I love making thing. Can you tell? And today I'm teaching you a little something something, so you can get crafting too. This super cute DIY Prize Medal Ribbon Brooch tutorial is perfect for game prizes + weddings + party favors + everyday wear too! I sport my #1 badge whenever I need a tiny bad-ass kick in the pants to tackle my to do list. It works like a charm!

 

 

materials

If you want to give this confidence booster a try, here's what you'll need:

- 9 mini cupcake wrappers

- regular scissors

- zic zac scissors

- silicon glue

- 4 wool felt sheets

- need

- thread

- ribbon

- pin

 

steps by step

After gathering your materials...

 

Step 1: Fold 8 mini cupcake wrappers in 2 halfes.

 

Step 2: Flatten the remaining cupcake wrapper to use as base + glue on the halfes.

 

Step 3: Fill in all the gaps to create a beautiful medallion skeleton.

 

 

Step 4: Use zic zac scissor to cut two 1.25 inch mini circles.

 

Step 5: With the regular scissor, cut one 1.50 inch circle + one 1.60 inch circle + a mini felt number + the ribbon.

 

Step 6: Stitch the circles together, leaving one of the zic zac pieces for later.

 

Step 7: This is how it should look like when it's finished.

 

 

Step 8: Add silicon glue to the back of the number + place on top of the stitches circle.

 

Step 9: Add silicon glue to the back of the stitched circle + add to the cupcake medallion frame.

 

Step 10: This is how it should look.

 

 

Step 11: Stitch the ribbon together + sew the pin on to the back of the remaining zic zac circle.

 

Step 12: With glue, add this pieces to the back of your medallion.

 

Step 13: You won! You're now ready to shine like stars do.

 

 

So, what do you think? Neat project right? I don't know about you, but I'm so thrilled to have found a fun way to use up my mini cupcakes wrappers without hurting my waist line, lol. Anyhoo, I would love to hear your comments + feedback below, as I get ready to revamp my DIY section + bring you more crafty goodies.

 

Ohh + if you have any questions about this tutorial or need further details about how things were made, please feel free to contact me. I'm always available to help you make things with your heart. Not the crafty type? Don't worry, be happy! I can make something special just for you if you wish, so bring on the custom orders, they're my fave!

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

Lately I've been pumping up the dose of crafty tutorials + printables because they seem to be real crowd pleaser around here + I just love spoiling you lovelies. So today, I've put together a DIY Felt Rosette Hair Clip Tutorial. These little ones are so adorable, perfect to wear for every ocassion.

 

 

 

materials

For this project you'll need:

- 1 sheet of wool felt, in the color of your choice

- 1 sheet of red wool felt

- silicon glue

- scissors

- needle

- theread

- metal hair clip

 

steps by step

After gathering your materials...

 

 

Step 1: Cut 11 mini circles (a little bit bigger than the size of a US quarter) + 2 slightly bigger circles.

 

Step 2: Fold 8 mini circles in half + sew around the contour of one of the bigger circle pieces.

 

Step 3: This is how it should look when all 8 piece are sewed.

 

Step 4: Take the remaining 3 mini circles + fold in half twice.

 

Step 5: Stitch all 3 through the bottom.

 

Step 6: Sew this piece to the middle of your rosette to finish your bloom.

 

 

Step 7: Grab your remaining circle + sew on the metal hair clip.

 

Step 8: Apply silicon to the back of this piece.

 

Step 9: Glue to the back of your rosette to hide all your messy stitches + to convert into a hair piece.

 

 

Step 10: To add a little dazzle factor to your rosette clip, cut a tiny red heart.

 

Step 11: Add to your piece with a little silicon glue.

 

I don't know about you, but I'm making a ton of these in every color to match every outfit in my closet!

 

Enjoy!

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

Hello sweeties. I hope you're in a crafty mood today, because I've got a super fun + easy DIY tutorial for ya'. Get your hands + heart ready to make some adorable Fabric Scraps + Text Bits Gift Tags.

 

I got the idea to make this lovely project after drooling over this DIY Gift Tag Fabric Scraps Tutorial made by the fabulous Ez from Creature Comforts. I loved them so much that I just had to try out my own version. The idea is genius really + a perfect way to use up the infinite fabric scrap pieces laying around my studio that I just couldn't bare to throw down the drain. I'm talking about cute tags + cleaned up supply drawers here folks!!! This DIY is a keeper!

 

Just be me alerted before you get jamming with this tutorial that this puppies are so handy to whip out that it can get addictive. Just saying!

