~FRENCH WHITE WEDDING FAVORS...White Wednesday~

Today I'm sharing with you a little project I've been working on behind the scenes...

 A couple of years ago I blogged about gussied up Cadbury Candy Bars and how they were used for luncheon and wedding favors for a friend.  The idea of customized/printable Candy Wrappers is certainly not new!  I remember ordering some tiny ones (Hershey Miniatures) for my daughter's high school graduation several years ago.   So much has changed since then and today the design possibilities are endless!

Several weeks ago one of my girlfriends asked me at the LAST MINUTE (love you, C!) to come up with three different wrapper designs for a wedding shower she was hosting.  The bride-to-be loves anything and everything related to SEWING, CHOCOLATE, WHITE DECOR and VINTAGE so she wanted the ground of the wrappers either white or soft cream with related images...

Since I didn't have much time to play with new designs (like ONE DAY!) I opted to use some of my favorite existing graphics in hopes they would work... 

I was surprised how much I actually loved the wrappers after they were finished.  They were all done in whites and soft sepia tones with sewing and French accents.  All were wrapped in clear cello and tied up with newer lace (a big spool found on eBay for CHEAP) and rayon ribbon. 

Must share with you that I am totally bummed that Cadbury has now followed the ways of Hershey and Nestle Chocolatiers in redesigning their wrappers!  Gone are the GREAT silver foil liners and paper wrappings we've been accustomed to for years!  In their place are the plastic-ish wrappers seen above.  Makes using self-printed wrappers a lot more difficult for the die-hard crafter.  The UGLY purple ends stick out and I personally think they look horrible...  We were able to hunt down enough candy bars in their original foil coverings by visiting several stores who still had a little bit older stock.  

Today I'm linking up with Kathleen from Faded Charm for White Wednesday!

Always a fun party...hope you can visit!

