When I was at the dollar store a few weeks ago, I found a really cute little deep blue paint can. I got it because I just simply couldn't pass it up.
Last year, I posted a project I made with red tins that I had found at another dollar store: Merry & Bright Cookie Tins
As soon as I saw the blue, visions of snowflakes started going through my head.
(Wow....looking back at last year's Christmas post that I put up with those red tins, it's hard to believe there wasn't any snow on the ground! I did a double take at the date of the post just to make certain! Right now, we've got about 2 feet of snow on the ground!)
Anyway.....I wanted to make a special gift for our school bus driver. Personally, I like to give handmade gifts as much as possible. I enjoy the creative process and I also enjoy knowing that the recipient of the gift knows how much I appreciate them by making them a gift by hand. I knew the little tin would be perfect to hold some cookies.
I wasn't quite sure how stamping on a curved surface was going to work, but after a couple tries, I got it down. I stamped the images using Versamark ink and then sprinkled them with white embossing powder.
If you ever try this and don't get your image quite like you want it, I found that the best way to remove the image was to use a paper towel with warm water and a small dot of dishwashing liquid on it. I tried washing the image off without the dishwashing liquid but found that it didn't do much for it, since the Versamark is so sticky. The dishwashing liquid is what did the trick. Make sure to completely dry the area before stamping on it again so that when you put the embossing powder over the image, it doesn't stick to any other wet area.
For this pail, I used the Snow Flurry set from Kitchen Sink Stamps. The snowflake that I embossed for the top of the tin has holes poked into the points and the center. Sometimes I use a 1/16 inch hole punch. Other times I'll take out my Crafters' Tool Kit and use the paper piercing tool. And then there are times when I just don't want to be bothered and I use a push pin because it's easily accessible right in my desk drawer. I put mini silver brads into each of the holes and then mounted the accent on top of the lid with pop-dots.
To add some extra flair to the project, I tied four different kinds of ribbon (wide blue grosgrain, narrow white grosgrain, black stitched satin and blue gingham ribbons) around the wire handle of the pail. I'm sure hoping Mr. Bus Driver has a wife that will appreciate all the time and creativity I put into this pail....or that Mr. Bus Driver has a closet-affection for all things be-ribboned and stamped. :) If not, he can always re-gift the pail to someone else. :)
So.....what kind of cookies did I put inside the pail?
Why, chocolate chip, of course! But not before snitching an extra cookie off the plate for myself!
(On a baking note, rather than a stamping note: I've been experimenting with using whole wheat flour lately and have been mixing my recipes half and half with unbleached white flour and whole wheat flour. You really can't tell the difference at all and it's much healthier for you. I did this with my Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins and Pumpkin Bread recently and they tasted just as I'd always made them.)
Back to stamping now.
I also stamped the white tissue paper that I put inside the pail. Ever since I started stamping 6 1/2 years ago, I can't stand just plain white tissue paper. It seems so naked to me.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Today is my last day of being 30. Tomorrow, I'll have a give-away up for the weekend, since it's my first day of being 31!
Happy Creating!
-Stampin' Mama
I love this! what a beautiful blue the snowflakes really pop! The lid is really nice also but the cookies steal the show yummy!
Dee
Posted by: Dee | December 21, 2007 at 08:01 PM
Fantastic gift idea! The snowflakes look great on the blue tin.
Posted by: Lori | December 21, 2007 at 08:06 PM
Absolutely Cool!!!!
Posted by: Nicole | December 21, 2007 at 09:05 PM
This is so cute! And Im sure anyone would love to get it!
About baking......do you ever use spelt flour instead of wheat? It doesnt taste any different, usually you need an extra bit of spelt flour because it is less dense. I use it a lot in baking to cut back on wheat. Just a thought since sometimes the whole wheat pastry flour can seem a little heavy.
Happy baking and stamping!
Posted by: Elizebeth | December 21, 2007 at 11:06 PM
Happy Birthday Erika!
That's a really nice tin. I love blues.. so it's awesome to me!
I go through phases with using whole wheat flour rye and gluten free products...I make great doggie treats with wheat and rye flour but here is the kicker.. lol. I add a can of mashed Vienna sausages. Think it outweighs the good? lolol
Posted by: kimmiek | December 22, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Happy Birthday Erika!!!!
You totally rock!!
Posted by: Gina K. | December 22, 2007 at 10:21 AM
Oh, I love this! The blue is fantastic, and the stamped tissue is perfect! It makes the packaging just as yummy as the gift! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: christina fischer | December 22, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you! Hope you have a fantastic day!
Tejal
Posted by: tejal | December 22, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you! Hope you have a fantastic day!
Tejal
Posted by: tejal | December 22, 2007 at 03:05 PM
Yummmmmmmmyyyy! Both the tin and the cookies! Great job...I'm sure the bus driver loved/loves it.
Jane
Posted by: Jane | December 23, 2007 at 03:47 AM
Love it!♥ And the inside looks just as good as the outside! (and the stamped tissue paper is just the perfect touch!!) :-)
Posted by: Bee | December 24, 2007 at 11:03 PM