Just saw this trailer for the upcoming movie, Babies, and I thought it was just so adorable! What a cool concept to follow four newborns from all around the world through their first year. Thousands of miles apart from one another, their reactions to a new world and developmental experiences are one and the same. It reminded me that, despite our cultural differences, at our core we are so very similar to one another. At first glance, the film looks beautifully shot. I can’t wait to see it! What a great Mother’s day weekend activity. Now to persuade my “grown up” kids to watch a movie about babies…
Wanda Wen
The Soolip Fix
This Mother’s Day…Babies!
April 29th, 2010Tags: Babies, children, kids, motherhood, Mothering, Soolip, Soolip Blog, trailer, wanda, Wanda Wen
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Crafting with Kids Tutorial: Quick Paper Mache!
April 26th, 2010
Paper Mache Tutorial via The Red Thread
Last week’s Of The Hand exhibition inspired me to create and find new crafting projects, especially ones that are kid friendly. I came across this paper mache project on The Red Thread (love her ideas!). In my house, there are certain sections of the newspaper that instantly get tossed into the recycling bin. Imagine turning next week’s classifieds section into a gorgeous new work of art! Again, this why I love love love working with paper…what is old can become new and beautiful again and again and again!
Click here to see the full tutorial at The Red Thread. I would take this project up a notch by embellishing the paper with some natural elements, such as some fresh pressed flowers.
Tags: eco-friendly, gift wrap, Gift Wrapping, kids, Paper Mache, Soolip, Soolip Blog, The Art of Gift Wrapping, The Red Thread, wand wen, wanda
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Spring Invitation
April 21st, 2010
This is a collaborative card between: Elizabeth Hubbell Studio + Mira Aster = Spring fun! Tactile edging, fresh off the letterpress and a pretty color palette make for a perfect card.
Thanks Elizabeth!
Tags: A Soolip Wedding, Card, color, Elizabeth Hubbell Studio, invitation, Soolip, Soolip Blog, spring, The Art of Gift Wrapping, wanda, Wanda Wen
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Best in Show
March 10th, 2010
It is amazing what you can create with repurposed materials and a bit ofimagination! MODA botanica put together five storage crates, graffiti included, and filled the otherwise listless urban rectangles with soft and lovely florals and succulents. The mix of rusty metal with lush flowers was just perfect…and won them Best in Show at the Philadelphia Flower Show this past weekend!
Tags: art of gift wrapping, Floral, Flower Show, Flower Situations, Flowers, Letterpress, Moda Botanica, Philadelphia Flower Show, Soolip, Soolip Blog, Stationery, wanda, Wanda Wen
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A Sweet and Surprising Gift Wrap Perfect for any Spring Event!
February 17th, 2010
Nest of Treasures gift wrap by Wanda Wen. Photo by Jules Bianci.
Here in Los Angeles it feels as though Spring has already arrived. The 70 degree weather and beautiful blue skies have me thinking about all the fun spring events that will soon be popping up, including baby showers, bridal showers, and the first weddings of the busy wedding season. What do all these events have in common? Well, gift registries is one thing for sure!
Giving a gift off the registry is both convenient and practical, but it can eliminate the best part of giving a gift-that wonderful moment of surprise when the recipient lights up with wonder and eagerly opens the package. My philosophy is that when you give a gift, you both honor the recipient and give a bit of yourself…but the latter can be easily lost when giving a gift that is wrapped in the same signature department store gift wrap as 10 other packages on the gift table.
So why not restore that element of surprise with a gift wrap that is as unique as the gift giver (that’s you!)? Sure, forgoing the department store wrap might take you a few extra minutes, but the DIY fix can actually be more cost effective while twice as fun and impressive. In this busy world we live in, taking that extra time to make something truly special is one of the greatest gifts you can give. The finished result will delight the recipient. Trust me!
Here’s a wrap from my forthcoming book, The Art of Gift Wrapping (out April 6th!), that is just perfect for any spring event, whether it be a fun baby shower or sophisticated bridal luncheon. I call it my Nest of Treasures wrap, and you can see a photo of it at the top of the page. Here’s what you need:
- Sheer netting
- 1 bowl (about 5″ in diameter)
- scissors
- jelly beans
- seam binding (2 different colors)
- small nest
- decorative paper
- tape
- tweezers
- bird topper
This gift wrap is truly enchanting and so much fun to give. For complete details on how to assemble this gift wrap, keep an eye out for my book, The Art of Gift Wrapping out April 6th!
Tags: A Soolip Wedding, art of gift wrapping, book, gift topper, gift wrap, Gift Wrapping, gifts, Jules Bianchi, Soolip, Soolip Blog, The Art of Gift Wrapping, the art of gift wrapping book, wanda, Wanda Wen, wanda wen book
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A Peaceful Mind is a Clutter Free Home!
