbook.  I was scrapbooking and preserving memories way back then, before I even knew such a thing existed.

What was your favourite project?

I think my all-time favorite project is a mini scrapbook made out of envelopes. It’s so simple and packs some WOW factor. It truly is a great project for anytime of year.

Overall words of wisdom?

Don’t be afraid to try papercrafts, even if you don’t think you are crafty.   People usually are surprised about how easy it really is, and how satisfying it is to have a finished card or scrapbook page. Plus, it is the perfect craft for busy people as projects can be kept simple or done in stages (like a scrapbook). Some of my favourite creations are simple yet elegant one-layer cards that only take five minutes to make.

Check out Maggie’s amazing Easter favour box craft. She rocks!

Don’t miss our next craft! Follow Canadian Living on Twitter and Facebook for the latest blog updates.

Check out the One of a Kind Show in Toronto next week. From March 27th until the 31st at Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre, the show features great designers such as these:

Bird Pillow by Linda Varekamp of Stitch & Spoke

Organic Baby Blankets by Rebecca Stone & Lisa Savage at the Organic Quilt Company

Rabbit and umbrella card by Carol Anne Pedneault of Carococo. Bunny card Niki Kingsmill of KARDS. Xlyophone & Mother’s Day Cards RovenaTey Handmades By Rovena

And it’s your chance to WIN two tickets for you and a friend! We have ten sets so tell your friends to enter.

How can you win? Leave a comment below telling us which craft you’ll be making this spring.

Here’s some more info on the show: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd., Toronto TIMES: Weekday & Saturday: 10am–9pm; Sunday: 10am–6pm

Contest closed. Congratulations to all the winners! You’ll be emailed separately with details on how to get your tickets!

If  you’re throwing a party (big or small) you’ll want to work with the green theme.

We’ve found with some great craft ideas for accessorizing your celebrations.

Check out these amazing party favours: 

We love these Leprechaun Party Hat Favours from Jeromina Juan’s of Paper, Plate and Plane’s previous guest blog.

On The House That Lars Built, we found these St. Patrick’s Day Poppers. Check out the site to see the full how-to!

What about these twisted shamrock pretzels from VT Pinspiration?

We’d love to hear about your favourite party crafts!

Who: Denise Wild, sewing expert and founder of LoveSewing.com and The Sewing Studio

How did you get started? 

I began sewing when I was 13 and I loved it right away. I had previously learned how to sew in home economics, but it wasn’t until someone worked with me on a button-down shirt over the summer that I really fell in love! I loved the intricacy and I that I could take a piece of fabric and turn it into something wearable.

Why did you decide to start your own business? 

Initially, I started teaching sewing classes because I just wanted to teach — I had no intention of starting my own business. In 2004, I lead sewing classes for my friends in my Toronto apartment at night while working as a magazine editor during the day. It was just a hobby at first. Then I taught friends of friends. And then strangers started calling me. One baby step at a time, I turned sewing into a career. I soon had to move the classes out of my apartment and into a commercial space and I had to hire people to help me teach all the classes that were running. I kept my gig as an editor for six more years as the business continued to grow. It was in 2010 — when I opened a location in New York City — that I finally realized my hobby had turned into a business and a career.

Take a look at Denise’s website here:

 What’s your favourite part about what you do? 

I love teaching people to sew! I also love working with creative people, learning from those around me and playing with fabric on a regular basis.

What are some of the challenges? 

Taking a break from work is very difficult for me to do but I’m working on it.

What are some of your favourite craft/DIY websites? 

I love psimadethis.com because there, craft goes high-style. And, of course, MarthaStewart.com because everything is just so “Martha”!

What was your first craft?

My first sewing project was a pair of boxer shorts in home ec. Not memorable and certainly not stylish.

What was your favourite project?

My favourite sewing project is definitely my wedding dress. Special, perfect, and cheap!

Denise on her wedding day (pictured above)

Overall words of wisdom?

Don’t be afraid to try something new. Lean a new skill and get creative! Or get back into something you once loved.

Are you a crafter who wants to be featured on the site? Comment below with your contact info and we’ll be in touch!