Omiyage Blogs

It's a Calendar Sale!

2012-01-27T09:04:00.000-05:00

All 2012 Calendars are now 40% Off!

Treat yourself to some wall candy from Karel Capek, Shinzi Katoh, Sachiko Iwabuchi and more. The passing of time never looked so good!

And, yes, we've got desktop cuties too.

Love Transforms

2012-01-26T11:19:00.002-05:00

Kissing Booth - Roll & Tumble Press / Love U Card - Blackbird Letterpress / I left my heart in - Paper Pastries

Mini Valentine's Cards - Gingiber / Love - The Wheatfield / Heart Spoons - Beehive Kitchenware

Looking for unique handmade goods for Valentine's Day?

Come visit us at the latest Poppytalk Handmade Market (don't worry, you don't have to travel far. It's an online market!) where our Valentine's goodies are hanging out with a fantastic selection of artisan works. Whether you're looking for the perfect letterpressed Love card or a new art piece for your wall, there's lots of loveliness to peruse.

Or flip through the Love Transforms lookbook for a curated selection of the best of the market.

See you there!

Paper Quilling for Valentine's Day

2012-01-25T08:44:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you, but I love learning about new crafts and skills I'd never even thought of. Gorgeous and ornate paper quilling has been popping up on my radar and I invited Ann Martin of All Things Paper to stop by to tell us why she loves this art and share a few of her Valentine's themed tutorials.

I'm Ann Martin, a quilling enthusiast - yes, that's two LLs - just like the ones in rolled paper, which is pretty much the definition of quilling. I enjoy exploring the worlds of creative paper art and paper craft via my website, All Things Paper, where I feature a variety of people who work with paper.

In a previous life I was a hospital nurse, but now I design paper projects and write tutorials for books, magazines and websites. I love introducing the concept of rolled paper art to those who have never seen or heard of quilling, as it almost always elicits a "wow!"

How did I get started?

An article about quilled Valentines and monograms in Martha Stewart Living magazine stopped me in my tracks... I knew immediately it was something I had to learn how to do. I'd long dabbled in calligraphy, so it was no wonder the graceful paper scrolls and flourishes caught my eye. Captivated by quilling's elegance and intrigued by the short list of necessary supplies, at first I cut paper strips by hand and used a cake tester as my tool of choice. A huge asset was the lovely group of quillers around the world who gathered online in craft forums to share tips, and now via Facebook and blogs. The quilling community is a thriving one and it's great to see the way it's grown by leaps and bounds just in the past few years.

Want to try? Here are a few Valentine's paper quilling projects to get you started!

Quilled Paper Heart Pendant

Quilled Valentine Card / Folded Rose Tutorial / Flower Power Heart Card

If you're interested in learning to quill, there are lots more ideas and tutorials posted on Ann's website.

Have you ever tried paper quilling?

100 Crafty Tape Ideas

2012-01-24T09:15:00.002-05:00

Image via Mel Stampz

I came across this treasure trove of washi tape (and other tape) projects last night and just had to share!

If you've been wondering just what to do with your stash of pretty tapes - new ways to use them or how to store them, Mel Stampz's round-up just might have the answer for you.

But before you go delve into all those projects, I though I'd share my 5 favourite ways to use washi tape:

1. Hanging art or making art. It's temporary, striking, and as easy to remove (if not easier) than it was to put up.

2. Wrapping. Turn any plain paper, bag or tag into something fun with a touch of washi tape. You can even make your own wrapping paper.

3. Adding a special touch to special meals. I especially love the look of a cupcake with a wee washi tape flag. (Okay, that wasn't a cupcake, but I couldn't resist!)

4. Making cards. Birthdays, Christmas, or anytime in between. Everyone loves a handmade card, and these are a breeze to make.

5. Decorating the outgoing mail! A strip of washi tape to seal the envelope. Perhaps a thin border of tape around the address. A little here, a little there and your mail will be as fun to send as it is to receive. (Even better? Washi tape easily peels off most envelopes, allowing the recipient to reuse it, should they wish!)

What's your favourite way to use washi tape?

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Melanie Mikecz

2012-01-23T09:03:00.001-05:00

Check Mark

Funky Russian Architecture

Nine Circles

Raindrop Tiger

Purple Diamonds are Forever

It's grey & rainy Monday, after a gorgeous sunny winter weekend, and some vibrant eye candy is definitely needed around here to lift the spirits and snap out of the post-weekend daze!

Illustrator Melanie Mikecz, of twoems, creates bright, cheerful pieces sure to get you out of any funk! I love her graphic abstract pieces but her animals are pretty fantastic too. Don't you just love that tiger?

Need more eye candy? (I know I do!) Visit Melanie over on her site for lots more juicy pieces, or snag a print in the twoems etsy shop.

Happy Monday!

Oh, and let us know, what's your secret to brightening your spirits on a grey day?

Be Mine, Valentine Boutique

2012-01-19T09:31:00.002-05:00

Our Be Mine, Valentine boutique is stocked with all sorts of adorableness for crafting your best Valentine's Day yet!

Sweet paper heart doilies, heart-themed washi tape, cute stickers, I Love You envelopes, treat bags and lots more. Go take a peek and dream up all the cuteness you could be gifting (or receiving) this Love Day!

DIY: EASY Washi Tape Reward Jars

2012-01-17T08:45:00.000-05:00

My sister, Alexis (the brain behind the washi tape menu planner), is always on the hunt for useful things to do with washi tape. I asked her to share her recent clever project with us today:

Inspired by a cute post over on The Creative Mama, we made ourselves reward jars this weekend.

My daughter needs a motivational boost for the ever-challenging world of reading while my son needs to learn that good things can happen when you cooperate, listen and begin to face a world without diapers.

I'll admit that bribing your children is a short-lived solution that has long-term drawbacks BUT the reality is that, as adults, we are bribed and bribe ourselves regularly. Our favourite places reward us for our patronage (Starbucks Rewards, Longos Rewards, Canadian Tire Money, etc). If we fundraise to a certain level, we get a "prize". Plus, I'm guilty of saying "if I get through this day, I can't wait to enjoy a movie tonight." It's a reality of our society and, needless to say, I'm momentarily making peace with it to see if we can get results.

So, we took our dwindling collection of washi tape (don't worry, I know where to get more!) and two awesome square (ahem - easy!) vases and began.

Next, I put four even reward lines on the jars. Reaching the first line earns you treat from our treat jar. Getting to the second line lets you watch a movie. The third line equals a $10 toy from the toy store. And the fourth line earns you a family dinner in a restaurant of your choice.

I decided to use pop-it beads as the jar fillers, but as choking hazards are always a concern, I may need to choose something bigger to keep my mind at ease.

There is much excitement about the jars and we have already added three beads to one jar and ten to the other. I have decided that all the beads are cumulative and I will not remove them after each reward is earned. If I wanted to teach a more financial lesson about saving vs. spending, I might have done so, but for now I need results, so I'm keeping it simple!

Have you had success motivating your kids with rewards?
Please share your reward ideas with us so I can change things up with more creative ideas!

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Teatime

2012-01-16T09:42:00.001-05:00

Nikki McWilliams

Kathrin Jebsen-Marwedel

Lucille's Kitchen

Julene Harrison

Happy Monday!

I'm in the midst of my annual switch from morning coffee to tea and, thus, have tea on the brain! (It usually lasts a few months and then the siren song of my moka maker lures me back).

Though I'm sipping on green tea these days, there's nothing quite so wonderful as an afternoon tea - biccies & all.

Are you a tea drinker? Any recommendations for a great cuppa?

Calendars & Cuties

2012-01-13T10:30:00.003-05:00

I did the ol' calendar switch last week. While I'm loving my new calendar, I couldn't quite bear the thought of recycling the gorgeous Sawako Hikita calendar which saw me through 2011.

So I thought to myself - WWHSD? (That's What Would Hello Sandwich Do?) Why she'd keep all the good bits, of course!

So that's what I'm doing - cutting out all the best illustrations to use for gift tags and wrapping and what not. So fun! Why not do the same? Keep the good bits in your craft corner for when inspiration hits. Much better than tossing it in the recycling bin, if I do say so myself.

What else is new?

These cuties will be available soon - slowly but surely clearing out old stock and bringing in new!

Have you checked out our sweet new Valentine's Boutique? It's red & white & pink all over.

And speaking of new - have you swung by the shop this week? She's looking a little fresher for the new year with some new main images. Because everyone deserves a mini-makeover to with a new year, right?

