There is nothing quite like cooking with fresh herbs…whether you are preparing a simple mozzarella and tomato salad garnished with fresh basil or an asparagus, potato frittata seasoned with fresh thyme.  I like to have a small indoor herb garden in the kitchen for easy access when cooking and it also adds a nice decoration to the countertop  Here is an idea I created for my indoor herb garden made from reused tomato cans and chalkboard garden markers I made.

Decorative Planters

I love the rustic, reused look in the kitchen. I always find myself created something useful out of my larger cans. This project is easy and a great way to add a pop of color to your countertop.

Materials

• 28 oz cans lid removed
• Patio Paint in fun colors
• Foam paint brush

Instructions

Step 1: Punch holes in the bottom of the can with a hammer and nail if you wish to have drainage holes.

Step 2: Paint a band of color around the inner ridges of the can with a foam brush and let dry. Repeat with a second coat to intensify the color.

Step 3: Plant your favorite herbs in the can.

Chalkboard Garden Markers

These fun chalkboard markers are perfect to use for you indoor herb garden or in your outdoor garden to identify different types of plants. Wooden stakes are painted with weather resistant Patio Paint to resist the elements so can be reused year after year.

Materials

• Wooden Sticks (I used 7″ wooden paddles found here or at any craft store)
• Chalkboard Paint
• Painters Tape
• Patio Paint in fun colors
• Small Paintbrush

 Step 1: Tape off  about 1/4 inch of the top section of the wooden stick and the bottom 2″.

Step 2: Place the sticks on a paper surface or newspaper and spray one side with chalkboard paint.

Step 3: I used 4 coats of chalkboard paint, allowing the sticks to dry between coats. It will  give the sticks a thick chalkboard finish. Once dry, flip the sticks and repeat on the other side.

Step 4: Peel off the painters tape and apply two coats of Patio Paint to the top of the sticks.

Step 5: Repeat on the bottom portion of the sticks with the matching colors as shown above. Use chalk to write the names of your herbs or outdoor plants.

These are fun to give as a gift to the gardener or cook in your life.

I love the look of long, layered necklaces — they can dress up and add style to almost every outfit. Unfortunately, I have never had a very good way of storing them. I would hang them over candle holders, picture frames or put them back in the jewelry box only to find them tangled and intertwined with other necklaces when I wanted to wear them. I came up with this idea of a necklace hanger to solve this frustrating problem. I love the finished product because it actually looks like a piece of art or a pretty accent piece in a room.

Materials

• Artist Canvas (stretched art canvas over a wooden frame)
• Decorator Fabric
• Push Pins
• Buttons
• Metal File
• Beacon Fabri-Tac Glue
• Beacon Gem-Tac Glue

Instructions

Step 1: Measure the fabric to the size of the Artist Canvas plus enough extra to wrap around the sides and inner edge of the board.

Step 2: Use Beacon Fabri-Tac glue to attach the fabric to the artist canvas. Glue the fabric to the inside edge on one side of the wooden frame first to secure. Work in small sections, smoothing the fabric with your hands to make sure it is attached to the canvas.

Step 3: Trim the inside edge of the fabric so it fits nicely on the inside corners of the frame  and to remove the bulky excess.

Step 4: Fold the ends of the fabric up and over the edge of the frame and glue.

Step 4: Trim the remaining excess fabric the length to fit to the inside edge of the frame. Turn the ends of the fabric up and over the frame and glue.

Step 5: Cut off the loop of the button with scissors.

Step 6: File the remaining piece of the loop flat with a metal file.

Step 7: Attach the button to the top of a push pin with Beacon Gem-Tac glue and let dry.

Step 8: Push the button covered push pins, evenly spaced, into the wooden part of the frame.

Step 9: Remove the glass and cardboard backing from the frame and fit the necklace hanger into the frame.

You can add glue to the inside edges of the frame if you would like to lock everything in place. I just wedged the canvas board into the frame and it was secure. The push pins can be easily removed to add more hangers. The finished product can sit on a dresser leaned up against a wall like I did or hung up like a picture. Be creative and choose different fabrics, buttons and frame colors to match your decor. You can ever make some smaller versions to hold bracelets or keys. This would also be a nice addition to a walk in closet.

