Sarah Hearts

This past weekend I had several friends over for an evening of holiday crafting and cocktail making. One of the crafts was making these adorable chalkboard wine glasses. We also made chalkboard painted drinking glasses. This is a perfect holiday hostess gift, or for friends that are wine or beer lovers. The would also be great to make and give as a wedding gift! I found Ikea to be a great source for the glasses.

You can dip the glasses in chalkboard paint, however, we found it easiest to use a small foam brush and paint the stem of the glass.

Supplies:
• Glasses (I purchased wine and beer glasses at Ikea)
• Chalkboard paint (I got mine here for $9.99 for 30 oz., you can paint about 50 glasses with one can)
• Small foam brush
• Painter tape or masking tape (optional)
• Chalk

Directions:
Use the tape to create a straight line towards to top of the stem. If painting a highball or beer glass, you can freehand (not use tape) the bottom portion of the glass. This creates a lovely organic look. You can also use the tape to create a rectangle shape to paint in on the side of the glass. Use the foam brush to apply the paint. Apply the paint in one thin layer, allow to dry (about 30 minutes), then apply a second coat. And that’s it! Super simple and looks so cute! I would recommend waiting at least a week for the paint to cure before hand washing the glasses.

Cost: $1.00-$2.20 per glass

{photos by me}

Here’s a simple gift that you can make in a couple of minutes and your friends will appreciate how practical it is! This handmade felt tissue case fits the travel tissue packs perfectly, however, you can just fill it with individual folded tissues.

There’s no wrapping necessary with this gift. Simply attach a gift tag (I made the one above it scrap card stock, glue and glitter) with a safer pin.

Supplies:
• Piece of felt cut 7″ x 6″
• Sewing machine with coordinating thread
• Any additional trimmings, such as ribbon, felt shapes, etc.
• (Optional) Pinking shears to trim the sewn sides

Directions:
Bring the shorter (6″) side together so the seams align, like in the second photo. Sew the sides perpendicular to the middle seam. If you are adding ribbon, like I did, you will want to sew this onto the felt before you sew up the sides. If you like, trim the sewn edges with pinking shears.

Cost: $0.00 (I used all things I had on hand)

{Photos by me}

Here’s my second gift idea: washi tape decorated candles. This gift only takes a couple of minutes to make and is so cute and festive. I used only metallic silver and gold tape, however, you could use any color or pattern.

You can give one candle or a few. One candle would look lovely on a small, circular glass candle dish.

Supplies:
• Candles (I purchased large unscented candles from Old Time Pottery for $2.99 each)
• Washi tape (I have over 30 rolls now! You can purchase it here or here)
• Optional tray ($4.99 from Ikea)
Cost: $19.94

{Photos by me}

The holiday season is upon us (already!) and I already feel a bit behind on decorating and gift shopping. If you’re like me, I love giving handmade things to friends and family for Christmas. If you are looking to be thrifty, give a unique gift, and let someone know you care, I encourage you to give handmade this season.

I am very excited to announce a little series I will be doing. I will feature a simple DIY handmade project you can make and give. It’s starting today and will continue daily until Christmas day.

Here’s the first gift!

About a month ago Kevin and I built a raised, box garden in our backyard. We are lucky to be able to still have such warm temperatures that we can start a garden in November! I was looking for a unique way to identify my plants and here’s what I came up with.

This is the perfect gift for your friend with a green thumb… or someone who would love to start a garden.

Supplies:
• Large popsicle sticks, tounge drepessors, or fan handles (I used I had on hand from making  programs for clients)
• Chalkboard paint or black acrylic paint (chalkboard paint can be pricey, I just used some black acrylic paint I had on hand)
• White china marker (a cheap, oil-based pencil you can purchase at an art supply store)
Cost: $1.00

{all photos by me}

I love fall. The leaves turn to a intense orange and yellow hue (which are my favorite colors) and the air gets crisp. Here in Florida we don’t really get fall. Only a few trees change color and the air remains humid but it’s still my favorite time of year.

This season’s palette and produce can create such a lovely wedding. We got married in November and used the season’s colors to inspired our wedding look. Here’s a few ideas on how to incorporate fall into your big day.

1. Orange ties and gold buttoniers via Ruffled.
2. Calligraphy on pumpkins via Pinterest.
3. Fall leaf garland via Martha Stewart Weddings.
4. Silhouette painted pumpkin via Birch and Bird.
5. Lovely at first sight dress via ModCloth.
6. Pie dessert bar with photo garland via Pinterest.
7. Vintage-inspired pumps via Zappos.