Oh, and we'll be listing a few rolls of cute fabric tape next week. Some polka dot cuties like these! Really limited stock, so if you've been wanting to try fabric tape (we sure were), this just might be your chance.

Happy Friday!

Don't forget to enter our Lucky Bag Giveaway.

Giveaway: Win An Omiyage Lucky Bag!

2012-01-11T16:04:00.002-05:00

We're so excited about our New Year's Lucky Bags that we've been asking you left, right and centre if you're feeling lucky, wishing you good luck, and even humming "Luck Be A Lady" to ourselves.

So, with all this talk about luck, we thought it was about time to let our customers and readers test their 2012 luck!

To celebrate the new year, we'll be giving away 2 extra-special Omiyage Lucky Bags (approximate value $25.00 each).

Each Lucky Bag is stuffed with cute stationery, washi tape, and other charming goodies. Perfect to bring a smile to your face! Sounds good, right?

Here's how to win:

1. Join our mailing list. Click on the envelope in the right sidebar and you'll be directed to the form. If you already subscribe to our newsletter, you're already entered. No comment necessary.

2. In the comments below, please answer one of the following questions (or both, if you're feeling chatty):

What Omiyage item do you hope is in the Lucky Bag? Please include a link to the item.
What type of posts would you like to see more of on Omiyage Blogs?

Please ensure we have a way to contact you - email address, twitter handle, etc. If you select the Name/URL option when posting the comment you may enter your email address in the URL field - however, please note that it will be public. Anonymous comments (no name or email address) will be deleted. One comment per person, please.

For Extra Entries:

1. Follow Omiyage on Facebook. Tell us in a comment.

2. Follow us on Twitter. Leave a comment including your username.

3. Subscribe to Omiyage Blogs via Google Friend. That's another comment!

4. Tweet about the giveaway (make sure you include @Omiyage_ca in your tweet). You got it - another comment (but only one - you may tweet about the giveaway as many times as you'd like, but just 1 comment please!)

The Details:

The winner of the 1st Surprise Pack will be drawn at random from the comments posted on this blog post. We will accept comments on this post until Monday, January 30th at 11:59pm PST.

The winner of the 2nd Surprise Pack will be drawn at random from subscribers to our Mailing List. We promise not to flood your inbox with daily emails - we'll be sending out newsletters and news of special and exclusive deals occasionally. Anyone who joins the mailing list up until January 31st at 11:59pm PST will be automatically entered.

Open internationally.

Omiyage Lucky Bags are Full of Surprises!

2012-01-11T12:28:00.001-05:00

It's our favourite time of year. Time for fukubukuro - or "Lucky Bags". Surprise bags packed with all sorts of goodies, a Japanese shopping tradition which we love so much, we've made our own!

These limited edition goodie bags are filled with the best of Omiyage plus surprises too! We've created 3 sizes of Lucky Bags, so everyone can join in the fun! And each Lucky Bag is different - lovingly handpacked upon receipt of your order.

So how about a sneak peek inside? Everyone loves a sneak peek, right? Just enough to whet your appetite, not so much that we ruin the surprise!

So here's a look at the 3 sizes of Lucky Bags available this January and a wee peek at some of the goodies you might just find inside. Actual Lucky Bags contain more goodies than shown in the images below!

Small Lucky Bags are a taste of Omiyage goodness. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, a whole lot of fun!

Medium Lucky Bags are filled with a combination of clever craft supplies and cute stationery. You'll be dreaming, doing, folding, writing and creating with the contents of these sweet bags. Packed into a Bigger Bitty Bag, they're almost as cute on the outside as they are on the inside!

Large Lucky Bags come lovingly wrapped in handmade washi envelopes. These envelopes leave us literally busting at the seams with stationery, craft supplies and other cuteness. Once you've discovered all the goodness inside, you can reuse the gorgeous chiyogami, aizome or katazome paper used to make the envelope for your own crafty adventures.

Of course, we like to keep somethings a secret, so we won't show you what's inside! But we can say, it's so much fun!

Our New Year's Lucky Bags are only available until January 30th or until they sell out, whichever happens first.

Check back a little later today and we'll tell you how you could win one of two special Lucky Bags!

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Kayo Tamaishi

2012-01-09T08:53:00.001-05:00

My second favourite thing

Let's eat with me

It is sweet and bittersweet

Happy Monday!

Feast your eyes on the work of Japanese illustrator Kayo Tamaishi. Feast, indeed!

Of course, the artist plays on paper with more than just oversized food, but those enchanted eyes feature in most of her work. I love them, don't you?

Want more eye candy this morning? Visit Kayo's website, blog or etsy shop where you can treat yourself to a print to call your own!

What Friday Looks Like - Instagram Version

2012-01-06T10:10:00.002-05:00

This Friday is full of...

good coffee brewing

new tape waiting for its big debut

thoughts of love (& Valentine's projects)

handmade washi envelopes

In case you hadn't heard, our New Year's Lucky Bags - or fukubukuro - are back and better than ever! 3 sizes of surprise fun to treat yourself to. The Large Lucky Bag will come in a handmade chiyogami / aizome / katazome envelope (while supplies last) - reuse the envelope or use the paper for your own crafty adventures!

Happy Friday!

2012 - Make It The Year Of The Bento

2012-01-05T10:51:00.000-05:00

1. Just Bento / 2. Bohnenhase / 3. Bento Zen / 4. Sandwich Architecture

January - the month where we all seem to resolve to eat a little better, live a little healthier, perhaps trim down a little. Why not try packing a bento lunch this year?

The trend of bento-ing in North America seems to lean heavily towards kyarabens, or "character bentos". Super-cute lunches geared towards enticing even the pickiest of eaters to eat - full of animal-shaped rice balls and heart-shaped mini sandwiches.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that - crafting a beautiful bento is an art. But one which, I think, the average adult simply doesn't have time for when packing their lunch.

So this year, why not step away from the take out? Forget brown-bagging it, embrace bento-ing and build a better lunch culture for yourself!

At the core of the bento philosophy you'll find the following:

healthy and nutritious homemade food
an emphasis on colourful fruits & vegetables
portion control
making lunch an enjoyable experience rather than a chore

Websites like Just Bento are full of inspiration and recipes for bento lunches. Or simply pack leftovers - that's what we do!

And, no, you don't have to pack rice EVERYday (though it is delicious). A bento can be a salad, noodles, sandwich - whatever you fancy eating!

Want to make 2012 the year of the bento? Let us know in the comments if you bento and why you love it. Proud of your bento skills? Share a picture of your bento lunch on our Facebook page or send it to us in a tweet!

Looking for a beautiful bento box? We've got those too! Check out our bento selection here.

2012 Calendar Sale!

2012-01-04T15:51:00.003-05:00

Still searching for the perfect 2012 calendar?

Our entire selection of Shinzi Katoh and Art Print Japan calendars are on sale. Whether you're looking for a wall calendar with plenty of space to write or a petite desk calendar to check dates on, we think you'll love them!

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Yoko Tanji

2012-01-02T09:58:00.000-05:00

untitled

scissor sisters

neconbu

Happy Monday & Welcome 2012!

Let's start the year off right - with some fun eye candy from Japanese illustrator Yoko Tanji. Anyone else need a cat hat, or is just me?

Here's hoping that 2012 is full of art, love and beauty!

As always, if you come across an artist you think we should share in our Monday Morning Eye Candy series, let us know in the comments, or send us a note at info(at)omiyage(dot)ca

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T22:05:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year from us to you!

May 2012 be filled with happiness, creativity and more than a little magic!

xo Marisa & Elias

Boxing Week Savings

2011-12-27T17:13:00.000-05:00

Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend!

Come back and visit Omiyage.ca during Boxing Week to treat yourself to the washi tape you didn't find in your stocking or that bento box you've been coveting!

Shop Early, Save More:

Save 25% on December 26th with code BOXINGDAY

Save 20% on December 27th with code 27SAVE20

Save 15% from December 28th-31st with code BOXINGWK

From December 28th-31st, we'll also be running flash sales on items alongside the 15% off!

See you next week!

Happy Holidays from Omiyage

2011-12-23T08:32:00.000-05:00

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and all the best of the holiday season!

Have fun, stay safe, eat well & see you next week!

xo Marisa & Elias

Psst... if you're interested, check out the details of our Boxing Week specials so you can plan ahead!

The Tree of Hope

2011-12-22T13:14:00.001-05:00

via MY MODERN MET

Have you heard of the Tree of Hope?

