Vale Design : Freelance Package Design & Branding

Quote :: Oprah

Merry Christmas

{image credit Unknown. Found via Pinterest}

Vintage Holiday Greetings

{image credit Julia. Found via Pinterest}

Free Printable Helen Dardik Holiday Gift Tags

Love these free 2011 holiday printable gift tags from illustrator Helen Dardik. Her style is just so sweet! {Found on Pinterest and Paper Crave}

{image credits Helen Dardik}

Free Printable Holiday Type Gift Tags

Another beauty from Amy at Eat Drink Chic! Just download these free printable holiday type gift tags, trim and enjoy. Thanks Amy! Another beauty! Found via Pinterest.

{image credits Eat Drink Chic}

Free Printable Reindeer Gift Tags

I have always been a HUGE fan of Amy of Eat Drink Chic. She has done it again with these DIY adorable free printable Peace, Love & Reindeer Hugs holiday gift tags. Thanks for sharing Amy! Found via Pinterest.

{image credits Eat Drink Chic}

DIY Holiday Glitter Ornament Tutorial

I found this beautiful holiday glitter ornament DIY tutorial over on Dandelions on the Wall. So easy and with gorgeous results. This would be a great project to do with your kids for teacher gifts, or gifts for the neighbors or to use as a hostess gift. Found via Pinterest.

{image credits Dandelions on the Wall}

mmm...Monday :: Candy Cane Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1/3 Cup Finely Crushed Peppermint Candy Canes
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup Butter, Softened
1 Cup Sifted Powdered Sugar
1 Egg
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Tsp Imitation Almond Extract
2 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Red Food Coloring

DIRECTIONS

Start by combining the crushed peppermint and sugar and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl cream together the shortening and the butter then add in the sugar continue beating. Next add the egg and the flavorings then mix in the flour and salt. Continue mixing until well combined.

At this point divide the dough in half and tint one half with the red food coloring.

Let the dough chill for at least an hour in the fridge.

Once the dough is chilled, go ahead and preheat the oven to 375*.

Roll out red dough about 1/4 inch thick then roll out the rest of the dough until 1/4 inch thick. Lay them on top of each other and roll up like a long roll. If you need a visual at this point, think of the packaged cookie dough at the stores in a long roll, that's the concept here. Take teaspoonfuls and drop on greased cookie sheets or use parchment paper.

These will bake for about 9 minutes. Once they come out of the oven immediately sprinkle with the crushed candy mixture and move to wire racks to fully cool.

*Note: You can use real almond extract, I am allergic to tree nuts so I have to use imitation almond extract.

**Another tasty holiday cookie recipe to add to my pregnancy nesting baking list! Orginal recipe found here. Found via Pinterest. Enjoy!

 {image credit Mommy Hates Cooking}

mmm...Monday :: Peppermint Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg yolk
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup finely crushed hard peppermint candies or candy canes (about 3-ounces)
additional powdered sugar for rolling

DIRECTIONS

Sift together dry ingredients- flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk and beat until blended. Add egg whites and extract and mix well (mixture will look grainy). Gradually beat dry ingredients into butter mixture. Stir in peppermint candies.

Gather dough into a ball. Wrap dough in plastic and chill for about an hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Position rack in middle of oven. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment, or spray with nonstick spray.

Form dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in powdered sugar and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Using tines of a fork, flatten each cookie, creating crisscross pattern.

Bake until cookies are golden on bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool completely.

TIPS

*Use round peppermint mints or small candy canes (they easier to unwrap than the larger ones).
*These cookies turn out best if mint is crushed finely, with few large "chunks" of peppermint.
*Reader tip: Add white chocolate chips!
*Since readers recommended it, I added some peppermint extract to the original recipe.

**I am SO in the nesting phase of this pregnancy. All I want to do is bake. I am going to be making my second batch of my grandmother's homemade rolls today to freeze and I have been adding cookies recipes to my lists. Original recipe found here. Found via Pinterest. Enjoy!

{image credit Recipe Girl}

Washi tape gift wrapping + ideas

Washi tape is so versatile. Love the holiday wrapping ideas and simple diy ornament decorations found on The Sweetest Occasion, submitted by Christine of Pure Joy Events. There is also a free printable holiday tag available for download from Frog Prince Paperie. Found via Pinterest.

{image credits 6 Bittersweets}

mmm...Monday :: Candy Cane Blossoms

INGREDIENTS

1 bag Hersheys Kisses brand Candy Cane Kisses
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons milk
Red and Green colored sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°. Remove wrappers from candies (approximately 35).

Beat butter, sugar, vanilla and egg in large bowl until well blended. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add alternatively with milk to butter mixture, beating until well blended.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in red and/or green colored sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 -10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cookies are set. Remove from oven; cool 2 to 3 minutes. Press candy piece into center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Yields approximately 35 cookies.

