I'm mailing out some books to my cousin and a friend. I used Brown Paper Bags that you get your groceries in to wrap the boxes up. (And, now since I bring my own Market Bags to the store, I'm running low on these brown bags at home.) Here's a simple quick and EZ tutorial on how to mail your packages out in style...your style that is. Have fun!

I love tissue paper, tulle, and ribbons. I can't throw even my scraps away. In less than 10 minutes, I created this lovely tag using a tissue paper rose created from scrap yellow and pink tissues, glued on scrap piece of tulle underneath on a stamped tag using my Close To My Heart acrylic stamps and inks. Attached a scrap piece of silk ribbon to the end and glue gunned on a cute white button. Tah dah!

Jimmy and I attended an at home cooking class at our friend Laurie's house. Our Cooking instructor was Aline Steiner of "A Table Hawaii". Aline is a Excellent Chef who specializes in being your Personal Chef. She goes to your home and prepares your meals. She also does at home catered affairs and at home Cooking classes.  We LoVe Aline!  From a Terrific Menu, we worked with Aline, side by side, on each dish. One of them was Roasted Tomatoes A La Caprese. Here's a short version of what we did.  Slice ripe tomatoes in half. Deseed tomatoes using spoon...you want to remove as much liquid from them before roasting bc liquid will ooze out during roasting.  You want to be roasting and not boiling tomatoes. Roasting Good. Boiling Bad. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with powdered sugar to aid in carmelizing the tomatoes, sprinkle with a lot of salt, add Garlic slices and spices of your choice...we used Herbs of Provence. Roast in Oven at 425 degress. When they're done, let them cool a little. Plate them, add chopped Basil, and slivers of Manchego cheese or whatever cheese you prefer. We added a balsamic vinaigrette.  Loved the way they tasted. EZ PZ. Yummy for your Tummy!

My completed design for a favorite customer's daughter.  Her little girl loves jewelry...tons and tons of it.  Working off her daughter's fav pick of one of my bracelets, I created this jewelry set for her. 

A gift for my Mom. It's her belated Birthday gift...shhhhh   In the acrylic Heart, I've included a few goodies---my own handcrafted artisan Garnet Chandelier Earrings and an Initial Charm and Garnet Gemstone Gold filled Necklace in a pretty Burgundy jewelry bag, and a little Pink Tulle sachet filled with French Lavender buds. My decorations include, glue gunning on a bow made of fuschia netting, paper cream roses, and a Close To My Heart Rub-on Heart.

Always wanted a ribbon holder. Crazy about ribbon. So, my husband made me one using scrap wood. Similar to a paper towel holder. Just drill partial hole in middle where dowel will sit. This weekend, I used his power tools and rounded the edges. First time with power tools! Later, spray painted the holder. Today, using my Close To My Heart Rub-ons, added on the pretty filigree Corner details and painted on a Gloss Acrylic coat so the rub-ons don't come off. Will apply several coats.  Now, I can use my new ribbon holder...once it dries.  Yayyyyy!

Made my LoVe tags using my Close To My Heart acrylic stamps. Easy Peasy. Just stamp, hot glue gun on some pretty silk flowers, and then tie a ribbon to the end. Tah Dah!