September 30, 2009

Stir, Sip & Enjoy

Nichole's Senior Design Team Challenge came just in time to coordinate with a sewing project I've been working on. I found some wonderful coffee themed fabric at my local quilt shop and have been working on some pretty napkins, some little coffee coasters, a basket liner and hopefully a pair of lap blankets .......some day I'll get to all that. You can see snippets of my finished napkins in today's photos.

In the meantime, Nichole's challenge was to create a project that incorporates giving the gift of a hot beverage. Coffee is at the top of my list when the weather turns colder so I had a great idea brewin' in my head. Often times when I sub at the school or spend the night at a hotel, the coffee is all gone.....or non existent. For those times when you really want that first cup of coffee in the morning, I created some little coffee kits that will fit the bill.

For each of my coffee kits, I used a single coffee bag packet, a single size creamer and a sweetener packet.
I started off my coffee kits by punching a scalloped square of Chocolate Remix patterned paper. I chose the text background for my project today. I then stamped the coffee images from Warm Happiness using Dark Chocolate and various blue inks. I added a Dark Chocolate Vintage Button tied with Cream Twine into the center of a cocoa colored Prima flower from my stash.
Next, I inked the word *coffee* from Warm Happiness onto Vintage Cream Twill using Dark Chocolate ink.
I wrapped the stamped twill around medium glassine sacks that are filled with my coffee kit ingredients. A simple staple holds the twill in place nicely.
I finished up my coffee kit packets with a Dark Chocolate Swiss Dot ribbon and then attached the coffee accent square to the sacks with a few pop dots.
I tucked all my coffee kit packets into a wicker tray lined with my coffee themed napkins and a few coffee mugs. Next time I have guests, we can sit out at the picnic table and enjoy a hot cup of coffee. As a little gift, they can take home a coffee kit of their own.

I also think these would be great to tuck into a suitcase when travelling, or keep a few in your glove compartment when on the road......or take some as little gifts when you're at a weekend crop. Just a fun little gift that is straight from the heart.
For more inspiration, check out what the other design team members are brewin' up:
Nichole Heady
Becky Oehlers
Heather Nichols
Lauren Meader
Lisa Johnson
Teri Anderson (guest designer)

Now, may I take a moment to show you a little behind the scenes action of my photo shoot? As I propped my basket and some flowers and was beginning to take photos, here comes Miss Libby. She is our smallest kitten and has used up about 4 of her nine lives in the last month or so. First, she got bit by a snake in the face and swelled up like a grapefruit. Then Eric ran over her back legs one morning while leaving for work. Then she ran under the garage door one day and I shut her leg in it. Next up, she got tangled in a volleyball net and was choking. I had to run for the scissors to cut her out. Needless to say, I have nursed poor Libby back to health each and every time she has gotten into trouble. Now she follows me everywhere and loves for me to hold her and pet her.
She could not stand that I was outside and wasn't paying attention to her. So she hopped right into my photo shoot....front and center.......look at me.....why aren't you petting me?
Then here comes Boots. He gets into everything and is very curious.
He made his way through my flowers, sniffed into the coffee cups and pretty much made himself at home with all of my goodies. All the while, poor Libby sits patiently...looking up at me......waiting for me to pet her.
Eric came to my rescue and entertained the kitties while I finished my photo shoot. Just had to share...

52 comments:

Debbie Olson said...

Beautiful, Mishie! And I love your kitties too!

Patti J. said...

How cute! Your project AND your kittens!

Alexis said...

I love the coffee pack idea! Very nice!! But those kitties just warm my heart!!

Alyssa B said...

tooo cute about the cat thing...TFS

scrapfancy said...

TOO Funny... and a cute idea.

Chris said...

ah life with cats! :) So cute and I love your project idea!

Heidi said...

Your coffe projects rocks but your kitties just made my day! How cute!!

Mariah said...

You always have such great ideas...you are my go-to blog when I want to try or learn something new. Thanks, I appreciate it!

rebecca said...

