By mei@mintsPublished: January 13th, 2010Posted in: I stumble upon..., Inspirations, Mintish Living, diy projects, gift ideas I felt like I just celebrated the New Year not too long ago, and now the Valentine’s Day is coming around the corner. Prepping early and trying to find something cute & sweet for my dear friends, and I came across this fun DIY project from Martha Stewart. It also offered a how-to video on its website. If you are planing a V-day wedding, it will be cute giving out the soaps as wedding favors or Thank You gifts for your closed friends & family. Enjoy!!
Tools and Materials
Nonstick 9-inch square pan
Heart-shape cookie cutter
Glass measuring cup
Glycerin soap
Bench scraper
Soap colorant or food coloring
Spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol
Cutting board
Needlenose pliers
1/8-inch metal letter stamps
Masking tape
Heart-Shaped Soap How-To
We used a 2-inch cookie cutter (1 inch high) and 2 1/2 pounds of glycerin soap-sold at crafts stores-to make 16 hearts.
1. Depending on your equipment, yields may vary. To determine how much glycerin you’ll need, fill pan with water to 1/4 inch below height of cookie cutter; pour water into measuring cup. Record amount; discard water.
2. Cut soap into small pieces with bench scraper; fill measuring cup. Microwave on medium heat until melted; stir. Add soap and heat until you’ve reached the water amount. Add colorant; stir. Pour liquid into pan. Spray with alcohol to eliminate bubbles.
3. Let harden at room temperature, 2 hours. Freeze 10 minutes.
4. Turn upside down onto cutting board. Create soaps with cookie cutter; pull cutter out with pliers if it sticks. Tape stamps together to form words, and imprint on soap, applying light, even pressure.
By mei@mintsPublished: November 7th, 2009Posted in: I stumble upon..., Inspirations, Mintish Living, diy projects Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite holidays. Let dress up your Autumn wedding with all these fun decor from Paper Source!!
ACORN, OWL, WHEAT BUNDLE PLACE CARD KIT: adorable way to welcome your guests!!
FALL LEAF WREATH KIT: use it as your table centerpiece with fall color candles place in the middle, pew decor with a brown bow tied on top of the wreath, picture frame to showcase your family and engagement pictures.
LEAF, OWL, THANK YOU STICKERS: stick them on the votive vases to light up the room with a personal touch, put them on your little guests as a special gift to welcome them, use them on the favor box to show appreciation to your dearly guests.
By mei@mintsPublished: November 4th, 2009Posted in: I stumble upon..., Inspirations, diy projects Such an easy and cute idea to dress up your gifts!!
Visit NICE PACKAGE BLOG for the step-by-step tutorial video and free printable DIY Vintage Photos. Have Fun!!
By mei@mintsPublished: August 1st, 2009Posted in: I stumble upon..., Inspirations, diy projects What a HOT-HOT-HOT idea for wedding favors!! Grafxcowgirl from Offbeat Bride created these fun matchbook favors just using cheap blank matchbooks. Three simple steps: print, cut and paste. Woo-la-la, you have something smoky-hot for your wedding day.
By mei@mintsPublished: June 19th, 2009Posted in: Foodelicious, I stumble upon..., Inspirations, Mintish Living, diy projects Few days ago, I went to strawberry picking with my cutest niece, Salad, at Brentwood. She was so happy eating the big-sweet strawberries that she picked out from the field by her tiny hands. =D
Would that be fun incorporating strawberries into your summer wedding centerpieces? I found this lovely picture from BBC. The designer also offers step-by-step guide for creating this edible arrangement. Have Fun!!
Friday Arrangement by Simon Lycett
By dot@mintsPublished: April 13th, 2008Posted in: Mintish Living, diy projects 
Recently, I recevied a few emails asking if Mints will offer any floral design classes in the future. I am very flattered, but currently, it is not on our plan. However, I promised these girls I will start posting more DYI ideas and resources on this blog. So here it comes.
Hanajikan – a Japanese Floral Art Magazine. It’s a monthly magazine and it features many ideas as well as new trends. Although they are in Japanese, you will still learn a lot as they have step by step picture instructions. I am a big fan of Japanese floral designs because their work is articulate and dimensional and their color combinations are usually very soft yet romantic. Of course, I also think I am heavily influenced by my mom as she studied floral design in Japan and I remember flipping these magazines even though I didn’t understand much and found them fascinating. I thought, wow, these people are truly amazingly creative!! Just to give you some ideas I have attached some pictures from Volume March ‘08. This is a great spring time coffee table idea!! It uses tulips and their leaves to make loops, adding an interesting touch with something you probably gonna through it away.
Wanna check it out?! go to Kinokuniya (San Francisco Japantown 2nd floor).
