Easter Treats, Let's Get Hopping #7

Our supermarket shelves are packed full of chocolately Easter temptation.  With the holiday just a month away, it's a great time for us crafty types to start putting some handmade gift plans together!

Today, the Let's Get Hopping team have some adorable and delicious inspiration to help you do just that.  

With all I've learned about food these past few years, I feel super uncomfortable thinking about what actually lurks inside all those foil-wrapped eggs on the supermarket shelves.  For this reason, I'm sharing a refined sugar-free chocolate treat for my project today.  These totally addictive Nut-Free Cacao & Coconut Bliss Balls use healthier unprocessed ingredients, are super easy to put together and taste amazing!

T R E A T   R E C I P E 
Process 1.5 cups (145g) rolled oats, 3 tbs cacao powder, 12 pitted fresh dates (I used medjool), 1.5 cups (120g) desiccated coconut and 2 tbs rice malt syrup in a food processor until almost smooth and well combined.  Add a tsp or two of water at a time if not quite wet enough.  Place 3 tbs desiccated coconut on a plate.  Roll 1 tbs portions of mixture into balls.  You should get about 30 balls (if you don't eat too much of the mix as you are rolling lol...)  Roll in coconut to evenly coat.  Place in a lined tray in the fridge for 1 hour or until set.  Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

I've also upcycled a small plastic berry container for the gift box.  As I shared last month when I published *THIS* set of gift cards, buying single-use plastic packaging makes me feel terrible!  Repurposing the containers for gifts such as these gives an otherwise wasted piece of perfectly good packaging new life!

T A G   R E C I P E
I stamped the pretty flower from the Petal Palette stamp set in black ink.  Then masked it and applied a soft halo of inks using an aqua painter.  I removed the mask and coloured my flower with watercolour pencils and blended with the aqua painter again.  The sentiment comes from the ever versatile Teeny Tiny Sentiments set.

I hope that you've enjoyed this Easter treat idea!  Be sure to click the next button below to see what delicious inspiration my friend Carolynn has for you.

Love the Petal Palette imagery used in this project?  So do the Crafty Carrot Co crew!  It will be the feature of our exclusive class series throughout April.  Be sure to pop back later this month to see what inspiration we have to share with you for this pretty set!  

CRAFTY CARROT CO, APRIL ONLINE CLASS SERIES

The Crafty Carrot Co team are passionate about papercrafts and can't wait to share our love with you, wherever you are in the world!  That's why we come together every month and teach live video-based classes for card makers of every level, whether you're a beginner or have years of experience!  
Find more information, and subscribe to join us today at http://craftycarrotcollective.blogspot.com.au/

Easter Treats, Let's Get Hopping #7

March 1, 2018

Happy Australia Day

In November, I had the most amazing adventure overseas where I got to meet, laugh and craft with some of my favorite Stampin' Up! friends from around the world.  I wanted to make a small gift for the ladies, something handcrafted that had an Australian flavour to it. 

To create the package I modified the measurements of my lidded gift box (see tutorial *HERE*) to create a smaller box.  I stamped the label detail and words from the Labels to Love stamp set.  The background gum nut image is an old stamp I picked up a long time ago and I've no idea of the brand but I just loved the Australian bush feel of it. 

Inside I included a Caramello Koala, a fun sized Cherry Ripe and a sample of Vegemite (not pictured - we used up the last one on toast before I took my photos lol...)!

In the spirit of Australia Day, I'm sharing a little video from my kitchen today.  Cheese and Vegemite Scrolls are a favourite lunchbox snack here and I'd love if you gave this simple recipe a try for a little taste of Australia!  

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Labels to Love
Inks: VersaMark, Garden Green
Papers: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso
Accessories/Tools: White Embossing Powder, Everyday Label Punch, Classic Label Punch, Burlap Ribbon, White Bakers Twine.



Exclusive Stampin' Up! Cardstock sale for my Australian friends!  Contact me before 5pm Tuesday 30th Jan and I'll give you 20% off all cardstock ordered. 

