Origami plus

I love origami - but I can't make anything that doesn't already have a pattern. Check out the what MIT students created for the MIT Origami contest

Artful Manhole Covers...err...Hatchcovers

Seattle Utilities has a new hatchcover design (will hatchcover really ever catch on?)


Here are some lovely utilitylids/ manhole covers /hatchcovers I saw in Japan recently. Looks like there are loads of Japanese manhole appreciation sites: Frangipani has a striking collection , here is a collection of Tokyo manholes...even quilts inspired by Japanese manholes

Kamakura


Iga Ueno


Samurai District, Kanazawa


Shitamachi,Tokyo


Kyoto


Takayama


Having Trouble remembering...wonder if it was Kanazawa

Squeezable Mimi balls

During my recent travel to Japan I came across this interesting stress reliever. You really should click on the image and view it at the larger size so you can note other variations of the mimi ball (keychain, wristpad, etc.) and have a good look at the text on the display box. They appear to be selling rather well. According to the signage it's a great toy for ages 5+....ooooh baby!

What to do when the box is huge?

My mom's present required a VERY large box. So large that I couldn't find any nice paper that would fit. So, I ditched paper altogether and just used decorative tape and a funky Target Christmas ornament...and I was pretty pleased with the results. The tape was pretty hard to cut - probably pretty apparent by looking at the picture, so next time I would cut in ways that don't require precision.

Sampling of this year's holiday packages

This is how I wrapped my friend Jen's gift. I have all the steps photographed...let me know if you'd like to know how this was wrapped. By the way this paper was from DZINZ( possibly here...not sure)



This is how I wrapped a Japanese iron teapot and trivet (testsubin). This is sort of a variation of the previous wrap except I used Mizuhiki and I worked to keep the lovely washi borders intact and visible on the sides and across the top.



This is how I wrapped a gift certificate we gave my parents. I like to use those flimsy plastic boxes that the holiday cards come in. I wrap the gift cert in a pretty tissue with a nice sticker to hold it, then slide it into the plastic box and wrap. They are usually the perfect size and it actually looks quite nice!

It's that wrapping time of year

Last year this time I was so much better about posting wrap ideas...I need to get back on it!

Making holiday cards

As ususal, I haven't started my holiday cards yet...when will I learn? Impress has some great card ideas. PhotoWorks has some nice cards, too. Paperzone has some interesting holiday crafts. I especially like these icicle boxes.

Most Gifted Wrapper 2005

This year's winner was Doug Alves from Fresno. He won $10,000, a Vespa and loads of other prizes.

So what did they wrap?
Round one (12 min.): Wrap a 15-inch Sharp television and a boxed set of DVDs.
Round two (10 min.): Wrap a saxophone.
Round three (12 min.): Wrap a Vespa scooter and diamond-encrusted helmet.

I really need to get in on this next year. Isn't that what I said last year?

More photos from the contest here and story/wrapping tips here.

Profiles of other contestants here and here.