Sunday, December 7, 2008

A Gift Idea and Challenge!

We're on DAY 8 of a major celebration!! My bloggin' bud Sharon Johnson over at No Time To Stamp celebrated a huge milestone recently and now the festivities are underway to celebrate! She hit one million on her blog counter!!!! So, she invited her Stamp Simply design team along with some wonderful friends along to play! There will be candy and challenges and plenty of gift giving ideas ripe for the holiday pickings for 12 whole days!


Today, I'm up to bat for the Stamp Simply Challenge! Do you need an idea for a small gift to give to someone you want to honor for all they do no matter how big or small? Well, how about some cozy brew -- you know, my favorite-- a coffee concoction! I decided to make some Fireside Coffee and dress it up in a glass canister with some hand stamped details!


I bought the canister at Hobby Lobby for $4 and then just grabbed some stamps, paper scraps, ribbon, a button, a pre-punched tag and some rhinestones and went to town!

The main piece was done with the Labels One Nestabilities Die in a small and larger size. I stamped the fireplace on a scrap from the Lizzie Anne Designs set called Rockin' Holiday, colored with Copic markers and accented the stockings and fire with Diamond and Crystal stickles and added tiny red rhinestones to the "garland" on the fireplace. Afterward, I cut it out and popped it up with some foam tape and added it to the smaller white label. I punched some holes on each side of the matted label and strung the wire-edge ribbon through. I added a star button and tied on the small tag that was stamped with Warmest Wishes from the Paper Trey Ink Holiday Treats.


Here's a close up! I even tried to color on some bricks on my fireplace. That was fun! And, here's a peek at the top! These stamps are also from the Holiday Treats PTI set. Want to make your own Fireside Coffee container? Here's the recipe!
2 cups of Cocoa Mix
2 cups of non-dairy creamer
1 cup of instant coffee
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon of cloves
1-1/2 cups of sugar

I will warn you, this makes about 1-1/2 quarts! Enough for a a few canisters! But its a fun creation that I really find rather tasty! :-)

So, here's the challenge today! Show us your favorite small gift ideas! Create a new one that has been floating around in your head or link up to a creation that you've already posted on your blog or gallery! What I would love is for a list of ideas that people can turn to for holiday gifts in a pinch!

EDITED TO ADD: I forgot a deadline in my original post! Sorry! Let's do one week - so you have until Sunday night -11:59 PM. I'll post a winner sometime Monday during the day. Also, some have commented that they don't have blogs so they can't play. If you want to play, all you need to do is make a small gift idea, take a photo and upload it to a gallery. You can even upload it to a photo sharing site and provide that link! Whatever works! We just want to see your ideas! I'll put together a link list so that you can find all the ideas in one spot without jumping from comment to comment.

Meantime, you can see more great examples from these talented ladies:
Leslie, Deb, Joan, Barb, Jennifer, Tammy, and Sharon!

Remember! If you want to try your hand at a challenge, you can upload projects and link to your blog in a comment or you can upload to Splitcoast using the key word SSC08!

Today - it's me giving away the candy! All you need to do is leave a comment showing your favorite small gift idea with a link to your blog or gallery! Like I said, it doesn't have to be a new creation - it can be an oldie but goodie too!

Here is what is up for grabs- some of my favorite things! Cards dressed in white with satin ribbon like sashes, glitter that stays on my nose and eyelashes, An elegant stamp set that reminds me of spring, these are a few of my favorite things!

You'll get this stamp set from Impression Obsession along with some glitter and a bundle of satin ribbon in spring shades. Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp? - has more.. yes... more BLOG CANDY offerings!

And, if you want to stay up to speed on different daily challenges and blog candy giveaways, click HERE to travel to "Party Central!" That's where you'll find a daily rundown of all the Stamp Simply Celebrates happenings!

That's it for today folks! See ya back here tomorrow! Hope you make time for play time and leave a comment for my candy and challenge!

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the way you did the tags for the cocoa mix... they look so Christmasy.

Swedie

Ashley Newell said...

Super cute project! Thank you so much for this challenge! I can't wait to see what all the people come up with! I've been trying to come up with new gift ideas.

Here's one of my older ones but still my fave.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/992565

Marilyn Nimmo said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that fireside coffee!!! Someone gave me some and I am SOOOO hooked! In fact I plan on mixing some up for gifts this year.

Rebecca Ednie said...

What is the deadline for the challenge?

Michelle Woerner said...