 

materials

 

steps

1. Grab your fabric scraps + cut them a bit smaller than the size of the tag using your regular scissors scissors or the zic zac kind for a different effect. I like to leave my ends a bit rough so they look handmade-ish.

 

2. With your stick glue add the fabric onto the tags. To make sure the fabric adheres perfectly to the tag, I used a directory phone book to make a bit of pressure + secure the sticking process.

 

3. Play with your tags. You can use your tip pen to create some interesting frames around the fabric or make some cool shapes to make your tags your own.

 

4. Add your twine + jute or string at the end of each tag.

 

5. Create your own word labels or download my Printable Word Labels. I printed mine on kraft card stock, because I just can't help myself. Kraft is my kryptonite. Then, cut out each word + glue onto the fabric tags to finish. Again, don't forget to add a little pressure to secure the adhesion.

 

 

ideas of use

- party favors

- awesomize your gifts

- label your studio drawers + boxes + containers

- business or calling cards

- clip onto your inspiration boards

- for your scrapbook projects

- give to your loved ones with personalized messages

- packaging your orders (perfect for sellers)

 

 

So, what did you think? Fun stuff right?

 

If you heart this DIY tutorial, please help me spread the word by using the social sharing buttons below. Thank you so much!

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

I can feel it already! A tsunamic love fest I mean, as Valentine's Day is officially upon us.

 

With that in mind, what better time to whip out a love-inspired project than now, right? So, I've created these super cute Valentine's Day Love Gift Tags so you can shower your friends + loved ones + yourself with tons of lovin'!

 

directions

1. Download your free Valentine's Day Love Gift Tags.

2. Print onto 8.5" x 11" heavy-weight paper. I've printed mine on heavy kraft paper, but feel free to play around with different card stocks. Prints 4 unique card designs per page.

3. Trim along the outside edges using a guillotine or scalpel.

4. With a whole punch, cut a circle on top + attach a string or twine.

5. Attach to gifts + have fun giving out love.

 

terms of use

The downloadable file found in this post are for personal use only. This means you are welcome to print as many copies as you wish for yourself, just not for commercial use. As a courtesy, if you wish to share this download with your friends, please direct them to this post for the actual download. Thanks for being so awesome + understanding.

 

 

I really hope you adored this Valentine's Day freebie! If you totally heart it, please help me spread the love with the use of the social sharing buttons below. Thank you so much!

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

I don't pretend to know it all, but I sure love being a lifelong student + a perpetual teacher of this thing called life. Yes, I'm a firm believer in forever learning + infinitely giving + this is what this new column "Ask Mayi" is all about. Designer to answer all your burning questions, right here on heartmade's site, this is my quest to give back, one question at a time, to a community that has given me so so much! 

 

Hi Mayi! I love your new column "Ask Mayi".  You are so generous to share your knowledge :)

I have a question I have been wondering for a while now, since I am new to this whole blogging thing. How do you make your collection frames with the numbers on the pictures?  Is it as simple as just using photoshop?  

 

Thanks!  

 

Nancy
Nancy Nelson Jewelry

 

Great question Nancy. Let me tackle it right on!

 

There are plenty of ways to make a pretty photo collage. I actually switch between a few programs when editing photos + working on posts + creating collages, but by far my favorite is Picnik + have I mentioned it's free? Freakin-mazing, I know! So, today I’m going to walk you step-by-step through the creation of a typical photo collage with numbers using Picnik.

 

To start, go to Picnik + then hit the "Collage" link located at the top navigation bar.

 

Inside the "Collage" station, the first thing you gotta do is upload your images. The light green buttons at the bottom of the page are specially designed to help you add your pictures from your desktop to your Picnik dashboard.

 

After browsing your images in your computer + adding them to your image basket, you're ready to pick your collage design . Located at the top left hand sidebar, you will see a ton of different collage design alternatives. For this tutorial, I've picked a simple two by two image collage, but you can pick any of the designs you see available. After selecting your collage format, drag your images from your picture basket to the center, filling each empty quadrant. To customize your collage even further, you can play with the spacing + proportions + color + rows + columns using this time the left hand side column levelers. Take your time + have fun here. When you're satisfied with your creation, hit the light green "Done" button located at the right hand top side of the page.

 

This is your design dashboard, where you'll be able to customize your design even further with some cool add ins + shapes + text. + more. For this collage, I've added some rectangles + painted them yellow + sized them to my liking. Then added some numbers + customized them with a cool font. But you'll soon find out the numerous variations you've got to play around with. You can pick any shape + color + typography you want. The possibilities are almost endless!

