valentine mini fish shortbreads

January 8, 2016

If you follow me on social media, you know my mini fish cookie cutter got a workout during the holidays! From using it to make the mini rosemary shortbreads that I make each Christmas to creating a baked brie pastry garnish, the poor little thing put in overtime!

Now that the holidays are over, the sweet little cookie cutter is still helping out – it gave me my first Valentine’s Day inspiration for 2016! Why not make some of the mini shortbreads for Valentine’s Day? A cute fish pun would be perfect to use in the packaging and the cookies can be made ahead since they store so well in the freezer!

So, for today’s Friday field trip, I am sharing my first Valentine’s Day gift idea. Rosemary shortbreads are super easy to create – just add fresh rosemary to shortbread cookies. Voila! A sophisticated little cookie!

If you need a shortbread recipe, I included one here, but your favorite one would work just as well.

For the Valentine’s message, I just created a quick and easy label using my home printer and a corny pun. Cute, right?

I hope I have inspired you to create some fun Valentine’s Day treats! I have more Valentine treat packaging ideas to come and I will be sharing some printables in a future post for those of you that might not like creating your own labels.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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holiday gingerbread fudge recipe

December 8, 2015

I am taking a little break today from my coastal holiday theme. I will be making sea glass candy soon enough, but today I am sharing the recipe for fudge with a taste of the holidays. What is the holiday flavor I am referring to? Gingerbread!

This is a very easy sweet to make and no special candy making supplies are required. For my dry spices, I always use Penzy brand spices. For those that use spices from the supermarket, you may want to double the ginger and cinnamon since I find Penzy spices to be more potent than supermarket brands.

Use the best white chocolate you can find – the grocery store usually carries Lindt or Ghirardelli brands. I always buy bars of white chocolate and never white chocolate chips. There are usually a lot more ingredients listed on the white chocolate chips compared to the ingredients on the bars of white chocolate and I prefer to eliminate them! I also choose not to add any brown food coloring, but you can add some if you want your fudge colored brown like gingerbread.

I cut the fudge into tiny little gingerbread boys! I will be making them into pops and using them as a garnish on a cake for a friend’s party. On a stick, they make a great dessert favor!

Using a 1 ¾” gingerbread boy cookie cutter, I cut 17 pieces of fudge. (I rolled the leftover pieces into 14, 1” balls for another purpose.)

Whether on a stick or in a box, there are so many fun ways to package up these tasty little gingerbread boys…have fun with it!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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november book giveaway!

October 30, 2015

Yes, I have given away an adult coloring book in a previous giveaway. But, I can’t resist giving away Johanna Basford’s newest title, Lost Ocean for this month’s giveaway!

An ocean theme? Come on! I needed this to be the November giveaway selection! The Lost Ocean is sure to help ease some stress, as well as put a smile on your face, by providing some ocean themed coloring pages.

And, for this November giveaway, I am throwing in some colored pencils as well! Just leave a comment for a chance to win! Happy coloring! :)

Samantha is the winner of the September giveaway selection and winner of the book Desserts 4 Today by Abigail Johnson Dodge. Enjoy Samantha!

In this month leading up to Thanksgiving, the dessert focus is always on the pies. I’m not the biggest pie fan. So, for this month’s Instagram challenge, I say – let’s highlight desserts and show all the great alternatives to traditional pie! Use hashtag #pleasuregram for this month’s Instagram challenge to share photos of favorite desserts. Instayum!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy garden wrapping paper

August 18, 2015

I very often create my own wrapping paper; particularly when I have a vision of something specific in my mind. This was the case with the tomato wrapping paper I made recently for a thank you gift I was giving a friend.

The gift was a book on heirloom tomatoes and I had a vision of a graphic of a tomato on brown paper. I knew I needed to make it! I decided on a classic potato print and set to work. I cut a couple notches into one half of a potato – that would be the main part of the tomato. I used the other half of the potato to make some greens for the top. Simple!

I printed it in two parts. First, the red in a random pattern on brown paper large enough to accommodate the book I was wrapping. After that was dry, I printed the second part – the green. Great! Exactly what I had hoped for! And, I would add tie it up with some natural raffia for my final touch!

I hope I have inspired you to create some fun wrapping paper this summer! ;)

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Sand & Sisal.

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diy rubber bottomed tote bag

July 21, 2015

Don’t you love those rubber bottomed tote bags? I do! I have been meaning to make myself one for quite some time. I decided to give it a shot when I saw the Ikea straw totes on sale for $2.99! How could I go wrong?

My original plan for a rubber bottomed tote was to create one on a canvas bag and include a monogram. Once I got the bottom on my new straw tote, I changed my mind about the monogram. I preferred the look without it. I will wait until I find a good deal on a canvas tote, then I will make one with a rubber bottom and include a monogram.

This is a super easy project. The only supplies you need are; the tote you plan to use, some tape and paper for masking, and a can of Plasti Dip. You have seen me use Plasti Dip quite a bit if you follow this blog. I really love the product. (I will include some links to other DIY projects using Plasti Dip at the end of this post.) This product was once confined to the garage – but not once I got a hold of it! I adore repurposing products that are carried at a building supply store – Plasti Dip is one of these products!

