How to Make Cute Tags---Pictorial Tutorial

How-To Make this Cute Tag
Stacy's Pictorial-Tutorial

A friend once told me that I should do some tutorials in my blog. Ok, that was awhile ago...and she knows who she is. So, while I was creating more of my "Thank You" tags which I enclose with customer's jewelry purchases from my Etsy shops... Stacy's Designs 88, Blue Lovebirds, and Lilikoi Cottage (I know, terrible egotistical shop plugs!)...I thought this would be a good time to snap the process for you all.

When I package my jewelry orders to send out to my customers, I always enclose a handmade "Thank You" card. On the blank back, I handwrite a special thanks to each customer. I love doing this...giving it my personal touch. I always feel like I'm sending a gift out and these are my friends, not just a customer. I'm really into the packaging bc I want everyone to feel like they are receiving a Birthday gift from me. It gives me a thrill imagining their face when they open the bubble manila envelope and pull out their specially wrapped gift box. I want them to smile and feel Happy and Special!

My array of supplies: 1) blank shipping tags from craft or supply store,
2) Close To My Heart Inked Stamp pads, 3) Close To My Heart Acrylic handles,
4) Close To My Heart Acrylic Stamps, 5) 9 1/2 inches of cut ribbon---I'm using red grosgrain ribbon,
and the 6) Finished Tags

Close To My Heart acrylic stamp, one of the designs which I used to create these tags.
Your acrylic stamps come in these nifty little organizer case which is see thru and flat.

Editor's Note: Sorry, but this "Romantic Backgrounds" stamp is no longer for sale.
You can use another of my Favorites, "Adorable" (#D1183)
which is a gorgeous and versatile Paisley print set!
See 1st Tag at top of page.

Close-up of the Acrylic stamp on the Acrylic handle.
Word to the wise, I only use acrylic stamps bc they are easy to store as they are flat
and come in their own little organizer pouch which is flat flat flat.
No more wooden stamps = way more space. :)

Here's how it's done.
Acrylic stamp "Thank You" on acrylic handle...stamping the tag.
Notice how you can see the Exact placement of your stamp on the tag. Love it !
Always get my stamp print exactly where I want it now.
I used "Black" Close To My Heart Exclusive Ink Stamp Pad.

Editor's Note: you can use this "Thank You" (#D1361) set for your choice of the word "Thank You".

Ta Dah!

Next, using one of the Acrylic CTMH stamps,
just stamp the bottom and the top of the tag...like so.
I used "Cocoa" Close To My Heart Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad.
This is one of my favorite all time colors to use.

Using another of your favorite Close To My Heart Acrylic stamps,
and the "Tulip" Close To My Heart Exclusive Inks stamp pad, just stamp the corners of the tag.
Place the stamp whichever way you want...you'll always be right.
I like to do a little different angle on each tag bc it makes them each unique.
You're almost finished...isn't this simple?

Editor's note: oops, sorry this Butterflies stamp is no longer for sale. You can use another one of my Favs, "With Love" (#D1284) for the design on the corners. See 1st Tag at top of page. It's a lovely Asian inspired tag.

Next comes tying the ribbon to the end.
It's probably easier just to follow the photo.
Half the ribbon, pull the looped side thru the hole,
then pull the tails thru the loop and tug tight while holding onto it.

The finished "Thank You" tags. You can handwrite a personalized sentiment on the back.
On the front, you can stamp anything. Let your imagination run wild!
Have fun. :)

NOTE: I'm an Independent CTMH Consultant. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Your CTMH goodies will arrive directly at your doorstep. Isn't that neat? Crafting made simple...I Love that.

Mystery Solved...My Necklace Is in the Etsy Storque

Simply Something Blue...
Aquamarine Baroque Swarovski Crystal Necklace

Yesterday started off as an ordinary day until I started getting "hearted" ♥ in my Etsy shop, Blue Lovebirds. When I say "♥", I mean a lot. People started ♥ various jewelry pieces and started ♥ my shop. Yayyyy!