 

When you're done, you're ready to save your creation to your desktop to finally be able to share it with the world. Make sure to save your collage with a descriptive easy-to-find name + to select the right dimensions + resolution you need to fit your specifications.

 

And you're done! Peace of cupcake right?

 

Thanks again for your awesome question Nancy. I really hope this was helpful!

 

Now, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Got any more photo tips or advice to share with the heartmade's family about photo editing + collage making? If so, please leave a comment + let's continue this great conversation below, shall we?

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

PS: Want your burning question answered on "Ask Mayi"? Hit me with it baby at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I can't tell you how excited it makes me feel to know you're here + that we're connecting. That's what it's all about.

 

Today I'm so excited to share with you this super fun + elegant DIY Fabric Flower Tutorial brought to you by my dear client + friend + colleague Kristi from A Life Through the Lens, one of my favorite photo shops in the web-sphere. I'll let Kristi do all the talking now. Take it away girlfriend!

 

I absolutely love these burned fabric flowers that I've seen so many  people wearing lately.  They look so simple and elegant. In general I  don't wear a lot of jewelry or hair accessories but, I will wear  these.

 

materials

- candle or tea light

- synthetic silky material

- scissors

- round objects to trace (I used drinking cups)

- thread

- needle

- beads

- glue gun

- scrapbooking brad or a button

- cover button kit (found at the local craft/fabric store-I found mine at JoAnn's)

- headband or hair clip

 

steps by step

After gathering your materials...

I  traced some drinking cups in descending sizes on the fabric and  then cut the circles out. They don't have to be perfect since you will be  burning the edges. Here are all the finished circles.

 

Light  your candle or tea light. Carefully go around the edge of your  circle. You don't need to get that close to the flame for the flower to  curl. If you get too close the fabric will start on fire, so please be careful.  

 

To add beads in the center of the circle choose  a coordinating thread color, thread it, and tie an knot in the end. Then pull the needle through the bottom of all the flowers. Then pull the needle through the bead and then thread down through to the bottom. Repeat for as many beads as you'd like. 

 

When finished tie a knot in the bottom and cut thread.

 

You can attach the flower to a clip. I like to cover my clips with grossgrain ribbon. The flower attaches easier and I think it gives it more of a finished look. Then glue the clip to the flower with your glue gun. Finished and ready to wear.

 

Or you can attach your flower to a headband. I covered a headband with grossgrain ribbon, glued the flower on top of the headband, then glued a piece of felt to the underside.

 

You can also put a brad, beads or a fabric button in the center to play with your flowers look.

 

I hope you enjoy making your simply elegant and beautiful fabric flowers with my tutorial.

 

xo,

Kristi

 

Kristi is a self-taught photographer + blogger + mommy. She find inspiration from her children + nature + the simple things + soft colors + natural light + quotes + life. Visit Kristi's stunning A Life Through The Lens Shop + learn more about her at A Life Through The Lens Blog.

There's no denying I'm an irreversible + irreparable cupcake addict. Yes, I wake up + go to bed thinking about cupcakes. They make my soul sing ALELUYA!

 

So, with my hands raised up high into the air to praise the universe for the existence of cupcakes, I welcome the lovely Cecilia, food blogger + avid recipe tester + cupcake lover (see why I had to invite her to the blog?), who is making my heart pump faster than a fire cracker + my mouth melt like the Sahara with her delish' Passion Fruit Meringue Cupcakes recipe. I'll let Cecilia do her thing before I eat my computer screen.

 

 

I have yet to meet anyone who will refuse a home-made cupcake. Whether it is chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, lemon, you name the flavor, a home-made cupcake is an invitation to enjoy the little but significant moments in life.

 

Everyone should have one recipe that is easy to make and also easy to adapt. That way you can make it over and over again but the end product will never be exactly the same. This is why I love these cupcakes so much, and I want to share them with you.

 

 

The actual cupcakes are light and not too sweet, so you can fill them with anything you like: lemon curd, your favorite jam, flavored whipped cream, or chocolate mousse. Here I wanted to come up with a tropical variation, so I chose to fill them with passion fruit curd. Frozen passion fruit concentrate is easy to find in Latin America. Otherwise go to your nearest Hispanic food store and look for the bottled kind, it works perfectly here too.

 

I prefer to frost these cupcakes with 7 minute frosting because it is extremely light, fluffy and beautifully white in color, like clouds floating on the sky. But most importantly it is a cooked meringue which means less of a risk of illness due to raw egg whites. But you can frost the cupcakes with a regular meringue or your favorite frosting. I think a vanilla buttercream or even a cream cheese frosting would complement the cupcakes just as well.

