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Tissue Paper Flowers

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Tissue Paper Flowers
Instructable.com has beautiful images of tissue paper flowers along with instructions.
If a handmade gift is what you need to make an occasion special, learn to make tissue paper flowers. They make up in a hurry, can be customized in style and color and may last a long time. In an hour you can whip up a gift that friends will rave over.

Tissue Paper Supplies

What you need: Tissue paper (one 20 x 26-inch or 20 x 30-inch sheet makes three flowers. Usually, a group of three blossoms makes a nice small bouquet, but you might want to splurge with a full-blown arrangement of a dozen.) To make 12 flowers, have 12 sheets in the color or colors you desire, 12 pipe cleaners or flexible florists’ wire, scissors or wire cutters and a ruler or measuring tape. If you plan to complete the gift with a vase, choose it to match and have it ready. It’s easier to match before you complete the flowers than go back and try to match later. Touches of ribbon or lace, buttons or beads can be used to enhance your flowers if you like.

Instructions

Stack three sheets of unfolded tissue paper on a flat surface with a wider edge facing you. Take the bottom edge and fold it over one inch . Then flip it over and fold it back on the other side. (Remember when you made paper fans when you were in school?) Continue folding an inch at a time until you have a paper “accordion.”

Fold the accordion in half. Double the pipe cleaner. Wrap about an inch and a half from the center of the pipe cleaner around the middle of the accordion. Twist the remainder of the pipe cleaner to make the stem. Take two more pipe cleaners and repeat the process about 6-7 inches from the center. Cut the paper into three equal-sized pieces with the pipe cleaner in the center. Adjust if necessary.

Cut rounded edges on each end of the three flowers, trimming as necessary so the outer layers and the inner ones will match. (You can use the cut-off trimmings in the bottom of the vase for “confetti.”)

While holding the “stem,” gently open the accordion, pulling the top layer straight all the way around the flower. Be gentle to avoid ripping the paper. Finally, flip the flower upside down and gently run your fingers from the center stem to the edge, gently pressing the bottom layer down toward the middle layer.

Arrange the first layer in the vase by slightly bending the stems so the flowers face outwards. Keep adding layers, with the top layer standing slightly taller. Tinker until you feel your bouquet is just as you like it.

After the first try, you can go wild with colors and combinations that can coordinate with the occasion. You’ll find you’ve added a fun and useful skill to your catalog of creative gift-making.

Related Flower Tissue Paper Websites

You can always buy flowers ready made. We found some cute ones at:

Etsy.com
Crafts For Children

Include Pets In Halloween Fun

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Halloween Costumes For Pets
Halloween Costumes For Pets
Halloween is one of those holidays that lend themselves to pet participation, and the number of families who find a way to make room for Fido or Fluffy is increasing. Costume-makers are making it easier to dress up the family pet and, predictably, the trends in costumes for pets follows the trend for humans.

Minions, already the second most popular animated movie of all time, is the natural trend-setter for this fall. Expect to see lots of doggies and kitties decked out in capsule-shaped rigs, with one or more eyes. Star Wars also is big this year, anticipating the release of “Star Wars Episode VII, the Force Awakens.” Darth Vader and Yoda costumes for pets “are flying off the shelves,” according to a “spooksperson” for Party City. Superheroes also will come in for their share in the annual dress-up frenzy.

But be aware that costumes are not for all pets. Frankly, the animals in the family may be a whole lot less enthused about dressing up than the humans. If you are determined to dress them, be sure the costume you choose is comfortable. Check for loose pieces that they might find appealing for chewing and/or swallowing.

Cute candy corn cello bags can hold all kinds of doggie treats. Prices begin at 11 cents each.
Cute candy corn cello bags can hold all kinds of doggie treats. Prices begin at 11 cents each.
Don’t feed your pets the treats that humans relish during the Halloween holiday, especially not in the chocolate category. Many people know about the chocolate taboo, but veterinarians still see a huge increase in chocolate-toxicity problems during the spook time of year. Wrap up special doggie Halloween treats in cello bags and give your dog loving friends a fun surprise.

Be on the lookout for small, chewable items that might be dangerous for the family animals. Lights and cords, paper decorations, fake spider webs, candy wrappers and other autumn/Halloween décor may be tempting for pets, but cause problems if ingested.

Be sure that your pets have identification on them at all times. If a pet is frightened by trick-or-treaters and bolts out the door, identification becomes essential.

Sure, by all means include the pets in your Halloween fun, but include them in safe and rational ways. Don’t let “boo” become “boo hoo.”

