Decorative Packaging

One of my favorite things about fall is going to the pumpkin patch and following the clues through the maze of hay bales or if I am real energetic, the corn maze.  Since I am directionally challenged, lol , I like the mazes with clues to decide what direction.  Sometimes they ask questions about farming, or American history.  It at least gives me a better chance of taking the right path rather than spending hours going in circles trying to find my way out, only to just take a short cut to the outside.

You are probably wondering by now what all that has to do with these cute little leaf hanger craft.  Well, many times they use clues hanging on a post or corn stalk.  This would be a festive way to do the clues.  You can put various leaves on them and ask a question concerning what tree the leaf came from.  If they answer correctly, they go the right direction.  Obviously, there would have to be other choices on there to choose from.

To make these festive hangers, gather leaves, press them in heavy books between wax paper to prevent any leaf juice from getting on the book.  Then paste them on paper, back it with a complimentary color and laminate the whole thing.  This will protect it from the elements. Glue thin organic cotton ribbon to hang them from to the back.  You can use any basic ribbon you have. Camouflage ribbon would look great on these as well since fall is also near hunting season.

These would also look nice as decorations in the house, or as gift tags on presents.  You can use them to decorate for your fall cookouts.

Wow, this mom went all out for her son’s birthday party!  And obviously she is extremely organized!  This impressive party table makes me wish I was at the party. As the mom of two girls, I know it can be a lot of fun to decorate a birthday party table. I was always assumed that decorating a boys table would be boring or very limited in ideas for creativity, clearly, this example voids that thought.

Much attention had been paid to detail, from the sports ribbon that is around each layer of the cake table to the decorative grass in the serving plate for the athletic themed chocolate candies.  Even the little rice crispy treats have sports pennants.

The treat bags have been decoratively closed with the same sports ribbon as the ribbon used on the cake serving stand. The curling ribbon used with the balloons coordinates with the color theme of orange, green and brown.  Satin ribbon creatively decorates the candy jars while serving as information tags for what candy is in the dish.

I’m sure the kids had a great time at this party, with all the attention paid to decorating, I’m sure mom had a whole scheduled plan full of fun activities.

Putting a little extra time and thought in to the themed birthday parties will enhance the memories and even though the child may not tell you how much the love it today, they will remember it as the best years of their life!

I think we all agree that there is far too much pollution.  There are so many hidden ways that our water is being poisoned with toxins, our ground has been polluted with chemicals. Our air can be toxic to breathe at times, especially when someone is illegally burning tires, chemicals, plastic, and building materials. In our history, I don’t believe anyone ever did things that would purposely make generations of people sick.  They were just trying to conduct business, grow bigger better crops, make faster cars, kill weeds, and get rid of pests.  But it’s the research that has been done that prove that these products definitely kill the pest and weed but they also build up and make us all sick too.

The good news is that new generations of people have learned how to make great substitutions for those items and make “Green” or environmentally friendly products.  In some ways it’s not a new product at all but a natural product that had been replaced.

What better way and time to use cotton ribbon than to use it on baby gift tag or  a baby announcement.  The children are the reason we all try to do our part help clean up the environment.  Using products that are totally green, meaning that it does not cause pollution to make it, won’t harm the environment because it is biodegradable or recyclable when it becomes waste is a small way everyone can help.

We have cotton ribbon. It’s also called “green ribbon”, Also known as cotton ribbon, organic ribbon, woven ribbon, all natural ribbon, eco ribbon and earth friendly ribbon.  We have a great selection of woven ribbon that is an earth friendly “green ribbon”. Our Organic Cotton Ribbon is made from 100% organic cotton fibers while our Cotton/Hemp Ribbon is made from 65% organic cotton fibers and 35% hemp. We also offer three other natural ribbon products: our Cotton Satin Weave Ribbon, our Cotton Twill Tape Ribbon and our Cotton Taffeta Ribbon which are all made from 100% cotton in a variety of weaves. All of our new natural ribbon products are biodegradable. We can also custom dye and custom print on our Organic Cotton Ribbon using non-toxic dyed colors.

