I've decided to go ahead and put the first of my puppy mandala prints into the etsy shop. This one is the dachshund or sausage dog.
It's something I've been playing around with for ages and hopefully other dog breeds will be added later. Let me know what you think and feel free to suggest which doggie design I should do next.

Another month as flown by, where does the time go? I heard someone on the Tv the other day say less than 90 days until Christmas! Panic. But first we've got Halloween, so stay posted next month as something wicked this way comes.

Until then lets take a quick look at what kept us busy this month: We added some colourful new designs, a new fingerprint guest book bicycle. And a sneak peek at our latest range, neon tribal, more to come on that soon.


We also added a stack of new seating chart designs to the shop, like this classic damask, the unique word game and beautiful tiffany twirl.

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If you're wondering what to do with all your cranes after the wedding, or if you're just inspired by all this origami, how about making a mobile? Such a pretty thing to hang in a room.

Canadian Livings craft blog as a great step by step guide to assembling with just some bamboo skewers and fishing line. You can even add some beads for an extra bit of bling.

Altmix Photography

The tradition might be to fold 1000 paper cranes but we think there must be about 1000 different ways you could use the origami crane symbol at your wedding. A few ideas to get you started...

Ceremony backdrop
Place and escort cards
Cake toppers and decorations
Cupcake toppers
Cookie motifs
Earrings
Necklace pendant
Buttonhole
Bouquet
Chandelier
Stationery motif
Photo backdrop
Table centrepieces
Guest book notes

This beautiful invitation range with origami paper crane design symbolizes peace, happiness and health.
Modern design meets eastern tradition in bold shades of vermillion and shocking pink - or you pick your own colours from the huge selection. Available from the 'i do' it yourself shop.

A little origami inspiration to drool over - paper crane inspired cakes.

The Kitchn also has a guide to making your own edible cranes from wonton wrappers which would be a great surprise garnishes for your wedding menu.

Credits: Top - The Wedding Chicks. Above - Ashley Gillett Photography, SweetTart Cakes via flickr, cupcakes via Wedding Gawker, golden origami cranes via Reverie Magazine.

As it's the start of spring here we thought we'd share this gorgeous - and very helpful - chart showing common wedding flowers and their colours. A really useful guide for putting your bouquet together:

RED

flower pics: weibo/perfectbridal

There's nothing new about getting your nails done for your wedding. But what is new is the amazing array of techniques and effects available. And the best bit it you don't have to be a professional to get them. There are plenty of ideas to do yourself, and its easy to test them out before the big day.
So get the girls together and try some of our favourite nail art wedding looks.

1. Nothing says luxury like caviar, right? But if you cant afford it on the menu don't despair, you can have it on your nails. Ciaté have a nail polish specifically for the caviar look and it even comes in white. It's not available in Australia yet, so try ebay or ASOS. Fashion Workshop also has a photo step by step to get the same look using Recollections Micro Beads.
2. Add a little lace with this really simple technique from Some Sweet Little Dreams. Just a base coat and some white nail polish.
3. We've shown you how to get a beautiful gradient effect on your nails before here. The ombre trend is still huge and still really easy to achieve. Glamour has a great step by step to follow.
4. Anyone can grab a bottle of glitter nail polish, but how about this for a gorgeous alternative - ombre glitter dipped nails. Pick a base coat then go over just the tip, or just the base, of your nails with a complimentary glitter. Check out Minkette for their beautiful in-depth tutorial.


5. Who could resist little love hearts. Just three shades of pink and some paper ring correctors -  you remember those weird little polo mint looking stickers, finally a use for them. 
6. You can achieve some pretty bold and crazy looks with marbled nails, but for a more subtle look on your wedding day just choose two softer complimentary shades. Head over to ModCloth Blog for a tutorial.
7. Mixed metals. Follow fashions trend of mixing patterns and texture and do the same with your nails, but try The Beauty Departments metal magic. 
8. And finally, the ring finger - just a totally adorable idea really. Via Pinterest.

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If you're going to use the origami paper crane as a symbol at your wedding, chances are you'll need to learn how to make one.

If this is your first attempt at origami it may be a little fiddly, but don't worry the good news is you'll get plenty of practice. If you're following tradition you'll need to make a thousand of these little guys. Better get folding then!

Still continuing to work on my Lake Tekapo project. I have a few works on the go at moment, but yesterday I finished this one.

I started this with another work in progress - a mountain range made of security envelopes then layers of tissue paper and lace with washes over the top for the water. I took a photo of that on my iphone with the hipstamatic ap. It desaturated the image quite a bit but gave it some nice added texture. I took that image into photoshop, adjusted the levels and added a damask pattern to the water and few more layers of texture. Flipped the mountain range so there is a subtle reflection in the water and boosted the colours back up. And voilà - as yet untitled Lake Tekapo digital mixed media collage.
You can purchase a print in our etsy shop. Feel free to suggest a nice title for it.

According to a recent survey of wedding planning, the average bride saved $1200 by using technology and searching for a pre-owned dress. Many women are now even opting for a second, often shorter and less formal gown to wear later at the reception - and why not when you're saving over 50% on your wedding dress?

So that's where the new Aussie website Still White comes in. A fantastic new online marketplace to buy and sell your second hand wedding gown.

For those still in the planning stages and looking to save, there are nearly 2000 dresses to choose from at more than 50% off the normal price! If your big day has been and gone, don't leave it in the cupboard gathering dust - the site provides an excellent venue to sell your pre-loved gown.

This month Still White are giving three lucky 'i do' it yourself readers the chance to win a FREE listing on the site. Simply leave a comment on this post telling us what you're dream gown was like. Next month we'll pick three winners who can list their dresses for free with the site. Easy. Don't forget to leave a way of contacting you if you win.

I thought I'd have some fun this afternoon and design myself a new iPhone case, I got a little carried anyway though and designed loads. I'll share them over the next few weeks but here's a fun one - a concrete iPhone. Very urban.
Available from the creative monsoon store on redbubble