A San Francisco tradition since 2006, the 20-25 foot tree is filled each year with thousands of origami cranes bearing the wishes of people from all over the world.

A beautiful tradition, which we think, would make a wonderful addition to your own Christmas tree!

via madpimp

Write your wish on a piece of origami paper (or other square paper) and fold that wish into a paper crane. Cranes can be tricky at first, but we think you'll get the hang of it!

Check out the instructions above for a step by step guide.

Then take your crane and either hang on the tree or nestle in the branches. Origami cranes are symbols of peace, happiness, good luck and long-life.

This holiday season we're wishing for peace, health & happiness.

What's your wish this holiday season?

DIY: Hanukkah Crafts

2011-12-20T10:03:00.000-05:00

Hanukkah Coasters - The Purl Bee
Embroidered Dreidel Game Pouches - The Purl Bee

Happy Hanukkah to all those celebrating! Here's a little crafty inspiration for the Festival of Lights.

Marshmallow Dreidels - Martha Stewart
Dreidel Place Cards - The Party Dress

Oh - and if you have any extra latkes, we'd be happy to help you eat them!

Cookie Menorah - Amy Atlas
Star Punched Paper Hurricanes - Martha Stewart

Seen any wonderful Hanukkah projects? Have one of your own to share? Let us know in the comments!

Monday Morning Eye Candy - World Maps

2011-12-18T17:48:00.003-05:00

At this time of year, when we parcel up best wishes and holiday cheer, and send them off to friends and family all around the world, it's hard not to think about how big and yet so small this world of ours really is.

So, for those of you whose eyes are a little tired of gazing on trees and presents and fattening treats everywhere you click these days, instead feast your eyes on these gorgeous maps and think about your loved ones, wherever they may be.

Do you have a map in your home? Do you prefer a more traditional map or an artistic version like the ones above?

Happy Monday!

DIY: Holiday Decorations

2011-12-15T11:37:00.001-05:00

1. Paper Stars - home by linn

2. Paper Fan Decorations - Ing Things

3. Tree Piñata - Anthology Mag

4. Finnish Stars - Maggie Makes

2012 Animal Deco Calendar

2011-12-13T11:17:00.001-05:00

Make 2012 the Year of Cute with this adorable desktop calendar.

The 2012 Animal Deco Calendar comes with an assortment of kawaii stickers so that you can customize each month with just the right amount of cuteness!

There's still time to slip this cutie under the tree (if you're ordering from Canada) or why not treat yourself to something sweet for 2012! Available in our Calendar section.

City of Craft 2011

2011-12-09T12:43:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again - time for City of Craft!

Toronto's favourite independent craft show is this weekend. Join in the fun and get some holiday shopping done - Saturday from 11 to 6 and Sunday from 11 to 5!

More details here. Take a sneak peek at the sponsors & vendors here.

Today We're Loving: Red & Green

2011-12-09T10:34:00.003-05:00

1. Snowman Hoop Ornament - Pilli Pilli Handmade / 2. Red Essentials Washi Tape - Omiyage.ca

3. Paper Angel Ornament - Canadian Living Craft Blog / 4. Christmas Cupcakes - A Spoonful of Sugar

5. Christmas Divine Twine Trio - Omiyage.ca / 6. Green Essentials Washi Tape - Omiyage.ca

7. Christmas Cookies - Glorious Treats / 8. Christmas Ornament Tree Mobile - Not Martha

DIY: Make a Kirigami Garland

2011-12-08T12:02:00.001-05:00

Did you spot our kirigami garland over on Oh My! Handmade yesterday? It's hanging from the mantle with our handmade stockings. It's a fun take on the typical paper snowflakes seen around this season!

Kirigami is the term used for the art of folding and then cutting paper into decorative shapes. Though the term comes from Japanese (kiri = to cut, gami = paper), it was actually coined by an American artist in the 1960's.

We've talked about kirigami before - and shared the how to's for Sakura Kirigami and Spiderweb Kirigami - but really, the joy of this form of paper cutting is in the surprise!

Start with colourful thin paper - we LOVE our 7.5cm 50 Colour Origami Paper for kirigami - fold and snip away. Lots of small cuts will give you an intricate, lacy look. Larger cuts mean more open space and a look which is both floral and geometric at the same time. Want to make kirigami flowers? Start with Sakura kirigami and then improvise from there.

Choose a colour theme - like our traditional red, green & white seen in the first image (though they're looking a little pink in that shot!) or go colourful and you'll be able to enjoy your garland year round!

Once you've finished cutting, you may want to carefully press the kirigami using a warm, dry iron (we always use the lowest setting) to soften the look of the folds. Then simply string your creations together using thin ribbon or string.

If you'd like to see templates for various styles of kirigami, let us know in the comments and we'll put something together for you!

DIY: Monogrammed Christmas Stockings

2011-12-07T10:48:00.000-05:00

Join Marisa over on Oh My! Handmade Goodness and learn how to make your own Custom Monogrammed Christmas Stockings! There's still time to make your family a matching set this holiday season.

18 Stocking Stuffers to Make or Buy!

2011-12-06T15:07:00.001-05:00

What could be better than a giant sock stuffed with tasty treats and clever goodies? Not much! That's why we love stockings & all the fab things inside them.

Here's 9 things to buy and 9 things to make for this year's Christmas stockings.

To Buy:

1. Gift Box Washi Tape / 2. Origami Paper / 3. Dinosaur Rubber Bands

4. Shinzi Katoh Postcard / 5. Christmas Divine Twine / 6. Rubber Stamp Duo

7. Slide Calendar / 8. Paper Balloons / 9. Shinzi Katoh Deco Tape

There's plenty more stocking stuffer worthy goodies available over in the shop! Check out our Stocking Stuffer section for more ideas or have some fun browsing the shop for other petite treats.

To Make:

1. Sewn Paper Pouches - Peppermint Plum / 2. Holiday Crayons - Sew Smitten / 3. Zipper Pouch - How About Orange

4. Magnetic Dress Up Dolls - Kirtsy / 5. Candy Cane Mice - Martha Stewart / 6. Felt Coffee Cozy - The Purl Bee

7. Polaroid Magnets - Ambrosia Creative / 8. Pretty Pencils - Omiyage Blogs / 9. Coal Candy - Sprinkle Bakes

Wouldn't receiving any of these clever handcrafted items be a wonderful treat on Christmas morning? And how amazing does that Coal Candy look? Almost worth being naughty for - almost!
Do you have any stocking traditions? Ours always have an orange stuffed in the toe!

2012 Tag Calendar

2011-12-05T14:13:00.001-05:00

Want a unique calendar to add some sweetness to your desktop - but don't have much space? This petite cutie is for you!

12 monthly Tags help you mark the days of 2012.

Looking for stocking stuffers which are different but not too pricey? At only $12.00, the 2012 Tag Calendar is a wonderful option to slip into stockings this year. Also makes a great teacher gift!

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Catherine Campbell

2011-12-05T08:58:00.001-05:00

The Wind That Blows

Sometimes of the Land

Sometimes of the Sea

Sarah

Black Stars

It's a dreary rainy Monday morning here in Toronto, following a cozy rainy Sunday. (Funny how that perception changes when one day allows you to snuggle in for the day and the other boots you out of bed and orders you to work!)

The perfect day for a little beauty. And Catherine Campbell's work is certainly beautiful. I've admired her pieces for quite some time. And, really, what's not to love? Ladies in teacups and houses as hats, more than a little magic in each piece.

Want more eye candy? Find Catherine's work in her etsy shop, blog or website.

Happy Monday!

Washi Tape Christmas Tree

2011-12-02T11:12:00.001-05:00

An insta-gram look at our washi tape Christmas tree.

It's about 5ft tall above a little bookcase we decked out in festive washi tape stripes for the season - a perfect spot to perch gifts (hint hint). We L-O-V-E it!

So if you don't have the space for a tree this year, why not go flat?

Free Shipping!

2011-12-01T09:24:00.001-05:00

There are so many wonderful things about shopping online during the holidays (and well.. all year round!) - it's convenient, you skip the line ups and the stress of shopping in the mall, access to wonderful things you can't find locally. But there's one thing that isn't the greatest - paying for shipping! That's why, this holiday season, we've decided to pay the shipping for you!

From December 1st till December 25th, we're offering Free Shipping on all Canadian Orders over $50.00! Think of it as our holiday gift to you! No coupon needed, no special codes, simply add $50.00 or more in Omiyage goodies to your shopping cart and we'll pay the shipping for you!

How about US and International orders?

