Hi gang!  I have an updated Valentine Treat Bag PDF that’s available as a free download! These have been pretty popular over the years and I’ve made this version more universal so that it can be used for any homemade treats you might want to give to that special someone.

Just download the file and print directly onto a paper bag using a color ink jet printer. I’ve found that top loading printers work the best and the flatter the bag the better. Once printed, I stuff a Glassine bag inside to help maintain freshness and to protect the paper from oil stains. Then, using a rotary cutter fitted with a scallop blade, I trim the top inch off for a little extra sweetness.

Once you’ve made the bags, fill them with any sweet treat imaginable! I love making heart shaped brownies cut with a cookie cutter or Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies. Whatever you include, I’m sure the recipient will be thrilled!

Instructions are included in the PDF and if you need bags, I sell them in my Etsy shop. The bags are available in Craft and White along with the the Glassine Liner Bags. Enjoy and happy early Valentine’s Day!

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CONDITIONS OF USE: All Twig & Thistle downloads are subject to our Terms & Conditions. Downloads are for personal, non-commercial use only. In addition please do not redistribute or modify any of the templates. If you’d like to link to the pdf, please link to this post directly. Thanks!

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Last Monday I went to a Halloween Craft event hosted by Lyndsey of The Stationary Place and Marie LeBaron of Make and Takes at Trophy Cupcakes. It was such a great, relaxed event full of fun crafty goodness! Marie and Lyndsey taught us how to make Felt Rosette Wreaths, Hand-embroidered Spider Cards, Glittered Spider Rings and my personal favorite – Pipe Cleaner Spiders.

It was the perfect occasion for any type of crafter. The ladies were so prepared and had everything all set out for us and ready to use. Sadly, I forgot my camera and wasn’t able to snap any pics at the event but I did manage to finish my Rossette Wreath and Spider Rings and take some shots over the weekend.

The wreath is an easy craft that anyone that can handle scissors and pins can manage. Check out Kristen’s tutorial on Domestifluff for step-by-step instructions and pictures.

The Glittered Spider Rings are another brilliant idea and insanely easy to do! Purchase plastic spider rings from a craft store and simply paint the top surface with crafters glue. Once covered, sprinkle with glitter making sure to cover well and let dry. Wear as a festive ring or add them to a wreath like I did by cutting the band in the middle and attaching them to a rosestte!

Be sure to check out The Stationary Place and Make and Takes for tutorials on the rest of the crafts. And don’t forget to make these adorable Pipe Cleaner Spiders, kids would LOVE them!

Image via Anthropologie

I am so happy to finally share some exciting news! A tutorial that I submitted to Design*Sponge, nearly three years ago, has been included in Grace Bonney’s book, Design*Sponge at Home! I haven’t been able to share it until now but I can say it was definitely worth the wait to be part of such a great project.

If you haven’t seen the book already, you must check it out! It’s a fantastic collection of home tours, DIY projects and step-by-step tutorials. My project is featured in the exclusive Anthropologie version amongst the 16 additional pages of bonus content.

Below are the complete instructions for how to create your own Japanese Masking Tape Book Covers. I was looking to make my home bookshelves a little more appealing and some of my older books needed a good face-lift. With the help of craft paper and simple masking tape, my books were transformed! Hope you enjoy!

Hi friends! I am so, so sorry for not blogging in so long. Some of you know that I recently had surgery for a severely herniated disk and I was feeling great for a few weeks. I was beginning to feel like my old self when I started suffering from similar pains again, only on the opposite side this time.

I’ve thought long and hard about this decision but I’m afraid I will be officially taking some extended time off from Twig & Thistle to rest and (hopefully) heal. I feel like I’m breaking up with a best friend or the sweetest boyfriend ever and I can tell you this hasn’t been an easy process for me. You all have been so supportive and generous with your comments and kind emails and I will miss all of you dearly. I’m not sure how long I”ll be taking or what exactly the future holds but I hope to run in to all of you again soon!

Before I say my final goodbye, I have one last DIY project that I had to share. (I managed to fit this one in when I was feeling tip-top) I’ve been drooling over this painted zig-zag rug by The House of Smiths and wanted my own little bit of chevron style so I thought I’d make a picnic blanket!

This project took me about 4 hours total but overall it was pretty easy. I bought a fabric drop cloth from Home Depot for $6.98, which is perfect for a picnic blanket since it’s backed with plastic. And since I was covering a larger surface area, I didn’t have enough vinyl to spare so I created a chevron template out of foam core to trace the pattern onto the tarp.

Once my pattern was drawn, I used painters tape to seal off the paintable areas – this part definitely took the longest. Once it was all taped up I got to painting with a roller which went relativly quick and dried overnight. I love how it turned out and I have so many more picnic blanket ideas now. I think they’d make fun gifts or a great way to decorate for an outdoor summer party.

Lot’s of love to you all and thank you again for visiting! Sincerely yours, Kathleen xoxox 

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend ahead and for those of you celebrating the 4th of July, may you have a fun and safe weekend! I don’t have any major plans but I hope to get some R&R and hopefully a little sun if it ever decides to show up here.

With a few days before the holiday I thought I’d do a round up of some of my favorite crafts I’ve seen lately. Hope you enjoy!

Creature Comforts Fabric Dessert Flags, Two Shades of Pink Mason Jar “Sippy Cups”, Packagery Paper Button Garland