Fun and Crafty Ways to Re-purpose Bookmarks

With a little time and a few art materials, you can experience the joy of creating something truly unique with these charming and inexpensive bookmarks!  They are made of 100% eco-friendly recycled paper and have an earthy, rustic feel so they are just lovely to use for that trendy vintage look.

Bookmarks are not just for saving the page where you stopped reading.  They are great to re-purpose for crafts and decorating!  Since they come in different designs, you can pick your favorite one and mix and match them.  We are sure you can think of more ways to use them as this is by no means an exhaustive list.  We hope you have fun with them!

1. DIY CARD

Since they come pre-cut, all you have to do is paste them onto the cover of some folded paper to make a nice greeting card.  Put some borders around or color in a background scene.  You can also write or print out words around the figures to express your sentiment.  It can also be a postcard!

2. ART JOURNALING

Preserve your memories in an artsy way through scrapbooking.  Instead of photo corners, these bookmarks can be wonderful picture frame "holders".  Add some photos, dried flowers, letters from a dear friend, bus tickets, maps, and more!  Decorate with stickers, rubber stamps, kraft paper and magazine clippings.  You can also use cutout gift wrapping paper to decorate your pages.

 3. PARTY DECOR

Have that festive feel even when you don't have a party going on!  These kraft paper figures look nice together so just staple them together so they look like they are holding hands.  They are an instant pick-me-up!

4. GIFT WRAPPING

Make your gift wrapping more special and endearing by adding a bookmark to the top as a gift tag or as an accent.

5. STICK PUPPET

Have some quality time with the children and fuel their imagination with this craft. All you need is a stick, adhesive, and a backdrop and you can put on a show for the kids!  You can draw the image or print out a scene from online.  You can also just use a blanket to make the curtains for the show.

What else do you use papemelroti products for?

We'd like to share Joeanne Craft's project using papemelroti downloadable printable paper dolls.  They made an exciting and colorful world of characters!  Great job!

Until next time, enjoy handcrafting with love!

Story about Our Mother: Socorro Alviola Alejandro

In commemoration of Women's Month, we honor Socorro Alviola Alejandro, the woman behind papemelroti.  Get to know her more about her through the recounting of treasured memories by her eldest daughter Patricia Alejandro Paterno.

Story about Our Mother

by Patricia Alejandro Paterno

My mom’s favorite quote was, “Yard by yard, life is hard.  Inch by inch, it’s a cinch.”  On October 1967, she took her first inch towards having a business of her own.  We opened the Korben Gift Shop on the first floor of the apartment where we lived on Tomas Morato. Korben is from the names of my parents, Corit and Benny.  My dad was working full-time and my mom liked the idea of having a business that would allow her to stay home with us, her children. Family always came first for my mom.

She didn’t have money, she didn’t have a grand ambition, she didn’t have a brilliant marketing strategy, she didn’t have a business degree, and she was shy and timid. What she did have was a love of making things with her hands, common sense, and good intuition.  She was very industrious, and she had faith in herself and in God.  She prayed to have a business. That was her initial capital. And so, in spite of all she didn’t have and the little that she did, our family was able to build a business with an identifiable brand.

She started with making stuffed toys, dolls in fancy dresses which she would display in the window, and Santa with a bag of gifts.  There wasn’t anything else in the store - all her merchandise was in the display window, and the customers needed to ring the doorbell to get in. 

She involved all of us siblings in the business.  We molded and painted figurines, we made decoupage plaques, we assembled things to sell, and we were also the sales staff and wrapped the gifts.  Eventually, we opened the first papemelroti on the second floor of Ali Mall, Cubao in the summer of 1976.  The name started as a joke, from the syllables of our first names PAtsy, PEggy, MELdy, RObert and TIna.  A writer interviewed us and our story came out in The Women’s Magazine - three full pages.  That exposure brought many people to our shop.  They would stand outside and say, “I know what that means!” 

At the start when we would go to Divisoria or a wholesaler, my dad who was always game to help my mom would encourage her by saying, “Be brave, buy three!”  They were great partners.  My dad liked learning and starting things, and my mom was the one who would continue and sustain his ideas. 

Now we have 21 shops, a building along Roces Avenue, and a factory in Bulacan.  The many inches my mom took, brought us to where we are today. 

My mom was an amazing woman, and I am sure your mom is too!  