For our lovely US and International customers, we'll happily cover the first $7.50 of your shipping when you order more than $50.00 worth of Omiyage goods.

What does that mean? Just as with our Flat Rate Shipping Fee, it all depends on the weight of your package. US Orders over $50.00 in value and under 500g in weight will ship for free & International Orders over $50.00 in value and under 250g in weight will ship for free.

Visit our Shipping Section for all the details!

Sweets Maniac 2012 Calendar

2011-11-30T13:49:00.001-05:00

How's that sweet tooth of yours?

We love this 2012 Calendar illustrated by Sweets Maniac - a Japanese bakery famous for their gorgeous cookies. That's right, that's 12 months of delightful cookie illustrations - from traditional Japanese holidays to seasonal motifs - 12 months of cookie sakura and squirrels and bikinis and santas! Sweet, right?

The Sweets Maniac 2012 Calendar would fit right in on your kitchen wall and gives you plenty of space to write down important dates - like soccer tournaments, dentist appointments, and, the ever important, holiday cookie exchanges! It might even inspire you to get creative in your cookie baking in the new year!

Pick up your copy of this sweet calendar at Omiyage.ca while they last!

DIY Washi Tape Gift Tags

2011-11-28T12:20:00.001-05:00

Pardon me while I play favourites for a moment. I tore into the red & green pack of our Giftbox Washi Tape last night, and I am smitten! It's cute with a little vintage flair, bold and pre-printed with a variety of sweet sentiments.

What I love most about washi tape is that the possibilities really seem endless. This duo seems perfectly suited for wrapping gifts and making cards and gift tags.

I grabbed a handful of plain tags in 2 sizes and had a little fun whipping up some gift tags. This is simple, hassle-free crafting at its best. You cut and stick while the tape does all the hard work for you.

Of course, you can do this with any washi tape you have around - not just the giftbox sets. Remember these ones we created to go with our washi tape wrapping paper?

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Hello Sandwich

2011-11-28T10:05:00.001-05:00

As we gear up to tackle holiday wrapping, it seemed like the perfect time to get inspired by a little Hello Sandwich eye candy.

Do you know Hello Sandwich? Hello Sandwich is Australian artist Ebony Bizys and she is living the dream in Tokyo. A crafty dream full of writing craft books, leading workshops, installations... what fun!

Hello Sandwich is genius at turning paper and tape and other bits and bobs into wonderful wrapping and stationery. And, if you're anything like me, using them in ways you've never though of!

Visit the Hello Sandwich blog for a look into the crafty side of Tokyo or swing by her shop to pick up a gift wrapping zine or some special dotty wrapping paper!

*All images via hellosandwich.blogspot.com

Save 15% On Everything!

2011-11-24T15:34:00.001-05:00

Starting at midnight tonight, save 15% on everything in the shop!

Enter code BLK15 to save. Think of it as a combo Black Friday / Small Business Saturday / Cyber Monday!

Promo runs from 12:01am Friday, November 25th until 11:59pm Monday November 28th, 2011. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Today We're Loving - City of Craft

2011-11-24T09:32:00.001-05:00

1. City Mini Blocks - fidoodle

2. Charms Buttons Set - Sweetie Pie Press

3. Pink Pattern Card - DEADWEIGHT

4. Gourmet Marshmallows - I Love Puffy Love

5. One Love Print - Laura George

6. Celebrate Candle Card - Have & Hold Design

7. Handcarved Crystal Stamp - Stephanie Galea

8. The Rabbit Tote - morico

We are thrilled to be sponsoring City of Craft again this year. The largest independently run juried craft show in Toronto runs December 10th to 11th at The Theatre Centre & Thrush Holmes Empire on Queen Street West. It's a celebration of craft in the city!

If you're lucky (and you get there early), you just might snag yourself a sweet swag bag full of goodies - including Omiyage Washi Tape and Divine Twine!

Check out the City of Craft site for more details on the event and vendors. Visit their blog to keep up on the latest or stay in the loop via Twitter!

2012 Shinzi Katoh Calendar

2011-11-23T08:11:00.001-05:00

Like Shinzi Katoh? Treat yourself to a 2012 Shinzi Katoh Calendar and you'll love him all year long!

This generously sized calendar gives you plenty of space to schedule in dentists appointments, soccer games and days off without sacrificing any of that whimsical zakka style!

Why do we love it? It's cute without being cutesy. Find yours at Omiyage.ca.

Available with two different covers - Little Red Hood or Paris Cats. The calendar pages are the same for both versions.

DIY: Paper Ornaments

2011-11-22T10:07:00.001-05:00

1. 3D Paper Ball Ornaments - How About Orange

2. Paper Gems - Mini-eco

Fancy a tree full of handmade paper ornaments?

How about these fancy paper ornaments? They're oh so colourful & clever! (Though the colourful part is up to you.)

Sneak Peek!

2011-11-21T19:14:00.001-05:00

We've been seized by the holiday spirit! Here's a sneak peek at this year's tree.

We'll share the finished product later this week.

~ M&E

DIY: Washi Tape Holiday Cards

2011-11-17T13:28:00.001-05:00

How about making some simple holiday cards? All you need is some washi tape, card stock, scissors & a little imagination!

Then just snip and stick! Simple shapes work best.

You can always stick your tape on parchment paper, cut or punch out the desired shapes, then stick to your card.

We're loving the extra pop you get from outlining the shapes in black - but they're just as charming without.

Even better? This project is definitely kid friendly! As long as you aren't hiding your tape stash from the little ones!

2012 Happy Teatime Calendar

2011-11-16T09:53:00.001-05:00

The 2012 Happy Teatime Calendar from Japanese teahouse (and purveyors of cute) Karel Capek is definitely a cutie! 12 months of kawaii goodness, sweet patterns, and, of course, tea! Gift this one to the tea lover in your life - or the one who can't get enough cute. Either way, a year full of Happy Teatimes sounds like a pretty great 2012 to us!

DIY: Origami Globes

2011-11-15T08:46:00.001-05:00

1. DIY Globe Garland - Poppytalk

2. DIY Paper Cube String Lights - Wit & Whistle

I love it when someone answers the age old origami question of "I've folded it, now what?"

Why string 'em up, of course! Vintage maps transform into wee globes and classic white paper becomes a custom strand of fairy lights.

What are you waiting for? Get folding!

Seen any other wonderful ways to use origami? Have a pretty clever idea yourself? Tell us all about it in the comments - or post a picture / link on our Facebook page!

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Elly MacKay

2011-11-13T21:01:00.001-05:00

On the back of a tiger

Someday

For a moment, time slowed...

On that small hilltop in the mountains, their lives were intertwined.

Nothing made him happier than a summer's day

Artist Elly MacKay creates magic in her Owen Sound studio. Magic crafted from paper and light, ink and shadow. Elly builds paper scenes in a miniature theatre, plays with light, and captures dream worlds with her camera. Utterly gorgeous!

Want more? Visit Elly's site, learn more about her process, or capture a piece of this magic for yourself in her Etsy shop.

Happy Monday! Here's hoping for a great week - even if there are no tiger rides involved!

Sweet Salvia Stationery Gift Sets

2011-11-11T14:54:00.001-05:00

One sweet letter set.

One pocket-sized notebook

Two rolls of pretty washi tape.

Only twelve fifty.

One great gift!

What Is Washi Tape?

2011-11-10T11:00:00.001-05:00

Let's talk tape!

You might be wondering what all this fuss about tape is. You might be asking yourself - what is washi tape??? So, let's start at the beginning:

A Short History of Washi Tape

The whole washi tape phenomenon started in 2006. A group of artists approached a Japanese masking tape manufacturer - Kamoi Kakoshi - and presented them with a book of art they had created using the company's industrial masking tapes. The artists requested that Kamoi Kakoshi manufacture colourful masking tapes for artists.

This was the start of mt masking tape. In the beginning, there were 20 colours, colours designed to bring out the beauty of the rice paper (or washi) used to make the tape. The tapes were a hit - with artists, crafters, and design lovers - both in Japan and, gradually, internationally. With success came new colours, patterns and sizes.

But What Is Washi Tape?

To put it simply, washi tape is a high quality masking tape made of rice paper.

But more than that, washi tape is a material which is beautiful yet useful at the same time. You can tear it, stick it, reposition it, write on it... The low tack adhesive makes it extremely easy to use (and reuse). I think it is so popular because it is so easy to use - and looks good while doing it!

What's The Difference Between Washi Tape and Japanese Masking Tape?

