brown paper packages

{winner!} silhouette cameo

2012-05-29T16:17:00.001-04:00

#2303, Ashley, is our lucky Silhouette Cameo winner!!! YAY!!!! She has already been contacted via e-mail, and needs to reply back to me within 48 hours! Congrats!!!

{mini s'mores}

2012-05-29T05:00:00.000-04:00

We are a S'mores loving family, and I cannot tell you how excited I was when I saw the new Lil' Squares by Honey Maid. They are seriously the CUTEST mini version of graham crackers, and I immediately knew what I wanted to do with them!

These mini s'mores are the perfect bite, and deliver the taste we all love in a tiny little package. The best part? They literally take just minutes to make in your oven! They are perfect for any summer occasion or get-together, an evening at home, rainy day activity, or family night treat. Kids will love helping to put these together--and munch on the ingredients at the same time. :) I also love the presentation--why is it that everything's so much cuter when it's in mini form?

This is what you need:

{Mini S'mores}

mini marshmallows
Ghirardelli chocolate chips (I use them because they are over-sized)
Honey Maid Lil' Squares

Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, then lay out your lil' squares. Top each square with a mini marshmallow. Turn our oven on to broil, and lower the top shelf in your oven to at least the middle of the oven. Slide in your cookie sheet, and broil them for 20 seconds...or less. You will want to watch them SUPER close, and how long it takes will depend on how close they are to the broiler. As soon as they come out of the oven, add a chocolate chip on top of the melt-y marshmallows.

That's it!! SUPER easy, and SUPER yummy!

{new winner!!} polka daisy

2012-05-28T23:45:00.000-04:00

Okay, we have another new Polka Daisy winner! This is such a great giveaway, and I'm excited to say congratulations to...

# 4, Kelly B aka Queen Bee!

Please e-mail me at brownpaper_packages@yahoo.com within 48 hours, or I 'll need to select another winner!

{summer reading program} with printables!

2012-05-28T05:00:00.000-04:00

I posted this for the first time last summer, along with the printables. I've received several e-mails telling me that the place I updated those printables to is now requiring payment in order to download them. I decided to go ahead and re-post it, and change the link for the printables to one that is free!

This was one of our very favorite summer activities, and can't wait to do it again! Since we're moving this summer, and will be in between libraries, I think it's going to be even more important. Enjoy!
.....

When I was growing up, summers were for reading. I read all year long, but in the summer I could curl up with a book for as long as I wanted to. I absolutely {love} to read, and even now, it's my biggest luxury.

Our local library only allowed 10 books to be checked out on a junior library card, and for a fast reader like me, that was just not enough. I would read those 10 books in two days, and then beg my mom to take me again. I soaked up all my favorites, and I would read them, them read them again. The tooth fairy at our house also brought books, and by the time I was 8 or 9, I had read many of the classics---Jane Eyre, Moby Dick, David Copperfield, Little Women, Great Expectations, Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and more.

I want to pass that love of reading on to my children, and share with them my passion of summertime reading. Our library has a wonderful summer reading program, but it's fairly short, and can be (and usually is) completed in four weeks.

Last summer I decided to create our own family summer reading program, and it was wonderful! We had a set time each day, where all grabbed our books (myself included, yay!) and sat down to read together. The time of day had to rotate a little, depending on what we were doing, but it was something that we looked forward to every day.

Here's how it works:

I punched out 2 inch circles in cardstock that say "I've read 20 minutes", and "I've read a book!". I thought the easiest way to keep track of all the circles was to use one of my favorite things...tin buckets! I already had them for each of the kids, and they're super easy to keep out for long periods of time.

When they've completed either 20 minutes (my girls--preschool age) or have read one book (my oldest will take either one, but not both), they can take a circle and place it in their bucket. Each week I'll count the circles and award prizes for the totals. I want them to be able to earn something each week, with the prizes getting bigger as the weeks progress. I'm going to make the prize levels different for each of my kids based on age, in order to even out the playing field. Prizes will include: candy, trips to get ice cream, renting a movie, date night with mom or dad, a "staying up late" coupon, and choosing a new book.

The beauty of this program is that it can span so many different ages, from the littlest to the biggest! Even last year, when my little boys were 1 year old, they loved reading, putting the circles in their bucket, and getting the prize. :)

So, here are some of our favorites...just a few of the ones from our shelf that look the roughest on the outside, which means they are the most often read and the most loved.

{Ages 3 and under}

Jamberry, Bruce Degen

Tumble Bumble,Felicia Bond

Skip to my Lou, Nadine Bernard Westcott

Sheep in a Jeep, Nancy E. Shaw

We're Going on a Bear Hunt, Michael Rosen

Go, Dog, Go!, P.D. Eastman

Barnyard Dance, Sandra Boynton
Pajama Time, Sandra Boynton
Big Red Barn, Margaret Wise Brown
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear, Audrey Wood

{Ages 4-7}

Moby Books Illustrated Classics--the whole set!
Frog and Toad books, by Arnold Lobel
Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish
Blueberries for Sal, Robert McCloskey
Little Bear, Maurice Sendak
Chicken Soup with Rice, Maurice Sendak
Bread and Jam for Frances (and the entire series), Frances and Lilliam Hoban
Tikki Tikki Tembo, Arlene Mosel
Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Virginia Lee Burton
The Story About Ping, Marjorie Flack
Town Mouse, Country Mouse, Jan Brett
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, William Steig
Summer in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder (My First Little House series)
Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak

