be warm...

Here's something a little different than my usual routine - a warm drink gift set! Included in the box are several packets of Land O Lakes hot cocoa, On the Go Vanilla Latte drink mixes, TAZO tea bags, and some chocolate dipped peppermint sticks.

I couldn't find just the right shape/size box to hold it all, so I built this one using cardstock. Sorry, I don't have a template or photos of construction ... it was late when I made this! I can tell you that the box is 4" square, and was easy peasy! I'll try to put together a quick tutorial tonight.

The wrap around the box was made with first a layer of patterned paper, which I inked and did some faux stitching on. Then, I wrapped that layer with some felt ribbon from Stampin' Up. I punched two small 1/16" holes through the box (and ribbon) where I wanted to tie on the embellishment. Using twine, I tied the snowflake embellishment to a cinnamon stick, poked the twine ends through the holes punched in the box, and tied the ends of the twine inside the box to hold everything in place. Worked like a charm! As a final touch, I tied the red and white vintage striped ribbon around the twine beneath the cinnamon stick. That helped to keep everything snuggly in place.

The matching note card is small... about 3.5"x4.5". I used images from Winter Schminter, including the falling snowflakes as steam rising from the cocoa.

In other news, yesterday Kathleen reminded me that she'd asked for an update on the wee little kittens. I don't have any recent photos, but they're all doing well! Their mama moves them around the farm and neighboring pastures (we wish she wouldn't take them so far) teaching them to hunt. We did settle on some names for them. A young man suggested the name Sparky for the cute fuzzy butt kitten I was sharing photos of here on my blog. Alan liked the suggestion, so Sparky it is! The other male is Squirrelly, and the two females are P1 and P2. We can't actually tell them apart. It's amazing!

Alan WAS going to name them Precious 1 and Precious 2, but I won't allow it. Why, you ask? Well... I used to have a baby sitter named Precious. Yes, it's true.... it was her given name. I won't tell you what the rest of her name is, but I will say that her name (as well as the names of everyone else in the family, aside from her mother) has to do with rocks. Or stones. So... "Precious" is not allowed as a name for one of our critters. *grin*

Comments

[charlene wiley]

How CUTE is your little warm box love it, Im going to make it for the mugs Im giving for Christmas. Thank you so much for all your great work. Also love you chickens!!!! Charlene Wiley

[diane (cookiestamper)]

ADORABLE box, Anna! And Ive enjoyed reading about your chickens...I hope they get well soon!

[Barb Hardeman]

Darling box and wonderful tutorial Anna. Thanks so much. I cant wait to give it a try for a special someone on my Christmas list...

[Kittie Caracciolo]

I love this little box, Anna! The embellishments are perfect and wintery. Thanks for sharing the box template.

[Dotty]

Wow, this is gorgeous Anna! What a beautiful gift set.

[Maria]

I have a serious kraft addiction so this is totally calling my name, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shellie Daniel]

Wonderful warm colors! Love those embellishments around the box. That ribbon is yummy, yummy! And I love your simply lovely card to go with it! TFS!

[Jessie/knightrone]

This is so fabulous!! Love it!!

[Christina Fischer]

Oh WOW! This is a fantastic set - the colors and embellishments are gorgeous! I am loving your new sets, Anna -- Im headed over to order! :)

[Dee]

Gorgeous Gift set!!
Was just peeking back to see
what I have missed :)
...ALL so cute..luv theChicken Pox
such cute stamps and Adorable Cards!
TFS

[denise (peanutbee)]

Looooooove this. Awesome project!!

[Danielle]

Love this gift idea! Those sparkly snowflakes you make are so nice!

Thanks for the update on the kitties too!

[Debbie]

I love the warm richness to these colors! Great gift idea too.
I knew a Precious too growing up. LOL!

[Donna]

what a fabulous gift set! I love all the little details

[Tori Wild]

LOL-- Precious-- wow--- poor kid growing up!! I kid you not, I worked with a gal named Marsha Mellow. Clearly these mothers were not thinking clearly after labor (that or they think its cute and unfortunately past age 1-- yeah, not so cute! I cant wait to see the tutorial-- that box is great and that card is such a warm, fun card!! Totally cute-- as always!

[Michelle]

OH! I reaaly like this! What a fabulous gift idea!

[Beth M]

This is fabulous! I love the kraft and red combo. A wonderful warm country Christmas feel. I can just envision curling up with a good book, a nice cup of cocoa, and some Christmas carols playing softly in the background. Tis the season!

[Jennifer Love]

Whoa. This is super, super cute!

[Karen Q]

I love this. The card is so cute and the gift box is very special. Thanks for sharing your amazing creativity,

[Jen Caputo]

Love it!!! Perfection in a box! I just bought a bunch of cocoas chocolate covered peppermint sticks to do something similar!

[Gabriela]

P.S. Whats the name of the product you applied to the snowflakes that appears like teeny tiny clear acetate squares? I love it and would like to purchase some. Thank you.

[Gabriela]

Anna, why not name the last two nameless kittens Thing 1 and Thing 2 á la Dr. Seuss?

[Kathleen]

Thanks for the kitten update, I love seeing all of your photos.
Your snowflake looks great with that flakey glitter.

[Chris Hauck]

This is down right awesome! I love the colors and I can just feel the warmth coming off of that mug. My Whipper Snapper order just arrived today. I ordered the newest two sets in addition to last months sets....yipppeeee! Ive only had time to cut out two sets so far but am anxious to get to the others. Hopefully youll get to do a template because these would be perfect for gifts for teachers, etc.
Chris

[Ruth]

I love love love tha snowflakes as cocoa steam! And speaking of names.....I have a great uncle named Vermin and one names Badger. Yes, that is the real name, not a nickname! :)

[Troy Louise]

Yummy! I can almost smell that cinnamon stick. Very nice. Glad all the kitties are doing well.

[Kathy McDonald]

Anna, I love this gift set! In fact, I HAD to go right to the Whipper Snapper site and order your adorable new stamp set! Thanks so much for the inspiration.