Leo on the Loose

Happy Holidays

  
This will be my last post for the year. I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for making this such an amazing and surprising year for me. And to think, it was only a year ago that I decided to start this site. I have made some wonderful new friends, read some very kind comments, been inspired by so many talented designers, and branched off into creative areas I never thought I would go in. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

I have to be honest though. I am excited about this small break. I am looking forward to the quiet time with family and the new inspirations that always comes along with that. I am already working on some new products and secret projects for 2010 and I can not wait to share them with everyone. There are some big changes in the works! I will see everyone back here on January 4th!

Love to you all ~ erin

Favorite Iphone App: USPS Mobile

I bought an iphone recently and I have been very happy with that decision so far. However, I am not someone who has the thing loaded with games. My favorite app of the moment is the USPS Mobile™. If you are someone who ships a lot of packages, say an Etsy seller like myself, then this app is for you! Just copy and paste the tracking number in the "Track" section and it lets you know the status of your shipment. It also helps you find the nearest Post Office™, Automated Postal Centers®, Collection Boxes® and zip codes. You can find this app in the business section in the Top Free Apps.

{image credits Apple & USPS}

{easy} Gingerbread Men Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:

1 (3.5 oz) package cook & serve butterscotch pudding mix

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

In a medium bowl, cream together the dry butterscotch pudding mix, butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger and cinnamon; stir into pudding mixture. Cover and chill dough until firm, about 1 hour. Preheat oven the 350° F (175° C). Grease baking sheets. On a floured board, roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness, and cut into man shapes using a cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are golden at the edges. Cool on wire racks.

**Ever since I was a child, this was my favorite time of year, but this year for some reason, I just am not in the holiday spirit yet. I do not have much time left to get there! I am hoping making some of these cookies will help. I have made this recipe for the past five years and they have been amazing and delicious every single time. My advice: flour the surface you are going to roll the dough out on very well. The dough tends to be very sticky! I have even rolled the dough on wax paper for less stick. Original recipe found here, compliments of Kim. Enjoy!

{image credits DotSara} 

DIY Holiday Gift Card Holder Printable

I am a fan of gift cards, but not a big fan of the goofy little holders or paper envelopes provided to hold them. So I have designed some DIY A2 folded printable gift card holders for everyone! There are 2 designs {white & gray, and red & green}, 1 of each on the 8.5"x11". Just print PDF onto cardstock, trim down center line and fold in half. Using an x-acto trace along the back side angle lines. Open card and gently slip your gift card into place. Blank inside to write a personalized message. Try printing design on different colored cardstock! Enjoy! {I will be taking tomorrow off to spend a little holiday shopping time with the husband. See you all back here on Monday! ~ erin }

*Designer recommendations: 

1. I would recommend using 80 lb paper. Has a bit more give than 100 or 110 lbs paper.

2. If you need more room for the card, using the x-acto, just make the angle trim marks a bit longer.

3. If your card has rounded corners, just double-stick or using regular tape, tape the card inside.

Download GiftCardHolder here.

COMMON SENSE RULE: For personal use only. Not for commercial use.   ©erinvaledesign.com

Lemon Chicken Soup with Spaghetti

Ingredients:

6 c. low sodium chicken broth

1/3 c. fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

1 dried bay leaf

1 (2 inch) piece of Parmesan cheese rind, optional

2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces

1 c. (about 2 1/2 oz) spaghetti, broken into 2 inch pieces *see Cook's note

2 c. diced cooked rotisserie chicken, preferably breast meat

1 c. grated Romano cheese

1/4 c. chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

Kosher salt

Directions:

In a large stockpot, bring chicken broth, lemon juice, bay leaf and Parmesan rind, if using, to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and simmer until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the broken pasta and cook until the pasta is tender, for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken and heat through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and the Parmesan rind and discard. Stir in 1/2 of the cheese and parsley. Season with salt, to taste. Ladle soup into serving bowls and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

*Cook's Note: You can use short pasta from your pantry as a substitute for the spaghetti.

**In keeping with Giada's soup recipes, I thought I would share the favorite of the moment in my house. This recipe is so wonderful, easy, healthy, and the lemon juice makes ALL the difference. This recipe will forever be in my arsenal for feel good or feel better food. This is definitely one of my all time favorites. Original recipe found here. Enjoy!

