Pinhole Press

(via pinholepress.com)

Do you know about Pinhole Press?  They recently appeared on the Martha Stewart Show creating all sorts of party favors, decorations and gifts for Martha's birthday party.  (If you missed it there are alot of great party ideas.  I loved the scrabble letter banner!)

(image via marthastewart.com)


I just love their fresh take on making beautiful mementos out of ALL of those digital pictures we have sitting in our camera or computer.  Their look is clean, classic and brings the focus on your beautiful images. 



(all images via pinholepress.com)


Can you believe it's actually not too early to start thinking about holiday gifts?  These sweet, but simple gifts would bring a smile to anyone's face.  Especially grandma and grandpa!

The Season for Giving - World Vision

I love how World Vision has put together their Holiday Gift Catalog this year.  They've given us opportunities to give in ways that are simple and tangible and make such a difference in the everyday lives of people around the world.  Here's just a few examples.

For only $30 you can help a child succed in school by providing backpacks and school supplies.

For just $25, you can give 2 chickens to a family and help them with their nutrition and income through the raising and selling eggs.

For $69, you can provide farming tools and seeds.  What a great way to help people, help themselves!

Your donations can towards towards all sorts of things including clean water, animals, soccer balls, even art supplies.  I can't wait to sit down with our boys, go through the catalog and let them pick out ways that they can help.  Often it's hard for kids to understand how giving a monetary donation can really make a difference.  They can't see it.  Through the pictures and descriptions, I'm excited for our kids to learn how giving can have such a real effect on others who live with much less than we do. 

Click here for a link to their online gift catalog.

(all images from worldvision.org)

Gifts - Roasted Rosemary Cashews

Did you get those adorable tags from Tuesday's post?  Well I told you I was going to use them, and here's how!

           

This year, I made Roasted Rosemary Cashews, following this easy recipe from Ina Garten.  I packaged them in these great tie top bags, very similiar to bags that coffee comes in.  I LOVE these bags and have used them for all sorts of favors and goodies.  If you're in the Seattle area, you can get them at Packagaing Specialties.   You can also order them online at Garnish, one of my favorite sites for fabulous packaging products. 



My little buddy helping me to put the cashews in the bags



Finish off the bags with brown ribbon and a sprig of rosemary



I hope our dear preschool teachers will enjoy these!




Lastly, a quick plug for brown ribbon and rosemary trees!  I highly recommend both as you get great bang for your buck.  Brown ribbon goes with EVERYTHING... it always comes in handy when I'm looking to put something together last minute.  Rosemary trees are everywhere this time of year.  You should be able to find them at your grocery store or hardware store.  I've had mine in our planters by our front door for 3 years and they've been able to survive through the winters.  They smell great and are so useful!

Enjoy!



An Apple a Day

What do you get when you put this: 

 with this?

These adorable cupcakes!

I spotted these cupcakes in this month's issue of Family Fun.  Too cute and too simple not to make! All you need is boxed cake mix, red frosting, tootsie rolls, and fruit roll ups. 

Click here for the full recipe and instructions. 

I know these would make awesome treats for any teacher. 

Trust me, I speak from experience.  :)