HOLIDAY KITCHEN TOWELS and GIFT BAGS

 Holiday party season is officially upon us.  Here are few items to appreciate your foodie friends and for the persons hosting the parties and holiday dinners.

Growing Lemons Rock My World

Planting lemon trees, watching them grow, caring for them and using the fruit is really satisfying.  Their vibrant yellow color and bright green leaves brighten up the forgotten corner of our patio beautifully.  

In the summer, I place them in our outdoor patio.  

but when winter arrives, I place them inside for survival.

Once the lemons are big and bright yellow in color, I harvest them to cook, bake and decorate with them.

Lemons in the kitchen what a fragrance!

Cooking:

Traditional marinate for chicken

Grilled chicken cutlets

                                       

Fried fish with a squeeze of lemon

Baking

Lemon peel but also its juice is a fundamental ingredient in baking.  The peel, both grated and in pieces is used to flavor desserts and making creams.

Cookies with olive oil and lemon

Crema pasticcera

 Just add the zest and once cooked, remove it from the cream.

Decorating with lemons

Placemats with matching jute tote bag

Kitchen towels with matching jute tote bag

If there is one fruit I can’t do without, it is the lemon!

HOLIDAY PLACEMATS IN REUSABLE POUCH

We all know that the most memorable gifts are the hand-made ones.

These sophisticated placemats can take a holiday party or dinner to extraordinary.

Holiday Jute Gift Bags

It's October, time to start crafting for Christmas.  Whether it be creating holiday decor or gifts that one wishes to give, this is the perfect time to gather all of the supplies and take time to create holiday crafts.

I have already made some holiday jute gift bags.  To me, jute bags are environment friendly and long lasting.  They have great strength which is why they can bear heavy weight.

These jute bags were embellished with fabric and paint.

Jute wine bags with giftcard pocket

So, I suggest to all of you not to delay. Get going today!

VINTAGE KITCHEN ACCESSORIES

 To me, vintage designs feel unique as they convey a feeling of nostalgia. 

 After my mother's death, having found this tablecloth from the early 50's, I decided to embellish these items and inspire you from an earlier era.

50's Tablecloth with Kitchen Utensils and Flowers

Linen towel from the early 40's.

Took this plain cotton apron and embellished it with portion of the kitchen utensils.

Embellished kitchen towels.

EGGPLANT: The most versatile vegetable in the kitchen

LA CASA E IL GIARDINO: EGGPLANT: the most versatile vegetable in the kitchen. (casa-giardino.blogspot.com)

Embellished kitchen towel

Eggplants found at farmers' markets or specialty markets, are usually dependably fresh because they tend to be local. In the grocery store, it is more of a crap shoot. The eggplants there are often oversize and old.

EXPLORE SUNFLOWERS FROM GARDEN TO HOME DECOR

In backyards, sunflowers stand out from the rest of the flowers in the garden.  

These plants are known for their impressive height and growing them is not difficult.

In early May, simply plant some sunflower seeds an inch deep and within 80 to 100 

days, these towering treasures will bloom.

Decorating with sunflowers is a simple way to give one's home instant charm and bring the outside in.  From centerpieces to pillows, sunflowers decor will add an amazing pop of color!

If you are a total sunflower addict like me, you can also incorporate sunflowers into your kitchen with these kitchen towels.

 

FATHER'S DAY

Don't know what to get dad for father's day?  Get him a gift card to his favorite store or restaurant and put it in one of our hand-stitched, reusable holders.

Giftcard Holders for Teachers

Most teachers I know always appreciate gift certificates to Starbucks, Target, school supply stores, bookstores and spas. Use a little creativity when you wrap up the card and your gift will get a gold star.

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT FOR CEMETERY CRYPT

We all know that flowers help us celebrate a life that’s been lost.

Having lost a loved one recently, I decided to honor her memory by adding a bouquet of silk flowers to an otherwise cold monument.

A small act of kindness for someone who is no longer living.

It's fall time, decided to change the flower arrangement featuring orange and brown tones to create a sense of coziness and ease.

It's Christmas time!  Some greenery and pinecones. 

Fresh holiday greenery for two cemetery graves

A FLOWERING DOGWOOD in my MOTHER'S MEMORY

 LA CASA E IL GIARDINO: A Flowering Dogwood in my Mother's Memory (casa-giardino.blogspot.com)

CREATIVE GIFTCARD PACKAGING FOR BABIES

Just because you’re giving a gift card for a baby shower, a newborn or young child doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t present it with care. After all, the right presentation will help the giftee feel appreciated. 

 

Gender Neutral Baby Shower Giftcard Packaging

It's a Girl!

Girls and Boys

It's a Boy!

1st Birthday