Posts Tagged ‘gift ideas’

Petal Box 2.0

June 9th, 2009
28 Comments

I was emailing back and forth with ISLY reader, Cathy, who gave me such a great idea. She had been looking for a box template that she could use for packaging 1 cupcake. I thought I could really use one of those, too, especially since I had also been thinking up a crazy cupcake recipe that used molded chocolate as the cupcake cup. MMM. Chocolate. Seriously, no better time to make a cupcake box than when I’m dying to make cupcakes.

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The template is great, the box is fabulous (not just for cupcakes, mind you), the only problem with this template is that you have to print it on either two sheets of 8.5×11 paper and tape the two parts together, OR you have to go somewhere to get it printed on 11×17 paper. While that might be a little inconvenient, it still only takes a few minutes to make the boxes anyway. If I had any parties coming up anytime soon, I would definitely use this idea for favor boxes.

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Seriously I’m on a party/wedding kick. I never really satiated my hearty party cravings with Penelope’s birthday. Now that my sister is getting married and I’m helping her out with invitations and inspiration, I’m GOING CRAZY. I want to party! Maybe I should just have a random party anyway. This could also serve some purpose for Father’s day. Oh gosh, it’s coming so quickly.

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To download the regular template & instructions, click the button below:

To download the template for 11×17 printers, click the button below:

I’m really happy with this little box. It fits cupcakes perfectly with plenty of room for greedy fingers to take a cupcake out and for the cupcake to be piled high with sugary, sweet frosting. Give it a try! Also, stay tuned as I will be sharing an amazing, almost-better-than-sex, mind-exploding cupcake recipe soon!!

Thanks to Rachel over at One Pretty Thing for featuring this freebie!

This printable is free for personal use and should not be distributed without my consent. If you would like to this for commercial purposes, please email me. Thanks!

Earth Day Winner #3: Magnetic Bookmark

May 25th, 2009
4 Comments

Here’s a little info to get to know Magatha May:

Favorite color: Turquoise

Interests: Archery, Organization

Something about me: I captain my college’s archery team, I live shiny things and what makes me me is the fact that I am picky about the visual layout of absolutely everything, from desk layout to page layout to how my books are arranged on the shelf and how my boyfriend’s socks are in the drawer.

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This one was a little bit of a challenge for me. I wanted to make something personal but small, since Maggie lives in Ireland and I didn’t want to pay a million dollars in shipping. I’m not sure how the bookmark will help her in her organization or archery, but it is turquoise. The book might help her organize her grocery lists, or help her document ideas/dreams in the middle of the night. Who knows. Hope you like it, Maggie!

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While surfing the internets I came across a lovely tutorial via Craft Chi on how to make magnetic bookmarks using old refrigerator magnets. I think it’s a genius way to repurpose those unsightly magnets and to keep your place in your favorite book! I did a few things differently in making mine:

  • I peeled off the top layer of coated paper to expose the more porous part of the magnet for better adhesion
  • I used PVA glue and bookcloth as the hinge, it’s a little more formal than masking tape and will last longer*
  • I cut a notch on one corner of each side of the magnet to make the magnet easier to open

Now I’m keeping my eyes peeled for more unused refrigerater magnets, because I’m definitely planning on making more!

*if you don’t have either of these items, but you want a longer-lasting hinge, try fusing your favorite fabric with heat ‘n bond to regular printer paper. Glue with Elmer’s glue to the magnet, then trim. Elmer’s glue isn’t as flexible as PVA, but it’ll work.

Earth Day Winner #1 + Free Downloads

May 21st, 2009
14 Comments

Remember the giveaway I did last month in celebration for Earth Day? I am nearing completion with only 2 more gifts left to finish. I’ll be posting the items I’ve made for the winners throughout the week. In the email I sent out to the winners, I asked them a few questions to get to know them a little better. . .

Pattie, told me:

Favorite color: hot pink/fuschia/pink

Interests: crafting, blogging, writing, photography

What makes me, me: I’m earth-friendly and I love to do crazy things… I just bought myself a long blonde wig as my birthday gift. I love to organize parties and spend time with my husband and baby.

Handmade Envelopes & Stationery

So, I made her 4 envelopes from brand-new, but discontinued (going-to-be-thrown-in-the-trash) wallpaper and coordinating cards to use for hand-written notes or invitations to a small party. Hope you enjoy them, Pattie! I thought I would include pdfs of the envelope & card designs. So click the links below to download:

Download the envelope template here!

Download the printable card here!

Please note: Downloads are free for personal use ONLY.

Father’s Day is Just around the Corner. . .

May 16th, 2009
3 Comments

A friend of mine (inspired by this post) asked me if I could make a book for her husband if she gathered quotes and blurbs from family and friends about him. Of course I was thrilled to do it!! I really love the idea of getting family and friends to say nice things about your husband and binding it in book form for a gift. Seriously it’s genius. You know. . . father’s day is around the corner, and I did bring my bookbinding supplies with me to Arizona, so send me an email if you want one made for the man in your life. Or woman. Heck, I wouldn’t mind it if someone did that for me!

Ed's Cork book

I’m so happy with how it turned out. I really wish you could touch your computer screens and truly feel how yummy the cork and leather combination is. I LOVE CORK. I LOVE CORK! It’s just deliciously soft.

Ed's Leather & Cork book II

Like I said above, feel free to drop me a line (islyblog[at]gmail[dot]com) if you want a custom bound book. Also! Check out the right sidebar and join IS•LY with Google friend connect!

Petal Box Download + Mother’s Day Thoughts

May 12th, 2009
17 Comments

My current mantra is “Better late than never. Better late than never.” It took me over two weeks to get in touch with my sister to wish her a happy birthday, and my mom won’t be getting her Mother’s day gift for another couple of days because the post office isn’t open on Saturdays.

I really want to share with you what I did for my mom for Mother’s day/Birthday (they’re often the same day). My mom is really special. She has worked really REALLY hard at doing everything. When I say everything, I mean it. I hope that she knows that her efforts don’t go unnoticed. So for Mother’s day, I thought it would be fitting to give her the gift of memory. I hand wrote random memories that I have of my mom and the thoughtful things she has done for me. I think the next time I do it, I should start a year in advance, because I know I’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg.

Mom's Petal Box

I cut out a bunch of 3″x3″ squares and hand wrote (with pen & ink) my memories. Then I packaged it all with a box version of the petal envelope. I made up the template and want to share it with you! The box template is 3″ x 3″ x 1″, super fast to make and perfect for packaging jewelry and other sweet little gifts.

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Click here for the free petal box template!

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