St. Patrick’s Day Gift Tin

It seems almost impossible to believe that we are already into March, doesn’t it? Today I’m here with a quick-and-easy idea for dressing up St. Patrick’s Day treats. My family is a big fan of Irish oatmeal, and I love that our favorite brand comes in a really cool tin. I thought it would be fun to upcycle these into packaging for homemade oatmeal cookies.

I started by adding some scrapbook paper circles to cover up the lid. Use the lid as a template and then trim by hand or die-cut (the largest size ring of the Spellbinders Nested Circle dies worked perfectly).

It took less than a minute to cover up the lid, but I think it makes it look so much better.

Also, the lid will come in handy if you plan on mailing the tin. Adding an adhesive dot to the bottom helps keep the ribbon in place.

A sticker makes a quick tag – just adhere it to a scrap of cardstock and trim.

If you want to spend a few more minutes, you can create a custom tag using an image stamped onto die-cut cardstock. Use foam adhesive under the shamrock sticker to add dimension and add a touch of bling with a self-adhesive rhinestone.

You can also add a border to the tin if you like. I didn’t want to cover up too much of the lettering on the front.

These tins are also fun to alter and are the perfect size to hold office or craft supplies… you can find an example of a travel themed tin I created HERE.

By the way, if you are looking for a delicious oatmeal cookie recipe, this has been my go-to recipe for the last few years – the only change I make is to use real butter instead of shortening: Grandmother’s Oatmeal Cookies.

Supplies

  • Karen Foster Design – Shamrocks patterned paper
  • Karen Foster Design – Happy St. Paddy’s Day stickers
  • Papertrey Ink – Luck of the Irish stamp set
  • Close to my Heart – Clover Meadow ink
  • Me & My BIG Ideas – Icons Rhinestones Singles
  • Therm O Web – Permanent Tape Runner, 1/4″ Foam Squares, Zots

Until next time, may the luck of the Irish be with you!

Alice Golden from Golden Moments (www.alicegolden.com)

Homemade Christmas Gifts In A Snap

December has blown in with the wind from the north and it’s a great time of year to show those we love just how much we love them by creating homemade gifts. Baking delicious homemade quick breads is a great start. Learning that presentation is everything is the clincher to the deal! Today I have a quick and easy Gourmet Bread Wrap to share with you. With just a few fun paper crafting projects and a few extra minutes, your gift goes from nice to AMAZING! :) And as an added bonus, I will even share with you my very own Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe – a crowd pleaser each and every time I bake it!

Size:

Approximately 4¾” wide

Materials

  • Cardstock: kraft, cream, black
  • Red satin ribbon
  • Prima Marketing Crystals & Glittery Leaf

Tools & Supplies

  • Gina K Designs Rubber Stamps: Holiday Greetings, Vintage Backgrounds, Vintage Borders
  • Clearsnap Fluid Chalk Ink Pads: Lipstick Red, Blackbird
  • Sizzix Bigz Dies by Tim Holtz Styled Labels
  • Krylon Copper Leafing Pen
  • Adhesives: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3-D Foam Squares; Beacon Adhesives Zip Dry Paper Glue

Directions

Step 1

Cut kraft cardstock to 4¾”x12”. Stamp Blackbird ink using hound’s-tooth background image. Wrap around center of wax paper wrapped bread loaf; adhere using Zip Dry Paper Glue. Tie a length of red satin ribbon around top third of wrap. Tie leaf stem in center of knot; bend wire to hold in place off to right side.

Step 2

Die cut cream cardstock using Styled Labels die. Stamp using Blackbird and Lipstick Red ink flourish image and sentiment respectively. Embellish image using crystals. Guild edge of die cut using Krylon Copper Leafing Pen. Adhere die cut to bottom third of wrap using 3-D Foam Squares.

Gourmet Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

 Ingredients

  • Yellow cake mix
  • Cinnamon, one tsp.
  • Nutmeg, ½ tsp.
  • Eggs, three
  • Oil, 1/3 cup
  • Bananas, four medium (approx two cups, mashed)
  • Chocolate chips, one cup

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour two loaf pans. Mix cake mix and spices in bowl. Blend eggs, oil, vanilla, and bananas in blender. Add to cake mix; stir until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake until deep golden on top and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (approximately 30-35 minutes). Remove from pans and allow to fully cool prior to wrapping in waxed paper.

by Keri Lee Sereika (www.pinklemonade.typepad.com)