Vale Design : Freelance Package Design & Branding

Free Printable Santa Letterhead

I LOVE everything about this free printable Santa Claus letterhead from Design Editor found via Pinterest. I love the font, the ornamental details, and the concept. So cute for the kiddos!

{image credits Design Editor found via Pinterest}

40 Homemade Edible Gifts

Thanksgiving is over. Baby Vale will be coming within the month. Holiday decorations are going up and I am getting in the holiday spirit! I love homemade gifts and I love them even more if they involve food. I was very excited to stumble onto this Yummy Presents link from The Kitchn via Pinterest. These goodies would make great holiday and/or hostess gifts for upcoming holiday parties.

{image credits The Kitchn and link respectable owners found via Pinterest}

Cyber Monday Sale

Cyber Monday is here! Use discount code CYBERMONDAY2011 at checkout to save 50% on all items in the finch&hawk® shop. This sale will run from 7am EST - 7pm EST today only. Notepad supplies are VERY limited!

Click here to learn how to redeem your discount code at checkout.

** Shop will close Dec 2nd {this Friday} for maternity leave **

Happy Thanksgiving

We are taking a much needed, early break around here! To you and yours, have a happy and safe holiday!

DIY Take-Along Treats 5: Peppermint Bark

This Take-Along Treat peppermint bark recipe is so simple! Bundled in a tin it makes the prettiest holiday party or hostess gift. The Food Network Magazine December 2010 issue features some interesting bark recipes using white and dark chocolate. They even suggest swirling the two chocolates together. So pretty! They also suggest a whole bunch of ingredients to use instead of peppermints such as candied orange peels, pistachios, dried cranberries, figs, etc. Makes the bark look so sophisticated. You could even use ingredients with colors that would match the theme of your holiday party! The possibilities are endless...Free PDF download includes 2 4x6 recipe cards with this recipe already typed in! Just make the treat, print recipe card PDF onto cardstock, trim and give with love! Enjoy!

Make sure to check out all of the Take-Along Treat recipes!

Download PeppermintBark recipe card here.

{image credits Food Network}

DIY Take-Along Treats 4: Maple Chile Popcorn

Yeah! Take-Aong Treats are back! Today's treat, Maple Chile Popcorn, is brought to you by my amazing recipe finder Sister-in-law. My husband, his twin brother and I hosted a Thanksgiving "dress rehearsal" dinner at our home this past Saturday. That just means we had 16 people at our house for early Thanksgiving! It was a success and this popcorn made the best snack. It was sweet with a nice spicy kick. She added some nuts and pretzel rods for some extra crunch! PDF download includes 2 4x6 recipe cards with this recipe already typed in! Just make the treat, print recipe card PDF onto cardstock, trim and give with love! Enjoy! {It was gone so quickly I almost did not get a picture of it!} Don't miss Take-Along Treat 1, Take-Along Treat 2 and Take-Along Treat 3.

Download MapleChilePopcorn recipe card here.

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

DIY Take-Along Treats 3: Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

Today is the last of the "take-along" treats and it is sweet and easy to make. Today is Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie day! I had this at my sister-in-law's house one Thanksgiving and I sat at her computer immediately after dessert and emailed myself the recipe. This is such a great twist on a simple pecan pie. So tasty and rich. PDF download includes 2 4x6 recipe cards with this recipe already typed in! Just make the treat, print recipe card PDF onto cardstock, trim and give with love!  {This is also one of my husband's favorite recipes to make. So from my family to yours, happy, safe and tasty holidays to you all!}

Download BourbonChocolatePecanPie recipe card here.

 

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

** AN OLDIE, BUT A GOODIE **

DIY Take-Along Treats 2: Grandma's Caponata

It is day 2 of the "take-along" treats recipe and free PDF recipe card downloads. I am so excited to share this recipe with you! It is one of my Grandmother's Italian show stoppers! If you like vegetables, you will love this. I have had this a couple of times, but recently at the uncles' house while visiting and it was so good I knew I wanted to share. PDF download includes 2 4x6 recipe cards with this recipe already typed in! Just make the treat, print recipe card PDF onto cardstock, trim and give with love! Enjoy! 

Download Caponata recipe card here.

