Cool tags for your gifts – Easter!

 Tags or Place cards

It’s all in the technique …

 

The technique I want to show you is called “Heat embossing” and when I first became interested in papercrafts this fascinated me and still does.   The design you stamp is raised off the surface of the paper and has a glossy shine to it.   The only drawback to this method is that you do have to purchase special supplies – a heat tool, embossing powder and Perfect Medium stamping solution.

Choose your paper be it a card, tag or a design for framing.   Stamp the design using the Perfect Medium and then sprinkle embossing powder onto that. 

I used a copper color which gives it a nice antique look.   Shake off the excess powder and return it to the container for future use (don’t discard).   Then take the heat tool and heat up the powder which will transform before your eyes.    

Something that adds a dramatic look to the tags or card is taking an ink pad and going around the edge and brushing it with color.    You can see that on the lower flower tags here.   I then took a swan design and using my sewing machine slowly attached the swan to a doily – I emphasize slowly since we are working with paper and you don’t want to tear it by sewing too quickly.

You can further attach this design to a box lid or use as a place card with an added little treat for your guests adding the date and their name so they can save as a treasured keepsake.

Pretty sweet, huh?

Which type of Chocolate do you prefer – Dark or Milk Chocolate?  Vote here!

Added to the “Get your Craft On” blog linkup…Thanks!

Press those Flowers!

~ Now is the  time to bring a little summer sunshine into your surroundings ~  and I will show you how!

With temperatures dipping well below zero and winds gusting outside with a high pitch screech and lasting echo, it’s hardly time to think hot summer days.   Let’s … for a moment … forget the current outdoor conditions and relish in the past … the hot days spent lounging poolside, gathering flowers to adorn the table and taking a few sprigs here and there and “pressing them” to save for later.   As we gaze into the fire as we sip our hot cocoa, we can envision the swaying sunflowers dancing in the breeze.     Let’s talk flowers!

Using pressed flowers is not a new idea … earlier this year I created this post and it is an easy art to conquer.   I think we simply overlook all the possibilities to save those moments of celebration.   Saving our corsages, bouquets or even a bundle of  flowers picked up from the market will extend the memory and bring joy long after the event has passed.

My stash of saved pressed foliage has a variety of flowers, ferns and even herbs that were picked and pressed in heavy phone books for several weeks to several months.   I always thought the flower had to be small and flat to press successfully, but I have had great success with bigger and thicker flowers as well.   The trick is using heavier weights and longer drying time.

Working out your design and what you intend to create using your pressed flowers should be fun and care taken to handle the flowers carefully since they are now rather fragile.   Tweezers are ideal for handling and if petals or stems break off, you can glue right back into place.   The recommended glue to use for placement and also sealing is a product called Mod Podge.   It can be found at craft stores – most supermarkets also carry this product.

A favorite design I enjoy is using the flowers on cards for special occasions and special people.   There are many ways to use your precious flowers and there is no limit on what your imagination can create.

As you browse through the gardening catalogs on these cold snowy days, envision the colorful, fragrant fields of flowers you can grow or better yet… Jump in the car and head to the store for a bundle of beauty!   Enjoy them now and save some for later!

FIVE Winners!

I had so much fun making these labels and really like how they look so I decided to have five winners instead of  just one!   Thank you to everyone that left a comment – I sincerely appreciate your time and kind words.   The winners are -

Cheryl Delaney - Barbra – Jenn Tidwell - Kathleen and Rebecca!

All you have to do is send your mailing address to mailbox@therunninggarlic.com and I will send your packette along to you!

Thanks again to everyone!

Zucchini Basil Muffins and Gourds

First I have to share this recipe I made today with zucchini and basil since soon our gardens will be overflowing with both!   I also experimented last night when baking chicken breast (bone in, skin on) and I am impressed with the results.   I baked the chicken in the oven at 350 degrees for a little over an hour – the chicken breasts were rather large.   I took fresh basil leaves and covered the top and also put some under the skin next to the meat – the finished flavor was fresh and I will definitely cook this way again!   Now on to the Muffin recipe – Zucchini Basil Muffins -

Grate 3 cups of fresh zucchini and combine with 2/3 cup melted butter along with a 1 cup of chopped basil.   Combine 1 1/3 cup sugar, 2 eggs (I used 1 egg and substituted 1 TB flaxseed with 3 TB water for the other egg) and 2 teaspns. vanilla.   Add all together.   Mix 2 teaspns. baking soda with 3 cups flour, 2 teaspns. cinnamon and 1/2 teaspn. nutmeg.   Stir into the zucchini mixture and add 1 cup chopped walnuts.   Bake 20-25 minutes – Yum!

I finished up 2 different gourd vases for my sister this past week and they were very easy.   Basically I just added a light coat of stain to darken them up a bit and a coat of polyacrylic (varnish) to seal them.   The smaller vase I did woodburn a few flowers as a design but I have to say the gourd’s own design is enough.  

Closeup of the gourd

Smaller gourd vase with woodburned flowers

The taller gourd vase with homegrown flowers added (broomcorn and lavender)

These gourds were from my harvest last year and were ready to craft with a while back but I just now finished them up.   I have more gourds to design and also have Apple, Bottle and what I call Champagne Bottle (the tall gourd shown) planted in the garden this year and already vining out all over!

I am in my glory today since I received my new Provocraft Gypsy!!!

 …. I am so excited!   I charged the battery and added a recent update, the Photo application.    I now have to link my cartridges and start learning!   I did create another blog, RunningGarlicDesigns, and I will be using that to show my different craft creations.   What Fun!!!