Homebaked (Kitchen) for the Holidays

So guys.  Ok.  I have just found you some valuable crafting time during the madness of the season.  Forget the baking this year.  Let Homebaked Kitchen do YOUR baking so YOU can do the crafting (and isn't that all you want to do these days?!?) This has been my secret for the past couple of years and I'm ready to share!  Believe me, Jen's baking is more beautiful than I could EVER make and her recipes are better than any you can find your cook books.  Have a look for yourself.....

Cardinal Sugar Cookie.  Does he not have a presence about him?
So regal.  So beautiful.  You may feel a second of grief biting his head off!  Ha.

Homebaked for the Holidays!
Hey.  They are Homebaked.  They are.  Not baked in YOUR home
but they are Homebaked (Kitchen)!
You're not lying!

These sled cookies would pair so nicely with Jen's
sled linen towels (also available in the shop).  Theme gifts are my favourite!

 Stamped Cookies!?!

These cookies were Jen's entry in the tag swap!  Ok.  Look how beautiful the presentation is!  And guess what?  She used a stamp for the design!  Don't believe me?  Have a look below at the Penny Black stamp set we have in store!  Incredible!

So what do you think?  Don't thank me just yet.  Come in and thank me after you receive all the hugs and kisses this Christmas once your loved ones open YOUR hand made gifts and Homebaked goodies!

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5:30pm
Sat - 10am-3pm

2014 Tag Exchange - You Guys ROCK!

Our second annual Christmas Tag Exchange took place at The Pickle!  We had TWO full groups this year (a total of 24 participants).  I have to tell you that I was absolutely thrilled with all the tags were.  I mean they were truly pieces of art!  I can't show you all the tags just yet (as the tags are only starting to be picked up today) and I want the participants to be surprised when they look in their goodie bags!  I do promise to share the tags (how about after the holidays?).

As a side note, Cupcake Red Velvet is a very nice full bodied red from California.
My sister Jen introduced me to this wine at her rehearsal party
a few years ago (how fitting!)

I can share my tag though.  I was quite excited to work with the new printed canvas ribbon we got in just recently.  When I first looked at it, it reminded me of a scarf. I loved the pattern and how distressed yet elegant it was.  This got me to thinking.....

I also knew that I wanted to make a different kind of tag, not necessarily one for a boxed gift and that also got me to thinking.....

I also knew that I like to give bottles of wine at Christmas but sometimes the wine bags from the LCBO just look tacky to me.  I mean some of those wine bottle labels are so pretty and should not be hidden in a cheap paper bag.  So that had me to thinking.....

Hey!  A wine bottle could use a pretty scarf/bow/packaging this time of the year!  It all came together with elegant ribbon, a rhinestone broach and (of course) paper and twine.  The stamp from Riley & Co was almost TOO perfect.  I was tempted to use the "He sees you when you're drinking..." stamp but decided this one would go better.  I stamped it with the new Memento Luxe pad (which is heavenly btw).  A little colour to the holly image on the stamp plus a subtle paper tape and the tag was complete.  What do you think?

Have a little fun wrapping your gifts this year.  Think outside the box (or bag)....I dare you!
Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5:30pm
Sat - 10-3pm

Hot Apple Cider. Hot Gift Ideas

Join us today and every Saturday leading up to Christmas for a nice cup of apple cider while you stroll the store.  We have great gift ideas for teachers, hostess gifts, family and more.  Homebaked Kitchen has just received a big shipment of seasonal aprons, tea towels, coasters, etc.

Open until 3pm today.  Don't forget that if you are a part of our Christmas tag exchange, tags are due TODAY!!  Pick up of the tags will take place during store hours next week.

PS....I'm feeling much better these days.  We plan to spend the entire weekend putting up the tree, decorations, baking a little (and I mean a little because I would rather craft than bake...I always outsource this job to Homebaked Kitchen!), crafting and watching holiday movies.  No other plans.  I feel relaxed.  I feel good.  I hope you are too!

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10-5:30
Sat - 10-3

Simple Superstar Christmas Card #1

It's funny how this time of the year, the thought of adding one more "job" to your list can very well be the straw that breaks the camels back!  Honestly, last night I had a little melt down because I felt like I had not had one minute to myself.  The day consisted of working for hubby, cutting the lawn leaves with the rider, climbing the roof to get the leaves out the eaves troughs, hanging the outdoor Christmas lights, making a roast chicken dinner complete with mashed potatoes and gravy, cleaning up after dinner, building lego with my son, putting the kids to bed, finally putting away my mounds of clean clothes and then.....CRASH!  Seriously.  I just had to have a little pity party just so I had a minute for ME.  Truly.  Why is there so much to do?  And I know I am not the only one!  Everyone I talk to is the same especially this time of the year.

I'm here to save you from a major meltdown.  I had the melt down.  I took one for the team so you can stay sane while making your Christmas cards this year.  Truly.  Do not put too much pressure on yourself and let your Christmas cards be the "straw" that did you know what!  Follow my lead and look like a superstar while maintaining your composure.  Here's how....

Step 1:  Choose great papers like shimmer card stocks (what do you know?.....they can be found at The Pickle!).  They are elegant and get noticed on the card wreaths next to those white, glossy boxed cards.

Step 2:  Choose great dies.....Cut snowflake heart die out of that great red shimmer card stock.

Step 3:  Cut merry word die out of gray card stock and add a little glitter.  Glue to the red shimmer card stock.

Step 4:  Create an elegant look by keeping matting square and adding lots of layers.  And you're done!  Oh, I guess I did crank the die through an extra time using white card stock to add a couple of extra white snowflakes to the bottom of the card.  But that's it really!

Easy.  Stress free.  You're composure is most definitely in check while your superstar cape flies proudly in the cool winter breeze....♥.  PS....Thanks for letting me vent!  Ha.

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5:30pm
Sat - 10am-3pm

Christmas Advent Calendar for Hubby

(Just in case you missed my posts from last week)....the challenge was on to get an advent calendar done for my hubby in time for December 1.  Once kids came along, I stopped making projects for Trev and I thought that was terrible. I had a few days and thanks to a great DIY kit ($22.99) and a great 6x6 paper pad (Warm & Cozy), it all got done with time to spare!

Here is a better look at the completed project!

I added extra little goodies like the star brads.

All papers including the words "Trees and Hockey" were from the 6x6 pad.
Number stickers are included in the kit.

I included a little love note (ahhhh....♥) and a chocolate for Day 1 and guess what?  I think he actually liked it and was quite surprised.  He is a man of few words but I think his shy smile said it all (ahhhh....♥!)

Tag Swap
Just a little reminder that any of you who entered our annual tag swap, your tags are due by THIS Saturday.  Feel free to come in any time during our regular store hours to drop them off.  Thank you to those who have already done!  We even had one participant mail hers in since she lives out of town (we got them Pat!).  All I can say is WOW!  Everyone's tags are incredible.  I better get on my game and try to wow you too!

December Cheer
I know you guys find the store to be warm and cozy on any given day but we thought we would add a little extra warmth for the month of December.  Stop in on Saturdays (during store hours - 10am-3pm) and enjoy a warm cup of apple cider on the house.  Don't be shy.  We'd love to see you.  And hey, why don't you bring your latest creations for a little show and tell!!

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5:30pm
Sat - 10am-3pm