pleasure in simple things

valentine’s day gift diy

February 9, 2016

A rubber stamp is a great accessory for some Valentine’s Day fun!

A simple tag, brown paper, or muslin bag can transform a little something into a special valentine for someone you care about – all you need is a Valentine’s Day themed rubber stamp.

If you don’t already own them, pick up a Valentine’s Day rubber stamp and a red ink pad in the dollar section of Target or in a local craft store. Choose a stamp with a simple line design – they work the best for this type of application.

A stamped muslin bag can be used to tuck some treats into a lunch box or to gift a ‘cup of tea’ (slip in a teabag) to a friend. I often find packages of these muslin bags, priced very inexpensively, at HomeGoods in the home utensil section – they are sold to make herb sachets. They can also be purchased at a craft or paper store.

Many other household materials can be used as Valentine’s Day wrapping. Brown bags are perfect to stamp and can be used as gift bags or wrapping paper. Tissue paper, fabric scraps, and dishtowels also work well.

Any scrap cardboard can be cut, stamped, and used as a gift tag. I like making tags cut from paint sample swatches to stamp on as well. Wrap up a single cupcake or cookie and add a cute homemade tag!

I hope I have inspired you to have a little stamping fun this Valentine’s Day!

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

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love is in the air

February 5, 2016

I often think of how everything in life comes down to being a great editor. It is the most important skill we possess. Our editing of life’s choices and resources is a reflection of who we are…it creates our image, establishes our integrity (or lack of), and develops our character. With the constant stream of choices that present themselves to us; it is the editing that determines everything in life.

One of the biggest editing assignments we can take on is the one of choosing a spouse -– the ultimate test of editing skill! I have been thinking a lot about this in the past week because one of my children is now engaged! With the news of the engagement, I started thinking about this ultimate test of editing and how the editing of past generations led our family to what it is today.

A romantic moment shared by our ancestors – 2 generations ago.

So, for today’s Friday field trip, I just wanted to share those few thoughts as I celebrate a very special engagement and the start of another generation of romantic moments.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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olive you valentine

February 2, 2016

Aaah, yes. I still have a little more ‘pun’ up my sleeve for Valentine’s Day! Today, a valentine that appeals to the over 21 crowd!

My idea for ‘olive you’ was to incorporate a martini – seems logical when talking olives, right? I knew I wanted almonds coated in white chocolate, tinted green, with a red accent for the ‘pimento.’ I actually pitched the idea to a small, local candy store and they created some at my suggestion! So perfect for my valentine idea!

Next, I created a topper with a martini glass and the ‘olive you.’ I love it!

There are certainly more ways to incorporate the martini theme using this idea. The completed candy almond packet could be tied onto a miniature (‘nip’) bottle of vodka! Or, the almonds could be wrapped in a martini glass with an ‘olive you’ card tied to the stem!

I hope you are inspired to use the ‘olive you’ theme for your valentine!

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

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february book giveaway!

January 29, 2016

The months just seem to be going by so fast! It is time to announce the February book giveaway already!

This month, I chose a debut novel by Celeste Ng titled Everything I Never Told You. I hadn’t heard about the book – don’t know how I missed it – until a friend mentioned she had read a great book that she completed in one sitting. I was intrigued. Well, it took me two sittings – that pesky thing called work got in the way of one! But work didn’t stop me from staying up into the wee hours of the night to read this captivating story.

The story is different and thought provoking. We find out a young girl is found dead in a lake at the very start of the book. Doesn’t that make you think the rest of the book may not be that interesting? That is definitely not the case. The story is so much bigger than that of a dead girl. It shifts between the family’s theories and the young girl’s own story, and what led to her disappearance and death.

I was so moved by the book (particularly as a mom), I knew I needed to give one away as the February giveaway. Leave me a comment for a chance to win.

Thanks to everyone that left a comment and had a chance to win last month’s giveaway of journals and pencils! The winner, chosen at random, is Heather. Enjoy Heather!

If you are an Instagram user, please read on! This month, let’s share hearts found in unexpected places! Whether it is a rock on the beach, or a culinary treat, use the hashtag #pleasuregram to post heart photos all month long. Thanks for sharing!

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

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free candy valentine printables

January 26, 2016

I promised some free valentine printables and I always follow through on my promises! Today, I am sharing two cute toppers I created for Valentine’s Day treats.

Printed on card stock, they can be cut out (four to a page), folded, and stapled to a cellophane bag filled with Valentine’s Day candy for a fun surprise gift!

I created two designs. Both of my designs were inspired by the candy bar at Ikea! Have you seen the candy by the pound at your local store? I fell in love with the look (and taste) of the licorice candies that looked exactly like a piece of chalk – to me anyway! How perfect for a cute pun! So, I came up with these chalkboard looking toppers…

Aren’t they perfect? Click here to download the printable.

My second design inspiration came from the gummy lips at the Ikea candy bar. Of course, candy gummy lips just scream Valentine’s Day! For these, I used a “kisses” topper. With this topper, if you can’t find gummy lips, you can always use candy kisses. Click here to download the printable. (As I often do, ir you prefer, you can substitute the staples for two punched holes and ribbon.)

