DIY Gift Tag Tutorial

Thank you all for the sweet compliments on my gift wrap tutorial yesterday! A lot of you asked how I created the gift tag, so I am going to run you through a very simple tutorial...

 Step 1: Find a cute label. You can either purchase a sheet of labels from an Etsy shop, or download a template from Pinterest. I usually prefer Pinterest because most templates are free!

I did a quick search on Pinterest and found these cute {free} templates: 1/2/3/4/5

 *Note: I had my  pink lattice template custom made. Feel free to right click and save it!

Step 2: Upload template into Picnik a photo editing site. You may need to crop out the other labels or white space on the page.

*Note: I have heard great things about PicMonkey and Picasa for free photo editing.

Step 3: Add text to your label. I used GeosansLight font {size 36}.

Step 4: {Optional} Add a watermark by inserting a huge letter in your favorite font, then fading it. I used Henry Morgan Hand font {size 164}, then faded it 75%.

Step 5: Save and Print. To print as a "label size," select 3.5 x 5 in. prints in the "print options." 

*Note: the larger the print, the more risk of a grainy/pixelated look

Wanna know another secret? This is how I make all of my tent cards for party food, place cards for assigned seating, and framed signs for parties.

I hope this was helpful.  There is probably a much easier way to make your own labels, so if you have any tips or suggestions, please do tell! 

Baker's Twine Gift Wrapping

Whether you're gift wrapping, crafting or tying up baked goods, baker's twine adds a fresh, yet nostalgic look to any project at hand! This clever {and simple} embellishment was the exact pizzazz I was looking for while wrapping a gift for my good friend, Brynn.

 

You Will Need:

Baker's Twine {any color}

Craft Paper {or newspaper}

Tape

Scissors

Gift Tag

1. Wrap gift in brown craft paper {or newspaper}

2. Measure and cut 3 pieces of baker's twine

3. Turn your wrapped package right-side-up and center the twine across the top. Wrap the ribbon around the package lengthwise and twist it in the center underneath the box. Bring the ends back up around the sides of the box.

4.  Tie the ribbon once in the center, then tie a bow. 

5. Add cute gift tag

6. Voila - extra special packaging!

That's a wrap!

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Have you ever read the ingredients label on your taco seasoning packet? Sadly, we average two taco dinners a week and I always assumed the ingredients were pretty straight forward, just a bunch of spices. I could not have been more wrong. In fact, store bought seasoning is riddled with MSG and full of other nasty things {like MILK SUGAR! Yes, MILK!}.

Just see for yourself!

So, I decided to make my own taco seasoning, using real ingredients. Not only can you control the ingredients of homemade taco seasoning, it tastes better and is much cheaper than store packets. 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Ground Cumin

1/4 cup Garlic Powder

1/4 cup Chili Powder

1/4 cup Onion Powder

4 tbsp Crushed Red Peper

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients together! Store in freezer. 

Yields approximately 1.25 cups of taco seasoning {which is more than 10 packets of store bought taco seasoning}! 

Happy {healthy} Taco Night, Friends!