The Gift of Packaging - Christmas Tags

Merry Christmas!

It's been a long while since I've been able to pop in and say hello but wanted to wish you all a very blessed and joyous Christmas and best wishes for the coming year.

While I'm here, I thought I'd share this years Christmas tags with you.

I made two versions of this tag...one on clear heavyweight acetate and one on a Kraft tag.

The tags are approximately 3x5.  I sponged white acrylic paint around the edges then flicked paint on the surface.  The paint was very quick to dry.  I used an almost dry brush to swipe some of the paint across the reindeer as well.

The believe sentiment is heat embossed with white detail embossing powder.  On the clear tag, I used Heat Resistant Acrylic to emboss the sentiment then die cut a circle to attach it to the tag.

Oh my goodness...so hard to get anything clear to photograph!

 I love how these turned out!   Which one is your favorite?

Merry Christmas!


I'm going to link these up to the Ink to Paper Gift Packaging Tag Contest 

Supplies:
Stamps - Papertrey Ink Dash Away All
Dies - Papertrey Ink Dash Away All, Tim Holtz Woodlands
Ribbon - The Paper Sandbox
Misc. - Kraft Tag, Clear Acrylic, Heat resistant acrylic

May Arts/Authentique/Imagine Crafts Blog Hop

It's time for another fun May Arts blog hop!  This time we're combining our gorgeous ribbons with beautiful Authentique papers and Imagine Crafts inks and sprays.

Just because summer is over, there's no reason to put away your summer papers and bright ribbons. Here's a way to bring a little sunshine into your family's lives on those dreary winter days.

I have some old  (I mean, they were on the clearance aisle to start with and have been sitting in my office for about 3 years old!) Martha Stewart boxes that were craving a make over.  So, for my project, I pulled one of the boxes out of the dungeon and decided to give it a paper and ribbon face lift.

See what I mean...yes, it looked that bad!

Now, thanks to May Arts Ribbon, Authentique's pretty papers and Imagine Crafts Shimmer sprays, and a little adhesive;  I've created a"Happy Box" and cheerful tags to tuck into backpacks, lunch boxes and even your spouse's car to brighten their day.  Having a supply of tags handy makes writing a little note of encouragement to brighten their day stress free and fun.

Much improved...yes?  Loving those happy ribbons!

Even the inside got the ribbon and pretty paper treatment.  And those tags were so much fun to create!

The box can be refilled or re-purposed for as a treasure box or keepsake.  The supply list is at the bottom

Here's the line up for the week: be sure to check in to each Ribbonistas blog daily for your chance to win one of 3 awesome prize packs full of May Arts ribbony goodness, pretty Authentique papers and Imagine Crafts surprises.

Monday

Charlene Driggs (that's me!)

Emily Lanham

Gini Williams Cagle

Tuesday

Jen Shears

Jenifer Cowles

Wednesday

Jennifer Davey

Karen Baker

Karen Hanson

Thursday

Mallika Kejriwal

Mary Brockway

Friday

Rhea Weigand

Shellye McDaniel

Tracy McLennon

May Arts Ribbons used:

3/4" Chevron
5/8" Faux Canvas
1/2" Sheet Two Tone Stripes
3/8" Woven Check
1" Solid Reversible Dots
3/8" Double Faced Satin
3/4" Elastic Plaid Ruffle

Thanks for joining us and be sure to comment to win!

May Arts/Stampendous Blog Week & 3 Giveaways

It's my turn to share the fun using beautiful May Arts Ribbon and Stampendous products.

I decided to make a giant tag that can double as a card.  This was so fun to do.  I simply covered both sides of an extra large shipping tag with designer paper then added ribbon and that adorable Stampendous House Mouse image called Big Yawn.

This is a great project for small pieces of leftover ribbon.  :-)  There is space on the back for a message and I think that this can be used as a decorative piece in a child's room as well.