 

 

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

** AN OLDIE, BUT A GOODIE **

DIY Take-Along Treats 1: Chili Cumin Cashews

Every time we travel with my uncle, he makes us all little "take-along" treat bags filled with tasty homemade snacks. As I am sure a lot of you are hosting or attending the upcoming holidays, these next three days will be filled with 3 "take-along" recipes and coordinating free recipe card PDF downloads to give to your guests or your host and hostess. PDF download includes 2 4x6 recipe cards with this recipe already typed in! Just make the treat, print recipe card PDF onto cardstock, trim and give with love! Enjoy!

Download ChiliCuminCashews recipe card here. 

 

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

** AN OLDIE, BUT A GOODIE **

DIY Free Printable Thanksgiving Gift Tags

Love these DIY FREE printable Thanksgiving Gift Tags from Hello Good Gravy. Don't forget, if you are a guest this holiday, bring a gift!

{image credits Hello Good Gravy found via Pinterest}

Pregnancy Fall Holiday Notepad Sale

finch&hawk® is having our Third Annual Notepad Sale on all notepads! To celebrate Erin being pregnant, we are offering 40% & 50% OFF ALL NOTEPADS! Great for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, lists for new moms, white elephant and office party favors. Get yours while you can! The sale will end on Friday, November 18th at 12 PM EST.

Notepads are professionally printed, 50 sheets per pad and shrink wrapped for added protection.

**We will ship to your PAYPAL ADDRESS**

**If you would like more than the quantity show, convo or email us and we would be happy to add more**

 **PLEASE NOTE: The finch&hawk® shop will close for maternity leave on December 2nd**

{BEST SELLER & Featured on Etsy Storque} - 3 Pack - FreakinToDo List notepads

{BEST SELLER} Single - FreakinToDo List notepad

2 Pack - PainInTheGroceries List Notepads

Single - PainInTheGroceries List Notepad

{image credits Vale Design} © Vale Design & finch&hawk®

Collection of Free Thanksgiving Printables

Thank you Kind Over Matter! Such a great round-up of FREE Thanksgiving Printables! Have a great weekend everyone. See you back here on Monday! {pst big announcement coming Tuesday...}

{image credits Kind Over Matter. Found via Pinterest by Audrey Jacobsen}

Fresh Picked Whimsy Free Wine Label Printable

My talented illustrator friend Lori of Fresh Picked Whimsy and Whimsy Studios is at it again! Check out these cute FREE wine label gift tag printables she is giving away. She is the coolest!

I will be a guest this Thanskgiving at my brother's house {hello 36 weeks pregnant at that time!} and I am totally going to use these for hostess tags for the wine we bring. Remember, if you are a guest, bring a gift!

Click here to download these little lovelies! Thanks L!

{image credits Fresh Picked Whimsy}

Gennine's Flock of Birds

I love these birds found in Gennine's Big Cartel Shop. They are just so sweet. I previously posted about her birds here. Any one of her bird illustrations would look perfect on my bird artwork wall in my dining room...that I have yet to hang! 

{image credits Gennine. Found via Pinterest}

Squirrel artwork

Wish I could find who originally did this creative squirrel artwork. I LOVE it! I wonder if they have a bird version...

**UPDATE** The calligraphic squirrel was drawn by typographer, Roger Excoffon, designer of the typeface Mistral. Thanks Kelly for the tip!

{image credits Roger Excoffon. Found via Pinterest and ffffound}

mmm...Monday :: Eggplant Involtini

INGREDIENTS

Involtini

1 eggplant
kosher salt
olive oil for frying (AK used canola oil)
tomato sauce
heavy cream
freshly grated Asiago cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano (AK used parm)

Stuffing

bread crumbs, about 1/2 cup
1 cup whole milk ricotta
grated zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, minced
1/4 tsp. kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

Trim the stem end of each eggplant. Using a mandoline, cut the eggplant lenthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. You should have about 12 slices. Sprinkle the eggplant on both sides with kosher salt, layer them in a colander, and let stand for 1 hour. (I was impatient and only let them drain for about a half hour… worked out just fine.) Press the moisture from the eggplant and blot them dry with paper towels. Pour olive (or canola) oil to a depth of 1 inch in a deep, heavy saucepan or large skillet (I used a cast iron pan) and heat to 360ºF on a deep-frying thermometer. (I did not use a thermometer — just watched the oil and tested when I thought it was ready.) Place 3 to 4 eggplant slices in the hot oil and cook until the slices take on some color, 3 to 4 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the slices to a colander (or paper-towel lined plate) to drain. Repeat with remaining slices.