{Ages 8+}

Cherry Ames series, Helen Wells
Betsy & Tacy series, by Maud Hart Lovelace
All-of-a-Kind Family series, Sydney Taylor
Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, Margaret Sidney
Peppermints in the Parlor, Barbara Brooks Wallace
Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates, Mary Mapes Dodge
Caddie Woodlawn, Carol Ryrie Brink
Strawberry Girl, Lois Lenski
Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan
Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder
Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery
A Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Borrowers, Mary Norton
The Moffats, Eleanor Estes
The Hundred Dresses, Eleanor Estes
Black Beauty, Anna Sewell
The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
Heidi, Johanna Spryi
Nancy Drew (original series only), Carolyn Keene
The Hardy Boys series, Franklin W. Dixon
Trixie Belden series, Julie Campbell
The Bobbsey Twins series, Laura Lee Hope
The Boxcar Children, Gertrude Chandler Warner
Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren
The Dark is Rising series, Susan Cooper
Fablehaven, Brandon Mull
Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling
Percy Jackson series, Rick Riordan
Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan
Harriet the Spy, Louise Fitzhugh

.....

Click HERE for the 20 minutes circle, and HERE for the book circle!

{winner} jameson monroe

2012-05-27T20:00:00.000-04:00

A HUGE congratulations goes to the lucky winner of our Jameson Monroe giveaway...

#19, Kristen. Jason. Sofie!!!

I'm so thrilled for you--you are going to love it all! Please e-mail me at brownpaper_packages@yahoo.com within 48 hours, or I'll need to select another winner.

{oh, what do you do in the summertime} featured guest: somewhat simple

2012-05-25T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a fun indoor summer activity, perfect to throw together when the kids are getting a bit stir-crazy!

GATHER THESE MATERIALS:

Gift wrap tubes
Cereal boxes
Packing tape
Pinto beans, rice, split peas etc.
Embellishments
Scissors

DIRECTIONS:

1. Using your packing tape, tape one end of your tube. I just laid the tape in several different directions over the opening and then wrapped the base of the tube a few times around to secure the ends of each strip of tape.

2. Cut your cereal boxes into strips. Make sure they are thinner than your tube (about 1 inch wide should work). Then, fold the strips back and forth like a fan or accordion.

3. Add your accordion-like cardboard to the tube. I didn't count how many strips we put in each tube, but you want the tube to be full of cardboard, but not stuffed or packed tightly.

4. Add your beans to the tube. I used pinto beans and split peas for these, but I have also used rice for this project and that works well too. When your tube has been filled, tape the open end closed.

Now it is time to make these rain sticks cute!

In the past, I let the kids color with markers, use stickers & ribbons & go crazy designing their own rain stick.

On the ones we made today, I used some spray adhesive and some tissue paper and just covered the entire outside of the tube.

The only reason I did this was because one of the tubes was used as a weapon to attack an unsuspecting sister while mom was getting some of the embellishments and the stick bent and split open in the middle.

In an effort to "Save the Stick", I wrapped the entire tube in packing tape to patch up and reinforce it. And a stick covered in slick packing tape doesn't do well with magic markers and stamps, so I had to think of a Plan B.

Covering the entire stick in tissue paper looks cute, but I'm not sure I'd recommend this method- I had spray adhesive and tissue paper all over my fingers!

Not to mention this took some of the fun away from the kids who would like to have decorated their sticks themselves. And, it took forever to dry... and my kids aren't known for having a whole lot of patience while waiting to play with something. (I have no idea where they get that from. Ahem.)

But they did eventually get to play with them and they seemed happy with how they turned out!

I'd love to have you stop by Somewhat Simple and see what else the kids and I are up to!

Thanks for having me Kierste!

Have a great summer everyone!

.....

A HUGE thank you to Stephanie, for sharing this super fun project! This is exactly what my kids would love, and a perfect summer day activity--rain or shine!

{silhouette GIVEAWAY and promo!}

2012-05-24T05:00:00.000-04:00

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***

Wahoo!! I LOVE when I can do this!!!! I have the best readers ever, and I get so excited when I get to do a giveaway like this!

A very lucky Brown Paper Packages reader is going to win a Silhouette Cameo!

You all know how much I love my Cameo, and I use it ALL the time. My recent treasure box post is just one example of the many projects I've used it for. I created the text and cut out the vinyl in about 5 minutes! It can cut paper, cardstock, vinyl, heat transfer, fabric and you can make things with rhinestones and sketch pens up to 12 inches wide and 10 feet long. It can help you decorate your home, make gifts for friends and family, and get organized. The possibilities are endless, and you will have so much fun using your own Silhouette Cameo!

{To Enter: please leave a separate comment per entry on this post...no e-mails please!}

Required Entry:

Leave a comment on this post, telling me what you would make first! (Please include your e-mail address!)

Additional Entries:

1. Follow the Silhouette blog. Come back here and let me know that you do!

2. Follow Silhouette on Pinterest. Come back here and let me know that you do!

3. Follow Brown Paper Packages on Facebook, then let me know!

4. Follow Brown Paper Packages on Pinterest, then let me know!

To win, you MUST follow Brown Paper Packages via Google Connect or RSS Feed!

I'm also excited to tell you about this month's promo!

The Silhouette Cameo Tote bag comes in two fabulous colors--teal and pink. Each tote features a telescoping handle and wheels for easy rolling as well as handles for carrying. Both totes have plenty of room for your CAMEO, laptop (up to 19"), cutting mats, and accessories.

I LOVE it! It makes it so easy to take to a friend's house, on a trip, to a craft group, or anywhere else you like!

You can get the cameo and the tote bag together for one awesome price...

SILHOUETTE CAMEO + TOTE BAG = $309.99!!!

If you already have a Silhouette, you can purchase the tote for $54.99.