Sale Events for March 2023 🛒

 

3-3 March SALE Events on Lazada and Shopee

Get the lowest prices and best discount deals on our Lazada and Shopee sites!  Avail of FREE shipping!

Shopee > Lowest Price Guarantee + Exclusive Bundles

March 3 to 15

Lazada > Discount and Cashback vouchers

March 3 to 13

Visit our shop on SHOPEE and LAZADA today!

Warehouse Clearance EXTENDED!

Our markdown offers are still available at the papemelroti main branch!  It's the first time ever we've held an event like this so stop by for some great deals!

Runs until March 15!

MORE INFO

Women's Wednesday Sale

In celebration of Women's History Month, SM Malls are having weekly sale events!  Our store will have selected items on SALE!  Come visit papemelroti in these shopping malls:

SM Manila

SM Fairview

SM Taytay

March 8, 15,22 and 29

3-DAY SALE

Exciting discounts will be available on the 3rd weekend of March!  Come visit papemelroti in these shopping malls:

SM Manila

SM Fairview

SM Taytay

March 17, 18 and 19

ONLINE SALE

For shoppers in the USA, Canada and Europe, get 20% off on all papemelroti products this March 1 to 7! In commemoration of their 16th anniversary, our partner RedBubble is going on SALE!  We've got a whole range of items from t-shirts, bags, home decor and more!  Visit our RedBubble shop today!

⛪ Free Downloadable: Lent and Easter Symbols Font

Today, February 22nd, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season.

This is a wonderful time to reflect and give of oneself.  It is a time to grow closer to God and to others.  We want to share this FREE resource as a gift for you during this grace-filled 40-day period.  

You may use these glyphs/dingbats for your commercial products as well!  We do not require it but it would be very helpful if you link back to us.

This will be available only until the end of the Easter season so download it now!  Feel free to share this resource with others!

Features:

50 characters

Individually hand-drawn images by papemelroti artist calej

Personal and Commercial use allowed

File formats: OTF and TTF 

Size of files: 75 KB each

FREE to download for a limited time (until May 27, 2023)

Ideas for usage:

• Include the characters in your messages and e-mails.  These are like emoji with an inspirational theme!
• Use as elements to make festive decor for your room or home
• Decorate your design for a poster or flyer
• Print out and glue it onto your Bible journal
• Use for your Lenten and Easter calendar
• Easter crafts 

How to download:

1. Click on THIS LINK and DOWNLOAD the file to your computer.

2. Double-click to unzip the files.  The folder with the 2 font files will appear.

3. Right-click on the font and select "Install Font".  You may use either the OTF or TTF file (you only need to install one).  After that, you will be able to select and use the font on the different apps on your computer.

If you enjoyed this FREEBIE, please let us know in the comments section below or drop us a message so we can make more fun resources for you!

Same Day Delivery with papemelroti Shops

 

Been busy lately?  We've got you covered!

You can get your shopping done these days in a fast and convenient way!

For more inquiries, send us a message via Facebook

Enjoy!

💕FREE 💟 Valentine Sticker Pack

💌 Happy Valentine's day! 

Just because you mean a lot to us, we created a freebie gift for you today.

Express your love and affection digitally with these FREE papemelroti Viber stickers!  This will surely brighten up that special someone's day!

 

VIEW AND SHARE STICKER PACK HERE

The sticker pack features 23 sayings about love and life from the Words of Love papemelroti Collection.

It's easy to use!  Just open your Viber app on your phone and scan the barcode on the screen.  You can also share this pack on Twitter and Facebook using the link below the page. 

We hope you have a day full of love and good things!

🛍️ Warehouse Clearance: Everything must go!

 

EXTENDED!

Mark your calendars as we are going to have a WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE this month!  Everything must go!

Stop by and catch amazing deals exclusively at this branch on

February 17 (Friday) to March 15 (Wednesday), 2023

at the

papemelroti Main Branch

91 A. Roces Avenue corner Scout Tobias

Barangay Laging Handa

Quezon City

Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel: (632) 8 375 1069

Mobile: (0933) 823 1585 
Viber / Same Day Delivery Hotline: (0917) 708 6430

The Kinder Collection

 

Look who just popped up to brighten up our day!  It's the Kinder Collection!

These critters designed by Robert Alejandro are just too adorable to ignore!  Let your child's imagination soar with these whimsical characters!  They are just great at keeping little hands busy and entertained.

They're not just for kids but for grown-ups too!  They're a fun addition to any room and they're just the right size to bring with you everywhere you go!