I stopped by to see my friends at WBAL this morning to show some of my handmade Mother’s Day gift ideas. I hope you enjoy this beautiful day whether you are celebrating with your mother or spending time with your amazing children. Happy Mother’s Day!

http://youtu.be/CDB1OZ5b8B4

A.  Coconut Milk Mango Candle from Anthropologie – $16.00

This soy based candle smells so delicious, I just want to eat it. I give these candles as gifts all the time and everyone asks me where I bought them because they want to get more. I also love the Avocado Mint scent.

B.  Bath Bombs from Lush - Price varies from about $5-6 each

These handmade bath bombs have an amazing scent for the ultimate bath experience. They are a bit pricey so I cut mine in half to get more value out of them. Lush has a large selection of bath bombs and fragrances to suit every mood.

C.  The Comforter Bubble Bar from Lush  - $10.95

I love the scent of this bubble bar — I call it a jello bath because it is more of a fruity, black currant scent and reminds me of the Jello flavor I make for the kids. Just break off a small piece of the bar and crumble it into running water for an unbelievable display of purplish-pink bubbles to soothe away the day.

D.  Muted Tones and Soft Colors Gift Bag - Handmade

Create this easy to make gift bag to hold your relaxing Mother’s Day gifts — it is sure to bring a smile to her face. I believe that presentation is a big part of the gift.

E.  Tea Maker from Teavana - $19.95

Nothing is more soothing to me than a warm cup of tea after a long day. This tea maker looks like something that would be found in a mad scientist’s laboratory, but it actually steeps the perfect tea.

F.  Peach Herbal Tea from Teavana – $6.80

I love tea with peach flavors — I drink a least one cup of peach, ginger green tea a day. This tea is a fancy version of the type I get from the grocery store. It is a calming blend of peach and citrus. There a so many tea blends at Teavana so test them out to find the perfect one for the tea drinking mother in your life.

G. Flower Garden Gift Bag - Handmade

Here is another one of my easy to create gift bag designs that is a pretty way to give your Mother’s Day gifts. This would be especially nice for a mother who loves her flower garden.

I created this gift box design using both sides of the paper. I decorated an Anthropologie gift box with double-sided scrapbooking paper. I made the box reusable by gluing the paper to the top and sides rather than wrapping the box.

Here is a Victorian Gift Box design using a different pattern of scrapbooking paper from the same color palette. The instructions for this gift box can be found here.

This gift bag would be perfect to hold a Mother’s Day gift.

To create the gift bag:

Step 1: Cut a piece of scrapbooking paper slightly smaller than the front of the gift bag and attach with a glue stick.

Step 2: Cut a piece of ribbon the length of the front of the gift bag and attach with craft glue.

Step 3: Make a bow with a coordinating piece of ribbon and attach with craft glue.

Step 4: Glue a fabric flower over the ribbon bow.

Step 5: Fill the bag with decorative tissue paper.

I have always enjoyed wrapping gifts with unexpected elements — using yarn instead of ribbon to decorate gifts is a nice way to wrap a Mother’s Day present. Gifts accented with yarn not only create beautiful and unique designs but also add a unique flair that is sure to impress your mom. It would be especially nice touch if you mom likes to knit or crochet. Here are some of my easy to create designs using different types of beautiful yarn.

Yarn Bow

This gift design is easy to create. The lid of a jewelry box is decorated with scrapbooking paper and yarn to create a reusable box. Adding a yarn bow to a gift will amaze people and leave them wondering how it was made. The secret is packing tape! Just add strands of yarn to the sticky side of packing tape to create a yarn ribbon.

Yarn Wrap

Here is a quick way to wrap a pretty gift with things you have on hand. A band of yarn wrapped around the box add interests to a present. This present was wrapping with reused tissue and a piece of coordinating scrapbooking paper. I attached a silk flower and rhinestones to accent the gift. This gift took less than 10 minutes to create. Look around your house, you will find all sorts of treasures you can used to adorn a gift.

Yarn Bow

A knitted bow adds a heartwarming touch to a gift. It especially looks nice on a baby gift because of the softness baby yarn. This is a perfect project for a person who is just beginning to knit and also is a great use for leftover yarn from baby blankets, hats and booties. This would make a great gift for the expectant mother for Mother’s Day.

Yarn Flower Gift Bag

This inexpensive kraft bag is accented with different types of yarn to create an elegant and sophisticated gift bag. Household items such as a bottle cap and packing tape are layered with yarn to create the flower and yarn ribbon.