You'll need to CLICK ON THIS LINK to take advantage of the offer,

and USE THE CODE BPP!!! The promo runs from May 24th-31st.

So, go ahead and enter, or go HERE to get one of your own, along with the Cameo tote!

No purchase necessary. US Residents Only. Must be over 18. Giveaway will end on May 29th at noon EST. One winner with a valid entry will be selected at random using random.org. Your chance of winning is dependent on the number of entries received. Winner will be emailed (if you leave your e-mail address as required), and the winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be selected. Kierste Wade and Silhouette are not responsible for lost or undelivered emails.

Some of my awesome blogging friends are also having Silhouette giveaways today, so if you want a few more chances to win, head on over to their blogs to enter!

Brown Paper Packages (ME!!!)

Disclosure: Silhouette is providing the Cameo that's being given away. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are 100% mine and mine alone. Please see my full disclosure HERE.

{easy father's day ideas}

2012-05-23T05:00:00.000-04:00

Father's Day is right around the corner, so I've collected some fun and easy ideas for the special dad in your life!

{Father's Day Pop!} free printable

Whipperberry

{"Tie-riffic Father's Day} free printables
Amanda's Parties to Go

{Bin Bag}
A Spoonful of Sugar

{Superhero Kit} free printables
AlphaMom

{I Love Daddy 2x4 Photo Board}
Simply Home & Family

{Mini Tie Keychain}

Creative Itch

{Fun Moustache Ideas} easily adapted for Father's Day!

Oopsey Daisy

{Dad Photo}

Brassy Apple

{King of the Grill Apron}

Martha Stewart

kierste

{a place for everything} treasure boxes

2012-05-22T05:00:00.000-04:00

Is it just my kids, or do yours love to "collect" treasure, too? And when I say treasure, I mean rocks they found in the front yard, broken toys from the dollar store, every scrap of paper they've written their name on, pieces of colored lint, an old bead necklace they found on the bus...the list could go on and on.

When I first discovered piles of "treasure" in their room, I was torn between wanting to acknowledge their need for keeping things that are important to them (don't we all want that?), and my need for a clutter-free home. I also wanted to teach them how to keep things orderly. From these needs, treasure boxes were born, and it has been one of the best things we've ever done! It's such a simple idea, but the effects are far-reaching, and everyone is happy!

Each child gets one plastic tote--I like the stackable pull-out drawer kind--and they are perfect for a lower shelf in their closet. They can put absolutely whatever they want to in their treasure box (except food, lol), but once it's full, they either have to stop adding to it, or clean something out. It looks nice sitting on a shelf, they have someplace to keep all of their treasures, and I can help them maintain a tidy room.

Okay, this really is SO easy! You can go as simple as buying the totes and being done with it, or embellish it as much as you wish. I used my Silhouette to cut out the girls' names and a fun heart border from the Silhouette store in pink vinyl. It would even be fun for your kids to decorate their own boxes!

Happy Organizing!

{giveaway} jameson monroe

2012-05-21T05:00:00.000-04:00

I was introduced to Jameson Monroe a few months ago, when their shabby flower skinny headbands were featured on a boutique site. I thought they were so cute, and decided to give them a try. Once we had them home, they quickly became our go-to headbands! The bands are comfortable--I've never had a complaint from either one of my girls. The shabby flowers are adorable, and made really well.

They feature a variety of darling products, including boutique headbands, bracelets, burp cloths, aprons, baby legs, blankets, swarovski crystal bracelets, earrings, and wipes cases. They also have homemade designer caramels for weddings, showers, events, and just because! :)

Don't those caramels look yummy? I want some right now!

Jameson Monroe is giving away a super fun package that includes:

1. XL Shabby Chic Headband in Coral on Mint Skinny Elastic - Value $12.95

2. Single Shabby Chic Headband in Black on Black Skinny Elastic - Value $5.95

3. Large White Sating Ruffle on Lilac Glitter Elastic - Value $9.95

4. Fuchsia Swarovski Crystal and Silver Bracelet (Fits most ages 6mos-4 or 5 years) - value $17.95

Total value = $46.80!

They are also offering 10% off for all BPP readers...just use the code BROWNPAPER10! This code will be active May 21st-26th.

Here's how you enter: (please leave a separate comment per entry on this post...no e-mails please!

* Like Jameson Monroe on Facebook

* Favorite their shop on Etsy

* Post about this giveaway on Facebook, then come back here and let me know that you did!

*Like Brown Paper Packages on Facebook

You must be a follower of Brown Paper Packages via Google Connect or RSS Feed to win!

*The giveaway will run through Saturday, May 26th at midnight, EST.

*Winner must contact me within 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen

* Winner will be chosen randomly via random.org

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this giveaway, but I did receive product. All opinions are 100% mine and mine alone. Please see my full disclosure HERE.

{oh, what do you do in the summertime} featured guest: lil' luna

2012-05-18T11:00:00.000-04:00

Hi there! Kristyn from Lil' Luna here!! I'm SO excited to be here on Kierste's awesome blog today - I just LOVE the girl!!

With it being Summer here in AZ, things are getting pretty HOT, and the kids aren't as excited to play outside, so I thought it would be fun to make Homemade Gak (It's something I made all the time with my cousin growing up!) The recipe that was most similar to the one I used growing up if one I found HERE. It is so EASY and literally takes 2 minutes to make, but has provided HOURS (and I'm not even joking!), HOURS of entertainment!! Every day, for a week now, the kids have played with this gak for at least an hour each day. I've pulled out plastic cookie cutters and they go to town, and guess what?! I LOVE it!! It's hardly any mess!!

Here is how you can make Homemade GAK as well!