I checked and was not featured on the Etsy Front Page. Scratch scratch... I wasn't featured in someone's awesome Treasury. Scratch scratch. Everytime I noticed that whoever hearted me also ♥ this gorgeous hand crafted wedding gown, I knew something was up.

Thread Bare's Daydream Wedding Gown

So, I finally just googled both Thread Bare's name and mine together and found this Etsy Storque article, Etsy Finds: Pearls of Wisdom. Wow! It just came out yesterday. There must be a lot of gals reading the Etsy Storque articles. Publicity is pretty neat, especially when it's unexpected...and free. :) Thanks Etsy! Thanks Emily!

Looking for unique, gorgeous, handcrafted with Love jewelry to wear on your Wedding Day? Please visit my Etsy shops.... Stacy's Designs 88, and my newest Bridal shop.... Blue Lovebirds for lovely wedding jewelry for you, your bridesmaids, your flower girls, and your family to wear on your Special Day.

Aloha from Hawaii!

Fun and Fancy Free Fabric Rosette Cuff Bracelets

My Secret Life as a Trapeze Artist

(Sold)

I love flowers and fabric. I have a large collection of vintage fabric which I never seemed to figure out what to do with...until now. I was inspired by other artistans and their fabric rosette jewelry. Wanting to use my vintage fabric and make rosettes jewelry also, I did it but with my own twist. This was the perfect new line of jewelry for my new Etsy shop "Lilikoi Cottage". It's fun, cheerful, eclectic, romantically vintage, a bit crazy with color and trims, and will definitely put a smile on your face. These bracelets are not for the faint of heart. I created this line for the Woman who knows who she is, believes that life is what she makes of it, and wants life to be positive and fun filled.

You'll find a variety of vintage fabric ranging from American cotton to Japanese Kimono. Vintage trims consisting of Ric Rac, ribbons, buttons, trim, and beads will be used. I have super pretty trim from Paris that I have stored away that I will be using.

My Secret Life on the Paris Streets
Fabric Rosette Cuff Bracelet
(Sold)

My Secret Life as a Blue Jean Babe

The Geisha Girl
Featured on Etsy's Front Page on Sunday 5/24/09
(Sold)

My Secret Life as a Vampire
(Sold)

Please stop by my shop, "Lilikoi Cottage" for more Cottage Chic jewelry, accessories, vintage finds, and knick knacks.

UPDATE on November 6, 2009: here is a new post on my new Vintage Fabric Rosette Hairbands and Hairpins...check it out HERE Hope this helps inspire you with your fabric rosette crafts.

If you want to Receive my New Blog Posts directly to your email as they are published, Please just Subscribe by entering your email address. The Subscription feature is found in the LEFT column to this Post. EZ PZ, fast and simple.

Gotta Crow----Courtney Cobain...aka Courtney Love..Bought these Earrings from My Shop

Early this week, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Courtney Love aka Courtney Cobain purchased from my Etsy shop Stacy's Designs 88 my wire wrapped extravaganza pair of earrings called "Bollywood Extra Large Gold Filled Hoops with Labradorite and Quartz Earrings". Courtney is a known avid Etsy patron. Thank you Courtney!

She purchased one of my newer earrings which is intensely (for me) wire wrapped using gold filled wire to create the hoop and then to enhance it with decor and gold filled beads and Labradorite gemstones. I did an intricate wire pattern and strung light gray Quartz gem stones.



Just wanted to share this bc I was totally amazed and happily honored. Courtney has such an eclectic style and is always way ahead of trends and even starts trends. All I can say is "Wow".

Thank you Courtney!

I'm currently working on a silver pendant version of this earring. Also, will start doing more wirework pieces since it allows me to express myself thru the different designs and shapes that I can create with sterling silver and gold filled wire.

Please feel free to stop by my shop Stacy's Designs 88.

Hot Oozing Chocolate Lava Cakes--Recipe Included

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

My family spent Mother's Day at Duane and Sarah's house. Both my mother and Michelle were guest of honors being our 2 moms.We had a buffet of Japanese and Asian themed dishes to celebrate the occasion. Pot luck style of course.