Your kittens could be related to my little cat...they look so much alike. Once again your creations are terrific. I visit everyday, and love to treat myself to your thoughts and projects. Thanks for sharing

patriciad said...

So darn cute, you lil genius! And I love the kitties

Kathy T said...

What a cute, cute project. Thanks for sharing!

Dru said...

Love your gift ideas and your kitties - they are adorable and I know they bring you a lot of joy!

Unknown said...

Your kitties are adorable!!! My cat does the same. She has to sit on my table whenever I am working on a project. She usually sits on my papers and won't move until I hold her for a while. She also sits on my laptop when I am trying to type.

If I could, I would have a dozen cats!!!

TFS,
Angela

Eveline said...

Love the pictures of your cats. You project looks as your projects always do, GREAT.
Eveline.

Tammy Nichols said...

Mish! What a wonderful post and the coffee beans are just too damn cute! What a great job! I love the pictures of the kitties!!! I want to hold one but I am sure I would get the "Cat Scan" from my boxer. You know, how the dog sniffs and sniffs and sniffs and looks at you as if to say, "You been holdin cats haven't you...?"

Tracy said...

wonderful project and a-dorable furry friends.

Melodie Hoschek said...

Both kitties and projects are STINKIN CUTE! Love them!!

Shelley said...

Your Kitties are so cute! Just have to say that I love your creations and I love your spirit! Thanks for continuing to post ... you are such an inspiration! Hope you have a beautiful day!

Mary said...

Adorable project and adorable kitties!

Patty J said...

Your coffee packages are perfect and the cats are too cute!

Rita said...

Thank you for warming my heart this morning. As much as I love your gift set (so gorgeous!), the photos with your kitties did me in. You have no idea how much those photos helped me today. So, thank you!

Tricia T said...

What a fun project! That would be the perfect gift to go with the little coffee mug that I picked up at Starbucks on clearance this weekend!!

I love your napkins, too. Is that Moda fabric?? That coffee cup is blue and the fabric would be perfect. May I just steal your entire idea??? LOL!

Adorable kittens. Reminds me of mine, growing up. Awwwww..... :-)

Unknown said...

First, your project is wonderful, as always! AND as a HUGE coffee fan you would be my BFF if you handed me one of those little packages! Second, I am SO excited that Starbucks now has VIA ready to brew instant coffee in single cup servings that will fit very nicely in your packages (note to self: MUST.MAKE.SOME). Third, oh my goodnesses your kittens are too cute! THANKS for including them in your blog entry.

Jan said...

I usually just lurk but today after seeing the photos of your kitties I just couldn't leave without leaving you a comment. I love your work and I visit your blog weekly - sometimes twice a week and I'm never ever disappointed. You are an amazing designer and I so enjoy browsing your blog!

Harriet Hensley said...

Great idea and i love the pictures of the kitties.... thanks for sharing them

Sweet Paper Bliss said...

What another beautiful idea. Your creativity just amazes me. How do you keep everything together? Wife,Mom,teacher.wonderful artist,quilter and creator of all things beautiful! I NEED your secret!

I had a tear in my eye seeing Libby. She looks like my Ginger who I lost 9 years ago. She was 16 1/2 wneb she died.

Unknown said...

This just might be the best photo shoot ever! Love those kitties.
Sharon L

Marci said...

These little coffee packs are too cute! You are always such an inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing your amazing ideas with us!

Elizabeth S. said...

Great idea!! So many ways to use these little packages!! Thanks for sharing your photos of the kittens. They are so cute!!

Melissa K. said...

Aren't those Folgers packets surprisingly good!! We've been using them camping when hubby "has" to get up early to fish at dawn. I love how you made goodie kits using them. I think I'll have to make some for the neighbor who introduced us to the coffee packs. Loved seeing your kitties, too. They reminded me of my first cat that I had when I moved out on my own. :)

Anonymous said...

Nothing warms your heart more than a nice cup of coffee and a fur ball to sit in your lap. Ms Libby looks like she has been practicing her "modeling" moves, they are both too adorable. Love the projects you have on your blog as well. I am always checking it daily for more ideas.
Thanks for sharing.
Sheree

Kathy V. said...