Creamy Artichoke Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

2 T. extra virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

2 leeks, white part only, washed well and chopped {rinse all the grit out between layers}

1 small potato, peeled and chopped

1 (8 oz) package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed

2 c. chicken stock

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 T. plus 1/3 c. mascarpone cheese

2 T. chopped chives, for garnish

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a heavy, large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and the garlic and stir. Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the artichokes, stock, salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

Using a handheld immersion blender, or in a blender in batches*, puree the soup. Add the 2 tablespoons mascarpone and blend again to combine. In a small bowl, stir the remaining 1/3 cup mascarpone to soften.

Ladle the soup into serving bowls. Dollop the top of each of the soups with a spoonful of the softened mascarpone cheese and top with chives.

*When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

**Giada does it again! I have been craving soup lately because the weather has been so damp and dreary. This tasty recipe did not disappoint. Very easy to make. Just remember the warning about heat and using a blender or food processor. Safety first! Original recipe found here. Enjoy!

{image credits Food Network} 

Eat Drink Chic Borders Holiday Window

I am a very big fan of the website Eat Drink Chic, run by graphic designer Amy Moss out of Australia. Her site is loaded with amazing free packaging and print DIY downloads. Her work is stunning and apparently Borders has realized this as well. They gave her a much deserved holiday window in one of their stores! Congratulations Amy, the window is gorgeous. Continued success in 2010. I can not wait to see what you design next! 

{image credits Eat Drink Chic}

Etsy Holiday Sale

 
The Post Office's "Get it there by Christmas" date, Tuesday December 15th, is fast approaching! In order to help you send your gifts to your loved ones on time, we will be having a 30% OFF SALE in the Vale Design Paper Goods shop on all holiday items from today, December 10th through December 15th 12PM EST. 

In order to get all of my holiday shopping done, I will be taking tomorrow off! Happy weekend everyone and see you back here on Monday. ~ erin

Inspired Bride Free Holiday Printable

Yeah I made the "Nice" list! Maddy of Inspired Bride was kind enough {and talented enough} to make some blogger friends lovely postcard printables. Each one of us received a different design! Like I said, talent. Plus she was kind enough to let us offer them to our readers for free! There are instructions included in this multi-page PDF. Just print front and back onto cardstock, trim and send with love! I have also seen Maddy's other designs on Paper Crave and on Oh So Beautiful Paper. I do not know about you, but I am going to try to find them all!

Download the postcard here.

~Thanks Maddy. I love my printable! It was a pleasure meeting you online as well as in person this year! I am a better designer as a result. Happy Holidays to you and yours and all the best to you and your 2010 projects!

{image credits Inspired Bride}

**Please remember to respect the designer. Design is for personal use only. Not intended for commercial use.

Blog Love: Geninne's Art Blog

I can not seem to get enough DIY tutorials and creative e-commerce hints and helpful tips lately. In my pursuit of learning new techniques and information, I have stumbled onto some lovely new sites, Geninne's Art Blog being one of them. Geninne is a stay at home mom, artist and I believe is currently in the process of re-locating to Mexico! Her style is fabulous and the more I wander through her work, the more I fall in love. She seems to love birds as much as I do!

I found this site through an easy hand carved stamp tutorial that Ez at Creature Comforts mentioned on Twitter. I have always been interested in stamping and block printing. Any time someone mentions "easy" in the same sentence, well, you have my attention. I can not wait to make some time to try these eraser techniques. Thanks Geninne for sharing and good luck with your move!

{image credits Geninne's Art Blog} 

Vale Design Paper Goods Etsy Holiday Sale

Did you know that there is a notepad sale* going on in the Vale Design Paper Goods shop? Sale ends Monday December 7th at 12 PM EST. Hurry!

*selected notepads only

*To my friend who is traveling - It snowed! The first Indiana snow...I can still see the grass, but it snowed! :)

Introducing: 3 Boy Design

I am so excited and honored to be able to introduce you to two people, my uncles and also designers, who have nurtured and mentored me from the absolute beginning of my career, seventh grade to be exact. They are the sole reason that I even considered being a graphic designer and the reason that I strive to push myself in my field to this day. Their raw talent and design skills inspired and continue to inspire me in ways that no other design experience has. This one is personal folks.

