Wrap it up Thursday - Back to School Teacher Gift

What is the connection between teaching and apples.  I did a little research and two theories emerge.  One, it was a gift of food for poorly paid teachers and the other,  it represented a gesture of good health.  Perhaps it is a combination of the two, but for whatever reason, apples have become representative of the relationship between teacher and student.

I thought it would be cute to take the little eos lip balm in melon (almost red don't you think?) and add a welcome back to some paper leaves and when that looked too plain I cut off an actual apple stem.  The leaves and stem were easily attached with a little sticky - tac.

A nice gesture for the first week of school, I thought.

But hey, if your teacher is really special (and what teacher isn't) and you have the time there are a few other little things you could do ...

The classic apple was reimagined as an adorable cupcake by the authors of  Hello Cupcake. (top picture)  I love the Back to the Grind from Jacolyn Murphy. (there is a tea one as well)  The sweet lined paper pouches are from Heather Shaw's Pi'losale on Etsy.  Bakerella opted to do pencils as a push- pop instead of a cakepop.  I really want to try to make cupcakes like that!   I struggle with cake pops but The Crafting Chicks via Skip to my Lou made an adorable mini oreo pop that might be a little easier than a traditional cakepop.

Well ... Back to School ... Back to Reality ... Back to the grind.  Just like the fresh new notebooks of school - I'm starting fresh this fall - into the throes of purging out the old and unnecessary and focusing on a clean fresh start for the new year of school.  Instead of feeling sad at the summer ending, I'm welcoming back clean, crisp air and a new year of possibilities.

Wrap it up Thursday - the simple flower

A simple flower topper

From ellinee.com - link for tutorial here

I missed wrap it up Thursday last week so,  I had to finish off the summer with one final wrapping.  This one is so beautiful in it's simplicity.  It's been a big hit over on pinterest.  I am always overwhelmed when someone shares their hard work so generously and this wrapping is no exception.  With a download and print you are all set to create a simple and beautiful gift wrap that would fit a wedding, birthday, housewarming or shower gift.  All the hard work is done - now you can sit back and look like the thoughtful gift-giver you are.

Next week I hope to be back in full gear.  Kids back in school,  routines to establish and the last (hopefully) warm days to savour.  I've been playing around with pics for a new banner and I have a fun project for back to school babysitting gigs.

Have a great weekend!

Wrap it up Thursday - Cottage Gifts

We've been invited to a couple of cottages this summer and I always struggle with what to bring to our generous hosts.  You want to be invited back again, right?, so besides helping out in the kitchen and cleaning up it's nice to let your hosts know how much you appreciate their hospitality.

Well, homemade goodies are always appreciated I think, but wrapped up in a nice package make them extra special. (first row)  The pancake mix left (Martha Stewart Weddings) and the homemade banana bread right (Jenny Steffens Hobick) are a nice way to elevate something simple.

(middle row left)  A new cottage owner would really appreciate a bucket of handy basics (Martha Stewart) and I think the fire starter right (Whole Living) piled up in a beautiful basket would be awesome.

(bottom row)  A simple jar of natural cleaning supplies (Julie Blanner) or cookies ready to make (Bakerella) would be an easy way to say thanks!

If you are really feeling crafty, and you have the time beforehand, wouldn't it be nice to make these coasters (Girl in Air) with map pieces of the lake or cabin you are going to.  I like this because they are super useful and the host will always remember your thoughtfulness, year after year.

This has been a gift I have put together a couple of times this summer.  The Zoku popsicle maker with the amazing watercolor popsicle tags from Creature Comforts.  They work so well together and for hosts with kids, I think it is a great gift that everyone can get together too make and enjoy. 

 Sometimes, those lazy days at the cottage affords all of us the time to play around with things like popsicle makers, where we may not take the time in a fast paced lives back in the city.    

I hope you are enjoying your last few weeks of the summer and even if you haven't had the chance to visit a lakeside cottage or cabin, these gifts still work for a barbecue for friends or why not have one yourself - maybe a popsicle making party? 