**My mom needed a recipe for a yearly holiday cookie exchange that she participates in, so we took to Pinterest and stumbled onto these beauties. They are so festive. She made them this weekend and said they are so easy to make. I taste tested them and they are equally delicious! Original Hershey's recipe found here. Pinned from Baked Perfection and pinned onto my Pinterest Holiday board. Enjoy!

{image credit Baked Perfection}

Printable Vintage Santa Treat Bag

Hello December! I am totally getting into the holiday spirit and I seem to be gravitating toward vintage Christmas this year. I am feeling nostalgic. So I was super excited to find this free printable Vintage Santa Treat Bag download over on Skip To My Lou. The image is from one of my favorite vintage clip art sites, Graphics Fairy. These would be cute for holiday party favors, seasonal birthdays {which our baby will have}, advent bags, treat bags left by Santa for the kiddos, hostess gifts and many more uses. I wonder if you would be able to print these on canvas bags as well?

{image credit Graphics Fairy. Found via Pinterest}

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}

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}

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}

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}

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}

mmm...Monday :: Halloween Food Ideas

20 fun Halloween food ideas via Babble. Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

{image credits via Babble found via Pinterest}

Halloween Witch Silhouettes {free download}

These free downloadable Halloween Witch Silhouettes from NoBiggie are so cute! They would great for party favors, garland, or even window decorations. NoBiggie also offers small and large versions of each template. Don't forget to check out the bat and black raven downloads as well!

{image credits NoBiggie via Pinterest}

DIY Halloween Skull Pumpkin Stamp

I love a good skull graphic and this Martha Stewart Halloween Skull Potato Stamp hits the spot! Imagine the scary possibilities... {click on the link for tutorial and free download skull template}

{image credits Martha Stewart found via Pinterest}

mmm...Monday :: Candy Corn Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 sticks butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
2 T. lemon juice
2 t. lemon zest
1/8 t. salt
3 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
red food dye
yellow food dye
1/2 c. granulated sugar (for dusting)

DIRECTIONS

Combine butter and sugar in a large bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Add egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Continue beating until well mixed. Add flour and baking soda, beat until well mixed. Divide dough into thirds. Press one-third of the white dough evenly into the bottom of a loaf pan that you have lined with foil, wax, or parchment paper. Place another one-third of the dough into a bowl and add yellow and red food dye to make orange (refer to the chart on the back of your box). Once it is mixed evenly, press orange dough evenly over white dough. In another bowl, add the final amount of dough and dye yellow. Press that evenly over the orange dough. Cover and refrigerate until firm (2 hours or overnight is best). Once chilled, invert your loaf pan and unwrap your dough. Flip it back over and place it on a cutting board. Cut loaf crosswise into 1/4-inch slices using a sharp knife, trimming edges to make even, if necessary. Cut each slice into 6 wedges.

**I hate candy corns, but I LOVE sugar cookies! These cookies look so cute and festive and fairly easy to make. Anyone looking to surprise me with cookies, these might make a nice gift...hint, hint. These would also make the cutest favor treats for a Halloween party. Original recipe found here and here. Enjoy!

{image credits Kathie Cooks found via Pinterest}

mmm...Monday :: {4 ingredient} Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

INGREDIENTS

1 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, strained
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

DIRECTIONS

Mix everything together in a large mixing bowl until completely combined. Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker for a few minutes until it is a smooth, cool consistency.

Alternatively, place the bowl in the freezer and stir mixture every half hour until it reaches desired consistency.

**This recipe looks so simple! I am not in charge of Thanskgiving this year, but I have been looking for a simple dish to bring along to my brothers {afterall I will be 36 weeks pregnant at that point!}. Original recipe found here. Enjoy!

{image credits The Family Kitchen found via Pinterest}

mmm...Monday :: Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

For the cupcakes

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons espresso powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup canola or vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1/2 cup coffee or espresso, for brushing

For the whipped cream

2 1/4 cups heavy cream, chilled
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

For the garnish

Ground cinnamon
Caramel Sauce

DIRECTIONS

To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, espresso powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Stir together and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, blend together the pumpkin, granulated suagr, brown sugar and oil. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. With the mixture on low speed, add the flour mixture in two additions, mixing until just incorporated.

Fill the cupcake liners about three-quarters full. Bake until the cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 18-20 minutes. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pans. While the cupcakes are still warm, brush them two or three times with the coffee or espresso, allowing the first coat to soak in before repeating. Let cool completely.

To make the frosting, place the heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on medium-low speed at first, gradually increasing to high speed. Blend in the confectioners' sugar gradually. Whip until stiff peaks form, being careful not to over-beat. Use a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip to frost the cooled cupcakes, Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and drizzle with caramel sauce. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate.