Nothing. They're the same thing! Originally marketed as Japanese Masking Tape, at some point the accepted international term for the tape became "washi tape". In Japan, it's known as masking tape (マスキングテープ) and the most renowned brand of washi tape is simply called mt - which stands for "masking tape". The term "washi tape" refers to the fact that the tapes are made from Japanese rice paper and differentiates it from typical masking tape you might find in the hardware store.

What's The Difference Between Washi Tape and Deco Tape?

Deco Tape is a plastic tape. The tape itself feels a bit like a thin packing tape and is stickier than washi tape. It's great for sealing envelopes and wrapping presents but a little harder to use for paper crafting.

What About All Those Online Tutorials For Making My Own Washi Tape?

We're big proponents of creativity and DIY projects. Go ahead, have fun! That being said, real washi tape isn't really something you can make at home. The beauty of washi tape is that it is so easy to use - when you have to fuss with paper backings or stamp and draw designs on regular tape, it seems like an awful lot of trouble! You're also missing out on the inherent beauty and translucency of the rice paper used to make washi tape. Both the real and the DIY versions are great, but they don't really replace each other!

Why Is Washi Tape So Expensive?

We often hear that washi tape is pricy - but we don't think it is. We like to compare it to ribbon rather than to other tapes. Most of our rolls of washi tape have a generous 15 metres (almost 50 feet!) of tape. If you buy a single roll at $4.50, that's only $0.30 per metre. Try buying unique, imported ribbon at that price!

Have more questions about washi tape / deco tape? Please leave them in the comments and we'll be happy to answer them for you!

All this talk of washi tape has you craving some of your own? Visit our Tape section for a wide variety of washi and deco tapes!

Bento Gift Sets

2011-11-09T13:10:00.001-05:00

Looking for a unique but useful gift this holiday season? Our gorgeous Hakoya bento boxes are now available in gift sets. Save $5.00 to $7.00 when you buy a set!

DIY: Colourful Felt Holiday

2011-11-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

1. Felt Ball Garland - My Sparkle

2. Twisted Felt Garland - The Purl Bee

3. Wonderful Xmas Wreath - Pickles

4. Flowered Felt Stocking - Better Homes & Gardens

New! Washi Tape Triplets

2011-11-08T08:42:00.002-05:00

Our new "Essentials" line of washi tape triplets is colourful, fun and already mixed and matched for you! With a bold solid, clever grid print and cute ribbon print in each 3 pack, you just might find yourself craving the whole rainbow!

We're excited to now be carrying Mark's Inc tapes in the store. The same high quality washi tape you've come to know and love, in fun new prints and colours (and at a slightly lower price, too)! Check out the whole new washi tape line up in the shop!

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Dan-ah Kim

2011-11-07T11:05:00.001-05:00

Lady And Her Fox - Dan-ah Kim

Making Pictures - Dah-ah Kim

The Stars Under My Control - Dan-ah Kim

Waiting For Inspiration - Dan-ah Kim

I'll Shield You - Dan-ah Kim

We've been having some magically warm weather so far this November. Sunny, blue skies - good strolling weather!

We thought it would be nice to celebrate that magic by slipping into the world of Dan-ah Kim this Monday. The Brooklyn-based artist harnesses the stars, makes friends with animals, dances with the dark and makes you want to sneak into her work and live in these magical worlds. Find Dan-ah on etsy or visit her website for a look at even more fantastic work.

Happy Monday! Hope you find some magic in your world this week!

DIY Simple Advent Calendar

2011-11-04T11:46:00.001-04:00

Last year, we told you all about our love affair with Advent Calendars! And shared lots of great DIY calendar ideas - here, here, and here!

Do you celebrate Advent? It's pretty much our favourite part of the holiday season!

There are some great Advent Calendars out there which you can use year after year, but it's also fun to mark the days a little differently each year. Last year's calendar was a tower of washi taped boxes, but this year we were inspired by the cute Bitty Bags in the shop.

Since the bags are food safe and recyclable, you can pop your Advent treats directly in them and then recycle the bags once the treats are all gone! (Or reuse them next year, if you're gentle!)

To make your own, you'll need:

24 Bitty Bags in your choice of colours
Divine Twine in your choice of colours (about 12 yards in total)
Hole Punch
Number Stamps & ink (or you can just write the numbers on)

Stamp (or write) numbers 1 to 24 on the bags. Allow to dry.

Insert your advent treats. Fold over the tops and punch 2 holes about an inch apart. Thread approximately 12" (30cm) of twine through the holes from the back and tie into a bow.

That's it, pretty simple right?

Now it's up to you to decide how to display your Advent calendar - attach the bags to a wreath, put them into a basket, pin onto a bulletin board, or hang on a wall or mantle like we did.

If you'd like to hang the calendar, simply thread a long piece of twine through the twine loops at the back of each bag. To remove each day's treat, simply untie the bow and pull (gently) the bag off!

This Advent calendar is still empty (and looking a little sad on that not-Christmasfied mantel), but by the 1st of December it will be filled with yummy goodies - I'm thinking dark chocolate covered almonds and Serenata de Amor (my favourite Brazilian treats - chocolates filled with cashew cream). You just can't get that goodness in a store-filled calendar.

Will you be celebrating Advent this year? What do you hope to find in your Advent calendar?

Want to make a simple Advent Calendar like ours? Pick up one of our Christmas Bitty Packaging Sets - 24 Bitty Bags and 2 colours of Divine Twine. Available in Red & Green or choose Custom and pick your own colours!

New Washi Tape Sets!

2011-11-03T17:43:00.002-04:00

Lots of yummy new washi tape finding its way into the shop! Time to stock up for holiday cards, wrapping and gifts!

2012 Slide Calendar

2011-11-02T14:33:00.000-04:00

The 2012 Slide Calendar is full of seasonal cuties - perfect for adding a little kawaii goodness to your daily life! This petite desktop calendar is a great way to add a little personality to your workspace and functional too. Also makes a great teacher gift!

Last Day to Pin & Win

2011-10-31T08:37:00.003-04:00

It's the final day in our Oh My! Handmade Pinterest Challenge! Don't miss out on your chance to win some Omiyage goodies. Find out all the details over on Oh My! Handmade Goodness.

Trick or Treat?!

2011-10-28T09:17:00.001-04:00

At Omiyage we love Halloween! Then again, who doesn't? Though you might be (a little) too old to go door to door, who says you can't have a little Halloween fun? We're offering 2 deals this Halloween - A Trick or A Treat, if you will!

This Halloween weekend treat yourself to some gorgeous washi tape, cute stationery, a lovely bento box or anything else that tickles your fancy. Save 20% off your entire purchase using code TRICK20.

Rather have a treat? Request a TREAT during checkout (leave a note to seller) and we'll send you surprise goodies worth at least 20% of your entire purchase total.

DIY: Teru Teru Bozu Dolls for Halloween

2011-10-26T08:51:00.001-04:00

It's a grey and rainy October day here in Toronto - clearly the perfect weather for making Teru Teru Bozu! These Japanese folk dolls are made as amulets to stop or prevent rain - why not make your own? We think they're just perfect for Halloween!

We shared our Teru Teru Bozu Tutorial last October (and a bit more background on the tradition). Find it here.

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Watercolour Women

2011-10-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

Tender To The Blues - Emma Leonard

Stina Persson

Sunny - Peggy Wolf

Helen of Troy - Samantha Hahn

Rosa - Cate Parr

Happy Monday!

Feast your eyes on this quintet of lovely watercolour women. Aren't they (and modern watercolour) simply breathtaking?

Wishing you a beautiful week!

Today We're Loving: Black, Red & White Patterns

2011-10-20T09:55:00.000-04:00

1. How To Block Print Fabric - Prudent Baby

2. Endangered Elephant print - Farnell

3. Black & White Bigger Bitty Bags - Omiyage.ca

4. Houndstooth Washi Tape - Omiyage.ca

5. The New York Listener - Matou en Peluche

6. Vintage Japanese Obi Silk - Goen

7. Shinzi Katoh 2012 Calendar - Omiyage.ca

8. Red Teapot Brooch - Kimono Reincarnate

DIY: Spiderweb Kirigami

2011-10-18T17:34:00.000-04:00

If you've been following Omiyage Blogs for awhile, you might have noticed that we love kirigami!

With Halloween around the corner, how about some festive papercutting for the occasion? Try making spiderweb kirigami!

Here's how:

Start with a piece of square origami paper in your desired size.
We used our favourite 50 Colours Origami Paper - the 7.5cm / 3" size.