Wrap it up Thursday - Faux Woodgrain Wrapping

 Well, let me begin by saying that this wrap it up post is later in the day because of a mess up, in a big way, that started early this morning.  It was a lovely morning and I thought I would finish up my post on wrapping up a knitting project I finally completed.  The trouble is I tried to carry too many things at once and the dark brown paint you see on this faux wood grain wrapping spilled over the carpet.  I mean all over and after finding someone, a professional - very early in the morning - to show up and try to get it out, to no avail - I had to resign myself to the fact that this little wrap it up cost me new basement flooring.  Oh well, I never liked it any way.

You see, it all started with this project from Purl Bee (upper 2 photographs)  A very simple, so I thought, but ambitious (for me) baby blanket inspired by the quintessentially Canadian,  Hudson Bay Blanket.  Now I normally knit small projects but I thought that it was time for me to take up something more substantial and in honour of my cousin's little guy's first birthday, I thought this might be just the thing to take on.  (and on and on)

That was back in February.   I even took this sucker to Florida in March, thinking I might be able to get it finished down there and mail it in the U.S., as my cousin lives in Colorado.  Boy did I look silly under the palm trees knitting away a Hudson Bay Blanket.  Well, finally, I finished - this week!!!!  I am proud I stuck it out. See it out on the front stone patio - I almost want to keep it myself!  It is alot bigger than a baby blanket, because of the thick yarn I used, which is a good thing because this little guy is almost a toddler now!!

My aunt is heading out for a visit and  I think I have convinced her to take it in her luggage.  So, I needed something to wrap it up that was light and airy - I couldn't put it in a box.  Inspired by Martha Stewart's wrapping (photograph 1), I set out to create a faux woodgrain wrapping on natural paper. 

After mixing brown paint with acrylic glaze, I painted small stripes of glaze on the paper and followed with a graining tool.  By using a brush the same width as the tool, you can almost create a planking effect. (photos 2, 3 and 4)  It's amazingly effective when it dries.(photograph 5 - bottom)

When the strip of planks dried, I made up a large square sheet by cutting the strip in three, and with the help of a glue stick, the seams virtually disappeared.

Since my Canadian cousin now lives in the rugged mountains of the U.S.,  I wanted to give her little guy a little piece of Canada. I hope that he is able to enjoy it for years to come.  I even included a little information on the history of the Hudson Bay Blanket,  all wrapped up in a "rugged" little package that included his initial as a tag.

Now that I have finished my big project (except I guess the new project of fixing the basement floor) it's time to take on something smaller.  Maybe a version of the gorgeous Smythe Jacket and their interpretation of the Hudson Bay Blanket.  Well ... maybe not ... maybe just a hat for the fall :)

Wrap it up Thursday - Cover Love

I am such a sucker for a great cover!  I am so sure that if the package is good, whether it be a book cover or a label for tea, it must be good.  This is just a small selection of what catches my eye (some I have thought about for a couple of years!)  in the stores, blogs or shopping websites and I just have to STOP myself from purchasing them right then and there.  So I can't recommend the following based on any experience at all - except that it looks good:)

sugarbaby  by Gesine Bullock-Prado -    Helana read her book on starting over and loved it but I just want to make the beautiful candy floss on the cover.  It has to be good, I mean, just look at it!

Falling Cloudberries and Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros - once again haven't read them or even looked inside but the spines are simply delicious.

Moonstruck Chocolate - They are from Portland, reviews on their website include - the best chocolate bar I have ever eaten - but I didn't know any of that.  I just know it has to be good by the paper cut design on the wrapping.

Kusmi Tea - never tried it but, Oh my gosh!, it has to be divine just look at the colours on the tin.

I love all the Love and Toast packaging and I have tried the lip gloss and hand creme.  I am VERY sure though that this shampoo is equally as lovely and how nice it would be on a bathroom counter.

Wrap it up Thursday - Pretty Pinterest Picks

I thought that today I would share some of my favorite wraps from my pinterest board - Pretty Packages.

1 - Calla lilies -  from Oh Happy Day

2 - pretty toppers of bows, flowers and pinwheels - from October Afternoon

3 - pastel blue watercolor popsicle with twine - from Creature Comforts

4 - toppers of bows, flowers, banners, ruffles and medallions - from Oh Hello Friend

5 - the beautiful simplicity of flowers and twine - from The Savvy Photographer

So far this summer, the days are easy and breezy as we begin to fall into a summer routine, after the end of the school year and our whirlwind trip. I've been working around in the garden and working on a few crafty projects I hope to share over the next few weeks.  I think I might use Ez's (Creature Comforts) popsicle tag for a cottage gift next weekend - I really LOVE it!