SUPPLIES:

- TWO 4 oz. bottles of Elmer's Glue - 1 tsp. Borax (found in the laundry detergent section of the store) - Water - Plastic Cup - Bowl

DIRECTIONS:

1. Gather all your supplies together.

2. Begin by emptying the two bottles of glue into a bowl. Then fill bottles with warm water and shake. Empty into your bowl.

3. Add some food coloring. I got Betty Crocker Neon Gel Food Colors and they worked FAB!! The Neon made it look awesome, but I ended up squeezing almost half the tube into the mixture because I wanted it to be really bright. :) Set aside.

4. Add 1/2 cup warm water to your cup. Add 1 tsp. borax to the water and mix until borax dissolves. Then pour this into your glue bowl. Start stirring and you will notice how it starts becoming stringy. Keep mixing by using your hands and squishing around. You will notice after a few minutes that it has become pretty gelatinous.

5. Let the kids play with it for a bit and it will become the perfect GOOEY consistency!

So fun and so easy!! We have also made purple since and have pink gak in the line-up! This is seriously the best homemade craft/project I've done with the kids in a long time. It doesn't smell and get all over like other gooey substances and it's so fun to play with! PLUS, it is super cheap to make! Gotta love cheap entertainment! ;) Be sure to come on over to Lil' Luna for more fun projects! ENJOY!

.....

Thank you so much, Miss Kristyn! What a fun idea, and I LOVE that it's not a mess! Mom confession: I rarely let my kids play with playdough because of all those little bits that get everywhere, but Gak is most definitely now on our summer list!

kierste

{white chocolate chip lemon bread}

2012-05-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Lemon is to spring and summer as pumpkin is to fall, and I am passionate about all things lemon. That means I am super excited about sharing one of my most favorite lemon-y recipes--White Chocolate Chip Lemon Bread!

Okay, it tastes more like a cake, but hey--it's made in a loaf pan, so I get to call it a bread. When I call it bread, it makes me feel better about eating more than one piece. Or more than two pieces. :) The white chocolate chips are optional, but I sure do like them in there!

{White Chocolate Chip Lemon Bread}

3 sticks butter (1 1/2 c.)

3 c. sugar

5 large eggs

3 c. flour

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. lemon extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

7/8 c. ginger ale (1 c. minus 2 tsp.)

1 bag white chocolate chips

1 T.-ish flour

Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time. Beat in extracts and ginger ale. Add the flour one cup at a time, and mix well. Pour white chocolate chips into a bowl, and add about 1 T. of flour. Stir the flour in, then add it to the batter and mix well. Adding the flour helps the chocolate chips to not sink to the bottom of the pan. Bake in two loaf pans that have been sprayed with cooking spray at 275 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes. (Or until done--I baked mine for 1 hour 35 minutes) Let cool in pans.

{easy DIY cupcake stand}

2012-05-15T15:00:00.000-04:00

I adore cupcake stands--I just think they are so, so cute. I've found a super easy, inexpensive version of my own, and I'm excited to share it with you today!

I cannot tell you how easy this is, don't you love it? I was walking through the unfinished wood section in Michael's, and found the perfect pieces to make the cupcake stand. The first was a round disc that was already routered for the top, and a candlestick for the bottom. The top piece was only 59 cents, and the candlestick was $2.99. If you use your 40% off coupon for the candlestick, you can get it for around $1.80! I just bought them a couple weeks ago, so they probably still have them now. You could probably find something similar at Hobby Lobby as well.

I'm totally kicking myself, though. I decided to only get enough to make two stands, thinking I would try them first, see if I liked them, and then come back to get more if I did. At first I had enough to make six in my cart, and after debating, put all but two back. I got to the register to check out, and there was no price sticker on the candlesticks. The cashier asked me how much they were, and I told her the price I had seen. She said, "well, today they are 59 cents!". Ugh. Wouldn't you know it? Why didn't I keep all six in the cart???? Lol.

SUPPLIES:

round wooden disc--about 4 inches across (bought mine at Michael's)
wooden candlestick (also bought it at Michael's)
paint
sandpaper/sander
E6000

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut the top of your candlestick off--to the height you want the bottom of your stand to be. Mine is about 6 inches tall. My hubby threw away the candlestick tops before I could get a picture, but here is what they looked like afterward:

2. I spot painted all of the wood with a dark brown craft paint, so that when sanded off the top coat, it would show through for a distressed look.

3. After the brown paint was dry, I spray painted all of the pieces white. When the white was dry, I took my power sander to them, and distressed it until I was happy with it.

4. The last step...I used E-6000 to adhere the two pieces together, and let dry.

That's it! Seriously, I told you it was easy!!! I already had the paint, so it cost me a grand total of $1.20 per stand. I did get that great deal on the candlestick, but even if I hadn't, it would still have been less than $2.50. LOVE that!!!

I used mini cupcakes for this display--it's also the perfect size for a regular cupcake!

{giveaway} polka daisy

2012-05-14T05:00:00.000-04:00

Good morning, everyone!

This week I'm excited to introduce you to Polka Daisy! They specialize in hand stamped jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and keychains. They have many darling items to choose from on their site, but they also love doing custom design.

I'm thrilled to tell you that Polka Daisy is giving one lucky reader a $65 credit to be used toward your choice of something in their inventory, or your very own custom design!

They are also offering all BPP readers a 15% discount during the giveaway--just use the code BROWNPAPER.

Here's how you enter: (please leave a separate comment per entry on this post...no e-mails please!)