1. Fold paper in half diagonally. Crease well.

2. Fold paper in half again. Crease well.

3. Turn paper so that the top point is facing down / towards you. Visualize dividing the triangle into 3 equal parts. Fold the right third towards the left. Crease well. Then fold the left third over the right. Crease well. This part may take practice or refolding to get three equal parts - no worries, just keep trying!

4. Cut straight across the top of the folded triangle. Discard the paper parts in red.

5. Cut the top of your triangle into a curve. Discard the red part. Copying the top curve, cut lines along the entire length of the triangle leaving a thin line of paper at the end of each cut. Cut as many strips as you can / would like.

6. Cut out every other strip - seen in red - and discard. Cut off tip. Don't cut off the tip until all other strips have been cut and removed - just in case!

7. Carefully unfold to discover your kirigami spiderweb. If desired, you can gently press with a warm, dry iron to remove creases.

8. Use your spiderwebs anyway you'd like - decorate a table, string into a garland, use in a handmade card.

Happy spiderwebbing! If you cut some spiderwebs of your own, why not share images of your creations on Omiyage's Facebook page!

DIY - No Carve Pumpkin Ideas

2011-10-18T00:23:00.000-04:00

Washi Tape Pumpkins - Real Simple

Bat-o-Lanterns - Family Fun

Painted Pumpkins - Alisa Burke

Candy Corn Pumpkins - Better Homes & Gardens

We're seeing lots of no-carve pumpkins popping up for Halloween. Here's a handful of our favourites - paint, imagination and some washi tape!

How about you? Will you be decorating or carving pumpkins this year?

Monday Morning Eye Candy: paper-cut-project

2011-10-14T18:44:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday! These paper wigs by Nikki Salk and Amy Flurry definitely have the Wow Factor!

Created under the name paper-cut-project, Salk & Flurry's wigs and installations have found themselves in demand by the who's who of fashion houses and big name retail.

Visit paper-cut-project for more info, more eye candy, and more dreaming of wearing one of these wonders on Halloween!

Halloween Bento Inspiration

2011-10-13T22:43:00.000-04:00

Skull Bento - Hanabi

Ghost & Bat Bento - elsonlam430

Black Cat Bento - Royal Blue Madam

Frankenstein Bento - Happy Little Bento

Need a little bento inspiration? Here are some cute ways to make lunch a little more festive this Halloween!

Need a goodlooking bento box? We've got you covered!

Washi Tape

2011-10-13T12:04:00.002-04:00

All your favourite washi tapes are back in stock!
Over 60 colour combos, patterned duos & box sets to choose from (and growing!)

DIY Wrapping Idea - Spooky Treats

2011-10-12T10:02:00.000-04:00

Looking for a fun way to wrap up some spooky treats this Halloween? Whether you're throwing a Halloween Party or want to slip a treat into your little goblin's lunch bag, this easy DIYwrap idea is the perfect way to set the mood.

For little treats, pick a Bitty Bag - perfectly sized for a pumpkin cookie or a handful of candy corn.

For bigger treats, a Bigger Bitty Bag is better - these make great loot bags which you can fill with a variety of tricks & treats!

Slip your goodies inside the bag.

Fold the top down.

Use a hole punch to punch two holes in the folded portion of the bag.

Thread Divine Twine through the holes - we like to use a two pieces at a time!

Add a festive shipping tag - decorate first with washi tape, then write or stamp your spooky message.

Attach the tag to the bag & tie the twine into a bow.

Materials Used:

Black Chevron Bitty Bags

Black Stripe Bigger Bitty Bags

Orange Divine Twine

Small Shipping Tags

Large Shipping Tags

Apricot Washi Tape

mt Washi Tape Triplets in Black

DIY Washi Tape Wrapping Paper

2011-10-11T08:41:00.001-04:00

On the hunt for a fun new washi tape project? Join me over on Poppytalk where we're making Washi Tape Wrapping Paper!

And if you're on the hunt for washi tape, we've just restocked our tape section!

Lucky Number Seven

2011-10-07T12:20:00.002-04:00

We've got a winner! If you didn't win, don't despair - get your own Ukihashi here!

Winner must contact us by Friday, October 14th, 2011.

Pin & Win with Oh My! Handmade

2011-10-06T11:44:00.000-04:00

Love Omiyage goodies, Pinterest & making? Join me over on Oh My! Handmade Goodness and learn how to win an Omiyage Creativity Pack in the Pinterest Challenge.

On Pinterest? Follow Marisa's boards here for cute, clever and crafty finds!

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Lottie Frank

2011-10-03T09:24:00.001-04:00

Winter Garden - Lottie Frank

Into the Light - Lottie Frank

Precious Metal - Lottie Frank

Reflection - Lottie Frank

Happy Monday! How fun are these washi tape fashion illustrations by artist Lucy Claydon? A combo of magazine clippings, washi tape and illustration, these clever collages are definitely inspiring. I'm loving Winter Garden, which tickles your fancy?

Lucy creates charming fashion illustrations under the name Lottie Frank - swing by her blog for more eye candy or pick up a print of your own in her shop.

Have you seen more washi tape art? Leave us a link below - we'd love to see it too!

Giveaway! Ukihashi - The Restless Chopstick

2011-09-30T11:59:00.000-04:00

As the temperature dips, we find ourselves indulging in bowl after bowl (after bowl) of ramen. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure around here - we've been stretching our noodle repertoire, dabbling in miso ramen and (a new favourite) mapo doufu ramen. It's the perfect way to warm your belly on a cool day.

Why all this talk of noodles? We're pretty devout chopstick users around here (don't even try to serve Elias a salad without a pair) and our favourites just happen to be the fantastic Ukihashi - Restless Chopsticks from Japanese design house +d.

Designed by Mikiya Kobayashi, these unique chopsticks point up at the tip eliminating the need for a chopstick rest and ensuring the eating tips never touch the tabletop. Because who wants to focus on keeping their chopsticks properly rested when there's a big bowl of deliciousness to devour?

Want to try Ukihashi for yourself? Pop on over to the shop and pick up a pair. We're also giving away 2 pairs in your choice of blue, yellow or white!

Here's how to win:

1. Leave us a comment on this blog post with the answer to this question: What's your favourite food to eat with chopsticks? One comment per person please. Make sure you leave us someway to contact you!

2. Join our mailing list! If you're already subscribed, you're already entered. No need to leave a comment below for this one.

Tweet tweet! Want an extra chance to win? Tweet about this Ukihashi Giveaway and make sure you tag @Omiyage_ca in your tweet. Come back and leave a comment about it below. Only one comment per tweeter please!

Blog giveaway closes Friday, October 7th at 12pm EST. One pair of Ukihashi will be given away to a randomly selected commenter.

Newsletter giveaway closes Monday, October 31st at 12pm EST. One pair of Ukihashi will be given away to a randomly selected subscriber.

New! 2012 Calendars

2011-09-29T16:22:00.002-04:00

Our selection of unique 2012 calendars have arrived. Visit Omiyage.ca for cute calendars from Shinzi Katoh, Karel Capek, Sachiko Iwabuchi and Sweets Maniac. Plus the popular Slide Calendar is back as well as some other desktop cuties! You won't find these in the local mall!

More DIY Paper Fun!

2011-09-28T12:49:00.001-04:00

1. Paper Frames - Design*Sponge

2. Kirigami Fall Decorations - Zakka Life

3. Origami Leaves - Bloomize

4. Old Book Apple - Cheeky Magpie

Looking for more DIY's? Join Marisa over on Oh My! Handmade Goodness for 4 great DIY projects to make for yourself!

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Eloise Renouf

2011-09-26T07:47:00.000-04:00

Blue Clouds - Eloise Renouf

Blue Block Flowers - Eloise Renouf

Shape Study Ordered - Eloise Renouf

Nothing But Rain - Eloise Renouf

Little Woodland - Eloise Renouf

Happy Monday!

Start your week off right with an eyeful of these lovely prints by UK-based designer Eloise Renouf. I must admit that Eloise's clouds won my heart at first sight - they're just that great! When she's not creating prints that you'll be dreaming of hanging up all over your walls, Eloise designs stationery and textiles.

Visit Eloise's etsy shop for more eye candy and to pick up a print or two.