I hope you are enjoying the summer days wherever you may be - hope they are long, warm and full of smiles !

Wrap it up Thursday - Wrap Bracelets in Neon

When I picked up all that neon twine from the hardware store and started playing around with it for wrapping in this post, I realized it would be great to use for wrap bracelets.

Along with the twine, I assembled the other elements I had used for our bracelet making sessions I talked about here.

I played around with a few of the ideas we used for our bracelets made from embroidery thread, but I think this summer, we can come up with all sorts of ways of using neon twine as a bracelet.

One of my favorites is this simple braided bracelet.  Two colors of each strand simply braided together.

To make the loop for one end, I broke the strands into two of each color grouping and braided one side. (top middle)  Then I formed a loop, tied it all together and trimmed. (top right)

At the bottom I broke the strands into two color groupings and braided those and knotted (bottom middle)  Those two strands are the ties for the loop.

For the simple friendship bracelet I just used one strand of each color and followed the friendship bracelet instructions from this post.  I simply braided each end after the knots to make a simple tie. (middle)

With the bead chain and neon twine I wrapped round the leather cord like we did in our previous bracelet post.

Oh neon, I wasn't sure you were for me but now I see so many possibilities.  Just a touch of neon brightens a look and adds a little punch to your wardrobe or interior space.

I think the neon twine is going to make its way to the camp pack... I figure by then I will be sick of it and ready for fall ... Oh fall, yummy burnt orange, greys and browns ...

Wrap it up Thursday - Father's Day

With Father's Day coming up this weekend, I thought I would do a mini round-up of some cute ideas for the dad, grandpa, uncle, friend or mentor in your life.  Don't you find these guys are the hardest to shop for.  Nothing ever seems quite right but I thought no matter what I do for a gift this weekend, these little add-ons and doable kid crafts would make anything I come up with more special.

I think the Super Dad printables for special treats (top) is absolutely adorable, from L'il Luna.     My husband loves certain treats and this would be great to take to the office for a mid-afternoon pick me up.

Scott also loves to get new socks.  I know - weird right?  But how cute would it be to find some black and white socks (the only kind he wears) and wrap them up in these adorable downloadable labels, from Hello Lucky.  Danyelle from Dandee put together this basket with a yummy sandwich for teachers this year but I think it would be great for Dad - you could take him to his favourite park and play ball, frisbee or just rest on a blanket in the shade.  And finally every dad wants to think they are the best.  How sweet is this downloadable Father's Day card from Funkytime.

My own dad is a different story.  I always struggle to find him something he doesn't have - not easy.  I think this year I am going to put together an easy care terrarium  The one pictured left from Making it Lovely was featured by Nicole Balch on the West Elm Blog.  I went to West Elm and they have alot of products (including no fuss air plants) to help put together a simple self contained garden.  My dad is a huge cyclist (both mountain and road) and he loves a really good dark chocolate for a treat so this cute downloadable treat sleeve from Anything but Perfect will definitely be part of his gift.  I picked up the band aids from urban outfitters a couple of months ago, when I saw them.  These are perfect.  My dad always has a slash, cut, sore etc. from all his sporting events.  This will be a fun thing to show off when the bikers meet for coffee after their ride.

Finally I plan to wrap it all up in this adorable printable from Hermes.  When you go to the site, highlight the Travel the world with Hermes Icon and it will take you to half a dozen beautiful downloads, for a paper bag to cut out.  I think he will love this one.


I wish I could show more but with school finishing up, my on-line blogging class and a trip to plan, I am running out of time.  I'm hoping that with a couple of these ideas no one will know I ran out of Father's Day planning time ...

Wrap it up Thursday - Neon Office Supplies

Earlier this week, I had a try at making some lace wrapping paper and while I was putting it together I came across some great twine at the hardware store.  I am sure it is always there but for some reason that day I noticed it.  Well that twine, combined with some great post-it notes Ali picked up for exam preparation, came together in a perfect storm of neon.

