Category Archives: DIY

tutorial: christmas goodies + packaging idea …

December 17, 2009

caramel popcorn recipe
for neighbor gifts this year, i decided to make caramel popcorn. {check out my recipe on my latest zupas post, here.}
i had these darling window bakers bags i’ve been wanting to use. so, the packaging just kind of fell into place!
i love how they turned out!

here’s what you need for a cute christmas goodie package:

  • bakers twine or string [bakers twine is available in my shop!]
  • labels
  • snowflake ornaments or box toppers [i found these cute ones at target]
  • bakers bags [or lunch bags will work!] *if you are intersted, i can list a few in my shop.
  • a goodie to fill the bag!
just fill the bag, and tie the top with twine and secure your ornament and tag!

..now, i’m off to make more! i’ve delivered a few, but still have more to go..

caramel popcorn recipe
{caramel popcorn}
ingredients
2 sticks butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
2 gallons popped popcorn
directions
preheat your oven to 250 degrees.
pop your popcorn and place in a large brown paper grocery bag. {add 1 cup of nuts if desired} pecans are great!  cashews too!
place butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan.  bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes.
remove from heat, and add vanilla, and baking soda.  it will bubble and foam.  stir.
cover popped pop corn a little at a time and have some one help shake and stir the popcorn.  coat well.
bake on 2 cookie sheets covered with parchment paper for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the caramel has harden up.  be sure to stir every 15 minutes.
enjoy!

 

circus party invitations…

April 2, 2009

circus party invitations
circus party invitations

i’ve been busy the last little bit, planning and getting ready for my little z man’s second birthday.
i really can’t believe he’s going to be two next week!

we decided we are going to throw him a circus party with our families. it should be good times. i’ll post pictures after the party.

here are the details on the invites i created for the party. . .

first, i took the little guy out to have a mini photo shoot with a big red balloon. i never thought he’d hold still, but i think he liked the balloon. i turned the images into faux “polaroids” using photoshop and i had them printed to polaroid size on 4×6 photo paper then cut them out.

next, i created some long address labels and printed them on full sheet label paper and then cut them out. the front had the addressee and our return address was on the other end of the label that wrapped around the back of the envelope.

i also created the “circus ticket” invitation, and printed it on textured red cardstock paper and cut them out. the date and time are on each end where you’d normally see the ticket number on a real circus ticket.

a fun addition to the invitation and polaroid was the red balloon. on the back of the ticket invitation i put details about a secret password to redeem a prize at the circus party. the password is found on the balloon if you blow it up. my favorite part of the ticket [may be hard to read from the picture] is where it says “disclaimer: password may self-destruct.”

so, there you have it. my little z man’s birthday invitations.
now, just pray for me that the actual party will go well. i’ll post pictures after the party next week!
wish me luck!