Mom, Dad, Laurie, Michelle, Baby Ethan

Ethan snoozing...his favorite pasttime

The Pot Luck Spread

Our menu consisted of steamed Red fish stuffed with Lup Chong, Cold Somen salad, the Japanese Soy Bean rice, Thai Lemon Grass Curry soup, Barbequed Teriyaki chicken, steamed Baby Bok Choy...yummy!

My big brother Duane's dish...onolicious ("delicious" in Hawaiian)

And for dessert, we started off with my favorite Mango & Coconut Tapioca ice cold treat which is super EZ and super delicious. My family LoVes it.

Then, we topped the night off with the finale dessert...Hot Oozing Chocolate Lava cakes (that's my name for it). Unfortunately, as this was Jimmy and my first time making it, I overbaked it by 2 minutes. So while it was delicious, it didn't ooze with chocolate like it was supposed to. But that was my fault as I went beyond the recommended time by 2 extra minutes which baked it to a soft tender chocolate cake with a bit of an ooze. Anyway, I thought I'd share it with you. My friend Cathy always makes it and swears by it. In fact, she made it for us at a dinner and it did Ooze. So, follow the recipe and don't overbake bc if you do, you lose the ooze. (hey, that rhymes!)

The Recipe

Ramekins all buttered and floured, ready to go.
You can use ceramic cups instead. :)

Melted butter...it's a good thing.
Add the Bittersweet Chocolate to this and voila!
You can use whatever chocolate you like.
I used Ghiradelli Bittersweet Chocolate chips which I use for baking cookies and such.

Sarah said that this was the 4th time her KitchenAid mixer was used.
I used it a 5th time later when I whipped up Whipped Cream for the topping.

The ramekins are filled little more than 1/2 way and are ready for baking.

The recipe said to make sure the tops "begin" to crack...
I think I waited 2 minutes longer than I should have.

Here's the recipe...it's normal name is "Johnny Depp and John Malkovich Soft Chocolate Cake"---

1 stick (4 ounces) butter or margarine
4 ounces Bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used Ghiradelli's Bittersweet chips, but use whatever chocolate you want or mix the types of chocolates)
3 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour

Whipped Cream, for serving with cake (recipe to follow)

1. Preheat oven to 450. Butter and lightly flour six 6 ou. Ramekins; tap out the excess flour. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet.

2. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Put the chocolate in a small bowl, pour the margarine on top and stir until smooth.

3. In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs with the sugar at medium speed until thick and pale. Beat in the flour; add the chocolate. Spoon the batter into the prepared ramekins. Bake in the center of the oven for about 12 minutes, or until the tops of the cakes begin to crack. (I wouldn't go beyond 12 minutes or cake will cook through and you'll lose the OOZE.

4. Let the cakes cool down in the ramekins for 1 minute. Run a thin knife around the sides of the cakes to loosen them, then cover each ramekin with an inverted dessert plate. Turn them over, let them stand for a few seconds and then remove the ramekins. Serve the cakes with a dollop of whipped cream. Alternatively, serve the cakes in the ramekins and pass the whip cream at the table.

For Fresh Whipped Cream---here's the recipe:

1 cup of Heavy Whipping Cream (should be cold from the refrigerator)
Add 1/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Using your handmixer or Kitchenaid or what have you, add sugar and vanilla to the cream and whip. Once it gets stiff so it peaks, stop...you're done. Don't overdo it or it'll breakdown. Voila, it's that simple.

P.S. I'm so tickled. I just made up the whipped cream topping recipe as I didn't measure when making it. When I googled a whipped cream recipe...it was the exact same measurements. Pat on my back. :)

Try this recipe. It's like those fancy chocolate cakes in the fancy restaurants where they ask if you want to order it bc it'll take 30 minuted to make. Well, it does take under an hour to make, it's way EZer to make than a chocolate cake, and it's super fast and delicious. My brother Brad said that it tastes just like the Roy's restaurant chocolate cake which they had the night before. Yayyy! Enjoy!