OMGosh! That fireplace image is so super cute! Great job on your project. That recipe sounds delish, I will have to try it. And, great set by IO. Love those flowers!! Hugs, michelle

Anonymous said...

The fireside coffee sounds good (and I don't drink coffee). I think I'll decorate some containers to give away. Unfortunately, I don't have a blog, so no pictures of gifts to show.

Lastel said...

Here is a link to a gift that I made back in February ! Love your hot chocolate idea !

http://stampinstelsuniquecreations.blogspot.com/2008/02/valentines-for-my-sof-buddies.html

julialynn said...

I don't have any links to my gift ideas, but I will write some here anyway. I love to make calendars, journals, address books, and such, i usually buy premade and then just embellish them, last year i gave my mil a pic frame that I had decorated with a photo of her and my dd...she loved it!

Julia

Justine said...

I love creating 3x3" card sets to give as gift sets. This particular one is being used by the recipient to mark seating arrangements at their holiday part and will have the menu printed on the inside.
http://cardiologycardsfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2008/11/mini-christmas-cards.html

Anonymous said...

Great Fireside Coffee, wish I could sit with you and have some, Julie! My children and I have been making gift mixes to give as gifts over the years and people just love them! Love the design for your jar -- what an adorable fireplace and you did a great job with it! Love the stamped scalloped circle top -- where is that from? I do not have a blog, so no pictures. Thank you for sharing and keep up the wonderful creations! ~Amy S.~

Cat Tidwell said...

Oh this is such a neat idea Julie! I was soo needing something like this! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Tammy Q Howell said...

Here a few easy gift holders. This one box in bag can hold some hand lotion or body wash or candy. The nest pouch holds candy like hersey nuggets. The last is a candle from the dollar store. Love the coffee idea!
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1128611?cat=500&ppuser=5639
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1128612?cat=500&ppuser=5639
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1127495?cat=500&ppuser=5639

Anonymous said...

The fireplace stamp was a perfect match for your fireside coffee -- and great job making/coloring the bricks! Thanks for the chance to win something spring-y. I hate to say it, but I'm already beginning to think of warmer weather!

The Crazy Life of a Navy Wife said...

I don't make small gifts very often, but here's one I tried for Halloween this year and ended up LOVING!

http://thecrazylifeofanavywife.blogspot.com/2008/11/finally-pictures.html

The blogs I look at daily (yours included) make me want to make small projects more often! They're great!

LeAnne said...

Oh my, this looks yummy and since I am paring down gifts this year (we all have enough and don't need a thing) this sounds like a winner to me! Into the recipe file it goes!
LeAnne

Janine said...

Hey Julie... don't count me in for the candy but just wanted to say that I love your project...
Have a wonderful day!!

Genie said...

Great gift idea. The label is too cute, thanks for the receipe, I'll have to keep some for myself.

Genie

Denise said...

What a cute idea. I do not like coffee though and can not even stand the smell! Looks like a cocoa holder to me!

My project is a family recipee book! There are several pictures just click the my art and pictures will appear
http://mamascroppingcollections.myctmh.com/WebSites/Templates/MyCTMH/Template1.aspx?PageID=53&HighlightID=207134

Anonymous said...

What a great idea and such a cute way to give it! I'll be giving out some of these this year! Thanks for the chance to win great blog candy, too. It's always fun to visit your blog! You do great work!

Amy Johnson said...

Wow! Fabulous gift idea! I make gifts for my friends every Christmas. Here are some notebooks I like to make that are really quick and easy: http://splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1133952?cat=15572

Anonymous said...

What a cute idea and how you dressed up that jar. One of my favorite gift ideas is to use one of those cookie in a jar recipe that is layered. AND now I can dress it up. TFS

retiredheather said...

Thanks for the great recipe. It sounds like a keeper. I am using these boxes I made to give with cooking gifts.

http://enchantedstamping.blogspot.com/2008/10/fantastic-bread-box-template.html
Happy Holidays
Heather

Megan said...

I love this! I made these little charms recently and I think they'd make fun gifts.

http://meganlockdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/12/four-posts-in-one.html

Jennifer Buck said...

Super fun challenge and this is the cutest ever! :) Hope you are doing well! :)

Cheryl said...

Great idea and the drink sounds like it would taste so yummy. I didn't post a photo of the little gift I made yet because the recipient reads my blog. But I made a gift set for a reader. It has a bookmark, a notebook, and some bookplates in it. I made the entire thing with Justrite stamps and it is adorable. I may make more for other folks on my list. Thanks so much.
Cheryl Sims

Unknown said...

