DIY Chinese Calendar Wall Art

It's a new year, which means just like kuzoos, glitter, and novelty crowns, those freebie calendars are bound to turn up. Free calendars from dentists, calendars from your doctors, and sometimes, if you're lucky, calendars from your local Chinese restaurant.

Perhaps I'm just a little bit of a hoarder at heart, but I always felt bad throwing away the freebie Chinese calendars. Sure, you can't really write your appointments or friend's birthdays onto bamboo, but they have an artsy and exotic vibe to them which I just adore. So, I thought -- why let them go to waste? Why not upcycle a Chinese calendar into a free piece of art?

Letters of Love Take Flight

Valentine's Day has come and gone. Can you feel the love?

Since I share my birthday with the annual commemorations for the St Valentine, the holiday has always had a special place in my heart. The day of whimsical love always served as a reminder to me growing up of the love for all the people I care about, friends and family.

Now for seven years, this holiday has been even more special as I spend them with the man of my life. But the holiday isn't about Hallmark cards and pre-packaged candies for us, so we almost always create something personal for each other to truly express our love.

Update: The full length video seems to have been removed from YouTube, so here's the Trailer version.

Recently, my fella shared this adorable video with me. This short from Disney is about a man who falls in love at first sight with a woman he passes at the train station. He sees her again in the building across the way, so he tries to get her attention with one paper airplane after another. The ending is magical, so I won't spoil it for you. This video inspired me for this year's Valentine's Day love note. Care to see how I made it?

Pop-up Valentine's Day Card

If you are a devoted follower of Pinterest, like myself, then perhaps you have often seen the same DIY craft repeated over and over again. Sure it sounds like a good idea, which is why it's so popular. But who has actually tried this craft?

Well, part of my mission here on Tried&Twisted is to try out these popular posts to see if the results are just as stunning as the professional's. Is it easier or harder than they said? Can I add my own twist to the design?

Today, I'll share my experiences with making the popular I <3 U pop-up card for Valentine's Day. Homemade cards have so much charm and personal care. What better way to show that you love and care for someone than to take the extra time to create a love note just for your fella?