Meanwhile, make the stuffing. In a bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, ricotta, lemon zest, juice, thyme and salt.

Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Spoon tomato sauce into a medium-sized baking dish (or individual gratin dishes) till bottom of dish is covered in a thin layer. Place a spoonful of filling at one end of each of the eggplant slices. Roll the slice around the filling and place it seam-side down in the dish on top of the tomato sauce. Spoon a tablespoon of cream (or less) over each roll to moisten. Bake until the edges of sauce around the sides of the dish are dark and the rolls are nicely caramelized, 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with the Asiago (or parm) before serving.

**This is on our menu planning for this week. I have been looking for new and interesting recipes that help me get a range of vegetables during pregnancy. This image looks so damn tasty! Original recipe found here and adapted from Tartine Bread. Found via Pinterest. Enjoy!

{image credits Alexandra's Kitchen}

mmm...Monday :: Lava rock shrimp w honey chipotle lime sauce

INGREDIENTS

Honey Chipotle Lime Sauce

1 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup lime juice (about 1 1/2 limes)
1/4 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Pinch red chile flakes
Pinch chili powder
Pinch cayenne pepper
4 chipotles in adobo

Rock Shrimp

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
12 ounces rock shrimp (about 1 1/2 cups)
Canola oil, for frying
1 cup cooked rice noodles, optional, for garnish
6 lime wheels, optional, for garnish
4 tablespoons Mango Jicama Salsa, recipe follows
1 pinch chile threads, optional, for garnish
Lotus chips, optional, for garnish
2 lime wedges, for service

DIRECTIONS

For the honey chipotle lime sauce: In a food processor, puree all the ingredients until combined and add to a saucepanto heat through over medium heat.

For the shrimp: While the sauce is reducing, combine the flour with the salt, pepper, cayenne and chili powder and stir to combine. Add the shrimp in batches to the flour and toss gently to coat evenly.

Preheat a couple inches canola oilto 350 degrees F in a deep skillet and add the shrimp. Cook until golden brown, turning as needed, 3 to 4 minutes. Work in batches to avoid crowding. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Divide and add the rice noodles to the bottom of 2 martini glasses. Top the noodles with 3 lime wheels each and set aside until service.

Add the shrimp to the reduced sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. Remove from the sauce with a slotted spoon or tongs and place in the prepared martini glasses. Garnish with Mango Jicama Salsa, chile threads, lotus chips and a lime wedge, if desired. Serve immediately.

**I have been C-R-A-V-I-N-G spicy food in the end of this pregnancy. So naturally, when I stumbled across this recipe I had to bookmark it! The original recipe also includes a quick Mango Jicama Salsa. Enjoy!

The Holiday Guide by Emily Henderson

It is that time of year again when all the amazing gift guides are starting to come out. The Holiday Guide by HGTV Design Star winner Emily Henderson is my favorite of the moment. There are so many cool gift ideas, live links for immediate purchase and features many categories. Time to pull out the wallet! Have a great weekend everyone!

{image credits Emily Henderson}

Zooklz Square Animals

I freakin' LOVE these animals! My talented designer uncles are at it again. They have just soft launched their new company, ZOOKLZ, "square animals with attitude." Now, of course I am biased, but these just super creative plush animals appeal to the designer in me and the new part of me that is about to be a mom for the first time. I am cramming our nursery full of designy objects for our petite to enjoy!

Each animal body is a 9.5 inch square and is only $20 USD. These would be great birthday or holiday gifts for the kids on your list and a portion of the profits will be donated to animal welfare organizations. My uncles are HUGE animal advocates. These will definitely be pinned on my SMALL board full of cool kids items on Pinterest! {are you following me?}

Click here to get shopping! Good luck boys! The signature five look amazing!

{image credits Zooklz}