I don't have a blog or anything to upload...but still wanted to comment on your gift idea. It will be an idea I will use. Your recipe sounds yummy. Ty for sharing.
lablady2007@juno.com

michelle in mi said...

One year I made minature shopping bags with handles to carry gift cards for all the secretary's in our office.(I used the Cricut machine).I swear they loved the bags as much as the gift cards!

StampinCathy said...

Love your gift. Very creative and inspi ring. Here is the link to a gift I made. I hope you enjoy it.
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/photo/wine-theme-gift-set?context=user
Thanks for a chance at this sweet stamp set.

Anonymous said...

Mmmmmmmmmmm !!!! I can almost smell that hot cocoa here!!! Great idea for a "sweet" gift! Hope you have a wonderful week
Sherri Alspach
sherrialspach@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Love your gift jar. Will have to try the recipe it looks delish. Last year we went to a community hall for a pot luck Christmas dinner (over 80 people). I made peppermint patties with the scalloped circles and greeting for each place setting just to add a little holiday cheer. When we were invited out through the holidays I made a pretty thank you cards and a decorated nugget tins of chocolates as a hostess gifts. Ann Lind

Anonymous said...

I don't have a blog but thought your gift idea was great. I don't like coffee but most of my friends do
Nana g.

Jeannie said...

I love the tag for your coffee mixture! My favorite that I'm making as hostess gifts this year is a box in a bag santa pattern. The bag is 4 1/2 inches high (not very different from others seen in the gallery other than maybe dimenstions). I found a sweet smelling red candle in the grocery store for $1 each and stuck that in the bag. It's been quite a hit with everyone so far.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1147465?cat=500&ppuser=73736

Thanks for the chance to win! Jeannie

Stampin Cats said...

oh, I made a cutte little thing last night. I'll just have to remember to upload a picture of it tonight.

Jacki Marie said...

And now you know I love those images, I just had to jump in and leave a comment. I'm working on some stuff right now, but it's not posted yet. We did holiday gifts on the Hero Blog a week or so ago. My note card set has a template and everything. http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2008/11/25/try-a-template-tuesday/

Anonymous said...

I've done quite a few this year I don't have a blog but made the fudge in the nugget tins like on Debbie olsons blog and the tag tins from Nicole Heady The cocoa cones from Lauren Meader. Also little bags of Oreo snowmen from someone on Janine Orchards blog and the snowmen tic tac container I stuff stockings for my entire family mom sisters brothers neices nephews children and grandchildren so always looking for cute gift ideas.

Anonymous said...

Love this project Julie, looks yummy and fabulous all rolled into one! Super cute idea!

Anonymous said...

This gift I made with my Verve stamps is my all time fave. I usually stick to cards but this was sort of like making three for the wall. My mom wants one for every season!!
http://scrapsbym.blogspot.com/2008/11/snow-wonderful-sneak-peek.html

Anonymous said...

Wow! I'll have to try that coffee. I can smell it already! My gift idea is gift pack of multi cards. I used the fun pun set from stampin' up and made a card holder to tie with a bow.

Anonymous said...

Oh My GOODNESS!!! I love this stamp set!!!how cute are those boots! I make 3X3 cards with gift boxes and standard 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 gifts boxes also. Thanks for the idea.

Deborah Saaranen said...

What a fabulous gift idea! I love your tag and presentation-- just wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Sorry, forgot to leave the link to my blog. There are several different little boxes on there.

http://rockyroadforever.blogspot.com/

Tanja said...

Great project ideas!!! I wish there were more hours in the day!

Unknown said...

Love the cocoa mix tag, My little present was a Advent calendar made of recycled materials for my mom.

http://thelittlefrogdesign.blogspot.com/2008/11/saint-nicholas-wonderworker.html

Jill Haddad said...

This isn't a new or original idea -but it is one of my favorites. The nugget boxes come in all sizes and make a nice gift for the chocolate lover in the family. Here's a simple one I did for hubby on Valentine's Day.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/475167

Please, please, please let me win your blog candy!!! I love those wellies!!!!

Anonymous said...

What a cute little gift you made. Love your fireplace on the tag. I'm altering a couple of $1 address/telephone books I found at JoAnn. Here's a link to one of them -- http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1154531?cat=5664

Anonymous said...