Please help me welcome, 3 boy design to the wonderful world of ecommerce! They have just opened a small Etsy shop to be able to share their unique holiday cards. Please stop by the shop if you have a minute and thank you so much for helping me welcome them!

much love & thanks uj and ub ~ erin

New products at Vale Design Paper Goods!

 

 

 

 

• Santa Gift Tags- cute little 3x3" tags to tape on a gift or hole punch and attach with bakers twine

• Cookies For Santa Recipe Cards - Double sided 4x6" recipe cards

• Bird Gift Tags - cute little 3x3" tags to tape on a gift or hole punch and attach with bakers twine

• Bird Crumbs Recipe Cards - Double sided 4x6" recipe cards

 

 • Printable Dome Box - Mod Single - Customizable Color

• Printable Gable Box - Burst - Customizable Color

Well, it has taken a bit longer than usual, but we are getting in the holiday spirit around the house and the shop. There will be one or two more products that will go into the shop on Friday as well! Please check back!

**ps We just want to thank each an every one of you who has helped, offered advice, purchased a VDPG product, let us believe and attain our crazy goals and has given such kind feedback. It means a great deal to us and we appreciate you all. The new year will be bringing new products and new adventures and we would love it if you all came along with us! ~ erin

Zucchini Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

3 c. flour

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. salt

1 t. baking powder

3/4 t. baking soda

2 c. shredded peeled or unpeeled zucchini

1 c. nuts {optional}

1 c. raisins {optional}

3 eggs

1 c. cooking oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except eggs and oil. In another bowl, beat eggs and oil together then pour over flour mixture. Stir till moistened, Turn into greased 9 x 5 x 3" loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 90 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and dry. Cool in pan for 10 minutes and then remove. Refrigerate when completely cooled. Can be wrapped in foil and frozen. **If baking in a glass dish, reduce oven temperature to 325°.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           **About this time of year, I am notorious for making baked goods and sending them with the Husband to work, in theory, to share with his co-workers. I grew up on this dessert and it is one of my favorites and now my husband's as well. I have made this for him at every place he has ever worked. This is far and away a co-worker favorite. I usually have to provide them with the recipe the next day! So easy and can be kept in the freezer for quite some time. Enjoy!  {ps I do not use the nuts or the raisins.}

2009 USPS Holiday Shipping Schedule

It is now officially December and holiday shipping is at hand. The United States Postal Service website is a plethora of information and is chalked full of helpful tools for this season's holiday shipping. I have been visiting the post office a lot lately for the Vale Design Paper Goods shop and I have had to educate myself very quickly to the USPS inner workings. They are making shipping so much easier and user friendly, plus the workers at my local branch have been very supportive of my business and extremely helpful. Here are a couple of online tools that may make your holiday shipping less stressful.

• Buy stamps online {no more waiting in line!}

• Priority Mail boxes - If it fits, it ships! {This shipping method has become my favorite. Boxes are well made and secure. Free boxes and set pricing is the way to go! Please note that price increases slightly for international shipping and there is an international weight limit.}

• Print Click-N-Ship® shipping labels from home {yet another way to avoid lines! Check online system requirements.}

• Some branches are open 24 hours and have Automated Postal Centers. {yet a third way to avoid lines! See a trend here?!}

 

Above is the USPS December Holiday shipping calendar. For a by Christmas delivery, they recommend having USA packages mailed by December 14th or 15th. For international, have packages sent by December 8th or 9th. The Vale Design Paper Goods shop will be following these dates for shipping. All items requiring shipping that are purchased or shipped after these dates, if requested by buyer, will have additional rush charges. This excludes any printable PDFs. These can be emailed up to the very last second!

A couple thoughts of advice from me: 

1. Be patient while in line during the holidays, with the workers and the people around you. Huffing and puffing about the woman in front of you will NOT move you forward in line any quicker. Take a breath. It is going to be fine :)

2. Be as prepared as you possibly can when it is your turn. The branch workers are required to ask a lot of questions, so be prepared to answer, do you want stamps, does this package contain dangerous goods, tracking, insurance, etc. Do your part to help them do theirs!

Good luck and happy holiday shipping!

{calendar image credit USPS}