One Good Thing: Wooden Bird Wall Hangings

Aren't these little Wooden Bird Wall Hangings by Anna Wiscombe so sweet? I'd love to see them hung on the wall in a nursery...or anywhere else where a touch of whimsy is in order (which is everywhere in my opinion). See more of Anna's creations (she makes brooches and other pretty things) in her shop. xo Ez

Color Inspiration Daily: 09. 27. 12

Julia Child Illustrated Print by Lindsay Whitehead / Unraveled Design

Free Printable Halloween Candy Bar Wraps + Treat Bag Toppers

A few days ago I found the coolest resource ever through my friend Kerry Pitt-Hart's flickr favorites: the Biodiversity Heritage Library. I especially appreciate the BHL's Creative Commons - Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike copyright, which basically means that you are free to use and alter their files as long as they are attributed properly and not sold commercially. So wonderful! Definitely a resource worth bookmarking...both for inspiration and future projects! Anyhow, ever since my discovery I have been dreaming up ways to use their extensive vault of vintage files, and will be sharing a few more of those DIYs with you really soon.

But first up today we have some creepy-crawly Printable Halloween Candy Bar Wraps and Treat Bag Toppers. These are perfect for adding a touch of eww to any Halloween party...or for creepifying your candy if you're one of those cool people who pass out full-sized candy bars to trick-or-treaters. I created two versions of each design set for you to use, one with text and one with a blank label section so you can write in a person's name or your own note. I hope you'll enjoy! xo Ez

This download includes both text and non-text versions, with one candy bar wrap per printable page.

Supplies needed:

• Standard copy paper
• Color Printer
• Scissors
• Double-sided tape
• Standard-size chocolate candy bars (I used 1.55 oz and 1.75oz sizes for mine).

Begin by downloading the file (above) and then print out the wraps you'd like to use. To save ink and paper, you do not need to print out the cover page. Just select which pages you'd like your printer to print. Cut out your wraps using a pair of scissors (or a craft knife, ruler and self-healing mat).

Center your wrap on your chocolate bar...making sure that the top of the paper wrap overlays the edge of the bar by about 1/4".

Turn your candy bar and paper with the design-side down on a working surface. Place a strip of double-sided tape along the longer side of the paper wrap.

Fold wrap up and around chocolate bar and secure to the candy bar by pressing the taped portion down. Place another piece of double-sided tape along the open paper flap.

Wrap flap around bar snugly and press to adhere tape to wrap.

Repeat with remaning wrappers and bars.

This download includes both text and non-text versions, with three bag toppers per printable page.

Supplies needed:

• Heavy-weight cardstock paper
• Color Printer
• Scissors
• Double-sided tape (or stapler)
• Glassine Treat bags (similar to these)- the ones I used are 5.75" wide. If your bags are smaller you can easily cut your toppers to fit.
• Small sweets and goodies

Begin by downloading the file (above) and then print out the wraps you'd like to use onto cardstock. To save ink and paper, you do not need to print out the cover page. Just select which pages you'd like your printer to print. Cut out your wraps using a pair of scissors (or a craft knife, ruler and self-healing mat). Fill your treat bags with goodies and fold the top down to close. Trim excess off if the flap is too long once folded over. The folded flap should fit inside your bag topper so that it is hidden when sealed.

Once your toppers are cut out, fold each one in half and crease (I use the back of my thumbnail for a nice sharp crease).

Repeat with all of your toppers.

Add a piece of double-sided tape to both long edges of your paper toppers.

Sandwich your treat bag between the topper and press down along the outside of the taped portions to secure. And you're done!

Extra resources and credit: The images used in these projects are from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Additional treat bag options can be found at Shop Sweet Lulu.

Please feel free to Pin or link to this blog post when sharing. Thanks so much for your support!

Color Inspiration Daily: 09. 26. 12

Bloom Birds Art Print by Bethan Janine

Heather Ross Prints

Several weeks ago I ordered a copy of the new Heather Ross Prints book. I eagerly awaited its arrival and no sooner had it hit my doorstep than it was unwrapped from its box and voraciously flipped through. The book features an extensive number of awesome DIY projects using Heather Ross' patterns in applications from wallpaper, and sewn crafts, to printables (yes there is a disc included with all the patterns and printables she uses). It's truly worth its weight in gold!. But what truly sold me was the portion of the book where Heather shares her design process, and gives a thorough Photoshop tutorial for those who are interested in learning. I literally could not wait to try!

Here's what I made. I first decided on a magic show theme, and after sketching up some ideas I followed each step in the book carefully (from raw sketching to Photoshop editing) until finally by the end of the day I had created my very own print!

I sent it off to Spoonflower to be printed onto fabric, and then just last week it arrived! Of course I had to make another print to go along with it since the first one was so fun!

I enjoyed the print making process so much and I hope I have a lot more time to work on learning the craft in the coming months.

Note: There were horrible lighting conditions when I took this photo. The actual fabric is much more vibrant and true to the original design colors.

If you'd like to see more of what you'll find inside Heather Ross' book, you can find a post about it on her blog.