I made another video tutorial! This one shows you how to make an ombre painted pumpkin. Ombre is popping up everywhere—in fashion, home decor, and design. Why not put it on a pumpkin?

 
I made a video tutorial that shows you how to make cute packaged candy bags. They are perfect to hand out to colleagues and classmates for Halloween!

Happy Fourth of July!

Well, almost! I know I’m a little early, but if you’re anything like me, you’ve got the upcoming long weekend on the brain. I’m looking forward to spending time with good friends, setting off fireworks, and of course, eating!

Fourth of July is one of the biggest days for cookouts, and when the flames from the grill begin to die down, it’s time for everyone’s favorite summertime treat: s’mores!

Oh yeah. S’mores are the greatest, don’t you think? Warm, gooey toasted marshmallows, melty chocolate and crunchy graham crackers, all in one portable package. Pretty much the perfect bite!

Well, unless you’re me. You see, I’m pretty messy. I seem to spill things on me pretty often when I eat, and I’m always covered in crumbs. When it comes to s’mores, I have the uncanny ability to completely coat myself in melted marshmallow and drippy chocolate in five seconds flat.

No matter how dainty a bite I take, or how many napkins I use, it’s just one big hot mess of an experience. You know how a baby smashes cake and gets it everywhere on their first birthday? That’s me, with s’mores. Every time.

That doesn’t change the fact that the s’mores flavor combination is delicious and addictive, so I decided to reinterpret this classic campfire delight: a s’mores mousse tart!

Graham cracker crust, thick and fluffy chocolate mousse, and a plethora of tiny toasted marshmallows on top. S’mores you eat with a fork! It’s perfect!

This s’mores tart can be made in lots of different styles: a classic round tart, a rectangular tart pan like I used, or you could even make it in a standard square pan!

Any way you slice it, this s’mores tart is sure to win you over. It’s a grown-up version of the childhood classic that we all know and love, plus you won’t have sticky fingers after you’re done eating! Everybody wins.

Have a wonderful Fourth of July!

Sweetly,

Jaclyn
www.foodpluswords.com

{Photographs and recipe by Jaclyn. Collage by me. Click here for the recipe.}

I have another patriotic post for you! Today I collected my favorite diy tutorials for creating cute 4th of July decorations. I can’t wait to make the sparkler holders. They are so clever and I love the details in the design.

We are heading down to Miami tomorrow and will be spending the 4th with my parents. We’re planning on having a picnic in the park while we watch fireworks. I’m thinking I will make some kinda of dessert in a jar. Maybe cheesecake with strawberries and blueberries? Do you have any 4th of July traditions? Any  decorations you always make?

1. Glitter star banner via Better Homes & Garden.
2. Festive cans via Martha Stewart.
3. Printable sparkler holders, matchbook wraps, and straw decorations via Twig and Thistle.
4. Printable party bunting and flags via Creature Comforts.
5. 4th of july banner via Country Living.

The 4th of July is just around the corner and this upcoming holiday has left me thinking of all things red, white, and blue. So I thought, why not use this color palette for a summer wedding? I made a little wedding board inspired by the patriotic holiday.

Kevin and I got married a couple days before thanksgiving. We definitely didn’t want to have a cornucopia, pilgrim and indian, and wild corn decorated wedding. We did however, use fall inspired colors (which also happen to be my favorite colors, orange and yellow) for our wedding. I think the reason I don’t like holiday themed weddings is the same reason I would be bummed if my birthday were on Christmas Day. You know what I mean? I just wouldn’t want the festivities of one holiday to over shadow your big day (not to mention the idea of cornucopias are a wedding make me cringe).

I do think borrowing the patriotic color palette for a summer wedding would be so cute. I think it’s a great way to incorporate the season without lining the aisle with little American flags. What do you think? Would you use this palette for your big day?

1. Red velvet cupcakes with blueberrie via Bemidji Pioneer.
2. Red, White, and Blue Parfaits via Martha Stewart.
3.  Super cute photos via Stacey Kane.
4. & 5. Adorable table setting via Elizabeth Anne Designs.
6. Savoy dress via BHLDN.
7. Navy stripe and red canvas wedges via Toms shoes.