Tomorrow morning I leave for the 2013 National Stationery Show! If you’ve been reading for a while, you know I’ll be sharing countless photos here and on Instagram as I walk the show, bringing you a sneak peek of the paper goods that will be hitting retailers near you soon. I can’t exaggerate how much I love show week. If you’re not familiar, NSS is like fashion week for paper. It’s a trade-only event where designers unveil their latest collections and buyers decide what new products they want in their shops. For a girl like me, it’s some kind of heaven.
Today I’m kicking things off by sharing my favorite NSS previews from around the web. If you’re attending the show, be sure to pop by and check them out! (Oh and be sure to let me know so we can hug it out. I’m a hug it out kind of lady.) For loads of stationery show coverage also be sure to also follow along with my girl Nole at Oh So Beautiful Paper and get ready for a week a paper madness. In a good way. Click through for 15 NSS previews!
Today’s DIY tutorial comes to us from Maxine, creator of Tulle Box Designs, and a lover of packaging and DIY. (Yup, she’s totally my kind of lady.) Maxine is showing us the sweetest little idea for making ombre stripe favor bags. Perfect for parties, weddings, showers or even gift wrapping, I love how colorful and fun these favor bags are – and we all know about my love affair with stripes so I don’t need to fill you in there. Many thanks to Maxine for sharing this fabulous project! For more of her packaging ideas, pop over and check out her DIY gallery.
- Cardstock in assorted colors, in shades that create an ombre effect
- Paper cutter
- Glue
- Cellophane party favor bags (available at craft and party stores)
Using your paper cutter, cut 1/2″ strips of cardstock measuring the same width as your cellophane bags. You’ll need strips of each of your cardstock colors to help you form the basis of your ombre. These bags feature five stripes, each in a different shade of the respective color, but you can play around and see what you like best on your bags!
Apply glue to the backside of each cardstock strip. A glue stick works great or you could also used a double-sided adhesive, typically scored in the scrapbooking section of your local craft store.
Starting at the bottom of your bag, stick your cardstock strips to the bag, applying pressure to adhere them fully. You’ll want to start with either the lightest or darkest of the colors and repeat with the other colors, leaving 1/2″ space between each stripe. Allow the glue to dry and set completely and you’re all done! Now just fill up your bags with goodies or treats in color-coordinated colors and you have basically the coolest favor bags going.
[Photos by Tulle Box Designs for The Sweetest Occasion.]
The fine print: Please link with love! As with all of our posts, DIY projects featured on The Sweetest Occasion may not be copied, distributed or reproduced without express written permission. Love and links are always appreciated! If you’d like to share this post, please link to this post directly for the DIY tutorial and do not include the instructions in your own post. Thanks so much! xoxo
I know, I know. Last week we talked pretty extensively about brunch. And then this morning it was all about making your own infused vodka. And now? Now I’m hitting you over the head with an overload of donuts. Is it too much? Please say no. Otherwise that would make me a bad friend and I don’t want to be a bad friend. I want to invite you over for donuts. I’ve never made donuts. Actually, I’m not a huge donut fan. (Uhh say what? I know.) I like cake donuts. The chocolate kind with the glaze. But otherwise, I will always pass over donuts for a good scone or muffin. But homemade donuts? Somehow I think that’s a taste adventure with which I can gladly jump on board. Lately I’ve been thinking about it a lot. Or, at least like three times it has crossed my mind. So I don’t know, what do you think? Maybe we should do this donut thing and make our own donuts. I will if you will!
1: Bourbon blueberry basil donuts | 2: Chocolate frosted cake donuts | 3: Baked apple cider donuts | 4: Grapefruit donuts | 5: Peanut butter cream filled donuts | 6: French breakfast puffs | 7: Carrot cake donuts | 8: Cinnamon sugar donuts | 9: Vanilla glazed yeast donuts
Over the last year or so I’ve become quite the sucker for infused vodkas. They make incredibly refreshing cocktails and packaged in pretty jars or bottles they make really lovely hostess or housewarming gifts, too. Today I am thrilled to have the amazing Monica Wang sharing her method for creating infused vodka. You can experiment with whatever fruit or herbs you love best, but Monica made hers with rosemary, ginger and Asian pear. Talk about delicious! (I especially love the idea of the Asian pear – yum!)
Start by making sure your jars are completely cleaned and dried thoroughly. Then place your herbs or fruit in each jar. For rosemary infused vodka, first crush the rosemary a bit with the back of your knife to help release the essential oils before placing in the jar. For the Asian pear, peel and deseed the fruit then chunk it up – this will increase the surface area of the fruit and allow it to impart more flavor into the vodka. With the ginger, peel it and cut it into small pieces similar to the pear. Next, pour vodka into each jar until the fruit and herbs are covered. You’ll need approximately 1-1/2 to 2 cups of vodka per jar. Use your favorite vodka, but as is always preached around here – make sure to skip the cheap stuff! It’s not going to do you any favors. Ever.
Cover your jars and leave them in a cool, dark place to steep for a few days. Then give your vodka a little taste test to see how much flavor has been infused into the vodka. When the flavor level is how you’d like it to be (keeping in mind, the longer it sits the more flavor it will develop), use a cheesecloth and/or sieve to strain out the solids from the vodka. Then mix yourself up a cocktail!
Many thanks to Monica for sharing her infused vodkas – be sure to pop over and check out her beautiful blog!
[Photos + recipe by Monica Wang.]
I’m coming at you live with another preview from this year’s upcoming National Stationery Show – slated to kick off in New York in just a few days! Making her debut at this year’s show will be the crazy talented Sarah Parrott of Parrott Design Studio, who is no stranger around these parts. (You can see her beautiful bridal shower from a few years ago here.) Sarah is going to be rockin’ NSS with a booth full of gorgeous letterpress stationery featuring her signature hand lettering and beautiful colorways. From weddings to parties to babies, Sarah’s line covers the happiest of occasions and, in fact, just looking at her beautiful stationery designs makes me happy.
Many thanks to Sarah for sharing this little sneak peek and if you’re attending the show be sure to pop in and see her at booth 2168. I know I personally can’t wait to check out the entire collection in person!
[Photos by Parrott Design Studio.]
