DIY: A Neighborly Get Well Kit

Tip: click on the images for an enlarged view.

After moving from our last home, where we had possibly the world's most atrocious neighbors, I wasn't expecting much from our new set. So imagine my delighted surprise when several of them stopped by to welcome us to our new home. During that Spring when our lawn needed cutting for the first time, I looked out my window to discover our neighbor mowing it for us (he still regularly mows it...even though I run out and tell him not to). Our neighbors on the other side of us have offered to accommodate us in their storm shelter during the seasonal tornados we have. And two years ago they even shoveled our driveway after a freak 18" snowstorm left our city marooned for days. All of this is to say, that after having such horrible neighbors in the past, I truly know just how much it matters when the neighbors you have are good. And it goes both ways...I try to be an awesome neighbor too (these fleur de sel caramels were a huge hit last year)!

So when Vivint (a leading provider of simple, affordable home security and other home solutions) asked if I would like to create a couple DIYs with warm neighborly giving in mind, I was excited for the chance to put my neighborly thoughts into action. Vivint's new blog, The Neighborhood is a site with one purpose: to promote better safer neighborhoods through simple acts of neighborliness. Their site features tons of great ideas to bring your community together...DIYs, printables, activities and more. I'm all about this kind of mission...aren't you?!

So with cold and flu season upon us, it seemed that the perfect idea for my first project would be to put together a quick little get well kit that is ideal for a neighbor or friend who is under the weather. The kit includes ingredients for making a delicious Honey Lemon Throat Soother tea (I drink it every time I get a sore throat and it always helps), as well as comforting necessities like cough drops, lip balm, and tissues.

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Here's what I used to create my kit: 

• Large mug | Target, approximately $4
• Honey bottle | Grocery store, $4.50
• Fresh lemon | Grocery store, $.40 each
• Chapstick brand lip balm | Target, $2
• Tissues | Target, set of 3 for $2
• Burt's Bees Honey & Lemon Throat Drops | Target, $2
• Optional - Clear Cellophane Basket Gift Bag | Michael's, set of two small bags for $1
• Free printable gift tag (download found below)
• Twine
• Scissors

The Get Well Kit is as easy as can be to make. Just arrange everything inside the mug until it looks how you'd like it to. If you will be using a cellophane gift bag you can include more than one lemon (since it won't fall out). Print the file (download below), cut out your tags, and attach them to your gift with twine.

There are two tag color options (yellow and teal) with both "Get Well" text and the instructions for making the Honey Lemon Throat Soother, as well as one blank grey version (in case you'd like to create your own tag).

If you'd like to make the Honey Lemon Throat Soother for yourself, here are the simple steps:

Boil water. Wash a lemon and cut it in half. Squeeze the juice from one lemon half into your mug and place juiced peel into the mug as well.

Pour a generous serving of honey over the peel in the bottom of your mug. Carefully pour boiling water into the mug and allow drink to steep for 10 minutes. Remove peel and any seeds. Add extra honey if needed. There should be an even balance of flavor between the honey and lemon...not too sour and not too sweet. Sip and feel better!

Psst...If you want a chance to win a ticket to attend Alt Summit 2013, hop on over and check out the giveaway I'm currently promoting for Vivint!

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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Vivint. Find more from Vivint at The Neighborhood, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. All images, content, and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Color Inspiration Daily: 12. 03. 12

Anteloper Art Print by Hillary Bird

December 2012 Calendar Download with a Mini DIY

Hi friends! Are you ready to welcome December?! I can't believe it will be here tomorrow! For my final calendar download of the year I thought I'd give you a quick little DIY to go along with it: Glitter-Dusted Pinecone Cards! Thanks to my brilliant daughter for the idea!

First you can print out a calendar for yourself, and then create sparkly postcards, note cards, or large gift tags using the bonus printable (linked below). The printable includes two note flats (they double as postcards and gift tags) and one folded note card. Be sure that your printer is set to print without margins.

To create your cards simply print the file out onto heavy-weight paper with a color printer. Cut out your cards. You can see that I used the calendar for this example, not the cards...but the process will be the same.

Add a touch of craft glue to the card. Be careful not to use too much or it will warp the paper a bit and cause the ink to bleed (note: I used too much). If the ink smudges a bit, it will just give it more of a watercolor effect...so it's not a big deal.

Place your card onto a piece of scrap paper and sprinkle glitter generously over the glued areas. I used Martha Stewart's Tinsel Glitter in Crystal (purchased at Michael's). Remember that the glue will dry clear, so if you want a more opaque white be sure to select a glitter that is not clear like the one I used.

Tap off excess glitter onto your scrap paper. Use the paper to pour the extra glitter back into your bottle for reuse. 

Allow the glue to dry before using....and you're done!

Fill out a message on the back and send as a postcard or make it into a festive gift tab by punching a hole at the top and stringing with twine. Enjoy! xo Ez

Color Inspiration Daily: 11. 30. 12

Winter Pig Art Print by Chuck Groenink

One Good Thing: Pillows from Society6 Artists

I've had a little shop on Society6 for a while now and have to say that I am a big fan of both their service and all the other amazing artists who have shops with them. Just the other day Society6 announced that they were making throw pillows available. So exciting! I immediately reworked my William and Margaux illustrations to make them pillow-ready. You can find them in my shop here.

Cape Horn Pillow | Cyryl Mntyn Pillow | Pie for Breakfast Pillow | Audrey Hepburn Sketch Pillow

The other designs featured here are just a sampling of some of the many pillow choices available in some of my favorite shops. See a whole lot more right here.

Inverse Ampersand Pillow | Margaux Rides Her Bike Pillow