1. Sign up for the Polka Daisy newsletter

2. Like Polka Daisy on Facebook

3. Like Brown Paper Packages on Facebook

4. Follow Brown Paper Packages on Pinterest

You MUST be a follower of Brown Paper Packages via Google Connect or RSS Feed! (see right sidebar)

*The giveaway will end on Saturday, May 19th at midnight EST.

*Winner needs to be a US resident

Good luck!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post, however, all opinions are 100% mine and mine alone. Please see my full disclosure HERE.

{oh, what do you do in the summertime} featuring...ginger snap crafts

2012-05-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

Hi! I’m Ginger from Ginger Snap Crafts.
So nice to meet you!
It really is a dream come true to be here at Brown Paper Packages.
{I think this was one of the first craft blogs I followed!}
Thank you so much for having me, Kierste! I adore you & your blog.

I love summer time! My kiddos have one more week of school left. Yay!
We have tons of fun things planned! Can’t wait to get started!
One thing we do every summer is that each kiddo has a summer journal.

Here’s how we made our journals this year!

You’ll need:composition books
washi tape
scissors
a rotary cutter
ribbon
cardstock

First you’ll need to remove the top layer from your composition book.
(You don’t want the bright colors showing up underneath your washi tape!)
Then you’ll put your washi tape on your notebook in whatever pattern & colors you like.

Then trim off the excess washi tape from around your edges. Don’t those notebooks look so fun?

These two journals are for my girls, so I added some ribbon
& a tag to make them a little more girlie & cute!

Now they are all ready to fill with some fun summer memories!

Kierste, thank you again for having me over! I had a wonderful time!

I’d love to have you drop by Ginger Snap Crafts anytime!
It’s a fun place where I share my cute & easy craft projects.
Like my {yummy} apron, DIY photo pendants & {adorable} burp cloths.

Hope to see YOU soon!

.....

Thank you so much for being here, Ginger! I think it's such a great idea for kids to have their own summer journals, and these are darling!!

{we're moving!: a binder to keep you organized}

2012-05-10T05:00:00.000-04:00

Our family is about to embark on a very big adventure...we are moving cross country in about six weeks!

We moved a lot when we were first married, and all through school, but we've lived in our current town for nine years. We made a big move when we went to graduate school, but we had one baby, and knew it would be temporary. Now, with five kids, a house to sell, a house to buy, a relocation company, and all the ins and outs of changing pretty much every aspect in our life, there is a lot of information to keep track of.

To help me navigate through the process, I created a moving binder--one that is equipped to hold every bit of information I gather through this moving experience. Keeping organized is the best way for me manage my stress level--when I know things are in place, and I'm not forgetting anything important, I function much better. :) There is so much vital information to keep track of, and having it all in one place ensures easy access and that you won't lose a thing! It also doesn't take up much space, and eliminates piles of papers that might stack up otherwise.

I started with a regular white 1.5 inch binder, and 10 plastic dividers with pockets. I bought the dividers that had the tabs you can put through the printer--I love the look of neatly typed and labeled tabs the best!

I printed out the following tabs:

*Relocation Information

*Home for Sale

*Home to Buy

*Estimates & Bids

*Receipts

*Movers & Packing

*Mortgage & Lenders

*Moving Checklist: (current town)

*Moving Checklist: (new town)

*New Area Information

I also included plastic business card pages in several of the sections, notepaper in each section, and a plastic pouch to hold receipts in the receipt section.

This binder has already become my saving grace, and I love that I can take it with me wherever I go. I'm so, so glad I have it!

My life is going to be pretty crazy over the next few weeks, and I hope you'll forgive me if I'm here just a little less until we get moved. I am excited to decorate a new house, and all the projects that will come of it!

If you have any advice or tips on moving, selling or buying a home, helping kids adjust, or anything else you can think of, I'd love to hear it!

{photography with lei} watermark your images

2012-05-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

Hello there! Today we are going to talk about watermarks. Why should you watermark your images? There are a few reasons. First of all, it dissuades others from passing off your photography as their own. Yes there are people out there posing as photographers, only they are stealing other people's images off the web and displaying them under their name. It's despicable, but you can make it a lot harder for the with a well placed watermark. Watermarking also allows you to market yourself better. Should your image get passed around the internet, your watermark may be your only credit. Hey - who's that awesome photographer? Ah, her name is on the photo! ;) Lastly, in the world of Pinterest, where your images may not always get pinned from your site (case in point - my images being pinned via Brown Paper Packages), a watermark identifies you as the owner/creator of that image. If people are interested enough in your work, they will google your name. Without a watermark that would not be possible. Or, the site owner from which the photo was pinned may get the credit instead of you.

The first step in repairing your image for watermarking is to change the resolution of the image to 72dpi. Because no monitor is capable of displaying any more pixels than that, so you may as well reduce the size of your file for ease of uploading he page it's on. I use an action for this - they are out there but mine was created by a friend. After your image resolution has been changed, you want to sharpen the image for web, because images lose a little bit of clarity online. I also use an action for this (from Totally Rad Actions, which I've mentioned before). Now your image is ready for your watermark.

If you have a logo, you can use that for your watermark. That is what I did in the beginning. I asked my logo designer for the png/tiff files for this purpose. I have since modified it to include just my name, just to keep things a little cleaner and simpler. Some people prefer a band across the bottom of the photo because it looks cleaner and doesn't distract format he image itself. Some use their URL. Everyone is different. If you do not have a logo you can write your own text on your images and create a watermark from there. I will demonstrate both ways. And also provide the disclaimer that this is a very simple, basic way to watermark. I know there are other methods out there, this is just what I've alway done and I'm a creature of habit!

First thing I do is open both my image file and my logo file.

And then, using the move tool (circled in orange on the left there), I drag and drop my watermark file onto my image.