The Wish I was Oozing Chocolate Lava Cake with homemade whipped topping,

a scoop of Haupia (coconut) icecream, and a super sweet sliced strawberry.

Introducing My Two New Etsy Shops

Hi all! Sorry that I've been a bit MIA from this blog. I've been a bit busy with life and rethinking of my Etsy shop Stacy's Designs 88. I've decided to branch out and open 2 new shops...Lilikoi Cottage and Blue Lovebirds.

In my Lilikoi Cottage shop, I'll be selling my vintage flower and shabby chic colorful jewelry, vintage Hawaii finds, handmade shabby chic cottage like crafts, cute tags and cards, and whatever other cottage inspired creations.


In my Blue Lovebirds shop, I'll be selling my wedding inspired jewelry, and wedding accessories like Jimmy's hand turned pens made from Koa wood and other materials, cute handmade ring pillows, and other wedding must haves.


Amy from Bean Sprout Studios designed all my Etsy shop banners.My shop banners were created to all have a similar look in color and design so that customers could more readily recognize all 3 shops as belonging to me.

Working with Amy was a dream come true. I searched thru the different Etsy shops looking for a design style that I could relate to and I found it in Amy's Etsy Shop. I love and appreciate Amy's clean modern graphic designs, her terrific "eye", and her quick turnaround on her work. She's so easy to communicate with and is open to creating different versions of a design which is so helpful.

Amy has so many gorgeous graphic designs, mommy calling cards, Thank you cards, cards for any occasion, digital scrapbook paper...and much more. Please visit Amy's Etsy Shop "Bean Sprout Studio" .

Amy will soon be working on my new Etsy business cards and a new Blog banner. For my mother and I, she's already designed our new real estate business cards. I'll reveal those in another article. Yayyy!

Chicken Cacciatore...Simple and Delicious!

Another Great Dish from Jean's Cookbook
Hawaii Style

I've been going thru Jean Watanabe Hee's cookbook "Hawaii's Best Local Dishes" and have been trying out the different dishes. I have found that all her recipes are Terrific and EZ to make. She's our local version of Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa. Jean's cookbook has loads of good comfort food recipes. You'll find something in there to satisfy yourself and your family.

I had bought a LARGE can of whole tomatoes from Costco.
I used a good chunk for this recipe, bagged the rest which site in my fridge
to make pasta and other dishes for later. Yesterday, I made Puttanesca Pasta...yummy!

Tobey watching her dad prepare the chicken for
frying from one of her many favorite perches...an open drawer.

The chicken thighs first need to be fried.

Now how can fried chicken in a dish be bad?

These thighs turned out a yummy golden brown!

This is a VERY simple recipe...pretty much everything just gets
thrown into the pot and you just let it simmer. Miracously, you get
tender delicious chicken and a thick yummy sauce.

Jimmy and I took this dish over to my BFF aka big sister Laurie's house.
We all enjoyed this dish! Yummy! You have to try it.
Super simple and super comfort food.


Chicken Cacciatore

2 pounds chicken thighs, skinless and boneless (you can add other chicken pieces or whole chicken...whatever you have in the fridge/freezer)
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
olive oil for frying
1 onion, thinly sliced in rings or half circles
1 large can tomato sauce (15 oz.)
1 large can whole tomatoes (28 oz.)
1 to 2 green peppers, wedged
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoon oregano
**I added salt, pepper, garlic power, Italian spices to the pot to taste.
***Add-ins: you can try adding carrots, mushrooms, potatoes, etc....like a stew.

Combine flour, salt, pepper and paprika in a bowl. Coat the chicken in flour mixture. In a large deep skillet, add enough olive oil to brown onions, remove onions. Add more oil as needed and cook floured chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Return onions to the pan. Add rest of the ingredients. Simmer covered for 1 to 2 hours. Serve over hot linguini or hot rice.

Try it, you'll like it. This has been tested and meets the Yummy Two Thumbs Up rating!