How To: Apple Stamped Tissue Paper

I love the details of pretty gift wrap, but I don't like to spend a lot on it. I'd rather invest more in the gift I'm giving, so I usually purchase a package of plain Kraft gift bags and add my own details to achieve a more elaborate look. 

It's apple season, so the fruit is readily available as a craft supply-- apple stamps! As a child, I was fascinated when I discovered the star shape the apple core makes when cut in half. I loved it so much, I started stamping things with it!  I still use the method now to jazz up plain tissue paper!

You will need:

1 Apple

Knife

Craft Paint in desired colors

Paper Plate

White Tissue Paper

Newspaper or Scratch Paper

1. Cut the apple in half horizontally. Remove the seeds from the apple core. I used a toothpick to do this. You want the "stars" as hollow as possible to create a stamp. 

2. You can use the entire apple halves as stamps, but I prefer to cut some of the excess off. Cut around the core to create a circle or pentagon shape. Pour desired paint colors onto paper plate. 

I love the olive green and blush pink trend that's popping up everywhere for fall!

3. Lay out a sheet of tissue paper completely unfolded onto of newspaper or scratch paper. The paint will bleed through, so protect your surface.

Dip the apple stamp into the paint.  I used a sheet of scratch paper to blot some excess paint out of the stamp before stamping the tissue paper. Carefully press the stamp down on the tissue paper and pull straight up to remove. Repeat randomly all over the tissue paper. 

Use one color of paint at a time. Rinse and pat the stamp dry between each color. 

4. Once you've filled the sheet of tissue, allow it to dry. Then, fold up your pretty new patterned paper to store, or use right away with a coordinating color!

These simple stamps add such a fun detail to plain gift wrap. The gift bag could be stamped too! This project is so easy, it would be great for kids to try too!

Pumpkin Cake Donuts with Cream Cheese Glaze

I love how pumpkin spice treats just taste like Fall! Plus the flavors go so perfectly with cream cheese  frosting. There is nothing like pumpkin donuts and hot apple cider for breakfast on a chilly Fall morning. 

These donuts are so quick to make, and very easy to eat...too many! ;)

Donuts:

1 Stick plus 3 Tbls softened Butter

2 2/3 Cups Sugar

4 Eggs

1- 15 oz can Pumpkin

2/3 Cup Water

3 1/3 Cups Flour

1/2 Tsp Baking Powder

2 Tsp Baking Soda

1 1/2 Tsp Salt

2 Tsp Cinnamon

2 Tsp Cloves

Cream Cheese Glaze:

4 oz Cream Cheese melted

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

1/4 Cup Milk

Directions: 

Heat Oven to 400F. Grease donut pan. 

Blend flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices in a mixing bowl and set aside. 

Mix sugar and butter together. Add eggs, pumpkin, and water and mix until just combined. 

Add flour mixture and mix.

Spoon batter into a ziplock bag, and seal bag. Cut off one corner of the bag and pipe batter in a donut pan. 

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Test with a toothpick or fork to make sure donuts are cooked through. 

Set donuts on a cooling rack and allow to cool. 

To make glaze, beat melted cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth.

While donuts are still slightly warm, dip each donut in glaze and allow to dry. 

Makes about 2 dozen small donuts. 

How To: Gold Starred Pumpkin

I have been adding fall touches around our house, and I think my favorite autumn element is pumpkins! I adore little white pumpkins and stout Cinderella ones. I decided to add a gold touch to my white pumpkin with stars. 

You will need:

White Pumpkin

Gold Craft Paint

Paint Brush

Tape

Scissors

Printer

Computer Paper

1. First, I googled "star outline" to use as a template. I saved the image in a Word document and repeated the star 12 times to give me enough stars to cover the pumpkin. Print the template.

2. Cut squares from the paper with one star on each square. Do not let any of the points touch the edge. 

3. Cut the stars out of the squares without cutting into the square from the edge. The best way to do this is to fold the paper in half and make a snip in the center of the star to get you started. 

4. Tape  each star stencil in various spots around the pumpkin. Add tape to each side to make the stencil lay as flat as possible. 

5. Using a paintbrush, carefully blot gold  paint over each stencil. I also painted the stem gold. 

6. Give the paint a few minutes to start drying, then carefully remove each stencil. I removed the stencils before the paint was completely dry in case there was any smudging to wipe off. Wipe off smudges with a damp paper towel. 

I love how this turned out for an indoor decoration! 

Wedding Invitation Envelope Addressing

Last wedding season,  I had the opportunity to address wedding invitation envelopes for a friend I worked with. The invitations she designed herself were gorgeous! I loved the sophisticated simple style she chose for the addresses. 

Invitations are one of the first aspects of the wedding that your guests will see. They really set the tone for your big day! Hand addressed envelopes emphasize the significance of each guest's presence as you tie the knot. Everyone loves getting personal mail, and seeing their names in pretty writing just makes friends and family that much more excited to share this special time with you! 

How Custom Envelope Addressing Works

When a bride contacts me about envelope addressing, we talk about her vision for the font color and style. I look at a few images of styles she likes that are either sent to me or on Pinterest, then I design a proof for the bride to approve. 

Once she has her envelopes, the bride will send them to me with 10-15% extra incase of smudging/ink splattering and a full guest list with names and addresses. Processing time is approximately 3-4 weeks from the day I receive the envelopes depending on the quantity to be addressed. Once the envelopes are addressed, I send them back and they are ready to be stuffed with a lovely invitation and sent out!

If you are interested in envelope addressing for a special event coming up, contact me at jacqmurdock@yahoo.com!