I purposely place the logo semi-overlapping my image. That is so that it isn't easy to clone out. I don't plop it not he center of her forehead or anything, just close enough to the image that it' "part" of it, and also draws the eye to the subject rather than away from it. Of course, anything is possible and some people will go to any length to get rid of that watermark. Just as some photographers will go to any length to watermark the heck out of their images in an effort to make this hard to do. I choose to maintain the aesthetics of the photo as much as possible, while also sharing my brand consistently (this watermark was created from exactly what you see on my business cards, minus the logo). I am going to lighten my logo a bit so that it doesn't look so much like a stamp, by lowering it's opacity (see the orange arrow).

I move my slider to the left and settle on 62%:

Now it's more of a whisper. :)

Next I flatten my image and save:

DONE!

Ok, so what if you don't have a logo to watermark with? Well you can easily add text to your images and create a watermark from there.

First select the text tool as shown here:

Then, place your cursor onto the image and begin typing in the font and size you wish:

Using the move tool again, place your watermark in a hard to remove spot, reduce the opacity to your liking, and then flatten and save.

Voila! I hope this and all my other tutorials have been helpful. I've really enjoyed sharing some of my knowledge with you all. A lot of what I learned was shared with me, so it's been nice to "pay it forward", so to speak. My time has become severely limited lately due to many factors, the most important being my family and my business. So this is my last tutorial.:( I hope you will all continue to visit me on my Facebook page and my website/blog, though! I am launching a new website very soon, so stay tuned to my FB page for the big announcement on that, as well as some other exciting things happening for me! Take care and keep clickin'!!!

XOXO

Lei

.....

I just want to send a huge thank you to Lei, for all of her fabulous posts over the past year. It has been an absolute pleasure to have her be a part of BPP, and I know I have learned so much from her tutorials. I hope you'll still keep up with her through FB and her blog...she has so many wonderful things to share!

kierste

{elmer's craft it!} giveaway and mother's day card

2012-05-08T05:00:00.000-04:00

Last summer I hosted an Elmer's Craft Camp, and I loved it so much that when they contacted me again, I quickly jumped on board. When I received their package in the mail this time, I was so excited to go through the products and find not only tried and true favorites, but some new items as well.

Here's a look at what I received...

The X-ACTO scissors? They have been my favorite since I used them for the first time last year, and I was thrilled to see another pair. After taking a peek at everything inside the tote, I knew just what I wanted to make...a Mother's Day card using the bi-fold foam board as the base. My kids were able to help with this project, which was one of the best things about it.

I used Elmer's Dot Runner to adhere a piece of scrapbook paper that I cut to size to the foam board. I printed out my text onto Bazzill cardstock, distressed the edges, and matted it onto a coordinating piece of scrapbook paper.

I asked each child to tell me about some of their favorite memories with my mom, then I typed them, and printed them out onto cardstock. I distressed all the edges before adhering it to the foam board. I made the kids' names using the same process as my front cover.

I wanted the kids to leave their own mark on the card, and the paint pens were the perfect thing. They signed their names and drew a couple of pictures that they wanted to, and we were set! (Can you tell my girls like to be the same? It's all the matching clothes that have done it, lol.)

I just love this over-sized card, and I hope my mom does too!

I have some fantastic news! Elmer's is giving one lucky reader the same craft tote that I received, literally chock full of fantastic craft products that you will use all the time, and and that will help you make the most of your projects. Seriously people, there is some GOOD stuff in here!

Here's what the winner will receive:

FOAM AND DISPLAY BOARD:

· 9” x 12” Mini Bi-Fold Foam Board

X-ACTO:

· Designer Series Gripster Craft Knife

· Designer Series 12” Metal Ruler

· Designer Series 12” X 12” Self Healing Mat

· Designer Series 8” Scissors

· Designer Series 5” Precision Tip Scissors

· Designer Series Basic Shape Templates

· Designer Series Decorative Shape Templates

PAINTERS:

· Painters Bright Colors

· Painters Sherbet Swirl

CRAFTBOND:

· Dot Runner

· Foam Mounting Tape

· Thin Medium Glue Spots

· All Purpose Glue Stick

· Quick Dry Dual Tip Glue Pen

· Elmer’s Designer Tape

Here's how you enter: (please leave a separate comment per entry on this post...no e-mails please!)

Required:

1. Like Elmer's Craft it! on Facebook

Additional Entries:

2. Like Brown Paper Packages on Facebook

3. Follow Brown Paper Packages on Pinterest

You MUST be a Brown Paper Packages follower via Google Connect or RSS Feed to win!

Giveaway will run through Saturday, May 12th, at midnight EST.

Disclosure: I received product from Elmer's to review, however, all opinions are 100% mine, and mine alone. Please read my full disclosure HERE.

{giveaway} word whipped

2012-05-07T05:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday, everyone! I'm excited to introduce you to Word Whipped, a darling etsy shop that features a variety of products, including handmade wood signs, vinyl applications, and custom order originals in a variety of designs and styles. Their featured product is wooden subway art boards that are hand painted and use vinyl, or are a computer generated stencil and painted to create the finish they want.

I'd like one of each, please. :)

I'm thrilled to tell you that Word Whipped is giving one lucky reader a $60 credit to their shop!

Here's how you enter: (please leave a separate comment per entry on this post...no e-mails, please!)

Required Entry:

1. Pin your favorite sign from their shop, then come back here and tell me which one you pinned! If you don't use Pinterest, you can go check out their shop, then come and let me know which is your favorite sign!