 

 

cupcake batter

- 1 ¼ cup flour

- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 2/3 cup milk

- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut in pieces

- 2 large eggs

- 1 large egg yolk

- 1 ¼ cup sugar

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

- about 1 cup passion fruit curd

 

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F.  Line a 12 cup cupcake mold with paper liners.

2. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Set aside.Heat milk and butter in a small saucepan until hot.

3. In another bowl, with an electric mixer beat the eggs, yolk, and sugar until thickened. Add vanilla and almond extracts. Incorporate the flour mixture, and then slowly mix in the hot milk. Mix until the batter is smooth, but don’t over beat. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 cupcake liners.

4. Bake until the tops are firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.  Remove the cupcakes from the pan, and let cool on a wire rack.

5. Pipe the passion fruit curd filling right into the cupcakes with a long piping tip. Alternatively, cut out a cone shaped piece from the cupcakes to make a hole for the filling. Cut the lower part of the cone, leaving you with a circular lid. Spoon the filling inside the holes, and replace circular lid on top of the filling.

6. Prepare the 7 minute frosting according to the directions below. Frost the cupcakes and dust some fun sprinkles over the top. Share and enjoy!

 

passion fruit curd

- 1 cup sugar

- 1/2 cup passion fruit concentrate

- 6 large egg yolks

- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced

 

1. In a medium saucepan, place the sugar, passion fruit concentrate and egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens. This should take about 15 minutes. Turn heat off, and add the butter pieces one by one until all the butter is incorporated. Let cool and refrigerate until ready to use it. Makes about 2 cups.

 

7 minute frosting

- 1 cup plus 1tablespoon sugar

- 1/2 cup water

- 1 teaspoon light corn syrup

- 4 large egg whites, at room temperature

 

1. In a small saucepan, place 1 cup of the sugar, water and corn syrup. Place a candy thermometer on the side of the pan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat without stirring until it reaches 230°F.

2. While the mixture is coming up to 235°F, in the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Add in the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.

3. When the sugar syrup reaches 230°F, slowly pour the syrup on the inside side of the bowl while beating the egg whites on low. Once you have added all the syrup, change the speed to high, and beat for 7 minutes until stiff peaks form. Use immediately.

 

Recipe for cake from Cupcakes by Elinor Klivans.

Recipe for passion fruit curd and 7 minute frosting from Martha Stewart.

 

tips + tricks

- You can make the passion fruit curd up to three days in advance.

- You can make the cupcakes and fill them up to one day in advance.

- If you have a long piping tip like this one and piping bags you can just fill the cupcakes by inserting the point of the tip in the middle of the cupcake and squeezing the filling into it until you see the cupcake expand slightly. If you don't have a long piping tip, then just cut out cone shaped pieces from the middle top of the cupcake and spoon the filling into the holes

- Decorate your cupcake platters with simple things such as fresh flowers and colorful paper napkins.

- Silicone teacups are a fun and different presentation, and reusable.

- Don't make the 7 minute frosting on rainy or very humid days, it won't get fluffy and won't set as it should.

 

 

Hope you try to make these for your loved ones!

 

Cecilia

 

Cecilia is a food blogger, freelance recipe tester, and yoga enthusiast. Her blog One Vanilla Bean focuses on recipes with simple and pure ingredients. She enjoys recreating dishes she discovers on her travels and is a proponent of the local food movement. You can find her on twitter @onevanillabean. Cecilia grew up in Panama and currently lives in Washington, DC.

 

To celebrate the turn of the year, I've made my favorite cupcake recipe: Red Velvets decorated with fun toppers to match the festive occasion. This is a great treat to bring to your new year party. Here's how to make it happen:

 

cupcakes

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 1/3 cups vegetable oil

3/4 cup buttermilk, room temperature

2 tablespoons red food coloring

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

 

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners. In mixing bowl, sift together the all the dry ingredients - flour + sugar + baking soda + cocoa powder + salt.

 

 

In another mixing bowl, stir together the eggs + oil. In a mixing cup, mix together the buttermilk + food coloring + apple cider vinegar + vanilla extract + lightly whisk.

 

 

Gradually add the dry ingredients + buttermilk mixture to the egg mixture, starting + ending with the dry ingredients. The idea is to achieve a dark brown/red cupcake color. Add the batter to the cupcake liners + bake for 20-21 minutes, or until done.