Meet Buffy!  He loves to wade in the water to cool off and he diligently eats his veggies!  He loves to help out when he can though one can say he is vertically challenged to do farm work.  Can you guess why his name is Buffy?

Say hello to Raffy!  He is head and shoulders above the crowd and is well-dressed for any occasion.  He looks after his Kinder buddies well and he always has a ready smile just for you.

Now, don't you mess with Leo the Lion!  He keeps everyone on the Kinder train in line and he has a fearsome growl (but not everyone can hear it).  His bark is worse than his bite though and he is as cuddly as they come!

Let's not forget Hamlet the Pig!  He may be the sweetest of all!  He wears his heart not on his sleeve but where everyone can see it!  His hooves are ever-ready to give you a hog, we mean, a hug!  One thing is for sure, he is never boar-ing.

For those of us who are FURever loyal to animals, there's a way to support our 4-legged friends!  Every time you purchase a papemelroti Kinder PAWS plushie, we give a donation to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

Life is so much better with pets!  You can adopt a shelter dog or cat at PAWS!  Here are some of the sibling dogs named after the papemelroti siblings!

Did you know that many of the Kinder Collection products can be personalized?  Add the name to make it a more meaningful gift for your special someone.  Collect them all!

The Kinder Collection stuffed characters are exclusively available online at papemelroti, Lazada, and Shopee.  You can avail of the decor and desk accessories at papemelroti stores nationwide.

Free Gift Wrapping at papemelroti Ayala Malls Manila Bay! 🎁

 

Shopping for gifts can be stressful especially if you're busy and in a rush.  For a more relaxing and leisurely time, why not avoid the crowds and drop by our store at Ayala Malls Manila Bay?  It's spacious and has a good assortment of our best and newest products!  Parking is plentiful too!

Now, you can buy a gift, fuss-free, and have it wrapped at the shop!

This offer is only available at papemelroti Ayala Manila Bay!  Avail of this FREE SERVICE now!

While you are there, grab the chance to tidy up your home!  Gather your plastic recyclables and bring them to the Clean and Dry Plastic Drop-off area on the Ground Floor.  The event starts tomorrow, January 28, and runs up to the 29th.

5 Ways to have a Meaningful Year

 

It's a brand new year!

As we step into 2023, we may be filled with excitement and anticipation of what's ahead.  We can have all sorts of plans and dreams that we hope to achieve in the coming year.  Some of us have already made resolutions so we can have a new, improved version of ourselves!

Be grateful

For some, this time is the best opportunity to look back at the highlights of the past year and be grateful.  Looking through our pictures or social media reminds us of the important moments that mark 2022.  This past year has surely granted us many learnings, challenges, and blessings that help shape who we are today.

We all want this new year to be a special and meaningful one.  Here are some tools to make it the best it can be!

Plan ahead

Make each day count!  Keep track of all your events and to-do's with your calendars and planners.  Never miss a beat when everything is in plain sight for the month!  See all your goals come to fruition when you break them down into doable steps and plotted out throughout the year.   

Live "Art"-fully

Do your journalling in a creative way this year!  Let papemelroti artist and owner Patricia Paterno inspire you to do art with simple yet fun techniques.  She shares how she does her daily reflections and paintings in this self-made video. 

Stay on Track

Live each day purposefully by jotting down your thoughts and experiences.  The famous philosopher Socrates encourages us to examine our lives closely.  A lot of what happens to us in our lifetime only makes sense when we put them down into words.  Tools such as scrapbooks, notebooks, and journal writing pads make this an enjoyable pastime.  These can help bring clarity to our minds and help us live with more meaning and joy.  If you love to draw or do collages, you can also use a sketchbook to document the memories.

Find your Advocacy

Share the best of yourself with others.  This is a surefire way to grow and become a better person this 2023.  You never know how far a ripple of kindness can reach!  Get everyone involved in the advocacy closest to your heart.   There are many ways you can make a difference.  If you love animals, you can volunteer at the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).  

🎄10 Ways to Fill your Christmas with Love

 

There is something magical about Christmas in that it brings out the best in each one of us.  It is a time when families and friends get together despite differences and spend precious moments together.  Everyone is caught up in the spirit of giving and the whole world seems to be in a festive mood.

It is the perfect season to reach out and help someone feel loved!  Let's make it all the more memorable this year!  Here are some ideas that you can adopt as a group project or do on your own to make this Christmas the best ever! 