Additional Entries:

2. Like Word Whipped on Facebook, then leave me a comment telling me that you did!

3. Follow Brown Paper Packages on Pinterest

4. Like Brown Paper Packages on Facebook

*The winner must be a US resident.
*The giveaway will run through Saturday, May 12th at midnight EST.

Good luck!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post, however, all opinions are 100% mine and mine alone. Please see my full disclosure HERE.

{oh, what do you do in the summertime?} guest post: eighteen25

2012-05-04T05:00:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited! Today is the summer series kickoff, which will feature some of the most talented bloggers around. They will share their summer ideas and projects, including activities for kids, holiday decor, recipes, printables, and more!

I am {thrilled} that the fabulous eighteen25 girls are here today...
.....

hello.

we are jennifer, jamie + jodie from eighteen25

if you're familiar with our blog, then you know about our subway art that we've shared for the holidays, birthdays and such. yesterday, we shared our new summer subway art...

(you can find them all HERE)

now you can frame your subway art, make a card or use it as a tag attached to, what i think, is the cutest little watering can i ever have seen...

along with a packet of seeds to plant, of course!

gather up:

• hippo watering can (from the target dollar spot)
• summer subway art cards found HERE

• packet of seeds

• white cardstock

• twine

• adhesive

• hole punch

• cut your white cardstock to about 7x4 inches
• fold around your seed packet leaving a little bit to adhere the front down to
• attach the summer subway art
• punch a hole in the top corner
• tie onto the watering can with twine

then find someone really special to deliver it to.
or, if you feel like a little run...
leave it on their doorstep, knock + scoot!

whatever you decide to do...
we hope you enjoy!

thanks for having us today kierste! we can't wait to see all of the other fun summer ideas!!
.....

Thank you so much, ladies! What a FUN idea!

{handprint aprons for mother's day}

2012-05-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

If you are my mother, or my husband's mother, please do not read any further. ☺

Sometimes it seems like the years past faster than the days do, and capturing little handprints are like freezing a moment in time. When my oldest was small, I made an apron with his handprint on it for my dad for Father's Day. I still LOVE seeing his tiny little hand on that apron. ♥ This year I decided to make them for my mother and mother-in-law--perfect for Mother's Day!

This is an easy and super fun project---the hardest part will be trying to get the handprints in the right places with a minimum of wiggling! I love gifts that the kids can contribute to, and it created some really great family time.

{SUPPLIES}

canvas apron
fabric paint (make sure it's washable!)
fabric, matching thread
heat transfer (optional)

{DIRECTIONS}

1. I added my embellishment first--I thought it would be easier to have it in place, and use it as as guide when I added the handprints. I added a ruffle this THIS at the top and along the bottom of the apron, then stitched on a flower at the top using a coordinating fabric. You can embellish these aprons any way you like--that's the beauty of it! I've seen darling flowers made out of handprints, with ric rac for the stem. A friend of mine added a ruffle all the way around the edge of the apron, and it was adorable.

2. I cut out the names of the moms (Grandma and Gramme), and the names of the kids in the same font--My Own Topher on my Silhouette. I used white flocked heat transfer, which I love for this project, because it has some depth to it. I didn't iron them on yet--I wanted to wait until after handprints were on. but if you would rather do it the other way around that's okay too!

When I made the original apron when my son was little, I used the fabric paint (get the bottle with a pointed tip--meant for writing) to write all the text. It turned out really cute, and it was super easy to do.

3. I applied the white paint to the hands one at a time, and despite much wiggling, I think they turned out pretty well! Have a plan for where you want them to go--it might not be perfect, but it will be better than guessing. Once this paint is on, it's on! Check the bottle for directions, but mine needed to dry for 24 hours.

4. Once the handprints were dry, I ironed on the heat transfer names.

Ta-da! Darling Mother's Day aprons!!!

{teacher blocks...appreciation gift}

2012-05-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

I made a set of seasonal blocks a couple years ago that I absolutely love, and I thought it would be really fun to turn them into a set of teacher blocks for appreciation gifts!

I designed the blocks to spell all the words below, but I'm sure you can find even more options! I was also able to spell our elementary school name, and school mascot. These are SO easy to make, and any teacher would love to have them in their classroom.

I ♥

Science
Math
Reading
Spelling
Teacher
Spring
Autumn
Winter
Apple
Learning
Recess
School
Books
Study

{SUPPLIES}

4x4 post, cut into 10 perfect squares
spray paint
vinyl letters
sander/sandpaper

{DIRECTIONS}

1. I have some exciting news! Our local Lowe's has just recently started carrying untreated 4x4 posts, so if you've looked before, it might be time to check again. However, this same Lowe's couldn't cut them, so it's worth calling and asking about before you go. Remember, 4x4 posts aren't exactly 4 inches wide, so you'll need to measure it first before cutting--to make sure you'll have perfect squares. You'll need 10 squares.

2. Paint! I sprayed mine cream first, let it dry, then added the red coat. Red just speaks "school", don't you think? Once the red was dry, I sanded the edges and a little on the faces, so the cream would show through. (Rustoleum Heirloom White and Colonial Red)

3. After they were all sanded, I added my vinyl letters. The font I used is Pharmacy. I chose it first because I love it, but also because all the letters (even the extending letters, like y, g, j, etc.) are the same size, and fit into the same space. This means that you don't have to make those extending letters smaller so that they will fit on your block.

This is how you'll need to arrange them:

Block 1: i, l, w, m

Block 2: ♥, n, e, m

Block 3:. s, a, t, d

Block 4: c, n, b, y
Block 5: h, e, l, k
Block 6: o, e, a, i
Block 7: o, s, a, ♥
Block 8: l, r, u,e
Block 9: l, p, u,e
Block 10: g, p, c, t

I also made this fun printable tag to go with them! (Right click on image, and select save as.)

