Gift Ideas

The New Silhouette Cameo Test Drive

0 · Oct 25, 2011 · 19 Comments

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of the Silhouette personal electronic cutting tool. I've used Sophie, my Silhouette SD to make my Portable Growth Chart and a fun Weathered Wood Sign for my friend Sarah. I've made temporary tattoos, etched glass and have made all kinds of fun t-shirts for my kiddos. All kinds of fun projects have come from my sweet Sophie. Well… today I want to introduce Camille my new CAMEO to you guys!!

The Cameo is the next generation Silhouette electronic cutting tool and my friends… it was LOVE at first sight! The Cameo has a much larger cutting capacity with a full 12 inch wide and 10 foot long cutting range. Did you hear that? You can make a vinyl sign that is TEN FEET LONG without having to piece it together!!! This is a new day in the personal cutting tool world.

Silhouette was kind enough to send one of their new Cameo's to my studio to take for a test drive. It didn't take long for Camille {yes, that's what she has been named} and I to become fast friends. I decided I wanted to work on a project that I have had on the back burner for awhile. I had this fun lamp that I new could use a little bit of love and I thought some vinyl inside and out would turn this simple and boring lamp into a lamp that could truly make a statement…

Did you notice the little secret the lamp has? We all know, a clever girl ALWAYS leaves something to be discovered and this fun lamp is no different. When you turn the lamp on you will see that the trendy chevron pattern continues on the shade as well…

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Barn Owl Primitives {Giveaway}

0 · Oct 18, 2011 · 472 Comments

This Giveaway is CLOSED

I have been so excited for this giveaway I am going to post it a little EARLY!! I don't know about you but I am in love with all the fun things that you can create with words and beautiful topography, weathered wood and paint. You can find all kinds of great signs all over Etsy that are created with vinyl, but… how about a HAND PAINTED sign? I have been in LOVE with Barn Owl Primitives for some time and I was soooooo excited when this arrived in the mail the other day…

I turned into a giddy little girl when this brown paper package arrived all tied up with pretty ribbon. Kristi and I had worked together on a fun sign and I couldn't wait to see it! It's a great new Family Rules sign with a fun little twist…

I decided that I wanted to add a pop of red to the sign to highlight one of the most important "rules." Didn't it turn out aaaamazing!! I love the blue on the weathered white wood with the fun red Love One Another. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!! Kristi is a true artisan and I am LOVING my "new" HAND PAINTED beautifully weathered sign.

Here are some more of the goodies that you can find at Barn Owl Primitives that I may need to add to my shopping list…

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How to Package your Homemade Vanilla

60 · Oct 4, 2011 · 56 Comments

Now that we've all had a chance to get our Homemade Vanilla project started… It's time to start dressing up our bottles to get them ready to give as gifts in a few weeks. {yes, the holiday season is NOT that far away!}

First, The bottle. I decided on recycling some single serving 187ml wine bottles that I got on sale at my local grocery store for $1.00 a bottle. Now, that was a deal that I couldn't pass up so…

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{Holiday Neighbor Gift} Homemade Vanilla Extract

197 · Sep 29, 2011 · 81 Comments

I know, I know… It's still September and we are more worried about apple pie and getting ready for ghouls and goblins, but this fabulous neighbor gift takes some time to make. Homemade vanilla extract is not only elegant and refined, but simple to create for yourself. Don't be scared… it's not laborious hours pressing each and every vanilla bean. All you have to do is make a simple concoction and then let is SIT.

I have spent countless hours watching cooking show after cooking with the host always saying, "make sure you use only the best vanilla!" For years I was perplexed. How on earth am I supposed to know what the "best vanilla" is? I have now found out… the best vanilla is the vanilla that you make yourself. Here is what you will need…

Whole Vanilla Beans – I recommend ordering them online, it's way more cost effective. I ordered mine from Beanilla Trading Company. I decided on the beans from Madagascar.
Vodka – I used the cheapest Vodka I could find. In all of my research, many people say it really doesn't matter. Now, here is the caveat… I don't drink so I don't really know the quality of my vodka vs. other kinds so if you know vodka better you may have more of a preference.

That's it… other than packaging, but I am going to save that post for another day. Here is what you need to do.

First, you need to carefully slit your vanilla beans length wise starting just below the tip of the bean…

My beans were rather long so I also cut them in half. Then all you need to do is add your beans to your vodka. Here is the ratio to follow…

2 large vanilla beans to 1 cup of vodka

If your beans tend to be on the puny side, I would use 3 beans per cup of vodka. Place your split beans in your liquid, seal and then store in a cool, dark place like a pantry.

Give it a good shake every few days and after 2-3 months you will have a lovely homemade vanilla. Obviously, the longer you let it sit,it will become darker and more developed. After your desired amount of time run your new vanilla through a strainer and a couple of layers of cheese cloth and then package it up.

I am planning on keeping a bottle for myself and then packaging some fun bottles to give away to family and friends for the holidays!

Here is my cost breakdown…

Vodka – $1.35 per cup
Vanilla Bean – $1.10 per bean
Bottle – $1.00

The bottles I am using hold about a cup of liquid so the total cost for one bottle is $4.55. I will be generous and round up for other packaging needs like printing, fabric, bottle embellishments and such and I will say my total is, $5.00! Not bad for an elegant and thoughtful gift for family, friends, teachers and such for the holidays!!

For all of the information on bottles and packaging click here to visit the How to Package your Homemade Vanilla post!

Gift Ideas

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