1. Grant a wish 

A wish for a pair of slippers, a bar of soap, groceries... these are only some of the wishes of the inmates from the Manila City Jail.  Maybe you can help make their wish come true!  You can read their handwritten letters or contact the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) group for more information.

Ms Jerika Mapaquit

+639278801481

Facebook

2.  Helping Hands Generous Hearts 

To help those with staggering hospital bills and other needs, members of the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (Joy of the Lord) Community started a fundraising initiative. 

Be a buyer or a seller, or better yet, both!   They welcome all sorts of things and services for sale, from baked goodies to cars, new and preloved.  The only thing they ask is that you give a percentage to the alms fund, each time you get a sale from the group. The percentage is decided by you. 

Invite your contacts to join as well and please read the guidelines pinned on top of the chat.  Don’t hesitate to ask the admin any questions or give any comments and suggestions.

Helping Hands Generous Hearts Community

Viber

3. The Kind Cabinet 

Share your gifts with others!  

At the entrance door of Van Gogh is Bipolar Restaurant is the Kind Cabinet (Ang Mabuting Aparador).  As part of the Love Project, you may leave items inside the cabinet that are still useful for those in need to pick up.  

Everyone is invited to share things such as clothing, books, toys, school materials, etc. (brand new or pre-loved).  You may also get things from the Kind Wardrobe.  

Van Gogh is Bipolar

inner courtyard of 154 Magunhawa St. Sikatuna Village, Q.C. The Philippines.

Website  |  Facebook

4. Show you Care from your Car 

You don't have to look far to find someone in need.  When you go out on errands or drive around, there are people who are hungry for a bite to eat.  It would be good if you were able to stock up on food items in your bag or in your car.  If there is enough time, strike up a friendly conversation with them so they know that you are giving from your heart.

5. Feed the Homeless 

For many years now, the Karinderia of Mang Urot has been feeding people who live on the streets and have nowhere to go.  Some travel from faraway cities just to be able to have that one meal for the day.  You may want to volunteer, donate food or even sing Christmas carols for everyone to spread good cheer!

Karinderia ni Mang Urot

1 Dalisay St., West Triangle, Quezon City

Facebook

6.  Babysit for a Busy Parent 

Young children are a handful and Christmas is an extra busy time so it would be a big help to a busy parent.  You can give a break so a couple can have a date night or allow a single parent to recharge and rest while you watch over their children.  You can have special activities with the child depending on how old they are.  Whether it is working on a Christmas craft project they can give to their parent/s or just watching a cartoon, it will surely be a fun time for all.

7. Noche Buena 

With inflation and the loss of jobs from the pandemic, many families will be struggling to make ends meet, let alone have someone special for Christmas.  If you have the means to give, why not donate to organizations such as Puso ng Ama in Payatas, He Cares Mission, World Vision and the like.  They support families in need.  Just send them a message to inquire how you can volunteer or donate in cash or in kind.

Puso ng Ama Foundation, Payatas

Rev Fr. Paul Uwemedimo MGL

St. Benedict's Church, Don Victorino St.
Don Antonio Heights, Barangay Holy Spirit
Quezon City, 1127, Metro Manila, Philippines

+63 9052477082 

Website   |   Facebook

He Cares Mission

9 Mines Street Bgy. Vasra, Quezon City, Philippines

(02) 928 8910

Website    |   Facebook

World Vision Philippines

389 Quezon Ave. cor. West 6th St. 

West Triangle, Quezon City

83727777

Website   |   Facebook

8. Serve up a Surprise 

The treat may be for your favorite manicurist, cook, childhood nanny, village security guard or plumber.  Whoever you decide to surprise will feel so appreciated.  They are always serving you so why not turn the tables on them?  Treat them to a special meal and it will be a memory they will cherish for always.

9.  Alone and Faraway 

Most of us know someone who lives in a foreign country and who misses all the comforts of home.   A way to make them feel less lonely is to organize an online event.  Get the gang together and have games, singing or even dancing!  You can even get creative with themes, hats or costumes.  It will surely drive all the homesick blues away!

You can use Zoom, Facebook Messenger or Google Chat to do the online event!

10. DestiNasyon 

Want to get more ideas?  Join iVolunteer's online event DestiNasyon on December 3.  You'll get to hear inspiring stories from volunteers from different groups and maybe you'll find the perfect way to express love for others this Christmas!

iVolunteer

Website