What I realized is that the post-it notes are perfect for embellishments on packages.  They already have a sticky top and by working your design around that sticky top, you can quickly come up with little enhancements, to what would otherwise be a simply wrapped package.

I played around with making a leaf or feather shape.  The base is the sticky part of the post-it.  This worked for dove-tailed banner shapes as well.

I really like the simplicity of the cording on it's own (left).

I loosely braided three different colours together and added my feather motif (centre).

The sticky part of the post-it at the top of each flag also helps to hold down the twine as a banner (right).

These supplies tucked into my wrapping box mean that I can wrap up a gift - lickety split.

Now I have to figure out what goes inside - whatever it is- it needs to be happy... don't you think?

Wrap it up Thursday - The Key to Great Wrapping

1- oh hello friend      2- helana and ali  3- making it yourself - Craftberry Bush

4- better homes and gardens      5- united with love

I finally came up with a great teacher gift - all ready to go.  However, now of course, instead of making all the little elements of the gift, I feel the need to wrap it up nicely.  I have to make sure that I don't go too crazy on the wrapping - I mean come on - 

but still I plan...

I've been thinking about adding a little key - you know - "you are the key to a great year" ... I can see the girls rolling their eyes now.  It might not pass the sniff test but it is an idea nonetheless.

I got a deal on these little babies.  Actually they aren't that little but I showed them to my niece, a teacher, and she thought she would appreciate it if she got it as a gift so that was good enough for me.

The box itself is great (don't have a picture but trust me it is cute) and I don't want to cover it up.

So a key with tag may be my answer.  

tag water carafe

Key or no key, whatever I come up with, I will share next week.  And maybe show a few other teacher gift ideas - I know - I can't help myself.

Wrap it up Thursday - Wrapping up Lunch

It seems sort of crazy that as we wrap up the school year, I am thinking about school lunches.  I'll tell you why.  It is always, always a source of frustration.  Missing bags, cups, bottles, forks, knives, coolers and containers.  It all adds up and some days it makes me want to scream.  Okay, I actually do scream.  I wish I knew the answer  but I don't.  That isn't going to stop me from hoping though ... that a solution is near - a DIY or store bought solution - something.  I think this (prudent baby) DIY is adorable.  This print is too cutesy for the girls at this stage but not too cutesy for me.  I just need to use a different print for them.

I love this grouping from Martha Stewart.  Simple and straightforward.  The question is how mad will I be when it doesn't make it home.  I have to weigh my choices here.

I love these containers.  I mean I really love them.  Yes, I would be cross if they didn't make it home.  That blue is too good.

How about these?

I actually got my dad the bright blue and green one for boating in the Keys.  I haven't really seen him use it but I love the idea of all the stacked containers, containing everything you need for a fabulous lunch.  Too big for school though.

These are neat and I have seen them around town.  It helps keep everything separated.  And yes, sadly, even at 15 years old, some people don't like it when different foods touch each other.

1- mexican bento, 2 - energy bites, 3 - grab and go snacks

Speaking of food.  That, ultimately is what I am confronted with.  What keeps and is appealing, healthy  and safe to eat after a few hours in a container.  I really haven't solved this dilemma but now I will give myself some time this summer to come up with some ideas. Could I put something together like this so that packing is fun and easy?

I'd like to think so.  The possibilities are there and one can only be optimistic at this point.  I just haven't been able to crack the lunch code.   

But when I do won't this fabric look cute, wrapped around a delicious, well-received lunch?

I have had this oilcloth (Kaffe Fassett) around now for 2 years - I am going to try something with it.  

I'll let you know when I come up with something good ... have a great weekend!

Wrap it up Thursday - Last Minute Mother's Day DIY

You can have all the best intentions but sometimes life gets in the way and you run out of time.  If you might not have much time before this sunday and you want to put together a little something personal, maybe an add-on to a flower arrangement or favorite candy, here are a few suggestions.

Above - I quickly printed out a couple of old photos of the girls.  They would be so sweet on a beautiful pencil or pen but I couldn't find any - so hey - they kind of dress up these plain, old pencils.  Make sure you give yourself some space above the head and below the feet for the pencil holes.

I think I would love to have my family put together a cute package like this and rent my favorite chick flicks with a magazine or two... hint, hint.

This is from Martha Stewart.

