Whisker Graphics

Each year my husband and I try and give a significant ornament to each other. Something that touches on an event or special meaning for us. Some years we are spot on, others… not so much.  We happened to make our ornaments this year and I really like how they turned out.

Bakers twine has been a BIG part of 2009 for me and the LOML has had to endure hours and hours and hours (and hours) of listening to me create, plan, worry and stress about it (not to mention schlep many 45lb. boxes).  He made me a Divine Twine ball ornament in aqua and white. I think this is my favorite gift this year. His thoughtfulness never ceases to touch and amaze me.

I was shopping for an ornament for the LOML and not liking anything. My son suggested I make one out of felt (09 was the year of felt) in a heart shape so it would be a heart felt ornament. My husband is always doing a play on words, so this was perfect!

I was frantically hurrying to make his ornament that I wasn’t paying attention to details. OX? As in oxen? Um, no. OX as in kiss hug. He still liked it and my faux pas made it even more personal.

It’s that magical time of the year when the LOML turns into Baker Bob and bakes up a storm of delicious cookies for the neighbors. He’s in charge of the cookies. I’m in charge of the wrapping. We delivered these boxes (yes, there are cookies inside) to smiling faces Sunday night.

Circle Labels from Paper Source
Bakers twine from Divine Twine
Tags from The Gilded Bee

Click HERE if you care to see last years cookies.

The past few years, our extended family has drawn names for gift exchanging. It just got to be too overwhelming to purchase gifts for everyone. Plus, we all realized that the older we get, the less stuff we need (we all still get presents for the kids). This year money is tight for many of us, so we’re shaking it up a bit. We’ve agreed to keep the budget under $40 and if possible hand make our gift(s). I’m SO excited. Some of the menfolk were concerned about the hand-made part, so we’ve included services too (like fix you sprinklers, make a dinner, etc). I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!

This plays in perfectly with my lack of crafting willpower. Remember how the book above was on my Christmas list? Well, I already bought it for myself + I bought some felt from here. The felt hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m eager to get started making gifts. I’ll share them with you after Christmas (maybe sooner, I don’t think anyone in my family besides my mom reads my blog).

I think I’ll try and figure out how to make those finger puppets on the front of the book into work gloves for Uncle Greg. I’m kidding.

My husband printed some wedding invites a while ago and had some “overs”. They were printed on fabulous feeling, very thick paper and had a fun design on them. I love when something can be upcycled!

Here are the supplies I used.

scrap paper, hole punch, black/white bakers twine, paper punch

bakers twine and various paper punches

Here's what the press sheet looked like after I had my way with it with the paper punches.

Tags after I punched 1/8" holes in the them and threaded with bakers twine.

These tiny guys are my favorite.

Here are a few of the tags in action.

Tag attached to gift with japanese washi tape.

If you don’t have any one-sided scrap paper (say an image from a magazine) you could always run your scrap through a Xyron sticker maker, stick it on a solid piece of paper and then punch it with your paper punch.

On Tuesday, I went with my sister and niece to Paper Souce in Berkeley. My sister was looking for some envelopes and I was along for the eye candy that Paper Source always delivers. So, what an unexpected treat to find PS’s labels on rolls on big-time sale! There were only a few left and I bought most of them. I had no idea at the time what I’d do with them, but I find it hard to pass up a deal.

My Paper Source label booty.

Tuesday evening my husband talked to me about needing a baby gift for a client. My mind went right to my new labels. I made some book plates with the rectangular labels.

Book plates

I also made some coordinating flat notes for Millie Louise (is that the cutest name, or what?).

Book Plates and Flat Notes packaged.

I gathered my wrapping supplies.

Wrapping supplies.

I used the 5″ label to seal the white bag, then tied it all up.

All wrapped up and ready to give.

These cookies are super easy, fast and tres, tres yummy. When you find an extra 15 minutes, whip up a batch.  This recipe is from the Martha, but I’ve made some changes (in orange) for ease and sweetness. Granted, Martha’s look a whole lot better than mine, but I prefer the taste of mine.

Martha's Almond-Coconut Macaroons

My macaroons. Pitiful looking, but tasty. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside.

Makes 8  (Doubles easily)

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg white
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (I sub sweetened coconut)
• 1/4 cup whole almonds, chopped (I sub Trader Joe’s Almond meal)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of coarse salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment. Whisk together sugar and egg white in a large bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
2. Form dough into eight 2-tablespoon (I do 1-tablespoon) mounds, and drop each onto sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake macaroons until golden-brown on bottoms and edges, about 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks, and let cool. Macaroons will keep, covered, for up to 1 week. (You won’t have to worry about how long they keep because they will be all gone in less than 24 hours!)

Some wrapped for a friend

I wrapped some up to give to a friend who shares her baking goodness with me. Used one of the free download gift tags.

I have a soft spot for felt (eye-rolling pun intended). I love how it feels and looks and how it’s easy to sew with. I came across these cute felt “gift tags” while I was researching a little project I have up my sleeve and thought they were too darling not to share. Not only do they hold a gift tag, but also business cards and gift cards. Available at Twinkle Wrap.

Felt Gift Tag Holders

While I was busy making and packing and mailing Summer Surprise goodies for others, someone was doing the same thing for me! Look what lovely treat arrived in my mailbox yesterday. (click photo to enlarge)

Personalized Stationery from Sincerely,

Marcey Stone from Sincerely sent these to me and I LOVE them! I love the design, the colors, the pen, the format (There is something about #10 size flat notes that I have a fondness for.), the everything! I’m going to use them to write my birthday thank you notes.

A huge THANK YOU, Marcey!!! You made my day week month!

Last week I was feeling a bit blah, negative, icky, not nice. (I should have worn a sign that read “For your own good, run away. FAST. Before I open my mouth.”) You get the idea. Over the years, I’ve learned what helps me snap out of That Mood; do something nice for somebody else and stop thinking about me. Inspired by Jordan’s post I thought I would send some summer cheer to friends (both web and local).

I started with some store-bought library card pockets and downloaded the free library cards from Creature Comforts. I took the template into Illustrator and typed in the Title/Author/Date/Issued info before printing them out so each recipient would have their name on their card.

I bought some itty-bitty composition books and added a themed label.

Magnetic backed clothespins with Japanese masking tape.

There ended up being 3 versions. They all included:
- Single serving packet of Pink Lemonade
- Bubbles (labeled “For when you have some time to blow”)
- Mini Notebook
- Pack of Chiclets Gum
- 2 Magnetic Clothespin Note Holders
- Mice & Bird Stickers
- Personalized Library Card in Pocket

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

All the goodies wrapped up in a white bag and sealed with a label and MORE Japanese Masking Tape.

I made a shipping label for the envelopes.

I hope everyone enjoys their surprises. I had a blast making them and sure enough, my bad mood evaporated during the process. Yea!

Each year my daughter’s 5th grade teacher gives home-made granola to the parents who have volunteered in her class. (I know, how nice is that!) I made some labels for her to use in future years. They are printed on Paper Source’s 2.5″ circular labels in the color Poppy. I hope she likes them…