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Found Freebies, Part 4: Le Blahg

britt — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:55:14 +0000

Here is another series of free downloads that I have come across. These are all courtesy of the creative Miss B (you may know her from The Bright Side Project). She has lots of digital downloads available on her ~~blog~~ blahg, from mailing labels to photoshop textures. You can browse through them here. The images shown above are a few of my favorites. The “Get Excited and Make Things” poster print (8.5″ x 11″) was actually created (and generously provided as a free download) by moleitau, but Miss B has adapted it into five different colors, for your color-coordinating pleasure.
Check them out: Library card bookplates, Get Excited poster, folded mini notebook.
Thanks, Miss B!

Time for Tea Soap

britt — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:07:04 +0000

Drinking tea is such a lovely ceremony, what with the dainty cups and small spoons and little dishes reserved only for steeped tea bags. The aroma is such a huge part of that experience. Sadly, I’m finding that one can only drink so much tea in a day. So why not pull those luscious scents into our lives in other ways? This was my thinking when this idea popped into my head. I whipped up a batch of small Earl Grey tea soaps (see my instructions below) and folded them into individual tissue tea bags.

I have included a full, rather detailed tutorial for you to make these yourself. You can even download my tea soap tags, if you are so inclined. Each tag has a “Made by” and “For” on the back, so you can give these little soaps as gifts. You could also write a tiny message on the inside of the tag. I assure you that these are extremely easy to make, and cheap as well.
Click through below for the free tag download and how to!

You can buy all the materials you need here.
(a) Soap: I used a Melt & Pour Soap Base which some may think is cheating, but I think it’s fantastic. It’s incredibly easy – you just cut up the block of soap and melt it in the microwave (or if you are like me and don’t have a microwave, use a double-boiler) and add in whatever ingredients you want.
I used Earl Greyer Tea which has more bergamot than usual. Then just pour it into a mold or pan and let it set. After a few hours mine was set and I cut it into rectangles about 1″ x 2″. These are small (think hotel soap) and I was able to get eight soaps from a 1 lb. block, plus scraps that I can melt down into another one or two. You can see more detailed instructions here. I would recommend wrapping each soap in a dark-colored paper.
(b)Tags: You can create your own tags, or download mine here. Each sheet has tags for Earl Grey Tea Soap, Green Tea Soap, Citrus Mint Tea Soap, Ginger Peach Tea Soap, Rooibos Tea Soap, Jasmine Tea Soap, and Tea Soap (plain). Just cut them out, fold them in half, and snip little notches in the corners (see photos). [A note about the tags: Feel free to print out these tags for your personal, non-commercial use. Please do not redistribute in any way.]
(c)White tissue paper: Pieces cut to approximately 6″ x 9″, one per soap. *Not intended for use in the tub or shower.
(d)Tape
(e)String
(f)Stapler
(g)Scissors

How to fold, tea bag-style:

1. Place one soap on the tissue paper, centered vertically but slightly higher than the middle.
2. Fold the two sides over the soap so that they overlap slightly. Tape closed.
3. Pinch the edges to form a rectangular box. Pleat the sides inward.

4. Fold the bottom up over the soap and secure with a loop of tape (or double-sided tape)
5. Trim so that the front and back are the same height
6. Fold the two corners in to form a peak.
7. Pull the peak down and tape shut.

8. Flip over and staple the string onto the bag, tying a knot in the end to keep it from slipping through. Staple tag on the other end of the string.
If you have any trouble with these instructions it might help to inspect a real tea bag. For the sake of comparison, here is a real tea bag with mine:

Here are the tags that are available (click here to view and print):

Now I’m off to have a cup of tea…
Thanks for reading.

Found Freebies, Part 2: The Small Object

britt — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:25:23 +0000

I’m sure most of you are familiar with Sarah Neuburger of The Small Object, creator of the best wedding cake toppers ever to be made. Seriously.

Look! The one on the right sort of looks like Ryan and me. If only I had known about these two years ago…
Sarah has generously provided some free downloads in her signature style. Above I have shown the Flying Floating Mailing Labels and the Little Notes, but there are more here. These make me so happy!
Thanks, Sarah!

We’re in Nelson right now visiting our families. I almost forgot how calm it is here (we unknowingly moved into the entertainment district in Vancouver). Hopefully we’ll be able to go sailing at some point with my parents. Have a good weekend, everyone!

Found Freebies, Part 1: Eat Drink Chic

britt — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:04:23 +0000

Lately I have come across several blogs of people who are not only amazingly talented, but generous too! There are lots of freebies out there, but I have chosen only the best of the best for you, my dear readers. I have a series of “Found Freebies” that I will be posting over the next few days.
First up, the ridiculously talented Australian designer Amy Moss. I was blown away by these gorgeous labels. Above, you’ll see the vintage apothecary bottle labels (left) for herbal tonics and miracle elixirs. Wouldn’t these look fantastic in the washroom? Or in a spa gift set of homemade beauty products? The other two are vintage-looking dried herb bottle labels and tea canister labels with instructions on how to tea stain them to look more authentic. There are also (not shown) really great oil and vinegar labels, and bubble bath labels for bridesmaids (but without the little top label, would make a great thank-you or hostess gift). I want them all!

Thank you so much, Amy!