May 30, 2009

Pretzel Pretties...

Recently at Walmart (the place I really don't like to go to but don't have many other options), I found these assorted, white and milk chocolate covered pretzels. The packaging wasn't the prettiest but the pretzels did look pretty darn good. So for $3 bucks a package, I bought these two...white chocolate with mini chocolate chips and milk chocolate with chopped peanuts. With tax, they're about .37 cents each, not too shabby for some quick little gifts. And look, they stay good til 11/24/09!!! That made me laugh, who knows what they put in the food these days. So anyway, I came home and after testing each pretzel to make sure they were gift worthy..and they are......I decided to make some treat sacks. We're out of school already for the year but these would make wonderful teacher treats.

I used JustRite's What's Cooking Borders and Centers stamps to create a cute, circle tag for some little pocket cards.
The finished cards measure about 3.5" x 4.25" with a little insert to write a thank you note, birthday message, etc. I used K & Company patterned paper for the card front and Papertrey's Spring Moss Satin ribbon, some Dark Chocolate buttons and twine also.
To attach my pocket cards to the Large Glassine Sacks that holds two pretzels, I used some clothespins that I covered with the patterned paper I used on my card. Dark Chocolate buttons and twine finish off the clothespins. I think clothespins are one of the greatest little inventions ever created. And since my husband won't make me a clothesline, I have to use the little things somewhere, right! (The clothesline issue is another matter we'll discuss later.....I will get that clothesline someday. Eric thinks that it's a little embarrassing to hang your panties on the line for all to see.....however he does think it is perfectly fine to pee off the front porch!! Uh, what is wrong with that mental picture, you tell me!)
Sorry to digress there folks.......but you need to make some little treats like this. I know many of you say this: I don't think that way if I would see those pretzels at Walmart in the ugly packaging. Here's what you need to do: Always be on the lookout for things that can be re-packaged in another way. And have little gift wrappy stuff at home like glassine sacks, clear bags, ribbon, tags, etc. The JustRite stamps are perfect for little tags of this nature because they're quick and easy to punch out with circle punches or cut with Nestabilities. You could also pair the tags up with any of Lauren's Papertrey Timeless Templates, they would be perfect! And you don't have to spend a fortune, it's the packaging that makes all the difference. Think how fun this little treat sack would be for a little hostess gift or a take home dessert for visitors....or on a pillow of someone visiting your house. It's those little things that make people severely jealous of your craft skills...use it to your advantage girls!! Have a great weekend!
And remember to visit Debbie's blog today for a chance to win a Copic airbrush system! And leave a comment on my post yesterday for a chance to win some Copic Multiliner markers. I'll do my drawing on Sunday night!

27 comments:

patriciad said...

You never fail to bring a smile to my face with some of the things you say. Honestly, I swear I'm trying not to think about your husband on the front porch, but of course, can't get that picture out of my mind! :-)

These little treat bags are adorable. They would make cute little shower favors too, don't ya think? I do!

Well, good luck with that clothesline thing. I live in a townhouse and the association would never approve it, but some of my favorite memories of growing up are hanging clothes out with my mom and then enjoying the smell of my sheets and pillowcases at night. Oh, that was a sweet smell!

Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft said...

You crack me up! :) Love the treat bags. Question, though.. What do you use to adhere the patterned paper to the clothespins?

wandykj said...

You have the cutiest ideas! I just love your blog:)

cardsandacuppa said...

Sweet gift ideas as always, I love the little pegs on the bags. You are very funny but I agree with hubby I'm afraid, I have a washing line but no, I don't put any knickers on it , they all go in the tumble dryer!! I know, I know! lots of people think I'm mad. I do have a slightly weird vision now of your hubby though! LOL!!!
Thanks for the chuckle, you made my evening ! he, he
Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Amy Sheffer said...

I love these, Michelle! Your packaging is the cutest, especially with that clothespin! TFS! (And I'm totally LOL about the peeing off the front porch thing!)

Sassy's Ramblin's said...

I love these Michelle! Such a sweet gift. The clothespin idea is terrific!

LOL @ DH I have one of those too!

katrynka said...

Very nice packaging! And as for the clothes line, you do not have to hang your "unmentionables" out on the line! You can always rationalize that they take so much time to hang up all those little pieces, but sheets smell fabulous, as do clothing!!

Becky said...

You make the most beautiful projects, and this is no exception.

Jane said...

You're too funny! Love the treat bags!

Anonymous said...