Today We're Loving - Chevrons

2011-09-22T10:03:00.000-04:00

1. Dripping Chevrons - Sandra Fettingis / 2. Chevron Stripe Lucite Tray - Tilly Maison

3. Happy Birthday Card - Quill & Arrow Press / 4. Brass Chevron Charm Necklace - Jamie Cox

5. Chevron Bitty Bags - Omiyage.ca / 6. Yellow Chevron Clutch - waterpath designs

7. DIY Chevron Inspiration Boards - name 5 things / 8. Blushing Crimson Pueblo Earrings - Ditty Drops

Today, Julie from 8balloons is dropping in to share something she's loving lately - Chevrons! Over to you Julie.

Hi there! I am Julie of 8balloons and I love to write about all things paper and other beautiful inspiring creations. Please stop by and do tell what inspires you!

Since I can remember my eyes have always gravitated towards anything striped, especially chevron stripes! It seems as though chevron stripes can make anything more fun and beautiful. I have no preference to what colour the stripes are per say, just as long as it is striped!

Visit 8balloons. Connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Update: Here and There

2011-09-21T09:46:00.001-04:00

Happy Wednesday!

Hope your week is going well. Here's what we've been up to:

What's your secret to work-life balance? Over on Oh My! Handmade, Marisa is sharing one of hers with a little DIY round-up.
Want to know more about Omiyage? Check out our lovely Guest Feature on 8Balloons.
There's plenty of new Shinzi Katoh goodness in the shop - including 10 super cute deco tapes!
2012 Calendars are almost in the shop - they make wonderful gifts, so look for them.

And on a another note, we've been seeing a lot of delays on orders shipped to the US. If you have placed an order and have not yet received it, our apologies for the delay - we're not sure whether the slowdown is due to back-up from the Labour Day holiday, Customs, or a general USPS slowdown due to upcoming service cuts. We're keeping an eye on it, and if you're finding your package is taking longer than usual please feel free to contact us with your concerns.

Thank you in advance for your patience!

New! Shinzi Katoh Deco Tape

2011-09-19T17:27:00.001-04:00

New Shinzi Katoh Deco Tape now available!

New! Shinzi Katoh Sticky Notes

2011-09-19T12:47:00.003-04:00

New Shinzi Katoh Sticky Notes now available! Add a touch of kawaii to your daily life.

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Erica Sharp

2011-09-19T08:57:00.002-04:00

Snowflake - Erica Sharp

Charlotte - Erica Sharp

Coco - Erica Sharp

Petal - Erica Sharp

Bubble - Erica Sharp

Aren't these illustrations a great Monday morning pick-me-up? Erica Sharp combines illustration with kirigami techniques to gorgeous result!

Want more? Visit her site for more eye candy. Or buy a print for yourself in Erica's shop.

Happy Monday!

New Shinzi Katoh Postcards

2011-09-17T17:28:00.001-04:00

We've added to our selection of Shinzi Katoh postcards. Mail 'em, save 'em, frame 'em, love 'em... they're a really great way to add a little Shinzi Katoh cuteness to your life!

DIY Fun with Paper

2011-09-15T12:33:00.003-04:00

1. Easy Tiny Envelope Tutorial - Poppytalk

2. Cardboard Stampede - Ann Wood

3. DIY Paper Wheels - Ruffled Blog

4. Chiyogami Paper Tape - A Spoonful of Sugar

1000 Kinds of Stories Notebook

2011-09-14T08:58:00.001-04:00

Have you had a chance to check out the new invite.L products in the shop?

We are oh so smitten with this clever notebook!

The A 1000 Kinds of stories notebook encourages you to create a collection of 1000. Of what?

1000 days.
1000 wishes.
1000 prayers.
1000 meals.
1000 memories.

It's really up to you! What are you counting?

Let's take a peek inside:

The first page asks - "What is your dream? Then...

An opening index

1000 squares to fill with whatever you please.

Each section of 100 separated with their own cover page.

Makes a great gift for anyone embarking on a new journey - travellers, new parents, newlyweds, teachers. Or gift yourself and keep track of milestones, places, days...

We'd love to know - what 1000 stories would you track?

1st image Omiyage.ca. Remaining images via invite.L

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Honey Cup

2011-09-12T00:11:00.000-04:00

Bunny Girl - Honey Cup

Deer Boy - Honey Cup

Pink Bird Bunny - Honey Cup

Lively Girl In The Woods - Honey Cup

Loving these whimsical illustrations from Australian artist Simone Downey's Honey Cup line. The perfect amount of kawaii to get your Monday started with a smile!

Happy Monday!

What Friday Looks Like (2)

2011-09-09T10:58:00.000-04:00

Indulging in a breakfast worthy of a Sunday morning.

Picking out a card for a dear friend's wedding.

Packing up orders to be sent here there and everywhere. We've had lots of South American orders this week - exciting!

Teeny spools of twine for a special project.

If you've found us a little quiet this week, it's because it's been a quiet week! We're on a bit of a half-vacation, having cut way (way) back on facebook/twitter/blogging and enjoying time out and about. Not to worry, we're still shipping as per usual and we'll be back to our regular pace mid-next-week.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Omiyage & Covet Garden

2011-09-07T08:47:00.001-04:00

Have you spent any time with Covet Garden? This online magazine just might be our favourite e-mag!

Here's 2 great reasons to check out the latest issue of Covet Garden:

One. They're celebrating their One Year Anniversary!

Two. Omiyage has teamed up with Covet Garden for their monthly contest!

Sounds good, right? Enjoy a little eye candy, celebrate an anniversary, win something great! Go on then, go enjoy Covet Garden for yourself!

What Friday Looks Like

2011-09-02T09:23:00.001-04:00

A pile of delicious new invite.L stationery - waiting for its close up.

Getting started our newest washi tape inspiration wall. All about monochrome with a pop of colour!

Loving September's illustrations on our Sawako Hikita calendar and winding twine.

New washi tapes to be photographed and added to the shop. Single skinny rolls, cute patterns and airmail.

What does your Friday look like?

New Product! Divine Twine

2011-09-01T09:16:00.001-04:00

We're thrilled to announce the latest addition to our Omiyage line up - Divine Twine!

If you don't know Divine Twine yet, we think you'll be just as happy as we are to get to know it. High-quality baker's twine in fresh and fun colours, Divine Twine is as useful as it is pretty. The 100 % cotton 4-ply twine is a little thicker than traditional baker's twine. Made in the USA, it also just happens to be biodegradable. Sounds great right?!

Use it for wrapping gifts, in craft projects, to string up a garland. We are carrying Divine Twine in 10 gorgeous colours and a few fun combo packs. The 20 yard packs come wrapped around sturdy (and attractive) cardboard spools, helping you avoid tangles! (And don't let your eyes fool you - those spools are BIG - 4" (10cm) tall!)

Also, keep an eye on our Pretty Packaging section. We've added some cute treat bags and twist ties and there's more cuteness coming.

New Shipping Rates

2011-09-01T01:04:00.000-04:00

There's something about September which signifies a fresh start. This September at Omiyage, it means fresh new shipping rates!

Today we're debuting a brand new Flat Rate Shipping fee!

For our Canadian customers, the new rate of $7.50 offers you Expedited Shipping with Canada Post and includes insurance and a tracking number. And, really, who doesn't love the excitement of a little package tracking?

But that's not all! When you place an order under $30.00, we will do our best to offer you the best shipping rate possible. This means if you only want to buy a couple of greeting cards or a package of washi tape, your shipping is only going to be around $2.00! Simply, if your order is within Canada Post's Letter Mail dimensions (that's 35cm x 27cm x 2cm for those of you keeping track) AND under $30.00, we're going to round the actual shipping cost up to the nearest dollar and send you a refund for the rest!

For US customers, the new rate of $7.50 offers you Canada Post Light Packet Air Mail or Small Packet Ground Service (depending on the size & weight of your order) on all orders up to 500g.

And, if your order is within Canada Post's Light Packet dimensions (that's 35cm x 27cm x 2cm for those of you keeping track) AND 100g or less, your shipping fee will only be $3.00. We'll send you a refund for the remaining $4.50 when we process your order. This is great when you're only purchasing a set of paper balloon animals or a roll (or 2) of tape!

And finally, for our International customers, the new $7.50 rate will apply for all orders up to 250g and will ship via Canada Post Air Mail.

We'll still be invoicing US and International customers for orders over their respective weight limits but the new flat rate should reduce the number of shipping supplements we've been bugging you for!

Catch you later today for some fun new product news!

It's a 12 Hour Sale!

2011-08-31T09:16:00.003-04:00

It's the last day of August! Which isn't terribly exciting if you're in the Northern Hemisphere - tomorrow brings a new month and with it the final countdown to the end of summer.