Here's the supply list:

May Arts Ribbon - QK4-47 Sheer Daisy Edge, NE17 5/8" Sheer Nylon Edge, XA17-1.5" Pom-Pom Edged Wired Ribbon, HA17 - 3/8" Double Sided Satin

Stampendous Products - Big Yawn, Frantage Encrusted Jewel Kit, Kraftboard Angel Wings Kit

Other: - Scor-Tape; Spellbinders Heart die; Designer paper - Heidi Grace Daydream; foam squares; XL Tag; Papertrey Ink cardstock; Ink - Amuse; Copic markers

Thanks for joining us and don't forget...there will be 3 big winners of a spool of May Arts Ribbon (your choice and a Stampendous stamp and handle!

Here's the May Arts Design Team list in case you missed someone this week and be sure so pop over to the Stampendous blog for more chances to win!

Monday

Virginia Fynes

Shellye McDaniel

Tuesday

Lalo IK

Karen Baker

Wednesday

Jenifer Cowles

Jen Shears

Latrice Murphy

Thursday

Gini Williams Cagle

Emily Lanham

Friday

Courtney Lee

Charlene Driggs (that's me!)

Moxie Fab Tag

Don't faint but I managed two posts today so be sure to scroll down for Teapot Tuesday. 

I just peeped into the challenge at Moxie Fab World...Diggin on Damask.   There's still time to play and I had a couple of my vanilla tags on the work table.  In under 5 minutes, I had this tag/bookmark.  Perfect for tucking into a gift book or tying onto a gift bag or box.   A tiny bit of sponging, a bit of ribbon and done...Now that's "Moxie Fab"!

Supply List
Paper - Vanilla Tag
Stamps - PTI Damask Designs
Ink - Versafine Jumbo Java

                                                              

The Cutting Cafe Welcome Fall & Foodie Friday

This my second post today...a bit late but hope you'll forgive me...still pinching myself.  ;-)

I found some adorable little cuffed bags made from recycled paper...they've got the most wonderful texture and even came with a little rectangle tag.  I thought they would be perfect for a couple of perfect fall crop apples...crisp and cold.  (don't forget you can always clicky on the photos to make them bigger.)  I may put a few of these in my Etsy shop. 

That lovely basket of apples and the apple on my tag are from The Cutting Cafe's Welcome Fall set.  This is a huge set of 46 images and sentiments complete with everything you need for fall cards and layouts.   I colored the basket and apples with Copic markers, cut them out and popped them up on dimensionals.  I used the All Occasion Word Set 3 for the circle sentiment on the tag.

That gorgeous double sided satin ribbon on my bag is May Arts Double Faced Satin (HA33).  It compliments the kraft bag perfectly.  I just applied strips of Scor-Tape around the bag and pressed on my ribbon.  I love that I don't have to worry if the wrong side of the ribbon is showing because there is no wrong side!  Gotta love that.

Supplies:

Paper -  PTI Ivory, Kraft

Ink -  Copic markers

Stamps - The Cutting Cafe Welcome Fall, All Occasion Circle Word Set 3

Accessories - Cuffed bag, May Arts double sided satin ribbon HA33, Spellbinders circle dies,  brads, dimensionals. Scor-Tape

Ok..here's the Foodie Friday I promised earlier today...

Grilled Guacamole

                               

                                     

This is our new favorite Guacamole (Cuisine at Home) and it's so easy...you can have this dinner on the table in under an hour.

Grilled Guacamole  (I made on 1/4 this recipe for the two of us)

4 firm yet ripe avocados, halved, pitted,  brushed with oil

3 T.  fresh lime juice

1/4 c. red onion, minced

1/4 c. chopped  fresh cilantro

2 T. jalapeno, seeded, minced

2 T. garlic, minced

Kosher salt to taste

Preheat grill to med.   Grill avocados, cut sidendown, until marks appear, about 2 minutes.  Remove from the grill peel and mash with the lime juice until creamy using a fork.  Stir in remaining ingredients. 

That's it!  It's sooooo yummy...this is just one meal I serve it with:

                                      

Veggie Quesadillas  (this recipe serves 4...if you need more, just add more veggies!)

1 med. onion,  thinly sliced

1 med. zucchini, thinly sliced

1 med. yellow squash, thinly sliced

8 oz. mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 T. olive oil

1 can fat-free refried beans

4 oz. shredded cheese (your choice- cheddar, Mexican, Monterey Jack or a combo)

8 - 8 "  flour tortillas (I used 5 10" because that's what I had on hand)

Salsa

shredded lettuce

diced tomatoes

sour cream

grilled guacamole

Place oil in large skillet and warm over med-high heat.  Add the veggies and cook until the veggies are tender and just slightly carmelized about 7-10 minutes.

