more wrapping ideas

Even the simplest gifts become more special when they are wrapped in a beautiful way.  Take the idea of the bakery bag you can find anywhere this season.  Pop in your gift and tie on a pretty bow add a tag and you're done..

Fabric bags are also a big hit.  They are easy to make and reusable.  Guestimate how big your sack needs to be to hold your gift and gather the top to tie it closed.  Cut 2 pieces that size plus 1/2" for seams.  Sew 3 sides together, use pinking shears on the top or fold over the top edges and stitch down.  Turn inside out and add your gift That's it instant gift bag.

packaging

The holidays are getting closer every minute and it's time to think about all that wrapping.  Now I'm known for plopping the gift in a bag with a couple of sheets of tissue poking out more often than not.  This year I've been searching for new and creative ideas for gifts.  Here's one  for those small little gifts, jewelry, ornaments, cosmetics, Chinese take out boxes.  They are cute, sturdy and easy to find.



these are 8 and 16oz boxes.



A quick Christmas stamp add your gift wrapped in tissue if you're feeling fancy and a bow around the handle.  You could even hang these on the tree to give to your visitors.

I'll use  mine for little soaps and lotions for tall those little gifts I like to give.

Thanks and giving

What a great weekend celebrating with the family.  The company was wonderful and the food was never ending.  I was however greatly saddened when watching TV by the greed and nastiness of people as they tried to get the best deals on black Friday.  Seriously people how important is getting the latest video game or $20 off on the latest clothing trend?
How blessed are we that live in a country of such plenty.  As you go through this holiday remember what it really is all about.  The birth of our Lord was the ultimate gift.  When you are out doing your shopping think for just a minute about those close to your home who are without enough food to eat, warm clothes to wear and possibly no place to live.  Every community has people with these needs and many more.  Give where you can.  You're are not promised a rich  life and all the things in the world can be gone in an instant.
Fill your coat pocket with dollar bills and give them every time you see a bell ringer.  Buy two of some of your groceries and donate  it to your local food pantry.  But a coat, hat or gloves for someone with out.  Donate the cost of one dinner out to a children's charity.  If we all did these simple things think about how much of the need in each of our communities we could take care of one dollar, one can one coat and one meal at a time.

Thaksgiving

Give thanks for all you have today.  Tell your  family you love them and try not eat too much.  Have a blessed day!

first public appearance

 We made our first public appearance as a business this weekend.  It was tons of work, totally exhausting and we learned  a lot.  The customers were interested and the response to our products was great.  We can't call ourselves rich with the money we made but we looked at this as a test of what needed work, what would sell what we can change to get our name and products out to the public.  I did craft shows back in the dark ages and had forgotten how physically hard this kind of show can be. 


Our booth  caught a lot of attention mostly because of our  display  and eye catching products.  We also learned we had way too much on our tables and should have stuck more under the tables and brought it out as necessary.




The lifts were great.  they could have been better spaced  maybe a different color.



Goats milk soap.  It's beautiful but didn't sell well.  We did have a tray with each kind of soap out so people could smell them.  Maybe some kind of info on the advantages of goats milk.





Bath salts too crowded and we were so busy we couldn't tell people what they were. 

 It was a great learning experience and the other vendors, Sandy and Michelle who ran the show and the customers couldn't have been nicer.  I don't really want to go back to the days of shows every weekend, but one every once in a while would be OK.
The biggest surprise of the day?  Our natural laundry soap.  We've been working on this one and had only brought a few jars to sell.  People went nuts over it.  I'll share the recipe someday.

holiday wreaths

My friend Kathy's birthday was last week and I wanted to make her something she could enjoy not just for Christmas but for all the winter season.  She had admired a wreath at a recent craft show we went to so I used that idea as my inspiration.
I bought basic green wreaths  and picked up some picks, flowers and snowflakes at the dollar store.


fluff the branches of the wreath to give it a fuller look



I like to put all of my materials in front of me before I start, here I'm using 2 kinds of little white flowers. Just hot glue them in so the bottoms are nestled into the wreath.



Add your focal materials.  Here I've used frosted looking fruit picks.




The last detail I added was 4" snowflakes and gold berries.  Yes that's my head casting the shadow.  I'm still not a good photographer.




The final product. 