Very nice I love how you created the tag! The coffee drink sounds so yummy!

Anonymous said...

Very nice I love how you created the tag! The coffee drink sounds so yummy!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the fireside coffee recipe! Sounds yummy!

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot for the fireside coffee recipe. I'm going to try some and also give some. Sorry I don't have a blog but I make some fudge and envelope individually each little square in mica and attach it with a ribbon then I put everyting in beautiful clear jars.

Anonymous said...

I love making small mini albums as a quick gift.
Teresa Blue

Gloria Dojlido said...

Yummy gift idea! Thanks for a chance to win your awesome blog candy!

Gloria

Anonymous said...

Love your little gift of yummy chocolate. I am sharing my gift bag of fudge using the new SU Top Note Bigz Die. TFS and offering Candy :-)
My gift bag: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1154682?cat=11082

Terri said...

Cute idea. Here is one of mine. http://terrbear38.blogspot.com/2008/11/warm-happiness.html

Unknown said...

What a great idea.
I haven't come up with too many gift ideas, but I do have one that I created...
http://michellebowley.blogspot.com/2008/11/pointsetta-box.html

Anonymous said...

I like to make small loaves of bread (cranberry/orange; banana; date)and put it in cute box or a bag with a cute tag.

MeMe said...

It is so hard to decide one that I like best. They are all so pretty. The fireside coffee gift is something that I want to try this year. The one I made in the past was a snowman sourcream pouch with a chocolate snowman inside for my granddaugther's 4th grade Christmas party. I have not been constant with my posting so I'm not sure there is a copy but I will try to find a picture and add it to the blog. Thanks http://scrappingfunwithwanda.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Your coffee recipe looks and sounds great! I'll have to gve it a try! Great project!

AJ said...

love that jar- and the recipe looks yummy~ I will have to try it- thanks Julie!!

Rebecca Ednie said...

I'd like to enter for blog candy. Go to www.eclecticendeavours.blogspot.com Tuesday am post for photo of my small gift. BTW, I loved this idea so much I bought all the stuff today to make 12 jars!

Heather "Hev" said...

Such beautiful presents :)
Wish I had time to make them all this year - but as usual other things have taken up my time.....

I love making presents like This you can customise them exactly for each person or make a load of the same sort of design. Always handy for either your handbag or the telephone table.

I guess its nothing unique but it is useful for men or women.

Have a lovely day!!

Nancy Jensen said...

You have some very cool ideas! I Just uploaded a photo of a gift card holder - a very fun small gift... and everyone loves gift cards, right? You can find it at: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1155297?cat=500&ppuser=151838

Well, if the link doesn't go through, I uploaded it to splitcoaststampers and tagged it with SSC08. (is that a zero or an "o" before the #8? I entered a zero)

Anonymous said...

Great idea, such lovely packaging. Thank you for including the recipe too -- this will be fun to try!
Helen

Sharon (notimetostamp) said...

Wonderful jar gift, Julie -- decorated SO pretty -- love that RED ribbon!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recipe; the powder mix looks yummy in the container. The stamp set looks too cute; hope I'm lucky enough to win it because there are lots of Texans who wear boots everyday :-D

geescalan@cox.net

Michelle Vocke said...

I love your recipe and your creative way of packaging it. Thank you for the opportunity to win the lovely stamp set from Impression Obsession. I created these little goodies last week for a Holiday Shopping event. Of course, I made extra to keep on hand for little gifts for friends that drop by during the holidays.

http://michellevocke.blogspot.com/2008/12/holiday-gifts.html

Jetstudio Designs said...

I am not sure if the contest is over, but what a great project and stamp set.

I finally had some time last night to create a gift for a few friends. I did chipboard post it note holders and a candle decorated with rubons

http://jetstudio.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-gifts-and-simple-card.html

Anonymous said...

Great idea Julie, and I will definitely be trying this mix! You know how I love my coffee, then add cocoa, well wowweee!

I've posted my gifts that your idea inspired! Thanks Julie

http://acreativeneed.wordpress.com/2008/12/12/just-a-little-something/

Deena

Nancy said...

That cocoa mix sounds great, and love how you decorated the jar!

After making this box (2nd in the post), I ended up making 10 more for my kids to give to some of their friends. Used Labels 1 die for half of them to change things up a bit.
http://windstarcreations.blogspot.com/2008/12/day-7-of-12-days-of-christmas-on-pcp.html