But why not celebrate August 31st? That's what we're doing. From August 31st at 9am EST to 9pm EST, save 31% on any Stationery products using code AUGUST31! A perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a few pretties (or stock up on stocking stuffers) before September.

Happy August 31st!

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Ana Montiel

2011-08-29T09:39:00.001-04:00

Samsara - Ana Montiel

Nadi - Ana Montiel

Ravi - Ana Montiel

Maya - Ana Montiel

Happy Monday!

This morning we're loving Ana Montiel's Visual Mantra series - what a fresh way to start a new week (and almost a new month!) Visit her site for more work and to buy prints.

DIY: Washi Tape Chopstick Cases

2011-08-25T11:40:00.000-04:00

Looking for a great way to add a little something extra to your next dinner party? Why not craft up some fun chopstick cases?!

This is a fast project using a combination of origami and fun with washi tape.

Simply choose paper and washi tape to match your decor / theme / mood and you'll have a special touch that's sure to impress (don't worry, we won't tell them how simple this project really is)!

And so long as no one spills, folds or steals them, these paper sleeves are totally reusable.

Ready? Let's go!
Full pictorial tutorial after the jump!

DIY: Washi Tape Chopstick Cases:

Materials:

paper - we used regular printer paper
assorted washi tapes
bone folder - optional
scissors / paper cutter / craft knife

How to:

1. Cut your paper to 6.5" x 8.5" (16.5cm x 21.5cm). You may need to adjust the length or width of your paper, depending on the size of your chopsticks.

2. Fold paper in half lengthwise (fold the short side in half - not the long side). Run a bone folder or your fingers along the fold to ensure it's a clean and sharp fold. Unfold.

Note - for all folds, use bone folder or fingers to create crisp folds.

3. Fold the bottom edge up to meet the middle crease. Unfold.

4. Fold the top edge down to meet the middle crease. Unfold.

5. Fold the top right corner down to meet the top crease.

6. Fold the bottom right corner up to meet the middle crease.

7. Fold the top quarter down to meet the middle crease.

8. Fold the top down again to meet the next crease.

9. Fold down one more time and your chopstick case should look like the image above.

10. Flip the case over and fold up about 1/4" (0.5cm) of the bottom edge. Crease firmly.

11. Now's the fun part. Grab your favourite combo of washi tapes and go wild! Just make sure to use a piece of tape to secure the bottom fold - that way your chopsticks will be nice and secure in their new case.

If you decide to craft up your own washi tape chopstick cases, we'd love to see! Feel free to post a picture on our Facebook page or tweet us a link. Happy folding!

* Inspired by and adapted from this origami chopstick wrapper tutorial.

Today We're Loving: Poppytalk Handmade Market

2011-08-24T10:10:00.000-04:00

Top: Julie Boyles Leather iPad Case / Shared Print - You Sentimental Idiot / Omiyage Washi Tape Set

Middle: ISWAS+WILLBE Necklace / Bellalulu Globe / Hello Shiso Pom Pom Clips

Bottom: Redstar Ink Notecards / Peg and Awl Chalk Tablets / Betsy Wynn Circus Pencil Pouch

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Teeny Tiny Origami

2011-08-22T09:05:00.000-04:00

Anja Markiewicz is creating a world at her fingertips. Visit her nano-origami gallery for more teeny tiny creations!

Happy Monday! Hope you're feeling refreshed after the weekend.

2011-08-18T15:54:00.000-04:00

Pretty pencil washi strips...

All packaged up and ready for yesterday's lucky winners!

Handmade Travels in Santiago, Chile

2011-08-18T09:27:00.000-04:00

Come join us over on Oh My! Handmade Goodness for an adventure in Santiago, Chile!

New Faces!

2011-08-17T15:47:00.002-04:00

New! Octopus Kamifusen and Globefish Kamifusen now available!

DIY: Pretty Pencils Redux

2011-08-17T09:52:00.003-04:00

Last year around this time we shared this fun &amp; easy paper-covered pencil tutorial with you. Perfect for back to school or as an anytime gift!

Want to try it? Here's the tutorial!

Want yours covered in pretty washi paper too? Check out our Omiyage Paper Packs.

And as an extra back-to-school bonus - we'll send a free package of washi paper strips to the first 5 people who email us at info(at)omiyage.ca about them. Each pack will include (at least) 10 washi paper strips perfectly sized for covering pencils - those you'll have to provide yourself! Open internationally. All packs have now been claimed!

DIY: Eraser Stamping

2011-08-16T10:33:00.001-04:00

1. Carloe's Drawer / 2. Gennine's Art Blog
3. Creature Comforts / 4. A Fabulous Fete

As you're stocking up for back to school, why not have some fun too? Erasers are the perfect tool for making your mark!

Love cute stamps but can't be bothered to carve your own? We've got you covered there too!

Poppytalk Handmade Back To School Market

2011-08-15T11:02:00.001-04:00

Speaking of Back to School, you'll find Omiyage products over on the Poppytalk Handmade Market for the next month or so. It's kind of like an online craft show. So swing by to visit us and check out all the great handmade and vintage goodies on offer!

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Back to School Party

2011-08-15T08:49:00.002-04:00

One Charming Party via Amy Atlas

I don't want to alarm you, but I woke up this morning and realized it's already mid-August! Summer is zooming by... and we all know what that means (sorry, I've got to say it)... Back to School.

I always used to love back to school preparations - picking out the perfect binders, stocking up on loose leaf, choosing just the right pencil case to carry me through another school year. There's something wonderful about getting to start afresh each year! Or perhaps it was just the beginning of a lifelong love for stationery products...

Spotted this clever Back to School Party over on Amy Atlas' blog and thought it was just too cute not to share.

How about you? As a student, did you / do you love preparing to head back to class or dread it?

Omiyage Blogs

It's a Calendar Sale!

Love Transforms

Paper Quilling for Valentine's Day

100 Crafty Tape Ideas

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Melanie Mikecz

Be Mine, Valentine Boutique

DIY: EASY Washi Tape Reward Jars

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Teatime

Calendars & Cuties

Giveaway: Win An Omiyage Lucky Bag!

Omiyage Lucky Bags are Full of Surprises!

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Kayo Tamaishi

What Friday Looks Like - Instagram Version

2012 - Make It The Year Of The Bento

2012 Calendar Sale!

Top 100 Tutorials of 2011

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Yoko Tanji

Happy New Year!

Boxing Week Savings

Happy Holidays from Omiyage

The Tree of Hope

DIY: Hanukkah Crafts

Monday Morning Eye Candy - World Maps

DIY: Holiday Decorations

2012 Animal Deco Calendar

City of Craft 2011

Today We're Loving: Red & Green

DIY: Make a Kirigami Garland

DIY: Monogrammed Christmas Stockings

18 Stocking Stuffers to Make or Buy!

2012 Tag Calendar

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Catherine Campbell

Washi Tape Christmas Tree

Free Shipping!

Sweets Maniac 2012 Calendar

DIY Washi Tape Gift Tags

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Hello Sandwich

Save 15% On Everything!

Today We're Loving - City of Craft

2012 Shinzi Katoh Calendar

DIY: Paper Ornaments

Sneak Peek!

DIY: Washi Tape Holiday Cards

2012 Happy Teatime Calendar

DIY: Origami Globes

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Elly MacKay

Sweet Salvia Stationery Gift Sets

What Is Washi Tape?

Bento Gift Sets

DIY: Colourful Felt Holiday

New! Washi Tape Triplets

Monday Morning Eye Candy: Dan-ah Kim

DIY Simple Advent Calendar

New Washi Tape Sets!

2012 Slide Calendar

Last Day to Pin & Win

Trick or Treat?!

DIY: Teru Teru Bozu Dolls for Halloween

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Watercolour Women

Today We're Loving: Black, Red & White Patterns

DIY: Spiderweb Kirigami

DIY - No Carve Pumpkin Ideas

Monday Morning Eye Candy: paper-cut-project

Halloween Bento Inspiration

Washi Tape

DIY Wrapping Idea - Spooky Treats

DIY Washi Tape Wrapping Paper

Lucky Number Seven

Pin & Win with Oh My! Handmade

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Lottie Frank

Giveaway! Ukihashi - The Restless Chopstick

New! 2012 Calendars

More DIY Paper Fun!

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Eloise Renouf

Today We're Loving - Chevrons

Update: Here and There

New! Shinzi Katoh Deco Tape

New! Shinzi Katoh Sticky Notes

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Erica Sharp