Michelle, I just love your blog, you bring a smile to my face whenever I visit. (which is almost every day.) I live in the country in New Hampshire, and Wal-Mart is our only option too. But, we have to make the best of it, and I sure do love your ideas. These are really cute treat bags, and what a difference they make. So enjoy hearing about your beautiful family. Patty

t. phillips said...

Tell hubby that you won't hang the unmentionables on the line. I totally agree with him on that one. BUT... I hang everything else out on the line. I miss the smell of clothes line dried sheets all winter long. Love all of your projects and today was no exception. Thanks for always sharing....

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

cute pkging! I saw these too and almost bought a bag, but I just couln't thinking they would be yucky and not as good if I made them myself. Now I'll have to pick some up.

Thanks for being brave and trying them. Ü

You are soooo funny! I DO have a clothesline! Love it. Out here, everyone uses one and when people are driving by they are NOT going slow enough to give that much attention to what is on the line.
I have DH and two boys, so yep! know what you are talking about. However, DH doesn't want the drying going in the summer. Ü

Susan said...

First off, I would like to tell you thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with us. I just love to see all the different things you do. And sometimes your blog makes me laugh so hard. It's so real. The snake story... I too, share your dislike of Walmart but I love what you did with the stuff you bought. Awesome idea. And the clothesline thing, my husband balked about it for a year but I finally got one. And he loves how the clothes and sheets smell, not to mention the HUGE savings on our electric bill all through the spring, summer and some of fall. Good luck.

Kathy T said...

I love your blog and visit it several times a week. I am always amazed at your "little" gifts. I think you could pkg a rock and people would be stunned by it and really wonder how they did without it! I work in a big office where little gifts are given and your blog is the inspiration of many that I give. Thanks for sharing.
Also found one of your projects in a mag this weekend, wtg!

Jean Franks Beck said...

So very adorable! Who wouldn't love to receive a cute little goody package like that?! :)

Janelle said...

Love those little gift bags -- every inch of them. Last summer we had company for several days and each night I snuck a little Ghiradelli chocolate square in a stamped folder onto their pillows and you would have thought that we were a 5-star hotel by their reaction. You're right -- packaging is everything. And your clothesline comments crack me up. What is it with men?!

Elizabeth S. said...

You always come up with the greatest idea! And just think it looks like they took a long time when in fact you can whip them out rather quickly.
Thanks for sharing.

Susan G said...

Love the clothes pin idea. I have a whole bag of those and now a new idea about how to use them. I used to love hanging my clothes outside but haven't had a line in at least 25 years. Guess that would make my 40 year old clothes pins vintage now wouldn't it????

Melissa said...

Beautifully done!

Many Blessings,
M.

Pam F said...

You just make me laugh so much; it is so refreshing to ready your comments about life in general; I think all husbands like the front porch for the same reason!!! I love those little bags of treats you made and will try and find something similar to do a re-packaging and make it a sweet little give away to someone special..I hope I win some copics I would love to have some!! you are the best Miss Michelle!!!

Whimsey said...

I'm so glad you tasteed them first - WHEW how important is THAT? LOL

You have the most creative ideas - love it!!

corrinaholloway said...

tedstEasy, hang all but the "unmentionables", put those in the dryer. Nothing like the smell of sunshine in your sheets!

Cindy H. said...

Good idea! Love your packaging!! The clothespin is darling and I for one would be using it over and over again :) tfs

Laura Petruso said...

Thanks for the great idea. Our kids aren't out of school until mid June and I have been trying to figure out what to make for my Son's male teacher. Food is always good but our time is always tight. I'll have to make a trip to Walmart for these... even though I too am not too fond of this place! Thanks again!

Unknown said...

the secret to hanging undies on a clothes line is to hang them on the "inside" line and the other clothes on the "outside" lines to hide the unmentionables!! TA DUM!

Jess said...

LMAO i am glad my hubby is not the only one!!! He has been known to pee out the odd window, and as for the three y/o, caught him peeing in the dish washer the other day!!! (no jokes!!!)

Here in New Zealand EVERYONE has a washing line, people just don't use the dryer. I occasionally use it in the middle of winter to finish things off, but most of the time it sits there unused. And i do hang everything, even the knickers!

Kari D said...

I LOVE this idea! You are so amazingly creative. And your comments about repackaging and rethinking how you look at items is so pertinent. So many thanks for your continued inspiration. (oh and MY sig other doesn't have a problems with PP, public peeing, either! You are not alone! In reading your comments here it sounds as though we are not the only ones!)

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