Bulk Elastic Cord and Gift Wrapping

Bulk Elastic Cord has many great uses.  I have a variety of sizes of ribbon, cord, string in my collection of craft supplies.  You just never know what you will need.  This thin cording is wrapped several times around the gift and around this cute black bear Christmas ornament.  The “bow” or package topper is a gift in it self.  If a wider ribbon would have been used the bear accent would have been hidden.  Be creative as you warp all the Christmas gifts.

Elastic Cord and Gift Tags

This is the perfect tag for the perfect color paper. 

Happen to have a bunch of paint swatches left over from your last redecorating project?  Maybe you splurged on a premium quality wrapping paper and can’t find the right tag to match.  Simple fix: Cut out round tags from those colorful paint chips.  If you need more than a few, ask the store for cards with discontinued color shades.  Punch a hole in the tag; tie on with elastic cord or embroidery floss, or thin ribbon that matches and BAM… perfect tag!

Preppy belt wrapping is a wide ribbon tied onto a loop or o-ring and threaded belt-style through a second loop or o-ring. 

Use and O-rings and decorative ribbon in coordinating colors.

Don’t forget the tag. You can use elastic string to tie a personalized tag to any gift.

Red Ribbon, Hot Cocoa, Tablespoon, and Canister

Mmmmm, I can almost smell it now.  This is always a perfect gift for the person on your list who is hard to buy for. Teachers get so many gifts that they just can’t use, but this one they will love and use.  Here is a quick recipe for Hot Cocoa and a quick way to wrap it.

Chocolate Chunk recipe for 1 gift;

WHAT YOU NEED:  2 cups of unsweetened cocoa powder, ¾ cup of sugar, (or sugar substitute equivalent) 8 ounces of chopped semi sweet chocolate, air tight container, red ribbon, gift tag, new tablespoon

WHAT TO DO:  In a bow, combine the cocoa, sugar and chocolate chunks.  Place into an airtight container like the one in the picture, use a red ribbon to add a gift tag and a new tablespoon for measuring loop it through the ring or wrap around the mouth of the jar if it is different than this one, Keeps at room temperature for up to 4 months

Include these instructions with your gift…   In a small saucepan, whisk 4 tablespoons or ¼ cup of cocoa mix with ¾ cup of milk.  Bring to a bare simmer.  Serves 1… marshmallows optional but wonderful

I Love Making Scents

 Give the gift of aroma!  Present these handmade sachets the next time you are a weekend house guest, but only if you want to be invited back.  Filled with aromatic, moth-repelling lavender, they are practical, inexpensive and don’t require any sewing.  All you need are zippered change purses from discount stores.  Choose cloth ones, not plastic (so the scent can diffuse through the fabric), in bright patterns and colors, then fill each pouch with dried flower buds, potpourri (found at most discount stores, and home improvement stores).  Stack sachets in a clear cellophane bag, and finish with a coordinating grosgrain ribbon and gift tag.  Pretty, Quick. This makes a great gift, even for a house warming gift. 

Welcome Wagon Gift Ideas

When ever a new family moves into town, why not greet them with a gift bag.  Along with other goodies like home made treats, and possibly a candle or two, why not include menus from local area restaurants, a local news paper and a town calendar or scheduled events if they have one.  That way they know about nice places to eat before they are even able to explore their neighborhood on their own.  If you have a favorite place to eat, why not a gift card for dinner for two?  After all that unpacking, a dinner out may be just what they need.  Put all the items in a lovely bag and don’t forget the gift tag.  String a thin ribbon through a hole and tie it on the bag.  You don’t need the name, just write WELCOME!    

Wrapping Packages with Victorian Lace

Here is a unique way to wrap gifts for that special lady on any occasion.  This is so feminine and delicate and sure to please.  You can dress up any plain paper but wrapping it again with lace.  The paper color will show through.  Then add decorative ribbon to complete the wrapping.  Elastic cord can be used to attach gift tags. This would look beautiful for a bridal shower too.  Possibly even in the same style lace she may have selected for her dress.