Yarn and Extra Button Gift Wrap

Use extra buttons to create a fun, whimsical gift wrap design.  This gift is wrapped in reused double-layered crinkled tissue paper.  The buttons are threaded onto textured yarn and wound around the box in a random pattern.  The yarn is tied in a double knot on the back of the box to secure. You can also attach the buttons onto the gift with craft glue.

I always like to do something nice for my children’s teachers to make them feel special. I usually give food rather than items. Sometimes I will put some Godiva Chocolates or Truffles in a decorative gift bag like the Ribbon Apple one I made here or bake some of my signature chocolate chunk macadamia nut cookies which are always a hit. I think regardless of what you give your children’s teachers whether it is candy, cookies or a sweet card made by your child, it is the warm gesture that they appreciate.

This ribbon apple gift bag design is an updated version of giving an apple to your teacher. I attached ribbon to packing tape to make the apple design. This bag is perfect for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Here’s how to make the Ribbon Apple Gift Bag

Every Sunday morning in my house I make brunch. It can vary from scrambled eggs and pancakes to omelettes and yogurt parfaits. My menu usually includes amazing maple turkey and apple wood smoked bacon from the Amish Market. Sometimes I get in the mood to be creative and make a new recipe to spice things up. This past Sunday, I decided to put a spin on a traditional quiche and make them in a cupcake pan lined with flour tortillas. They came out absolutely delicious — the tortilla became crispy and brown and the eggs and cheese melded together in total harmony.  The beauty of this incredible breakfast delight is that I didn’t need to use a fork — it can be picked up and enjoyed without any mess. The leftovers heated up very well for a yummy Monday breakfast. These would also be great to serve at a party or for a Mother’s Day brunch.

Here is my recipe for my mini quiches.

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/8 t dried thyme
• 3 large flour tortillas
• Cupcake or muffin pan

For the Spinach, Mushroom, Onion and Tomato Quiche

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 medium onion
• 1/2 cup fresh chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms
• 6 grape tomatoes sliced in half
• Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (my favorite cheese in the whole world)

For the Ham and Cheddar Cheese Quiche

• 
• 1/2 cup grated cheese (I used chedder and pepper jack)
• 1/2 cup chopped ham

Directions

Step 1: Add 1 T olive oil in a saute pan and cook the onions and mushrooms over medium heat until  lightly browned and soft.

Step 2: Add the chopped spinach and tomatoes and saute until the spinach is wilted. Add sea salt to taste and remove from heat.

 Step 3: Cut tortillas in to 4 equal parts.

Step  4: Fit the tortilla pieces into the muffin cups.

Step 5: Whisk the eggs, milk, salt, white pepper and thyme together in a glass measuring cup.

Step 6: Fill the tortillas with the ham and cheese mixture for half of the cups and the spinach, onion, mushroom mixture for the other half.

Step 7: Pour the eggs into the cups until they are about 3/4 full.

Step 8: Grate Parmigiano Reggiano over the spinach quiches.

Step 9: Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown, rotating the pan half way through so they cook evenly.

Step 10:  Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

There is something about a themed gift wrap that always makes people smile. I was inspired by the classic tuxedo to create this Black Tie gift design…perfect for a wedding or a formal event. It is easy to make and I teach how to make the boxes reusable so they can be saved as a keepsake from the special event. I worked with Nashville Wraps to create this design.

Mother’s Day is the third largest card giving holiday of the year, behind only the winter holidays and Valentine’s Day. Rather than purchasing a card, I like to create a unique and beautiful hand-made card. Here are a two of my designs using recycled materials.

Brown Paper Bag Card

A great way to recycle a brown paper bag is to create a beautiful card. The brown paper is sponge painted with metallic bronze and gold tones. Reused tissue is used to create the flowers and accented with beads recycled from an old piece of costume jewelry.

Leftover yarn is wrapped around the card for finishing touch. This card was created from 100% reused and recycled materials.

Recycled Gift Wrap Card

A beautiful floral card design can be created from items you probably already have around your house. This is an easy design to create and can be made over and over again once you have constructed your initial pattern. You can get creative with the colors and textures of your flowers and even change the color of the cardstock to create your own signature card.

How to make the Recycled Gift Wrap Card