The wreaths can be used through the winter season, on a door, as a candle ring or 2 wreaths stacked one above the other on a door or wall.  Total cost $15.00for the pair because I bought everything new.  Total time 35 minutes.

puzzle pumkins

I made these pumpkins a few years ago.  They are simple and inexpensive and my grand kids love them.  Sorry no before pics but you can get the general idea.
Here's what you need:
1X12 lumber for 2 times the size of pumpkins you're making.
Paint
Clear spray
Draw out the shape of a pumpkin on newspaper first.  Notice mine are all slightly different shapes.  Cut a slot 3/4" from the top half way down on one side, from the bottom half way up on the other.  This sounds way more confusing than it really is. Make sure the pieces will fit together.  Sand your pieces and paint with 2 coats of your base color.  Add high lites and shading to suggest the pumpkins ridges and curves, keep it simple.  Let dry and spray with 2-3 coats of sealer.  Store as flat pieces just so they don't get stuck together.

solid hand lotion

Vintage Cottage Beauty will be making our first official public appearance at the Vendor Blender at Arthur, Il  Saturday, November 19 from 10-3.  If you're in the area stop by and say Hi and check out all the wonderful home based businesses in the area.
One of the products that is unique for us is solid lotion.  It's 100% natural and makes your hands and feet feel fabulous.  I'd love for you to buy it from us but if your into making your own things this is the recipe.

Melt equal parts of cocoa butter, bees wax and olive oil over hot water until liquid.  Add what ever healing or beneficial oils and essential oils you want, pour into molds and let harden.  Remove from mold and let sit on the counter for 24 hours.  If you're like me and have feet that get really dry  and cracked, especially in the winter this is the stuff for you.  I rub this all over my feet after I shower and put on socks.  No more cracks all last winter.  Mom puts it on her feet when she gets into bed and says it doesn't stain her sheets even without socks.

end of the season

Fall is my favorite season.  The colors are wonderful, the weather perfect.  But winter is just around the corner and we've already had a couple of hard frosts.  There are always a few things that hang on until the very end.  I took a walk around the garden just to see what was still out.  I think I'll make a small bouquet.  Even in the heart of winter you can find things to cut and bring inside.  Boxwood, evergreens, seed heads, pine cones can all be added to a grocery store bunch of flowers to lift your spirits and add a bright spot of color.

free family fun

We kept 3 of our grandkids this weekend while theri parents went to an Illini game.  Sons weren't happy they lost but the kids had a great time.

We decided to take a walk down to visit AH's Mom Sara.  it's only a few blocks away but we had to walk by the tractor suppy place to get there.  It was hard to get the kids off the tractors and of course we had to get a few pics.  You don't have to spend big bucks or even leave your town to entertain kids.  They are happy with the simplest things.  These kids live in the big, big city so basic farm things are a real thrill for them.  We also took them to Almish land a few miles away so they could see the farms, horses and buggys.  They couldn't get enough and of course wanted to climb right on the horses(not allowed).

Corn Chowder

There is nothing like hot soup on a cold evening.  This one can go vegetarian or is great with chicken added.  Here's what you need:

2 cans of corn 15oz.  1 regular one creamed.

1 onion chopped fine

4-5 potatoes peeled and cut into chunks

2T butter

3C chicken broth

2C milk  use low fat if it makes you feel better

Cooked crumbled bacon

Shredded cheddar cheese

Chopped fresh parsley

Saute the onion in the butter until it starts to become translucent.  Add the corn, potato chunks and chicken broth.  Simmer until the potatoes are soft.  Add the milk and heat through.  Put into bowls and add cheese, bacon and parsley.  You don't have to add these but they do make it even tastier.

baked meatballs

 I like to keep meatballs in the freezer for quick pasta or subs dinner.  They are easy, lots less messy than frying and heat up in sauce in a flash even when frozen.  Here's what you need:
2# ground beef

1-11/2C bread crumbs

1tsp garlic and onion powder

3T chopped parsley

salt and pepper to taste

2 eggs

mix everything together in a bowl, use your hands it's just easier.

roll into about 11/2" balls

place on a sprayed broiler pan

bake 350 about 20 minutes they should feel firm but not hard, if you can't tell break one open.  Let cool and place in a freezer bag, or just throw them in some waiting sauce and gobble them up.

Red sauce

1onion, 1 green pepper and 3 cloves of garlic chopped you can also do a box of mushrooms sliced

olive oil for browning

2cans each diced tomatoes and tomato sauce

2tsp basil and oregano 1tsp fennel

2 beef bouillon cubes

Saute the peppers, onions, garlic and mushrooms.  Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer about 30 minutes.  If it gets a little thick thin with a little water.  Add your meatballs and heat through.