Warm the tortillas in a skillet or in the microwave until soft and pliable.  Lay the tortillas out.

Spread the beans evenly on half of each tortilla.  Top with some of the veggie mixture.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Fold in half.  Repeat with each tortilla.

Brush each tortilla with a tiny bit of olive oil.  Place on a hot griddle (about 350 degrees) or in a skillet over med. heat.  Pan grill until nicely browned and crispy.  The cheese should be melted and the interior should be hot. 

Remove from griddle, slice each quesadilla into 3-4 pieces.  Serve with salsa, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, sour cream and guacamole.

Enjoy!!

                                      

Jewel's Been Planting Flowers Just for You

Isn't this just the sweetest image?  This is Jewel Planting from Ethereal Forest Design (EFD for short).  I also used one of the super cute Gardent Sentiments for my flower stake. 

I think this would make an adorable little housewarming or hostess gift.  The sentiment says, "May your Garden Never have Weeds".  Oh that it were so!

I printed Jewel and the sentiment on Neenah Classic Solar White before I chose my  designer paper which has  ivory undertones.  The image didn't matter as I was going to color it anyway. But not the sentiment so rather than print out another, I just swiped my PTI Vintage Cream pad across it.  Instant ivory.  I stitched and distressed the sentiment tag.  That pretty shine was already on the paper.  I punched the butterflies from the same paper.  The flowers are a combination of my punched images and Chloe's Closet flowers.


Don't forget to pop back in for the EFD Blog Hop!  You could win $$ to go shopping for your own EFD images.  The team has been working on projects to get your creative juices flowing.  See you at the Hop!!

 Supplies:

Stamps - Ethereal Forest Designs Jewel Planting and Garden Sentiments

Paper - Making Memories Chloe's Closet, Neenah Classic Solar White

Ink - PTI Vintage Cream

Accessories - pail and flower stake - Target, ribbon, ribbon, brads, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, various flower punches, Chloe's Closet flowers, dimensionals, Sakura glaze pen, Copic markers, bag filler, popsicle stick, flower seeds, sewing machine, clothespin

A Life Filled with Cupcakes is a Good Life, So... Pig Out!

I am sad to report that due to circumstances beyond her control, Judy of Digital-Ink Co., is closing the doors to the store.  She will be opening her own stand alone store soon so stay tuned for more information.


I was assigned to Judy for the next challenge, "Anything Goes".  I paired her image, "Pig Out" with some templates from The Cutting Cafe.  You know how much I love cupcakes! (See my posts here for recipes and photos).  I chose the Cupcake Box and one of her awesome new releases All Occasion Tag Set.  These tags fit the SU tag punch.  How cool is that?!  I wanted this to be suitable for boys but I think a girl might like the polka dotted pig too.

I used the Easel Card design from SplitcoastStampers and The Cutting Cafe's All About Cupcakes for my card sentiment.

Have you ever seen such pure bliss?  Um, that is unless, it's my face diving into that cupcake!

Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate your comments and if you're new, come follow along with me!  You never know what will happen on the playground.

Supplies:
Paper - SU Certainly Celery, Bordering Blue, Crate Paper Brunch
Stamps - The Cutting Cafe,  M&M designz
Accessories - Templates - The Cutting Cafe, Crystal Effects, sewing machine, beads, ribbon, twine, Spellbinder circle dies,wooden skewer, Scor-Tape 
Ink - Prismacolor marker

Valentine/Wedding Gift Set - Love in Vintage Roses

Edited to add:  I'd love to do a tutorial on the roses, however, it's copyrighted material.  You can go here for information and to purchase the supplies.  The book I used is The Paper Garden. 

I've always known that gift sets are my "thing".  Once I have a piece created, I just want to keep going and make something to go with it. 