 

 

Let the cupcakes cool completely.

 

frosting

4 cups confectioners' sugar

8 ounces cream cheese

2 sticks unsalted butter
 room temperature

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

 

Combine the sugar + cream cheese + butter + salt + vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl + blend for 2 minutes.

 

decorating

When the cupcakes are finally cool, pipe the frosting on top of the cupcake. Sprinkle as much awesomeness as you would like + top with your favorite topper. Finito! You are ready to devour your delicious Red Velvet Cupcake. Enjoy!

 

recipe card

A little treat for you from me, your very own Red Velvet Recipe Card for download here.

 

What an fantastic way to end 2010 right? With a delicious cupcake recipe. Life is sweet indeed + so are you lovelies.

 

Thanks again for all of your love + support in 2010. I’ll see you again in 2011! Sending you the biggest e-hug in the blogosphere!

 

xo,

Mayi Carles

 

Recipe Credit

Courtesy of Chef Carolina Garcia

 

Today was my first TV debut!!! Mayi's on the air baby! Martha Stewart here I come!

 

My heart is still pumping like if a cobra was chasing me through the jungle + I'm loving the adrenaline rush.

 

I really really have to thank Alex Medela, one of the hosts of Tu Mañana, for inviting me on to do my thing. I had such a blast + I want to do it again + again + again. So, I'm crossing my fingers for a repeat.

 

 

So what did I do? I made a super fun + crafty + eco-friendly holiday DIY tutorial - an eco-felt gift bow. They are so easy to make + so cute to wear. And as opposed to it's paper ribbon counter part, this bow actually stays in place + doesn't get smashed on the way to grandma's lol.

 

So let me show you how to make them...

 

materials

- felt (eco-friendly preferably)

- scissors

- needle

- thread

- ruler

- silicon glue

- pin (optional)

 

step by step

After gathering your materials...

 

Step 1: Cut a felt page lengthwise into 9 strips. Each strip should measure 3/4 inches wide. Leave 3 strips full length, 8.5 inches long + cut 1 inch off 3 of the strips + cut 2 inches off 2 of the strips + cut the last strip down to 3 1/2 inches long.

 

 

Step 2: Twist each strip to form a loop at both ends + sew it in the center. Shape the shortest strip into a circle + secure it with a glue dot.

 

Step 3: Layer the strips from longest to smallest, making sure you space each set evenly + carefully. Finally, stick the loop into the center. Once they are grouped sew all parts together.

 

 

You're done. You can use the bow as is for gift wrapping or you can add a pin to the back to wear it with your favorite blouse.

 

 

alternatives

You can transform this bow into a headband + clip + comb or anything else you'd like. You can also make them with recycled paper, like a map + magazine + newspaper or vintage paper for a nice variation.

 

Neat project don't you think?

 

Well lovelies, it's time to punch out. Work overload has been severe this week + this girl's gotta rest + drink some wine + cuddlle with David. Doctor's orders.

 

I'll probably post some weekend links tomorrow to be consequent with my editorial calendar. Till then, ta' ta' sweeties!

 

xo,
Mayi Carles

 

PS #1: If you want to see me in action (literally), my TV debut will air this next Monday, December 20 on Channel 13 at 10am here in Panama. I will also post the video on YouTube sometime soon + add English subtitles to avoid freaky bows.

 

PS #2: I got the idea for making these super cute bows from How About Orange's Magazine Gift Bow Tutorial.

 

I'm so thrilled to finally be able to share with you about a little project I've been working on behind the scenes with some other amazing artists + makers. This Winter Canvas e-book is a compilation of 9 unique + exclusive! projects to print + create during the cold winter months. They are perfect to use as holiday treats but most are good anytime as well.

 

what's inside?

Inside, you’ll find 3 different greeting card designs + 2 coloring pages + 1 scrumptious recipe + 3 craft projects. Here's a little teaser:

 

 

Print each project as many times as you like. Use them over + over again! These projects let you have a little DIY all while providing a lovely template for your creativity.

 

This e-book marries the inspiration of physical craft book with the convenience that the internet has to offer.

 

featuring

Stephanie Corfee

Megan Auman

Bonnie Forkner

Debra Styer
.tif Smith

Tara Gentile

Bridgett Edwards

Nicole Rodriguez

Mayi Carles

 

cost

$10. Each artist receives a royalty on the sale of every book (that includes me) – so your purchase helps support creative professionals at what they do best!

 

buy

Click here to buy your copy + receive the download immediately!

 

xo,

Mayi Carles