If you have a little more time - this sweet vanilla sugar packaged so beautifully would be a lovely thought.

This is a valentine's gift from Somewhere Splendid but could easily be adapted for Mother's Day.

How cute.  A card that even the least creative can add to a special gift and let the "mom" in their life feel special.

This is from How about Orange.  You could use a great color that matches your flowers or whatever gift you are including with it.

In either black and white or color, any mother's desktop would love to have a reminder of the special "child" in their life.  I will pop these onto my desk jar and smile with the memories of my little girls over the years ... and that is all a mom wants anyway.

Wrap it up Thursday - Neon Packages

After I wrapped up a coffee cup a couple of weeks ago,  I decided maybe neon could hang around for awhile.  I mean, I see it everywhere from interiors to all these cute wrapping ideas.

I found a few of these from pinterest.  The polka dot packages are simply neon stickers on kraft paper.  How cute and how easy - (Project Wedding, photo Chelsea Fuss). 

I really love this look of simply painting the inside of a kraft box a bright color like this.  This would be cute for a small kraft box as well.  Found via pinterest Jeanette Lunde

The tags are from etsy Knit & Bow  found via Oh Happy Day.

How sweet to simply pack up in bright pink tissues - great in a grouping- Frolic (Project Wedding Photos Lisa Warninger) found via Jeanette Lunde    

And finally, the neon tape and paper tags from the House &Hold blog

And if you can't find neon bits and bobs for packaging, you can always hop over to funkytime and download this adorable neon wrap - all ready to go.

How easy is that?

For a spring gift, teacher gifts or mother's day - who wouldn't appreciate something bright and cheerful.

Okay Neon ... you are winning me over.  But I am definitely not going to wear a neon pink crop top with ripped shoulders and tease my hair... I have to draw the line somewhere.

Wrap it up Thursday - On the Road Part II

Here is a little collage of some of the decorating I did for Helana's birthday down south this year, a few weeks ago.  As you may recall, my plan was to have a packed up birthday in a box, to make things easier.  I always forget how hard it is to find things down in the Keys and truth be told, I share my birthday with Helana and sometimes I find myself stressing and running around the whole day.  My plan was to try and enjoy it as much as I could, but really, I stopped celebrating my birthday years ago - it really is about making her day special.

I did bring some tissue for the flower poms and then I came up with making some medallion style flowers with heavy kraft paper my dad had in the garage. (you can see a rough idea of how I made those flowers when I did some for grad last year)

 I think it looked rather sweet but, it was a hassle trying to get everything to stay in place.  Next year, I am following the plan below.

Here is a board of what I can easily order on-line and have ready to go.  (The local party store will blow up the globe balloons I hope)

Tissue Flowers - (Pom Love - etsy)  - 5 in krafts, creams and pinks - 18.00

Balloons - large globes (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 5 in creams and pinks - 25.00

Pink Striped Cups - (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 7.00

Striped Straws (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 4.00

Painted Wooden Spoons  (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 8.00

Striped Paper Kraft Bags - (Shop Sweet Lulu) - 7.00

Cake Banner ( Tuck & Bonte - etsy) - 30.00

Optional fabric banner (Tuck & Bonte) - 45.00

Total - $99 (about $150 with fabric banner)

(note: I show the divine twine in bubblegum pink from Shop Sweet Lulu but I already have some so that is not in my total here  (1 large roll is $15)

So, for just a little over $100 (to include shipping) I can decorate and serve up goodies, for both our birthdays, with ease and anticipation.  I think for peace of mind and the ability to take something off my to-do list, this is the route I am going to go for next year.  In fact, I might have enough supplies for two years.  I might make a cake like I did the other day but if I can find something special (maybe William Sonoma) I can dress up something we would all like with the beautiful banner from Tuck & Bonte.

This was a paper banner I made last minute from extra tissue and kraft paper.  I cut out various sized flower shapes from pink tissue to create a flower for the candle.  This was a cake from the local grocery store (It was cookies and cream and Helana loved it ... I know ... store bought ... how could I !!??)

That little banner made the cake seem special and it also meant that we could enjoy our time out on the water on a jet ski and hanging on the beach, rather than slaving away in a hot kitchen.  Hopefully she isn't too scarred by this - store-bought concoction...she seemed to be just fine :)