Two challenges I participated in recently,  Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Friday Challenge 123- Very Vintage and Pals Paper Arts, Anything but a Card  as well as the Peachy Keen Stamps challenge to make something vintage were the jumping off point for this vintage box and tag card.  I made a few of these gorgeous paper roses last night.  They were my inspiration for this set and with Valentine's Day on the way and love in the air, the rest , as they say, was easy.

This set will be in my Etsy store later.  I think it would be perfect for a few elegant chocolate truffles or perhaps something sparkly...jewelry or adiamond engagement ring maybe?  :-)  

Thanks for stopping by...I appreciate you!

Supplies:

Paper - The Paper Co., Papertrey Pure Poppy, Bazzill textured (rose)& leaves, SU Choc. Chip

Stamp - Heidi Grace "Quotes"

Accessories - Heart shaped box, punches, acrylic paint, Mod Podge, string pearls, stick-on pearls, ribbon (Michael's). dimensionals

                                                             

Will You Be My Cupcake?...and a Giveaway

Oh, goodness, I sure hope so because if you're THIS cupcake, then I'm in love.  Not just in love, "smitten", yep, infatuated, enamored, charmed, beguiled, bewitched.  Before I unveil the cupcake (and the recipe so you can fall in love too) I'll show you how I packaged it up for Valentine's Day or any day you want to make someone feel smitten with you.

This particular cupcake is for my DH so I didn't want it to be flowery.   The box was in a package of 2 for $1 at our local dollar store. (If you don't have a dollar store nearby, Regina has a cupcake box you can print out.)  The cool cupcake and the sentiment are from The Cutting Cafe's All About Cupcakes.  Regina has really outdone herself on this huge set!  There are sentiments galore, cupcakes of every size and shape, cupcake stands and circle words all ready to punch out and add to your cards and gifts.  I chose to mix the top from one of the cupcakes with the bottom of another and simply glittered it up to match my box.  Stay tuned because I'll have a couple of other creations coming up using this super set. 

Regina is, once again, allowing us to give away whatever set we chose to feature.  I will draw by random number selector for this super set on Monday, January 18th.  Just leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite cupcake is.  I'd be honored if you decide to follow me as well.

Now for a close up of that cupcake.....

This is my all time favorite dreamy, creamy cupcake confection.  The recipe is from the Barefoot Contessa's Cookbook, takes mere minutes to whip up, makes 18-24 large cupcakes and is sure to WOW your guests. 

Coconut Cupcakes

3/4 lb. unsalted butter, room temperature

2 c. sugar

5 extra-large eggs, room temperature

1-1/2 t. pure vanilla extract

1-1/2 t. pure almond extract

3 c. all purpose flour

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 c. buttermilk

14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

Cream cheese icing (recipe follows Not Ina's)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In bowl of electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.  With the mixer running on low, add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition.  Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  In three parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry.  Mix until JUST combined.  Fold in 7 ounces of the coconut.

Line muffing pans with paper liners.  Fill each cup to the top with batter. (I use an ice cream scoop.)  Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean.  Remove to a baking sheet and cool completely.  Frost with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

Cream cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 c. unsalted butter at room temperature

1 t. pure vanilla extract

1 t. pure almond extract

1 pound confectioner's sugar, sifted

In bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, blend butter, cream cheese and extracts.  Add the confectioner's sugar and mix until smooth.

I'm off to eat my cupcake before someone else does! 

Back with a Cutting Cafe Project and a GIVEAWAY!

This drawing is closed as of 12:00 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15th. Thanks!...I have a couple of tutorials you will want to make for Christmas so scroll down.

Wow...I've never had a flu bug that knocked me off my feet for this long. Even the bronchitis I had this spring didn't hit me this hard. I'm feeling better but still tired and somewhere between a frog and a whale....croaking voice and blowing nose!! ;-) My Mojo hasn't quite returned to normal yet, but it feels good to want to create again so hope springs eternal.


Regina must have know how much I love planners when she came out with this super HolidayPlanner set..I used the Cutting Cafe Notebook/Planner (woo,hoo it's Free..see here for details) She even designed inner pockets and included lists for notes and gifts in the Holiday Planner set that fit right in this super planner template that are ready to print and pop right in.