Aww, dang. Not only are you creative, talented, thoughtful and funny--you like cats too! You're my hero. I can always count on you for inspiration and a smile.

Carol R said...

I love how comfy and cozy your coffee packets look. Great idea stamping the ribbon. What a delight it must be to stop by your home and just chit chat out on the porch with all your beautiful homespun goodness around. I love the antics your kitties created. Life would just be dull without them!

Anonymous said...

Mish, Just today I was thinking to myself how all the PTI team's work always looks so neat and "professional" etc. and I was truly wondering what a "behind the scenes" peek would look like knowing you all have busy lives. I had to chuckle reading about your kitties and their participation in today's photo shoot. Too cute! Thanks for sharing!
/Kristi

IamDerby said...

Love your kitty story!

Renee V. said...

Oh your "kitty bo-bitties" are so cute! I ♥ kitties!
Your "sip and enjoy" projects are totally awesome too!
Hugs!

lisa808 said...

Fab idea/project!

strent said...

I am glad it is not just me. I LOVE the pics with the kitties!!

Laura said...

Love the story about the kitties!

Gina F said...

Cute,cute,cute! I need to ask somethin'. I'm having really hard time to get my bold images to get ink right, how can I do get'em to work ok? Please help! Gina F

MacKenzie said...

These are great Mish! And your kitties are pretty stinkin cute too - my cats do the same thing when I'm photographing my goodies. I gave you a shout out on my Friday Faves.

Judy H. said...

Another gorgeous project, Mish! and loved your little story about your kitties. We have 6 of them ourselves and all of them have such a different, unique, individual personality. TFS. Judy H.

Anne said...

ROFLOL! If it had been my cat, they'd be LAYING in your basket of goodies! My cat seems to claim everything that comes into the house! Cute project too!

Mary said...

Now Mish, that is just tooo cute!! Thanks for sharing & God Bless You!!

Unknown said...

Great coffee gifts Mish thanks for sharing. I have two cats of my own but yours look so adorable and Miss Libby actually looks at you with total adoration in her eyes, just look at her, so unusual for a cat.
Regards
Michelle

Janice said...

Oh my goodness! You certainly went through a lot to get your photos, but it was totally worth it! Your projects are beautiful but your kittens are too cute for words!! Thanks for sharing!

Anthonette said...

Great design work. Loved seeing the kitties too.

Dotty Jo said...

Love your coffee packs and your cats are wonderful - poor Libby, some cats are just like that aren't they? The furry star in my life is called Custard. He likes to take things easy and spends as much time on the sofa in my lounge. Happy WCMD, Jo x

jo anne said...

Miss Libby is sooooo adorable. i don't know how you can resist her! as always, your ideas are so inspiring and beautiful. thanks.

Stef Perry said...

This totally tickled me, you know the phrase about herding cats...they never do anything convenient for YOU, yet we adore them all the same. My heart absolutely melted with photos of Libby just staring up so adoringly at...Mom!! You have an adopted child here, you've saved her life frequently, and this is total devotion! Enjoy...and thank you for sharing pics of your wonderful kitties!!!!

catmama said...

Your work is just amazing. I love visiting your blog. It is such an inspiration. The kittens are adorable too and what a time you have had with them! Perhaps since Libby is so accident prone, she might be safer inside? You're a very talented lady with a beautiful heart. I hope you keep posting to your blog and sharing your wonderful ideas.

Lacey said...

Very cute projects! I have been quite busy and haven't had the chance to stop by for a visit lately. And usually I admire your designs, but I usually don't comment often. But I HAD to comment on your kitties!! So adorable.. and so typical of kitties to get into everything! So glad to hear your beautiful girl has recovered from all of her mishaps! You really should see my new stamps that I am releasing tomorrow (Niki is on my design team...the company is called Wags 'n Whiskers and half of the images feature little kitties)!
~Lacey Stephens

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