Gifting (it's in the details)

Even though this is from a few weeks ago, I wanted to share the photos from my completed Mother's Day gift project with you.  I believe firmly that gifting is in the small details - like presentation!!  I think any of these items (alone or in combination) would make a beautiful hostess, housewarming or thank you gift, all year round!

First, I made a homemade honey butter, packaged in a mini mason jar, covered with fabric, tied with pretty wool and a gift tag.

Next, I baked a loaf of bread.  Can you believe this was my first time EVER making bread!  I used an no-rise herb bread recipe, and........ it really was easy! I packaged the bread in a plain white linen tea towel and tied with string.

Keeping with the mason jar theme (I may have a small passion for mason jars right now!) I tied burlap and string around a full-size mason jar and filled it with fresh tulips.  I love the result!

Nothing complicated here, but the little details turn the gift into something extra special.
How do you add extra little details to make a gift special?  I'd love to hear your ideas!

Embellished Tags

Have you ever used watercolour pencils?  I haven't used mine in years, but I recently took them out to jazz up these really pretty teacup printable cards.

Watercolour pencils are easy to use and don't make a mess.  You simply dip your pencil in the water and then smudge along your paper until you achieve the desired effect.

The teacup cards are available as a free printable from Creative Comforts blog (along with a lot of other lovely things)

I took one of these and attached it to a blank card, along with a few little embellishments.  They would also make pretty shower (baby, wedding) or tea party invitations, don't you think?

Creative Inspiration

What inspires you to be creative?  I have been thinking about this a lot lately, as creativity plays a huge role in my gift-giving efforts. I'm always dreaming and planning what I will gift to various people.  Will I make something?  Will I buy handmade?  Will I buy local? I'm trying to do more of all of these things!  I've also been trying to take a step back and take some time to enjoy the creative process more.

This weekend I tried to step AWAY from the computer, because even though so much inspiration can be found online, sometimes it is just too much. overwhelming.  Maybe even counter-productive in the creative process sometimes!

Want to see what inspires me and helps me feel creative?

(+) surrounding myself with pictures and prints that make me happy! (like this one)

(+) Spending time in the sunshine - I find the sun and warmth SO invigorating (probably because it is so cold here for most of the year) - what do you think of my hat?

(+) Sitting with a cup of tea, doodling in in my notebook. This is the first sneak peek at my packaging ideas for the products I'm working on!  My doodle isn't great, but you'll just have to trust me on my vision of the finished project!  I LOVE IT and think it's absolutely fantastic.  I know you're going to love it too! I also like to paint my nails a fun, bright colour to inspire creativity!

(+) I take my notebook with me everywhere - I'm really a pen and paper gal through and through.  I love to make lists, write little inspirational notes to myself, brainstorm ideas....Steve snapped this one of me and I didn't even notice! I'm deep in thought here!!

Image Source: Tattly

(+) sometimes the best thing to do is simply forget about your ever-growing to-do list and go and have FUN!

Lately I've been wanting to try something new and different - any suggestions?  It's a sure way to keep the creative juices flowing!

What do you do to feel inspired and creative?

Simple + Pretty Gift Wrap

Looking for a simple+pretty way to make your gift wrap special? Add a colorful paper sleeve to small plain boxes or wrapping.

Simply cut a strip from a 12x12 piece of scrapbooking paper in a colour and pattern that suits your gift (these were for children's gifts).  I added little hand-stamped tags, and voila! Plain wrapping with style - and it's so easy that anyone can do it!

Guest Post: Celebrating Motherhood

Happy Mother's Day!  Since I became a mother a little over a year ago, I thought I would share something a little different and special with you today.

Erika at St. John's Kid is Celebrating Motherhood throughout May, and yours truly wrote a little something!  It's a chance to get to know more about me and my life outside of The Petit Cadeau Blog!  So head on over and check it out, won't you?

Image Source: Just a YA Girl

Recycled Greeting Cards

Do you ever recycle greeting cards?  I often keep the fronts of cards that I think are lovely, and sometimes recycle them into a new card, or into gift tags.  The possibilities are endless.

I did this even when I was younger, and have a box of card tops from cards that were given to me as a child. I recently came across this BEAUTIFUL card piece, and decided that it was perfect for Norah's birthday.

I simply stamped the number one in purple ink in the upper right-hand corner and added the image to blank card stock. Card-making simply cannot get any easier than that.  Sometimes simple is the most beautiful, don't you think?  

I was really happy with the way this card turned out. 

Do you ever recycle greeting cards?

Giving Giving Tip #1

I've decided to start a new series with simple, helpful gift giving tips!  Today is the first - let me know what you think!

Snail Mail is a Gift

You know what makes me a little sad?  Two things really.

The first, is that I have a pretty mailbox, but it doesn't see much action because all of our mail comes to a boring old street box.

The second, is when I check the mail, and there is absolutely nothing there.  EMPTY.  I love getting mail, and hope you do too!

Here's a way to make your mail a little more fun!

I recently exchanged some little gifts in the mail with my blogging friend Katie from Lemon Jitters.  She's the one who created those fabulous Valentine's day gift toppers for you!

Here's a little sample of a few things I sent Katie.

(+) Printable gift tags from Creature Comforts blog (which I previously featured in this post), cut out and embellished with pretty ribbon.

(+) Fabulous printable cake or drink flags from Love vs Design, which I just adore (I did all of the cutting and putting together work, so that Katie could just enjoy!).

Image Source: Lemon Jitters

Katie sent me lot's of fun goodies as well, including:

(+) all kinds of great paper embellishments for gift wrapping and card making - here's a little sample! (I especially love the yellow "you make me happy"tag)

AND

(+) these gorgeous handmade earrings, which I have been wearing all the time!

What's better than getting a fun surprise gift in the mail?
So get out there and ask a friend if they want to exchange an envelope full of little goodies via SNAIL MAIL!  You will get so much joy from the exercise, I promise!

BUT WAIT!
Speaking of Snail Mail......and Snails.....
I'm participating in a fun little activity for my blogging friend Laura's upcoming Cupcakes for Clara product launch! She's offering a week full of freebies (great for kids!) and if you read carefully, you might even find one of these goodies here on The Petit Cadeau blog!

Follow the SNAIL TRAIL and collect free goodies! Seven days, Seven snails, Seven Goodies.

Want to get started? Click HERE to join in the fun!