I added an extra pocket on mine and decided to use her awesome Christmas Gift Tag set so my tags would be ready to pop onto my gifts as soon as I get them wrapped. I won't have to hunt for my receipts either because there's a pocket for them as well. Everything nice and organized...Love it!!


I didn't have time to finish them all but there are 14 tags ready for you to print, cut and decorate. I used double sided tape on some of mine to just stick on my packages.


Regina has said I can give away ALL THREE OF THESE SETS!!! The Holiday Planner, the Notebook Cover and the Christmas Gift Tags.

Just leave me a comment by Sunday, November 15th.

Supplies:

Digital Stamps : Cutting Cafe Notebook Cover, Christmas Planner, and Christmas Gift Tag sets
Stamps: Papertrey Holiday Button Bits

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest White, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding, Papertrey Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy

Accessories: Ribbon, bling, Spellbinders Circle, Label, Rectangle dies, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, button, Liquid Pearls

Blessings!

Charlene

An Apple for Christmas

Don't forget...you've got until Thursday evening to win!

Some of you have posted comments on the wrong post...I love each one but want to make sure you get your chance in. You need to go to the links in the post below to comment. Good Luck!

I started to make an "apple for the teacher" card this weekend. as the final addition to my auction donation. As I looked at that awesome Apple Shaped Card from The Cutting Cafe,

I thought how easy it would be to keep cutting and turn this great shape into a box....so I did! Super simple and so fun. (If you'd like a tutorial w/pictures, just let me know and I'll show you what I did. My sentiment tag is also from The Cutting Cafe's brand new set, Tiny Box w/Sentiments set. Check out the previous post for how you can WIN this set!!

This box holds 9 luscious Lindt chocolates. You can put those in my stocking anytime! Wouldn't this be perfect for a special teacher, the mailperson, a neighbor, a friend, or anyone you want to bless?

Here's my basket, ready to wrap and deliver.

Supplies:

Apple template - The Cutting Cafe
Digi Stamps - The Cutting Cafe
Paper - PTI Pure Poppy, SU Creamy Carmel, Martha Stewart Christmas pack 2008
Accessories- Scor-Tape, sewing machine, Martha Stewart Crystal Flakes, ribbon, eyelet, Spellbinders Rectangle dies

MTSC41 - I'm Back with Tiny Boxes

Oh my, what a week! It feels good to be back creating. They never did figure out what made my car "buck". All those computers and nada!! Give me an old fashioned, easy to repair car and forget about all those computers! They just said to wait until it happens again and bring it back in....Aaccccck!!!!

I wish you could have seen my brain ticking when I saw Regina's new Tiny Box and Sentiment Set over at The Cutting Cafe! I told you I was taking a beading class. Well, I made a bracelet for part of a donation to an auction for a sweet family who are adopting two MORE children from Russia.

You can read their story "Love Lives On". Their son, Ian was killed in Iraq. Their love for him lives on in the lives of the children they are adopting. They are a wonderful, caring, Christ-centered family. The auction is Oct. 12th if you want to help them out.

Here's my bracelet..the design is called a spiral. I made the loop and toggle as well.

When I saw Mercy's sketch challenge this week, MTSC41, my card and box were in the process. The ribbon challenge at Caardvarks is sheer inspiration as well.

I've had this elegant paper from Crate Paper for awhile...just 2 precious pieces from a clearance sale online...It's called Glam...and it is! I had printed my sentiments from the Tiny Box Set

on white, so I dabbed it with Papertrey's Chamomile to match the background on the Glam paper. Love it!! See that lush, crocheted ribbon? Can you say YUM? That was a gift from Sabrina over at sjbutterflydream. I admired it on one of her creations and the next thing I knew...it arrived in the mail...4 beautiful colors, no less! Thanks sweet sister in the Lord! You've got to spend some time with her....her creations are sheer elegance.

I had told you here, that I was making a hairdresser's survival kit to go with the card I created...well, the Tiny Box Sentiments got put to use again.

Even the bottom is special...Regina created this Custom stamp just for me! Perfect for when I want to put my name on a surface that can't be stamped. Guess what? She can make one for you, too!!

Head on over to The Cutting Cafe and check out all the fabulous new sets there and stay tuned here because I've got another creation coming.