Make Supermarket Flowers Look Gift Ready

There's nothing wrong with buying flowers from the supermarket.  There's often a wide choice, they're guaranteed to last a while and usually come with plant food, which is a bonus BUT their biggest let down is the cellophane wrapping and those ugly giant stickers normally plastered all over them.

If you were giving these flowers to someone as a small gift re-wrapping them can definitely give them a bit more wow factor, not to mention they add that personal touch.

Start by removing the cellophane wrapping and any elastic bands that were keeping them together.  Rearrange them into one bunch and once you're happy with the arrangement reuse one of the elastic bands to keep them in place.  

Wrap the flowers in your chosen paper at a diagonal.  I've chosen brown parcel paper as I always have some to hand  but you could even use tissue paper.  On this occasion I've held the paper in place with some coloured twine but you can use any ribbon, string or even lace that you may have lying around the house.

Overall I think the look is quick and easy to create yet effective and makes your gift a little bit special.  You could even go one step further and hand print a design onto the paper.

Jar of Love

Well in case you've been living in a cave this past week you may have noticed Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  No sooner have the retail store elves packed away the Christmas decorations and gifts they've hijacked Cupid and replaced them with chocolates, cards and roses.  Yep here come the retail giants rubbing their hands in glee as we dash out to spend a fortune on items that have nearly doubled in price.

Don't get me wrong, I love Valentine's Day and who doesn't enjoy receiving presents and being showered with love? It seems just as we're getting over the expense of Christmas, we're pressured into buying gifts and going out for expensive meals when we might not normally chose to do so. There's nothing wrong with romance and showing your loved one how much you care but this doesn't have to be confined to one day of the year and it doesn't have to cost the earth!

Sometimes a well thought out present can be more than  meaningful than an expensive bunch of roses.  If you're looking for something a little different why not try making your present?

If you're stuck for ideas how about a jar filled with handwritten scrolls listing all the things you love about your partner? It will certainly put a smile on their face as they unravel each scroll and read all the lovely ways you appreciate them and will last longer than a bunch of roses!

What are you doing this Valentine's Day?  Will you go all out with expensive gifts or maybe you boycott the whole thing?  What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for Valentine's Day?  Let me know, I'd love to hear.

Cinnamon & Applesauce Christmas Ornaments

I love making handmade gifts but never seem to have the time lately.  When I spotted these the other day, via Coulson Macleod's Facebook page, I had to give them a go.  Not only are they really easy to make but they also make your house smell of cinnamon! Bonus! 

If you haven't heard of Coulson Macleod pop over to their page.  They always share the best craft ideas and blogs as well as they're own original artwork.  This particular recipe is from Katy Elliot's blog.  Here's the link if you want to check her out.

Here's How It's Done..

Add the cinnamon and applesauce into a bowl and get mixing. It's best to use your hands and besides it's more fun that way, especially if you've got kids! The mixture needs to be dry enough that it can be rolled out without sticking to your rolling pin but moist enough that it sticks together.  If the mixture's too moist add more cinnamon.  If the mixture's too dry then add more applesauce.  Keep doing this until you've got a dough like mixture.

Roll the dough out as you would pastry.  Don't make your dough too thick else it might not dry likewise if you make it too thin your ornaments will become quite delicate and could break.  I used a pound coin as a guide for the right depth.

Use any shape cutter you want and cut out your pieces.  I only had stars available but I did shape a heart by hand which looks quite rustic.

Remember to make a hole where you want to thread the string through.  I used a chopstick. Turn the shape over and check the hole is just as wide on the back.

Lay your shapes onto greaseproof paper in a tray and then bake on a low temperature in the oven.  I baked them on 50 degrees for over an hour and then let them air dry for 24 hours just to be on the safe side.

Once your shapes are dry, thread your choice of string or ribbon through the hole in your shape and there you have it! A scented Christmas ornament which you can hang on your tree. They also make interesting gift tags or why not turn them into a garland!

Do you like making things like this? Do you know of any good craft blogs? Let me know, I'd love to read them.