Serve over whole grain spaghetti or on a split sub bun with lots of Parmesan.  If your doing the sub add shredded cheddar or mozzarella along with lettuce and tomatoes.

winner, winner, roast beef dinner

This is another of my crock pot favorites.  Here's what you need:
Beef roast about 2-3#
1# carrots
2 onions
5-6 potatoes
3 beef bouillon cubes
garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Peel and cut the vegies into pieces about the size of a golf ball.

Put roast and vegetables into the pot it doesn't matter what order just dump them in.  Add the seasoning, cover and cook on low 6-8 hours.  I don't mess with it but if you want the juices in the pot to be more like gravy turn on high about 1 hour before eating and add 2T of cornstarch mixed with water to make a slurry and put that in the pot, bring to a boil and simmer with the lid off until thickened.  I just dump the juice on everything and serve in a bowl.  This makes enough that I usually have hot roast beef sandwiches a few nights later, that when I thicken the juices into gravy.

rumaging find

I found these cups at the Salvation Army the last time I was visiting my parents.  They are about 6" high with crackle glass and heavy iron bases.  Mom knew they were going to have a 1/2 off sale soon so cheap skate that I am I decided to wait if Mom would go get them.  She waded through the crowds, stood for ages at the register and finally took them home. What a Mom!!   What a score for $6.00 for all 7.  I see candles, flowers, bowls of treats or storage for small items.  What would you do with  great little bowls?

Quick sachet

Some times you need a little gift for someone or even a little pick-me-up for your self.  This one couldn't be easier.  Here's what you need:
Wide ribbon that is already sectioned off into bags.  You can usually find this in the bridal section at Walmart, Michaels or Hobby Lobby.  If you can't find it make your own by stitching two layers together around 3 sides.
Dried lavender
Narrow ribbon for tie
Fill the bags with about 2T of lavender and tie the top into a bow.  It helps to make a paper funnel to get the lavender into the bags. 


this ribbon comes already to fill, just cut apart



I buy my lavender by the pound



my kitchen/workroom smelled heavenly for hours



tie a pretty ribbon and your done



a paper funnel makes filling easier

 That's it a great mini gift.  Stick them in your dresser drawers or between your sheets in the linen closet.  Think showers, girlfriend lunches, package tie ons etc.

family blessings



I've said many times that I've been abundantly blessed to have the family I've been given.  I grew up knowing I was loved and cherished not only by my parents, but also by my grandparents and a whole batch of aunts and uncles.  This last weekend we had the opportunity to visit with a few of them.  My parents came down from the big city for a few days and we arranged to meet a couple of the aunts and uncles.  We had a great lunch and a wonderful time catching up.  We are a chatty group and the restaurant probably thought we would never leave.  So many of the family have already passed away that it is even more precious every time we can be together. We were celebrating my fathers birthday.  Today is Dads 88th birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I LOVE YOU.

My sister and brother and I mention frequently that we are so lucky to have parents that are healthy, active, still living in their own home and able to handle everything life offers them.  They are both amazing,  a little weird and wacky(you know I had to get it from somewhere) but absolutely fabulous.  

Dad and Uncle Harold, sorry Uncle Ken your pic didn't come out







Of course I caught Mom with her mouth open she's always chatting





Aunts Lorane and Bessie











The birthday guy

If you still have your family with you give them a hug and an I love you, they deserve it just for being around.





logo

 When my partner and I were first developing logo ideas for our business we knew we wanted something artsy, cute and distinctive.  This is what we cam up with.  A simple five petal flower cut on a the Cricut, two layers glued together.  Then we added a button for the center and a circle of tulle to the back.  There will be one of these with each tag.  A little labor intensive but unique to our company.  This will also be copied and put on labels, notepads, stationary, order sheets and who knows what else.  What can you do for yourself or something your working on to make it all your own?  Let your imagination soar.

simple and distinctive



same flower different light, what a difference



Christmas is a Child

I have been informed by one of my geeky sons that I didn't do the correct address for Christmas is a Child.  Here's the link:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christmas%20is a Child 1234246550977?notif_t=fbpage_fan_invite  Sounds like a lot of stuff for an adress, but it's for a good cause.

easy arrangements

Ornamental kale just cut it and plop into a vase.  It will last for days if you pull off leaves as they yellow.

The colors on these are fabulous.  I grew mine from seed but you can buy them as plants in the spring.



Astromereia from the grocery store and box wood from the yard.  Cut it all about the same length and put it in an urn or even better 2 urns.