A Trademark Gift

This is one of my trademark gifts that I love to give to friends. And today I'm even using Papertrey's Trademarks stamp set...so I guess my gift and this stamp set were made to be used together. This mug/plate/dish cloth ensemble was my birthday gift to Nichole.

The gift I love to give is a single place setting with a salad size plate and some sort of cup/mug. This gift is a salad plate, a mug and a set of three matching wash cloths. I think this gift is something special because it's all for the recipient to call their own. They can use it for their lunches, a little snack, morning tea or coffee with a little cookie....or they can even turn it into a little centerpiece at a small gathering by piling the plate up with finger food snacks and putting some little napkins in the mug. Having a special plate and cup/mug makes any dining experience a little more special.
But I didn't stop there. I like to fancy my gifts up just a bit. Here, I used a Spellbinder's Large Scalloped Circle die template and a piece of brown patterned paper from Papertrey's Green Tea Leaves paper pad. This makes for a little liner to fit into the plate and for the mug to rest on.

Then I added one of my all time favorite items, a clothespin....covered with more of the same patterned paper and Vintage Buttons tied with Rustic Jute Twine. For the tag, I stamped an image from Trademarks with Dark Chocolate ink, added a letter *N* from a $1 alphabet and then highlighted the letter *N* with a clear sticker dot. I love how this simple little monogram makes such a neat, personalized tag. I then stamped a label from Vintage Labels around the Trademarks stamped image and cut out the images with my Spellbinder's Labels 1 Nestabilities die templates. All of the labels from Vintage Labels have corresponding dies that they can be cut out with..........swoon....sigh.......ahhhh. To finish up my gift presentation, I simply clipped the tag to the mug with the decorated clothespin.

Here's a nifty little idea: Create a little mini coffee bar by placing the ensemble in a small tray lined with cloth napkins (no paper napkins please). This can be carried to a favorite reading spot, an ottoman, coffee table or crafting area. I love to do this with two plates and mugs when I have a friend over. I tuck little creamers and teas in the tray so that my guest can select her own beverage.

I just love looking at this photo above. It makes me have that warm, fuzzy feeling all over. Gifts for your friends should be special. They don't have to cost a lot either. Just keep it simple, simple, simple......add a few finishing touches.......and make a nice presentation. Your friend will love it.

Note: Dishes are by Tag (found at my local gift shop). I have a whole new collection of these that I'm pairing with saffron yellow and mossy green...so pretty! Napkins, wicker tray, place mat and table cloth are from Nell Hill located in Atchison, Kansas. So worth the trip!