After digging in the archives, I decided to share this DIY we created last year. It’s a simple idea for creating custom menus or dining party invitations. We have a couple “Let’s Dine Together Stamps” on sale in the shop (and you can still order today to arrive in time for Christmas!).

These cold months are perfect for hosting a small dinner party with friends and family. Creating a warm, inviting environment is only a few steps away. We recommend creating a greenery centerpiece with sprigs of pine to compliment the menus, and of course candlelight. This tutorial could also be supplemented as dinner party invitations.

MATERIALS

• Washi Tape
• Chipboard or Kraft stock
• White Cardstock
• Scissors
• Ink Pad & Stamps
• Let’s Dine Together Stamp

DIRECTIONS
#1 Type out your menu in any text editing software, formatting the document to be 3×5″.
#2 Print out and cut menus and printable cover design

#3 Cut chipboard to be 4×6
#4 Embellish the menu with any of our stamps & let dry for 15 minutes

#5 Layer the menu and cover onto the chipboard allowing a millimeter of the menu to be higher than the cover. You could also glue the menu directly to the chipboard.

#6 Place a piece of washi tape along the top

#7 Style your place settings with your DIY menus and get your hostess/host on.

Download the menu cover.

Cheers!

-Jamie

That’s right folks, in honor of this special day- Dec 12, 2012 (12-12-12) we are offering our tea towels for $12!

Hop on over to the shop and get those perfect stocking stuffers! Today only!

It’s a week of awesome contributors! Today we have a special holiday packaging DIY from Sarah Hearts. I love her take on packaging on a dime! Enjoy!

Here’s a little project that is super quick, cheap and handmade! All you need is a couple of lunch size paper bags and some cute rubber stamps to decorate them. I love these fauna inspired rubber stamps by Yours is the Earth. They are perfect for adoring all your holiday paper goods.

Supplies

• Lunch size paper bags
• Scissors or a rotary cutter
• Ruler
• Rubber Stamps and an Ink Pad
• Goodies to fill you gift bag with! I made some yummy homemade cookies for mine

Measure 5” from the bottom of the paper bag and cut.

Use your stamps to decorate the bottom 1.5” of the bag. Don’t forget to also stamp the short sides of the bag.

Fold the top part of the bag about an 1” down.

Then fold the top part of the bag again.

Cut the scrap paper into thin strips.

Use your hands to crinkle the thin paper strips and use it as filling for your gift basket. Then fill with homemade cookies, ripe local produce, or any other lovely gift items!

Sarah is a graphic designer and blogger who loves making things. She spends her days designing custom stationery, crafting DIY projects and covering her entire house with glitter. You can find daily design inspiration and DIY projects at her blog, Sarah Hearts, and view her portfolio here.

We are excited to introduce our friend and fellow designer + blogger, Kelly Hicks! She’s here sharing a new tradition for her family (and maybe even a new series on our blog?!?).  

I try not to take life tips from Jersey Shore too often (let alone admit I watch the show) but this tradition was worth copying: Sunday Family Dinners. This particular Sunday was hosted at my parent’s and I came with a chicory salad with maple roasted acorn squash courtesy of Martha Stewart. Thanks to Martha and my Yours is the Earth stamp and tea towel, I was looking pretty legit. My family must have thought so too because they raved about “my” salad.

Our family has enjoyed our new tradition (well except that one time I burnt the soup and we had to order pizza). Trying out new recipes, experimenting with seasonal fruits and vegetables, and cooking for 7+ sure has been an adventure. But I’m positive practice makes perfect and until then I at least have pretty stuff to help me out.

As The Situation would say, “It’s gonna be a feast on the dinner table tonight and I have it under control.”

Well said my man.

-Kelly

Chicory Salad with Maple Roasted Acorn Squash Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 acorn squash (about 1 3/4 pounds), halved, seeded, and cut into 2-by-1/4-inch pieces
• 7 tablespoons hazelnut oil (I used olive oil since I had it on hand)
• 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 heads frisee, separated into small pieces
• 1 head escarole, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skins removed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss squash with 1 tablespoon oil and the syrup, and season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast, flipping once, until golden brown and tender, about 20 minutes; set aside.
2. Whisk vinegar, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Pour in remaining 6 tablespoons oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking. Season with pepper.
3. Just before serving, toss greens and squash with dressing, and arrange on a platter. Sprinkle with hazelnuts.

From now through Christmas you will receive a FREE 8×10 Art Print with your order of $45 or more. You can choose between the prints listed below. Simply specify the design you’d like in the “Note to Seller” section at checkout.

• Artichoke
• Strawbabies
• Peas on Earth
• Let the Light Shine In

Cheers!

-Allie + Jamie

The Etsy holiday shop is a carefully curated collection of handmade items from around the Etsy-sphere, and we’re super honored to have been selected for a spot. Read more about the curators and the other shops involved HERE!

The Holiday Shop is open starting today through December 8th from 10am – 10pm daily, and will feature all kinds of music and entertainment during store hours.
If you’re in the neighborhood, hop on over to 131 Greene Street, New York, NY and check it out! While you’re there, look for our brightly colored yellow and pink veggie towels—they’re super special edition. We printed them in a very limited run, and they’re ONLY available there!

It’s that time of year… the hunt for next year’s calendar. We have a revised 2013 Desk Calendar full of freshness… calligraphy and original illustrations. The best part, there are three ways to display this resource:

1. FRAME IT // Showcase each month’s illustration in the frame of your choice.
2. PROP IT // Quickly reference each month from a photo stand on your desk.
3. HANG IT // To flip through your year, simply punching a hole through the set and use the provided twine to hang.

Burlap Totes available in our shop. They hold fresh produce wonderfully.

Perfect for gifting this holiday!

This weekend kicks of the first (of five) holiday craft fairs we are participating in. Come by and see all our new merchandise firsthand.

Indie Craft Experience Holiday Shopping Spectacular

Nov 17-18, 2012
11 am -6 pm

Ambient Plus Studio
585 Wells St SW
Atlanta, GA 30312

$5 at the door. 12 and under FREE.