Inspiration Daily: 01. 27. 09

Ellen Page (via Copenhagen Cycle Chic via A Cup of Jo)

Mix + Match Valentine Prints

I'm adoring these beautiful Mix and Match Valentine's Day Prints by Hadley Hutton.  Choose your three favorites from 24 different options...only $30!

Tip: I also have to tell you that I own some of Hadely's work and it is even more wonderful in person.  Such a joy to own and display.

Best Behavior

I am utterly and completely smitten with the Best Behavior fashion line that I discovered via TwentyThirtyForty the other day.  I mean wow...love it!  Can't wait to see their Spring 2009 collection too! xxo Ez

Inpiration Daily: 01. 26. 09

Balloons by Elinkan

Free Printable Valentine Teabag Wrappers + Tags

Hello lovelies!  Hurray, it's Friday!  Do you have any special plans for the weekend?  I'm hoping to finish my daughter's bedroom and restore my house to some semblance of order (everything from her room is currently in our living room), and hopefully there will still be enough time left over to work on another project or two I've been cooking up.  We shall see.

Before I take off for the weekend I wanted to leave you with a fun freebie that I created for you all...Printable Valentine Teabag Wrappers and Tea Tags.  These would be perfect to give to friends and coworkers.  Perhaps you might package up a few in a sweet little teacup and present it as a gift.

There are 4 ways to assemble the teabag wrappers.  The one shown in the tutorial below is the most time involved (stitching by hand) but the results are my favorite.  Other methods would include using tape, glue or a sewing machine.  Pick the method that will work best for you and have fun!

Download Free Valentine Printables

You will need:

• color printer
• standard weight paper
• scissors
• tea bags in the flavors of your choosing (the ones that come with strings and tags attached are best)
• needle
• embroidery or standard thread (I used white, but you can use any color you'd like)
• Pen (for addressing your Valentine and noting the tea flavor)
• For other methods of assembly (noted above) you may need (optional) tape, gluestick, or a sewing machine and thread.

Step-by-step tutorial:

1. Print the wrappers and tags and cut each one out.  Gather your supplies.
2. Carefully remove the paper tag that came on your tea (leaving the string attached).  Thread the string (that is attached to your teabag) through your needle.  Stitch the heart tea tag onto the end of the string using one or two stitches and secure with a knot.  Trim the end of the string if needed.
3. Fold your tea bag wrapper in half and write the tea flavor in the box on the back.  Include your Valentine's name if you'd like.
4. Cut a length of embroidery floss about 38" in length and knot at the end.  Thread onto your needle.  Begin stitching your paper wrapper by inserting the needle into the bottom (folded edge) of your wrapper (with the knot on the inside).  You can use any stitch that is comfortable to you.  I stitched around the edge because I like the effect it gives.
5. Sew up the first side (do not cut the thread).  Wrap the string (attached to your teabag) around your teabag so that the heart sits as shown.
6. Insert your teabag inside your wrapper and then carefully continue stitching until you've sewn all three sides.  Knot at the end.
7. Give as is OR...
8. Present it with a teacup or mug that can be used over and over again.

I hope you enjoyed this little project.  Have a wonderful weekend everyone! xox Ez