On both designs, I left room on the back to write a “to” and “from.”

I plan on creating one more design for a candy topper that is a little more “adult” ;) in theme – I will share that one next Tuesday.

I hope I have inspired you to create some candy Valentine’s Day gifts!

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

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abc valentine magnet gift

January 22, 2016

For today’s Friday field trip, we are taking a trip into the archives to make gum magnets! They look just like pieces of chewed gum, but are actually magnets!

I originally came up with this idea as an April Fools’ Day gift, but they make a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift with a ‘stuck on you’ card attached! A cute, wrapped up set of gum magnets makes a great gift for a child or anyone with a good sense of humor! If you use these for messages, you may see some double takes when anyone walks past the refrigerator!

Click here for the original instructions to make gum magnets.

Have a wonderful weekend! Here in Connecticut, it looks like we may get our first significant snowfall…I am kind of looking forward to it!

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

P.S. What is abc? Already been chewed, of course!

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love you to pieces

January 19, 2016

So far, the valentine ideas I have shared involved puns and treats. But, it is possible to be ‘punny’ with other types of gifts as well. Today, I am sharing a gift of a painted canvas.

I have made this gift for a new baby, but it can easily be made as a Valentine’s Day gift. It can be done with traditional Valentine’s Day colors of pink or red or with a color to match a specific décor.

In my case, I wanted to use lavender and gray to match the room of the gift recipient. I also decided to personalize the gift by adding the baby’s name.

I started with an 8” square canvas. I used acrylic paint in lavender and gray to paint the entire surface. After that was dry, I used a pencil – with a very light hand – to draw a heart and the writing I intended to add to use as a guide.

Next, I used an oil paint marker to add “love you to pieces” and the personalization I wanted, writing over the pencil marks.

I used Mod Podge with a matte finish to add the “pieces.” I painted the penciled heart shape, and the places below the heart that I wanted the glitter to attach, with the Mod Podge. Then, I sprinkled gold glitter onto the painted areas. The main part of the heart got a thick coat of glitter while the bottom section was sprinkled lightly.

That’s it! Doesn’t it make an adorable little Valentine’s Day gift for someone special? I hope I have inspired you to make one!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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visiting bass pro in ct

January 15, 2016

The destination for today’s Friday field trip may seem an unusual choice, but if you consider how much I love a good theme, it makes perfect sense.

We are visiting a place where an outdoor sportsman theme is running in overdrive – Bass Pro Shop.

crosswalk at Bass Pro pleasure in simple things blog

The crosswalk leading into Bass Pro Shop in Bridgeport, CT

Growing up, I was exposed to hunting, fishing, camping, and a variety of outdoor sports at a young age because my dad was a big sportsman and lover of the outdoors. And, I certainly am no stranger to boat shows. It seemed natural I would want to check out the new Bass Pro store where they specialize in all these areas.

But, once I got there, it was not the merchandise that grabbed my attention, but rather, the décor surrounding the merchandise – the place is like Disney for the outdoorsy set.

light fixtures at Bass Pro pleasure in simple things blog

One of my favorite details at the Bass Pro in Connecticut are the hand painted light fixtures on the second floor.

In Fish Bowl Bowling Alley and Uncle Buck’s Grill, there is dramatic lighting and plenty of props to help simulate an under-the-sea ambiance. Details like a school of fish above the bar and alligator eyes painted on bowling balls are sure to grab attention. I’m pretty sure any kid would gladly trade some of his toys or give away Halloween candy (that’s serious biz) for a chance to bowl in the Fish Bowl bowling alley!

The store is worth checking out, even if you aren’t currently in the market for a fishing pole or a firearm! I guess many others think so too since people are traveling great distances to visit. The Bass Pro Shop in Bridgeport is only the second store in New England and the first in Connecticut. It is a great spot to stop and check out if you are driving along the Connecticut coast because it is super easy to access off I95.

Dad, if you are listening; I sure wish you could have seen this place! And, they even sell live bait!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend.

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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valentine pillow box diy

January 12, 2016

Yes, I am still making ‘punny’ valentines! Today, I want to show you how easily you can make a pillow box to use for some Valentine’s Day treat boxes. All you need is a cardboard tube and a paper cocktail napkin! For my treat box, I am using napkins that have a graphic of river rocks that is very appropriate considering what I plan to put into the container – candy rocks!

If you don’t have a napkin with a pattern you like, you can use any wrapping paper or decorative paper you choose. By using a cardboard tube and a paper napkin I already had, I am creating my pillow box at no cost.

The first step is to cut a piece of napkin that will cover the tube. Use spray adhesive to spray the wrong side of the napkin. Roll the tube over the paper napkin to cover. Once the cardboard is covered, flatten the tube. At one end of the tube, push each side into the middle of the tube, one side at a time. (See photo below – bottom right.) Fill the tube with your desired treats. Fold the open end of the tube in the same manner you did for the closed end. Simple, right?

Such a fast and easy way to create a Valentine treat container! You can decorate your container like I did with a chalkboard sticker and ribbon, or in any way you choose. Now, you just need to come up with the corny pun to go with your treat! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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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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love you to pieces

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