Holiday Cookie Packages

For years, my aunt and uncle hosted all the family gatherings. Their home was centrally located for all of us and it was the largest place - which was needed to hold the up to 50 people that would often gather. Their home, though, was a Chinese laundromat in an increasingly deteriorating neighborhood. They lived on the second floor and kept a large apartment on the third floor that used to be rented out. They'd built their lives there for over 50 years, and even though the area and elements worsened, they kept the extended family close. This year, they finally sold the business, the building and closed up shop. They are in their mid-nineties. Yes, they worked up until they closed.   

Now that the laundry is gone, its harder and harder to get together with my cousins. Where we used to visit each other at the laundry once a month, it wasn't until Christmas that we were all able to hook up.

After much schedule organizing, we met at a local restaurant. I was excited to see everyone even if it was just a few hours and I made some cookies for each family and packaged them, personalizing the labels and the contents for everyone. 

I made a ton of cookies over the holidays, probably around 15 dozen and 8 different kinds. Here are a few that  I packaged up:
Shortbread, chocolate bar cookies, glazed oatmeal, powdered sugar greek balls.

Recipes: Shortbread are Martha Stewart. I got them from the ipad app. Greek Balls (see previous post). The others, I will try to come back and post either links or resources one day. :) 

 

Of course, I snuck a few samples for myself. Yum.

For the packaging, I admit, I cheated a bit. My mom has a restaurant in Myrtle Beach, SC, and I got these cool kraft take out boxes from her restaurant supplier. I made the labels and Xyroned them on. I used a corner rounder cutter from Michael's to give the labels a more finished look.
The kraft bags are wax lined bakery bags from Uline. I also made the gift card holders for the teens/tweens with an iTunes gift card and their initials cut out of the back.

Summer Camp Gifts

Its been a crazy, busy Summer and I've neglected many things scrapping related. In fact, I've bowwed out of most of my CT duties, with much regret. I'm still bouncing in and out of MScraps - because the stuff in the galleries are always so inspiring and also because the ladies there are so fun and inspiring themselves. There is also no pressure there. They love when you join in but don't make you feel negligent when you can't. If you haven't checked out the shop and forums, you must. :)

Anyhow, my DS will be finishing his 8 weeks of summer camp at Rolling Hills Day Camp. We love the place and feel like he's so well taken care of - especially since he's there from 8:30 until 4 - with an additional hour where he's on their bus. We get regular reports and photos as well as a LOT of things sent home that he makes and achieves. Thanks to them, our son dove off of the diving board for the first time.

So I didn't want to just send in money at the end of the Summer (Not that its in my nature anyway), so I made these fun - camp inspired - packages for each of his counsellors and the other important people who've taken care of him this Summer.

Camp's S'more Fun