Love to you...

~~~~ROMANTIC WEDDING FAVOR BOXES~~~~ Baby Shower and Christening, too

~ROMANTIC WEDDING FAVOR BOXES~

(Left Click Pictures to Enlarge!)

When my daughter, Adrienne, was engaged to her solider-beau, Micah, we had the grandest time planning her September '07 wedding.  I was so blessed to be a big part of her dream day and together (with LOTS and LOTS of HELP!) we managed to pull off a celebration that will last within our hearts forever...

 ~GREAT DISCOUNT STORE DEAL~

(Two Boxes of 25 for $4.99 each)

 During those hectic, but exciting, days we were constantly on the lookout for ideas for favors and gifts for her wedding guests and attendants.  I can't remember now how many creamy white strawberry sachets we decorated for wedding keepsake gifts, but I know it was over 200...probably 300!  I was sooo sick of them I never thought I'd evahhhh make another one!

 ~WHITE TO CREAM~

(Boxes Were "Baked" to Age)

Every single one of those fragrant little beauties were boxed in simple cream colored boxes and wrapped in off-white embossed wedding paper.  Pretty silk soft white ribbons and bows were used as complements and creamy white mulberry roses, too.  The boxes were almost as pretty as the sachet themselves!  Timeless yet elegant.

~TIED UP WITH SIMPLE RAYON RIBBON~

Just after Christmas I was shopping in one of our local discount stores when I came across two boxes of 25 count Favor Boxes.  They came with the melting chocolates and a mold to make wedding cake shaped chocolates.  They'd been marked down to $4.99 each (per 25 boxes).

 ~BEAUTIFUL FRENCH LACE~

At the time I didn't know about any special occasions being planned, but even so it was the little BOXES that I wanted...not so much the chocolate or the mold.  At some point someone is always getting married so there are lots of weddings, baby showers, etc. to attend! Who could go wrong for less than $5?

~LOTS OF SWEET SILVER CHARMS~

Today I'm showing you a mini-sized tutorial on how you can transform great (but rather plain) boxes like those from the Favor Kit (or those found at your local craft store) into fabulous keepsake boxes for a wedding, shower or even a Christening celebration.

~DECORATING IS SO FUN~

I started by "baking" the white boxes six at a time in a slow oven for 1 hour at 250 degrees*.  I wanted them "aged" as they were tooooo new looking for me!  I watched that first batch like a hawk.  I was afraid I was going to blow up my oven (or burn my house down!).

*NO WARRANTY IS IMPLIED OR GIVEN HERE!  :)  WATCH WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND DON'T LEAVE YOUR KITCHEN and/or YOUR OVEN UNATTENDED!

NOT EVAHHHH!

~VINTAGE LACE and ROSES~

After the outside of the boxes were "baked" to a soft creamy white I let them cool for about 15 minutes.  The lid was then wrapped in four-square style  with ribbon.

 ~PAPER LACE SHELF EDGING~

The tops were then decorated using vintage laces, ribbons, parchment roses and tiny silver charms.  You can absolutely use new ribbons, laces and trims...  Just choose smaller style trims and keep your main flower no bigger than about the size of a half-dollar.

 ~SOOO VINTAGE LOOKING~ 

The base of the boxes were wrapped (lightly glued in place) in paper lace edging and trimmed to fit.  I've had this edging for years and years so it was already softly faded to just the right color.  I'd think you could bake it, too!  I'd just be REALLY, REALLY CAREFUL if I were you! 

Once filled all you have to do is pop the lid back on and you are done!

Easily personalized with computer or hand addressed labels, too!

~SWEET FOR A BABY BOY CHRISTENING~ 

Lovely when filled with chocolates for an elegant wedding or other candies or keepsakes for special baby shower party or luncheon!

~A PRESENT IN ITSELF~

I think the boxes are so petite and sweet they'd be darling turned into a keepsake Christmas Ornament as well!  Wouldn't they be wonderful with a lock of baby's hair tucked inside?  For an ornament just hot glue a loop of tiny ribbon onto one of the corners of the box, add a dainty little bow and wah-lah...

~SWEETLY DISPLAYED~

Hope you enjoyed this Mini-How-To!  If you have any question just shoot me an email!  OK?

Hope your weekend is wonderful!  I'll be out junking and slummin' (aka:  Tag Sale Shopping).

Love to you...

~LOVELY PARTY FAVORS...Totally Chic and Sooo Girly~

~SWEET TREATS~

Last Spring I was contacted by one of my website customers who was desperately looking for something sweet to use as a guest favor for a luncheon she was hosting for thirty to forty women.  She was hoping to find something not too terribly expensive but at the same time wanted a lovely little gift for each attendee to be able to carry home.

 ~WRAPPED CHOCOLATE BARS~

After chatting with her on the phone for a bit I found she clearly loved all things vintage and of course (wouldn't you know it...), PINK!  The party's theme, "Dressed In Beauty", intrigued me.  As we talked a while longer she shared with me how she had a passion for helping women who were facing  a multitude of challenges in their lives.  The purpose of the luncheon was to both educate and inspire ladies across her state to dress with femininity, modesty and grace without losing their sense of individual fashion.

~SACHET PILLOW~

Gift baskets would be given away to several stand-out women and tucked inside the "lucky" recipients would find beauty and bath products, coffees and teas and a set of Note Cards showcasing one of my favorite "Altered de Papier" website designs. Additionally orders were placed for matching Sachet Hangers and Pillows...  It was very exciting for me to be involved with such a fun party and I loved filling the orders even though it was a bit of a challenge for me to meet the deadline.

~DRESSED IN BLUE~

As my thoughts returned to ideas for finding and creating a memorable favor I remembered something I had seen when my daughter, Adrienne, graduated from high school a few years ago...

~PERSONALIZED For My BUSINESS~

Back then I only knew a  smidgen about computers (now I only know a LITTLE) and never dreamed of trying to do anything with graphics on my own.  So, when I found an offering for customized candy wrappers (for mini Hershey Chocolates) I purchased several sets and before long our girl had personalized graduation treats for her family and friends.  In hindsight they truly weren't anything fabulous~  But, they were sweet and did include her name and a pretty little floral motif!

~SWEET WEDDING FAVOR~

I tossed out the idea of creating a full-sized candy wrapper for my customer and a design similar to the one you see above (the PINK DRESS FORM) was ultimately chosen ("Dressed in Beauty" replaced the French Chocolate sentiment).  Her Chocolate Bars were then individually wrapped with the customized labels, tucked inside clear cello bags and then tied up with pink ribbons.  A personalized sentiment was added to the reverse side.

 ~REVERSE SIDE~

Now...several months ago one of my dearest friends phoned me and I was excited to hear about her daughter's engagement and upcoming marriage.  The beautiful bride-to-be has also chosen to gift her guests with personalized chocolate bars at the reception.  Instead of using a vintage graphic a black and white photo of the couple was chosen instead.  A simple 'Thank You' sentiment personalized from the bride and groom was added to the back.  

If you are planning a party or celebration this idea is sure to be a hit.  Even if you don't know much about computer programs (I use Paint Shop Pro) you can still create a label using hard copy elements (scrapbook papers, etc.).  Scan or photocopy your single finished image (wrapper design) and then reproduce it.  Most any candy bar or boxed candy can be turned into something truly sweet and special.

I'll be in my studio every single day this week working on new website pretties.  I PROMISE...more painted finds coming up in a few days!  

Blessings for a lovely day!

Love to you~