Rather than the liquid form you have seen me use in the past, I am using the spray version of Plasti Dip for this project. Any spray paint has an overspray, so it is necessary to thoroughly mask any areas that will not be painted. To prepare, I used painter’s tape and newspaper to mask off these areas and I hung the bag upside down on the clothesline. This made it easy to paint. I chose a black paint and sprayed it in two light coats. The natural material of the tote is very porous, so it definitely requires 2 coats. (The texture of the tote will prevent a perfectly sharp line like you would get on fabric.)

That’s it! Just be sure to position the tote as you would use it – you don’t want it folded when you spray it since the rubber material dries hard.

Isn’t it great? I love it! I hope I have inspired you to try this fun and easy project!

Links to 5 other DIY projects using Plasti Dip: Color dipped wooden spoons, On pumpkins, Napkin Rings, Nautical necklace, Seafood swag

Thanks so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with The Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, Sand & Sisal, Coastal Charm.

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it’s a beach day shopping trip

July 14, 2015

This is the time of year when it is really great to shop all the stores and identify the fun summer items you like, because soon they will all go on sale! Online shopping at the end of any season is fun, but I especially love it at the end of the summer, because I use the clearance coastal items I buy in the summer to decorate all year long! I am sharing a few of the items with a beach vibe that I am loving right now!

West Elm has some really great ‘beachy’ items this summer. I love the whimsical trays (in the photo above) – so practical! And, isn’t the crab pillow (opening photo) adorable?

Arm candy in the summertime is a must! The photo above shows some of the great creations from bba Bracelets (click here for info). All the bracelets are handmade and can be made to order! So fun to design an armful! They are also great for wedding parties and other special events because you can design your own bracelets with coordinating colored beads, tassels, or charms. My other love for arm candy is Kiel James Patrick! What better way to show off a tanned arm than a white rope bracelet with an anchor closure? Love it!

You may remember from my holiday shopping post that Grace in Niantic, CT is a favorite store of mine. The epitome of coastal cool! These are some of my favorite beachy pillows in the current collection of yummy summer items at the shop.

We all know that sometimes disposable paper goods are a must in the summer! These cuties from West Elm make disposable more than acceptable at any casual gathering!

At $4.99 even the regular price of this Ikea straw bag makes it a crafters delight! I have decorated it in so many different ways and it makes a great alternative to a gift bag for summer giving!

For my furniture projects, Anthropologie is always a go-to for cool hardware…this summer, I am loving the sea life on these knobs!

A cute tote is always in order in the summer, and a great way to help the kids get organized is to have them carrying their own stuff! This adorable tote from Pottery Barn Kids fits the bill perfectly! And, by the way, don’t think the items in PB Kids are just for kids! I bought a great insulated lunch bag with old school stainless storage containers for myself from the catalog!

For myself, in place of a tote bag, I prefer this Sailor stripe backpack by Baggu…cool, right?

I hope I inspired you to do a little summer perusing of your own! There are plenty of great items out there – like these awesome ice cube trays available at Nordstrom. Cheers!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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9 special diy ideas for father’s day

June 16, 2015

It’s a cold, miserable day today. After arriving home from work, I should really be outside painting furniture or finishing my current read. Instead, the weather has kept me inside. Yes, I could be binge watching the third season of Orange is the New Black, but instead I am looking through some old posts to find some fun things to make for Father’s Day.

I put together nine favorites from my archives to help inspire you to make something special for Dad this year on his day!

Edible gifts are popular with any Dad. Here are a couple ‘over 21’ beverages that are sure to be a hit. Click here for a recipe to make homemade Bailey’s Irish Cream and click here to learn how to make some great jelly shots shaped like fish!

This zip code tray is a stylish and super practical place for Dad to leave his keys. It also is a great way for Dad to remember where he left his keys! Click here for instructions.

A tie dye shirt is as much fun to make as it is to give! The whole family can enjoy making Dad a piece of clothing dyed personally for him! Click here for easy instructions!

Making coasters for Dad is easy and fun. Click here for several great ideas. Old cardboard, jar tops, and discarded six-pack packaging are a few of the items that make creative coasters!

Any gift is more special when it is presented in a special way! Click here to learn how to make your own gift wrap and click here to see how easily you can create a unique paint can gift package!

If your Dad is more the entertaining type, here are two great gift ideas. Click here for ideas for creating your own napkin designs. Another great idea is to make a set of forks for seafood dinners…the fun part about this gift is that it is created using something from Dad’s garage! Click here to find out more!

I hope you enjoyed these few DIY ideas from the archives to help make Father’s Day a little more special!

Thank you for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Coastal Charm and Elizabeth & Co.

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fresh fruit topiary diy

May 5, 2015

Why not pass on the flowers this Mother’s Day and instead, make your mom an edible arrangement as a gift?

Healthier than a box of chocolates, a fruit topiary is a tasty way to show Mom you care. And, when you create it yourself, you can be sure to include all mom’s favorite fruits and treats!

