I was surfing around blog land and found these cute (and very easy) DIY projects!

Lunchbox Love Notes from Lizard and Ladybug – they even double as gift tags.

Goody Bags from That’s my Letter

And for those who want to make edible gifts, some Marshmallow Valentines from Sugar Bee

Happy crafting and Happy Valentine’s Day one week in advance

Yes, we’re a bit slow

So chat with us! Tell us what’s on your mind, what you’d like to see in the shop or what you’re planning on wrapping/packaging. We’d love to get to know you all!

And I’ve been spending the last few weeks shopping for 101 different gifts (ok maybe not 101 but it was a lot!) and have been buried in wrapping paper, ribbon, bakers twine etc last week. I spent so much time wrapping, a heating pad is now attached to my back whenever I sit down

Just wanted to pop in to say “Hello!”. We’re still here and processing orders as always. We will be processing orders all through the holidays but it may be a bit slower given our local post office is on vacation for a few days too to celebrate.

Wishing you all a very happy holiday season!

We are so very grateful for family, friends and great customers like you! See you in 2011 – I have the password for this blog written down so now I have no excuse for not posting.

XO XO XO!

First up, Allergen Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from The Family Kitchen!

Need I say more? Allergen Free (because nut allergies run in my family – this recipe is dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish (obviously) free!), appropriate for the Fall season (ok, Halloween too since that’s when pumpkin anything is most abundant at stores) and HELLO! – Chocolate Chips!!!

I just made a batch for my family and there were high fives going all around. Woo! Totally surprised that my 2 year old ate it too and asked for more (she’s not a fan of squash so I initially thought she’d have the same reaction to pumpkin)

Over the Summer I had my eye on some necklaces made with grosgrain ribbon and scoured the net for some tutorials on how to make them at home instead of buying them in store (because colours of the beads and ribbon were limited and don’t work with my wardrobe – I tend to wear lots of white, ivory and grey).

Look what I found!

Grosgrain Ribbon Necklace Tutorial by Infarrantly Creative

Infarrantly Creative has a tutorial for an interchangeable ribbon necklace (very similar to a necklace I wanted to purchase a few months ago).

The good thing about this project is that she uses lobster clasps on the ends of the necklace so you can change the grosgrain ribbon to match whatever outfit you have planned for the day (or night).

I love it!

Definitely a project I have to put on my “to make list”. And seeing as how the holidays are only a few weeks away, I think I’ll have to get started on some soon.

Happy crafting!

If you have come across some other Anthropologie inspired tutorials, please let me know!

Oy! My feet are aching from constantly being in heels every weekend. LOL

I’m glad it’s a much slower wedding/shower season these coming months. My body and bank account cannot take it.

Candy Cane Bark Recipe & Sticker Download from Penny People Designs

At any rate, I’m going to be more dedicated to blogging and find some fun stuff on the web to share with you all.

Here’s the first one: Candy Cane Sticker Sheet Download from Penny People Designs

Yes, I know it is only September but it’s best to start on your holiday gifts sooner than later. Well, for me anyways I like to start early because it really stresses me out fighting the crowds at malls or searching for deals online.

 I like the month of December to be a month of coasting (read between the lines – I just want to enjoy the parties and food that comes along with celebrating the holiday season – Yup! I’m a foodie and I’d rather be eating than shopping in December!)

So making Candy Cane Bark maybe shouldn’t start so early (wait another 8 weeks or so) but you can use the sticker sheet for other craft projects in the meantime I’m sure!

Thanks Penny People Designs!

So am I the only one thinking up the holidays already in September? What do you have on your project list these coming weeks?

Wedding Cupcakes by Le Cupcake

It was a very tiring but very tasty weekend this past weekend.

My husband and I were invited to 2 weddings – one on Friday night, one on Saturday. This is the first time we’ve had weddings back to back and boy are we tired! And full.

Both couples are our university friends from way back when (LOL. I speak as though I am old but I guess I am now that it has been more than 5 years since university) and we were so honoured to be invited to share in their special day.

Celebrating with them this past weekend reminded me of my wedding 4 years ago. I got teary eyed watching the groom’s reaction as he saw his bride for the first time in her stunning white dress and was bawling by the time the speeches started.

I asked my husband if he was interested in renewing our vows and maybe planning a shindig for our family and friends next year when we celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. His answer “No. Out of budget. If you can do something that’s free, OK!” LOL. Well then…. I guess he doesn’t want to play dress up as much as I do

Good food, wonderful company and a whole lot of love. I am stuffed from all the cake I ate (I really have no restraint when it comes to desserts) and don’t even want to think about food today.

What about you? Has wedding season started yet? The weddings are done for me this year and I still have a few baby showers to attend by the time this Summer is over.

HELLO CAKE!

I was surfing again looking for some DIY projects for an upcoming BBQ we’re hosting and found something I could make easily.

If you have a baby/toddler, you may have lots of baby food jars sitting on your kitchen counter not knowing what to do with them (other than waiting for recycling day).

So here is a little DIY – Baby Food Jar Light Strand from Little Apartment On The Prairie

Hope you’re having a fun Summer! We’ve been experiencing a heat wave this week in Toronto and we’re finally getting some rain today. Woohooo! My flower garden needs it.

Looking at text in this font makes me think of the early 1980s when I was making birthday cards on my Commodore 64 computer using a program called Print Shop (I think that’s what it was called).

Comic Sans was my font of choice. Along with pixelated balloon banners. Not anymore though – I haven’t seen either of these things on any cards I’ve received in the last 10 years (no I’m not going to tell you my age!).

No Comic Sans by itsastitch

I’m sure someone is going to say no to the font I’m using in 10 years too. Who knows.. Comic Sans might make a comeback then.

But for now, just say NO to Comic Sans!

We’ve been MIA lately on the blog because we have been working on getting in a larger selection of organza bags for the shop.

We are still keeping with the two sizes we currently have but adding a lot more colours. With wedding season, baby shower season and need we say it in June -the holiday season which is a mere 6 months away (6 months sounds long but snow will be falling in our part of the country before we know it!), people need to have organza bags on hand.

Many of you have been writing and asking about our ivory organza bags - they’re finally back in stock!

We have a whole bunch of new colours we have to take photos of and post. So keep your eyes open in the next few weeks, it’s definitely going to be an organza extravaganza over here. HA HA. I’m laughing while I type!