.....

kierste

{giveaway} pocket full of posies

2012-04-30T05:00:00.000-04:00

Making dinner is one of my least favorite things to do. I like to cook, and I like my family to have healthy meals, but it ~~can be~~ often is one of the most stressful parts of the day. I'm usually trying to make dinner amidst homework, piano practice, and toddlers that are tired and grumpy. Sometimes I'm a little tired and grumpy, too. ☺ Anything that can help relieve the craziness of planning, shopping, and preparing dinner is high on my list of things to try.

Pocket Full of Posies presents a solution for all of it!

"Pocket Full of Posies offers a unique pocket meal planning system that organizes life in the kitchen. Our meal planning system is a way to make grocery shopping easier, save time, save money and make meal planning stress free. We've done all the work, all you have to do is shop and cook!"

I'm super excited to tell you that Pocket Full of Posies is giving away a Mega Meal Planning Package to one very lucky reader! It consists of 1 Magnetic Pocket (your choice of design...so many darling ones to choose from!), 1 Breakfast Recipe pack, 1 Lunch Recipe Pack, Dinner Recipe Packs 1-4, 1 Side Dishes & Appetizers Pack, 1 Dessert Recipe Pack, 16 Ingredient List, and How-to Instructions.

They are also offering all BPP readers a 10% discount for the duration of the giveaway...just use the code BROWN10.

To Enter: (please leave a separate comment per entry on this post!)

{Required Entries}

1. Like Pocket Full of Posies on Facebook, then come back here and leave me a comment!

2. Follow Pocket Full of Posies on Pinterest, then come back here and let me know!

{Optional Entries}

1. Follow Brown Paper Packages on Pinterest, then come back and let me know!

2. Follow Brown Paper Packages on Facebook, and once again, come back here and let me know!

Winner must follow BPP via Google Friend Connect (in right sidebar), or RSS Feed!

*Winner will be chosen via random.org

*Winner must respond within 48 hours, or another winner will be selected.

*Giveaway will run through Saturday, May 5th at midnight EST.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post, however, all opinions are 100% mine and mine alone. Please see my full disclosure HERE.

{oh, what do you do in the summertime?}

2012-04-28T11:30:00.000-04:00

I just love summertime. We have so many things that we love to do as a a family during the summer months, and we look forward to campfires in the backyard, BBQs, baseball games, trips to the beach, camping, staying up late, and spending time with friends and family. It also means no school, and adjusting to a different routine and schedule, plus keeping kids entertained and busy.

I'm always looking for fun summer ideas...everything from activities for kids, summer holiday decor, organization, to yummy recipes and more. I'm super excited to announce a summer series here on Brown Paper Packages, titled what else but "Oh, what do you do in the summertime?". Some of the best bloggers around are stopping by to share their summertime ideas, projects, recipes, and printables, and will be here each Friday of the summer.

It all begins this coming Friday, May 4th!!

We'll see you there!

{sketch pen tutorial} birthday girl card

2012-04-26T10:45:00.000-04:00

I've had a Silhouette for awhile now, and up until a week ago, had never used sketch pens. I don't know why, because now after I've worked with them a few times, I absolutely LOVE them! I wish I would have tried them a long time ago. They are super easy to use, and you can create darling cards in no time flat.

I really like giving cute cards, but I don't always have a lot of time to put something together. This is the perfect solution--you can personalize blank cards in literally less than 5 minutes--I'm not kidding! So fast, so easy, and so darling! Silhouette has 3 different sets of pens--a glitter set, metallic set, and a starter set that includes 8 basic colors.

{DIRECTIONS}

*This tutorial is for changing any image into a sketch using the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Software, which I LOVE being able to do. If you don't have the new software, there are many sketch images to choose from in the Silhouette online store.

1. Open up your Silhouette software, and create your desired image. I used birthday candles from the online Silhouette store, and the font I used for the text is cursive standard. When you use a Sketch pen, the letters in your text will not be filled in, so a skinnier font looks better than a chunkier font. You'll want to keep that in mind if you're going to have text.

2. Once my image was created, I decided to group it all together to make it easier for the next couple of steps. Instead of having to repeat all the steps for each individual candle and letter, I would only have to do it one time if it was grouped together. It also made it easier to size, and to move around.

Edit > Select All

Object < Group

Now you've got one image!

3. Now you're ready to turn your image into a sketch. Click on the Sketch icon, and select the edge you want. I chose plain, because it would work best for this image. I also like the continuous option--I've used it to make frames, and it's really fun.

4. Once your image is in sketch form, click on the cut style icon, click on your image to select it, then choose "cut" from the choices.

5. Replace your blade with the sketch pen of your choice. It's easy---just take the cap off, put the pen side down, and click it into place. Send to Silhouette, and choose the Sketch Pen option. You're ready to sketch!

6. I sketched onto a piece of cardstock, then matted it on to scrapbook paper that I had cut to fit a blank white card. I found a set of 10 square blank white cards and envelopes for only $1 at Michael's a few months ago, so I stocked up. I punched holes in the bottom of the card, and tied a ribbon through. All the edges were distressed with a Distress Ink pad (Vintage Photo).

{Envelope}

To make the envelope, I followed the same steps as above to change the text into a sketch. This is where the gridlines of the designer software really came into play. I lined up my text based on those gridlines, and matched them to the gridlines on my cutting mat. I placed the envelope on the cutting mat, and sent it right through my Silhouette. It worked perfectly!!

Don't forget the current Silhouette promo...

If you already have a Silhouette, you can buy the glitter and metallic pen sets for $6.99.

Go HERE to purchase!