I started with a 4” high pot – the perfect single serving size! Choose a container in a color to coordinate with mom’s kitchen so she is sure to reuse it! To prepare the container for the arrangement, fit some Styrofoam into the container and covered it with some salad greens.

I will show you what I used to make mine to give you an idea of what you need to get started on your own creation!

My supplies:
– 4” pot, 4” high
– 4 oz. bag Lancaster soft caramels (I had a few left for tasting)
– 3” (approximately) square Styrofoam, trimmed appropriately
– Salad greens
– Assorted fruit
– Skewers (if you only get one size, purchase long ones – they can always be trimmed)
– Ribbon (optional – a bow can be added by attaching to a skewer)

My skewers:
3, 8” skewers of cantaloupe slices
2, 8” skewers of grapes (4 grapes)
3, 6” skewers of grapes (4 grapes)
4, 6” skewers of strawberries
9, 6” skewers of chocolate dipped strawberries
15 caramels on toothpicks

Tips for assembly:
– Don’t use really fresh fruit – you want firm fruit so it will hold up.
– For the same reason, only use sturdy fruit. (I learned this lesson pretty quick when I tried to use raspberries – they are too soft.)

– Use Styrofoam in your pot, not floral foam.
– Cater to your recipient – use edible items that will appeal to the recipient. Instead of caramels, you may decide to use baby rounds of cheese, cookies, dried apricots, etc.
– Use decorative cutters – you can use cookie cutters to cut hearts, melon ballers, etc. to ‘fancy up’ the fruit.
– Don’t put it together too far ahead. You can wash and dry the fruit, dip the strawberries, and cut the fruit ahead – but wait to assemble your creation until the last minute.
– Lay salad greens over the Styrofoam before you start assembly and use some after assembly to fill in any holes or skewer parts that may show.

Lastly, have fun with it!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing at Craftberry Bush, Thoughts from Alice, Sand & Sisal, and Coastal Charm.

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a twist on may day

April 28, 2015

Hi friends. You know each year as May Day approaches and I post some type of hanging flowers? Well, this year I am posting something hanging….but, flowers? Not so much!

Have you seen the little hanging glass globe terrariums? I have seen them in some of my favorite garden stores, but, because of the price, could never justify actually purchasing one. Then, I saw some online at World Market. They had two sizes – the larger one was $6.99! For these prices, I could purchase a couple! So, I did! I thought they would be great to use for May Day planters.

But, as I started experimenting with them, I found my favorite items to showcase in these containers were not necessarily flowers!

The globes each came with a piece of twine, but it would be easy enough to change out the twine for ribbon. I actually ended up keeping it – I like the natural/rustic feel of the twine.

What to display? Because the containers are small, I found ‘the simpler, the better’ fit my taste.

Today I am sharing a couple of my favorites. May Day this year is less about flowers and more about hanging! So much fun!

I did do one with a few pansy blooms for the more traditionalists out there!

For some previous May Day ideas – click here for May Day with some coastal flair, and click here for some May Day flower globes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Craftberry Bush, The Shabby Nest, Sand & Sisal and Coastal Charm.

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personalized baby canvas diy

April 14, 2015

I have a baby shower coming up and I really wanted my gift to be a personalized one. Because the baby’s name was already chosen and is a unique one, I knew it would not be possible to find anything premade with a personalization of her name.

So, I found out the colors of the baby’s room and came up with my own gift that includes a personalization. I painted a canvas to coordinate with the baby’s pink, white, and gold room and it includes her name!

Isn’t this a sweet gift?

If you want to try your hand at making one, here are the steps I took to create the canvas:

-Paint the entire canvas (18” square) with an off white acrylic paint.
-Divide the canvas into an odd number of evenly spaced horizontal stripes.
-Cut a heart shape (mine was approximately 12”) from paper and use a couple pieces of rolled tape to hold it in place – this will mask out the heart shape that you will later paint pink.

-Use painter’s tape to mask off the areas for painting the gold stripes.
-Paint alternate stripes in metallic gold – starting and ending with gold -paint right over the paper heart, but be sure to keep it flat and not to let paint seep under it.
-After the gold paint dries, use a pencil to very lightly trace the outline of the paper heart onto the canvas.

(Note: If you don’t feel comfortable hand painting the baby’s name in the heart, you can use stick-on letters at this point by positioning them in the heart shape and removing them carefully with a craft knife after the pink paint dries. Or, you can stencil white letters on top of the pink paint after it dries.)

-Remove the paper heart and use a brush to fill in the heart shape with light pink acrylic paint.

-After the pink paint dries, use a pencil to lightly write the baby’s name inside the heart.
-Using the pencil marks as a guide, paint the baby’s name with white paint.

After everything was dry, I went back and did a final touch-up on anything that may have needed it.

Then, I added my own lasting sentiment for the soon-to-be-born baby! :)

I am really excited about the gift! I will share more pink, white, and gold baby shower ideas in an upcoming post! And, maybe even a photo of the canvas in Leverette’s nursery! ;)