Happy Australia Day

January 26, 2018

Gift Jar Inspiration, Let's Get Hopping Round #2

Confession time, I have a hoarding problem!  Specifically glass jars.  Every time I empty one in my kitchen I clean it up and hide it away - saving it for when I can fill it, dress it up and gift it out.

Reused jars make for a thrifty packaging choice, but are also much more environmentally friendly than new or plastic packaging options - a great fit for my growing green mindset. 

The growing jar collection is driving my hubby slightly crazy though, so I asked my "Let's Get Hopping" friends for help. Today the group are sharing some cute DIY gift jar inspiration.

Muesli Bar Muesli

This year I've been handing out a lot of muesli.  Yes, you read right, muesli lol... A few years ago I changed my diet to cut out preservatives and quit sugar.  I love a bowl of muesli and coconut milk for breakfast in the morning.  It's also a yummy topper for fruit and greek yoghurt.  Both my kids happily tuck into this for dessert most nights!  
While I'm making the weekly batch, it's easy to pop aside in a jar to gift.  A few friends have since asked for the recipe so I'm adding this too.  See the bottom of the post for details.

Matching gift card

I know my food and gift choices might seem a little quirky to some - what better fit for the gift tag than the very cute "Quirky Critters" Quail.  And of course, while you are making a tag, why not make a card to match too! 

There is a lot of hype in the Stampin' Up! world at the moment with the impending release of the brand new Stampin' Blends markers, set to go on sale November 1st.  I have not got these yet, but I do have the gorgeous watercolour pencil collection that is so fun and easy to work with.  I was inspired to pull them out and put them to work here!

Play along!

Click the link below to find out what fun gift inspiration Diana has in store for you!  

What's your fav DIY gift jar idea?

If you have a favourite DIY gift jar idea to share I would love to see it.  Add your pic to Instagram with the hashtag #letsgethopping2 and comment here on the blog so I know to keep an eye out for it!!

Make this card with me!

Watch along as I colour these bright birds over on my YouTube Channel *HERE*  or

register today to make this card and tag project at my upcoming Bendigo class THIS SATURDAY!  Learn more *HERE*

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Quirky Critters
Inks: StayzOn Black, 
Papers: Whisper White, Naturally Eclectic Designer Series Paper, Shimmery White
Accessories/Tools: Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Bermuda Bay Striped Ribbon (retired), In Colour Doily (retired)

BLOG POST PLANNER, PAPERCRAFT EDITION
I've just put together a handy blog post planner, especially for paper-crafters! With this printable bundle, you can make sure that every blog post you write is brought together smoothly and is working hard to serve you and your audience well. Learn more *HERE*

MUESLI BAR MUESLI

This recipe is my take on a few favourites I've come across over the last few years.  I use the below as loose guidelines when making up a batch - I adjust to what is in my pantry at the time and I kinda guess my measurements but it always works out delicious.

Preheat oven to 150c fan forced.

In a large roasting pan, combine:
- a bag of rolled oats (700 - 900g),
- 1 cup coconut flakes, - 1 cup shredded coconut,
- 1 cup raw buckwheat groats,
- 1 cup chopped nuts (we love macadamias but walnuts, almonds and cashews work well too),
- 1 cup of seeds (I use a mix of sunflower and pepitas), and
- 2 tbsp of cinnamon.  

In a small saucepan, add:
- 1 cup of oil (I use half a cup of coconut oil and half a cup of extra virgin olive oil) with
- half a cup of rice malt syrupGently warm and stir until combined.

Stir oil mix through muesli a little at a time until all the ingredients are evenly coated. 

Put in the oven for 10 minutes.  Toss and cook for a further 10 minutes.  Toss again and cook for a further 5 - 10 minutes until evenly toasted. 

Allow to cool and then store in an airtight container - or glass jar!

Gift Jar Inspiration, Let's Get Hopping Round #2

October 19, 2017