**I stumbled onto this recipe via Pinterest. These look like such a Fall tasty treat! Original recipe found here. Cake adapted from Williams Sonoma. Enjoy! {ps that caramel sauce recipe would make such a great homemade holiday gift for someone with a sweet tooth!}

**Don't miss Annie's Eats new recipe for Pumpkin Donuts! Adapted from Pinch My Salt, originally from Bon Appétit.

{image credits Annie's Eats}

Etsy Find :: Amber Alexander

I wanted to share my two latest purchases for our dining room "bird art wall." See other purchased bird art here and here and here and here. For those of you who do not know this about me {or could not figure out by the name of my Etsy shop} I am obsessed with Goldfinches and Hawks {specifically this Red Tailed Hawk.} I stumbled onto Amber Alexander via this Pinterest pin. GORGEOUS watercolor work. I think her artwork would make lovely gifts for the upcoming holidays or maybe even a nursery...

{image credits Amber Alexander}

So sick...

Good morning everyone. So sorry I was MIA all last week. I was so sick. I am going to spend this week catching up on some work. Thank you for your patience and well wishes. I will see you all back here next week. Have a good one!

{found via Pinterest}

Royal Thoughts

Ahh, wasn't the Royal Wedding lovely! I did not wake up at 4 am, but I saw pretty much everything on all the news channels. At first, I did not think I was going to care, but then I realized, I may never see anything like this again. The dress was so traditional and I loved the lace! I am wrapping up some design work here today. This week has been crazy busy! Have a great weekend and see you Monday!

{found via Pinterest}

Jen Stark Paper Artist

I love stumbling onto artists doing something so original. Jen Stark is a 28 year old Miami based 3D paper sculpture artist...with obviously a lot of patience! She sketches and then uses an x-acto to cut the intricate designs into the construction paper. Here is a lovely video with an artist interview and a look at her process. Found via Pinterest.

{image credits Jen Stark}

mmm...Monday :: Mango Avocado Salad

INGREDIENTS

2 ripe avocados, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 ripe mango, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon sugar (or agave nectar)
2 tablespoon chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
4 tablespoon olive oil
1 15.5-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

In a medium bowl, toss mango and jalapeño with 1 T lime juice and salt. Add avocado and gently toss to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining lime juice, zest, sugar, cilantro and oil. Toss the black beans with the vinaigrette. To assemble, spoon the black beans with vinaigrette into the center of a serving platter. Top with the mango-avocado mixture. Garnish with chopped cilantro and black pepper.

**This looks so amazing! Healthy and the color combination is stunning. They say we eat with our eyes first. My husband is on a mango kick so I am sure I will be eating this this week! Found via Laura Wilhelm Pinterest on Fresh365 adapted from a Whole Foods recipe. Enjoy!

{image credits Fresh365}

Holiday + Snazzy Spring Links

I have been home from my Chicago freelance work for 3 weeks now and I just feel like I am starting to get back into the swing things at home. I have been catching up on a lot of work, blog, family obligations and most importantly sleep! I am going to spend this holiday weekend relaxing with family and eating amazing food. I hope you have a nice safe weekend. See you back here Monday!

// SNAZZY SPRING LINKS //

+ new Brand Packaging magazine {save paper. view digital online!}

+ LOVE these fonts {found via Paper Crave}

+ want to see this documentary SOOO bad

+ wishing I could climb into any picture on my Ocean Pinterest board {do you follow me?}

+ cool idea for turning polaroids into large wall art

+ some of my favorite DIY coloring sheets I have designed

+ rain barrel tutorial {found via Young House Love}

+ fun DIY confetti egg tutorial {love the fruity pebbles option!}

+ want to try all of these 30 grilled cheese sandwiches options

+ such a cute idea for candy favors for any occasion

+ informative digital printing process {found via Oh So Beautiful Paper from Ellie of Mint}

+ husband and I are checking out these pre-planned gardens

+ keep ending up at this shop for cute goodies

+ easy DIY Easter Egg tutorials here and here

// LOCALS // {Indianapolis}

+ Water Warrior Yoga {in honor of Earth Day}

+ IMA showing of Temple Gradin

+ Adult Easter Egg Hunt

+ Battle for the Boogie

+ Bunny Spectacular {coloring sheets on event website}

{image credits Jordan Ferney Oh Happy Day}

Sharpie Doodle Easter Egg Tutorial

Believe it or not, but I am not a big DIY person. I like to create DIY projects for others, but I do not usually have time to DIY myself. I love "big bang for little buck" type of tutorials. Alisa Burke uses a black Sharpie and some seriously awesome doodling skills to create these beauties. Black and white always tugs at my heart strings. Click here for the full doodle easter egg tutorial.

{found via Anu Gómez Pinterest}

{image credits Alisa Burke}

Matthew Klein Food Photography

OMG! Someone give me a food packaging project right now! Please! I stumbled onto food photographer Matthew Klein on Pinterest and I am blown away. Stunning. The detail he captures is remarkable. Matthew specializes in food photography for advertising and packaging. {ps these popsicles would be so great for a summer party. So visual and healthy!}

{image credits Matthew Klein. Found via Pinterest}

Loving :: Brown Hair & Red Lips

{image credits Unknown, William Hereford found via Creature Comforts, Madmoizelle pinned by Charlotte Liénard}