February 3rd, 2010
Every year, getting and staying more organized ranks at the top of my new years resolutions list. Organization invites peace, productivity, and opens the door to more creativity. But, as any mother knows, staying organized is easier said than done! Between my business, creative projects, and kids running around the house, fulfilling this goal is challenging–to say the least! Despite my earnest efforts to use more organizational tools, implement new systems and make new house rules, somewhere along the line the organization train always gets derailed.
I came across this really insightful article, “Changing Habits that Create Clutter” on the Peaceful Lives website (check it out!), and I had to share it. It made me question that maybe the solution isn’t how I combat clutter, but rather the very way that I think about things and go about my daily activities. We all have these habits that create clutter, and breaking them is the first step to a peaceful home and a peaceful mind. This article has already done so much for me, I encourage you to read it! Here’s the link: http://www.peacefullives.com/clutter-clearing-and-organization/changing-habits-that-create-clutter
Tags: awareness, Clutter, Mindful, mindfulness, Organization, peace, peaceful mind blog, Soolip, Soolip Blog, soolip stationery, wanda, Wanda Wen
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Finally, a Movie that Teaches Respect!
January 26th, 2010
I have been meaning to comment on the James Cameron’s new film, Avatar, since I saw it the other week. I was pleasantly surprised to find that all the hype is true! Avatar is an imaginative, visually stunning, and spellbinding film. But what I found most striking was not the multimillion dollar visual effects, but rather the heart of the story-a simple reminder that we must respect the earth and one another. Cameron truly has a gift for storytelling. What a beautiful way of driving this simple but important message home. Avatar was breath of fresh air, for the kids and I!
Tags: art of gift wrapping, Avatar, eco-friendly, James Cameron, Mother Earth, Mother Nature, Nature, respect, Soolip, Soolip Blog, The Art of Gift Wrapping, wanda, Wanda Wen
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Miss Shannon’s Sewing Class
January 15th, 2010
- Sweet pillows and gifts hand sewn in Miss Shannon’s Sewing Class
How sweet are these hand sewn felt pillows?! My very dear and talented friend Shannon teaches children’s sewing classes in North Hollywood, CA. She has the greatest philosophy about her craft and teaching sewing to children. Despite being surrounded by high-tech toys, the Internet, and TV, kids still haven’t lost their desire to create with their hands.
In Miss Shannon’s Sewing Classes, Shannon teaches 4 stitches, how to sew on a button, and how to make a pattern with tracing carbon paper. The kids learn how to be self reliant by making their own patterns. Additionally, they learn how to mend clothing, embellish tank tops and jeans, sew tooth fairy pillows, stitch hankies, make pillows and pillow cases, tea towels, dolls, sachets…the possibilities are endless in Miss Shannon’s Sewing Classes!
Shannon says that another amazing thing about teaching sewing is sitting together as a class in the sacred sewing circle. Shannon says, “We sit around with our work in our hands, and the children talk…I hear the most precious things…secrets from the circle. Sewing calms the children, but also opens up their minds…they begin to see things differently…how things are assembled. I also encourage them that there are no mistakes and that perfection doesn’t exist…sometimes it’s the seeming mishap that makes their project beautiful. They’re all little folk artists.”
For more information about Miss Shannon’s Sewing Classes, visit Miss Shannon’s Sewing Classes on Facebook by clicking here.
Tags: A Soolip Wedding, art of gift wrapping, Crafts, Felt, felt crafts, felt pillow, Home Arts, Miss Shannon's Sewing Classes, sewing, Shannon, Soolip, Soolip Blog, stiching, The Art of Gift Wrapping, wanda, Wanda Wen
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Beautiful find by Elizabeth Hubbell
January 11th, 2010
Winter flower in bloom
Just wanted to share this gorgeous photo that my friend Elizabeth Hubbell of Elizabeth Hubbell Studio sent me. While outside on the grayest winter day, she came across this beautiful tree blossom bursting with life. Nature always has a way of surprising the quiet observer. Go take a walk outside, listen, and look. You’ll be amazed by what you find.
Tags: A Soolip Wedding, art of gift wrapping, beautiful, bloom, blossom, Elizabeth Hubbell, Elizabeth Hubbell Studio, gifts, Mother Nature, Nature, Soolip, Soolip Blog, The Art of Gift Wrapping, wanda, Wanda Wen
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The Gift
November 11th, 2009
The Gift
Stumbled upon these two rocks …… one – quiet, round, at peace, alone, and the other – open and ready to receive. Beauty is in all things.
Tags: art of gift wrapping, beauty, gift topper, gift wrap, Gift Wrapping, Mother Nature, Nature, peace, rocks, Soolip, wanda, Wanda Wen
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