10 Ways To Use Cellophane Bags

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Are you looking for some gift wrapping ideas? Have you ever heard of cello bags? Sometimes called polypropylene bags they are just plain cellophane bags made for wrapping all kinds of goodies. Food of course is the most popular thing to wrap. There are lots of creative ways you can use these bags. You are only limited by your imagination. To help you get started on some inexpensive ways to use these bags, we have selected ten creative ideas for you.

The first idea comes from a quaint little candy store in Manti, Utah called Candies on Main. They make unique mouth watering treats for all ages and occasions. Chocolates and chocolate dipped treats like candied apples fill their shelves and their customers. Their vintage candy shop is known by locals as “The Sweetest Place in Town.”

Apples On A Stick
Apples On A Stick

Our second idea is to use cello bags as door knob hangers. Put some Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses in a bag with a cute bow and leave it on your friend’s front door knob. Little things like this go a long way towards building friendships.

Give a neighbor a bag full of Hershey's kisses.
Give a neighbor a bag full of Hershey’s kisses.

Our third idea is to use cello bags to wrap some honey, lemon and tea up in a cute cup. Make a red cross symbol out of card stock and attach a fun note to it. Use phrases like – Get Well Soon, God Is With You, A Little Sunshine, Better With Each Day, Happy Healing or Take Care Of Yourself. Cello bags wrap up love!

Cheer up someone who has been sick.
Cheer up someone who has been sick.

Our fourth idea is to wrap up M & M’s and yogurt pretzels. You can use these on any occasion. Just let your friends know you were thinking about them or Use these as a Valentine’s Day surprise. You’ll be delighted at how much they are enjoyed by the recipient.

Tie a red ribbon around this bag of treats. Pretzels and M & M's are fun to include in cello bags.
Tie a red ribbon around this bag of treats. Pretzels and M & M’s are fun to include in cello bags.

Our fifth idea is for wrapping jewelry. Crafty jewelry makers can use card stock to create a cute, colorful background to show off earrings and necklaces. Wrap it up with a clear cello bag and attach a fun bow and you have a nice gift to give.

Hand made jewelry can look really nice with a little extra love attached.
Hand made jewelry can look really nice with a little extra love attached.

You’ll find five more ideas below.

Wrap chocolate dipped bread sticks or candied bread sticks.
Wrap chocolate dipped bread sticks or candied bread sticks.

Bake cupcakes and attach a cute thank you note.
Bake cupcakes and attach a cute thank you note.
Popcorn treats in cello bags.
Popcorn treats in cello bags.
Who, Who doesn't like chocolate M & M's? With a cello bag, a bow and a cute sticker you have a fun gift to give.
Who, Who doesn’t like chocolate M & M’s? With a cello bag, a bow and a cute sticker you have a fun gift to give.
Home made soaps make great little thank you gifts.
Home made soaps make great little thank you gifts.

Please share with us ideas that you like!

Tis The Season For Home Made Chocolate

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Black candy boxes showcase your homemade candies beautifully.
Black candy boxes showcase your homemade candies beautifully.
Time for ho-ho-holding forth in the kitchen, if you’re one of those who believe that the words “holiday” and “chocolate” are interchangeable. The gift of a homemade tidbit of chocolate is irresistible. The array of recipes is amazing, with truffles, toffee, barks and traditional fudge (or how about a chocolate/bacon combination?) easily available.

And it’s so easy to slip that goodie into a colorful candy box just the right size and tie it up with a bow. Then stand by for holiday kudos. The real trick is to prevent family members from snarfing up the goodies before you can get them into that special box. Plan on enough to please both family and friends. That means starting well ahead of the calendar.

Candy trays make candy look terrific.
Candy trays make candy look terrific.
The next issue is storing your chocolate treats while you wait for the calendar to catch up to you. Fortunately, chocolate has a long shelf life and you can take steps to assure that it will preserve its flavor, texture and appearance until the voila! moment.

What you need is your homemade chocolates, candy foil and airtight storage containers. With these items on hand, you are ready to preserve your treats until the just-right opening.

Use brown glassine candy cups to hold candies.
Use brown glassine candy cups to hold candies.
To store your chocolates, tear or cut a piece of the candy foil into a square about three times the size of the candy piece. Place the candy in the center of the square and fold two opposite points of the square into the center. Seal the edges, then fold the two other opposite corners over the candy and repeat the process, pressing the foil to ensure a good fit. Wrap each individual piece this way, then put the wrapped pieces into airtight containers.

Store the containers in a cool, dry place away from the sun. Your candy should be good for three months if you follow these instructions.

Clear candy truffle totes hold four pieces of candy.
Clear candy truffle totes hold four pieces of candy.
Chocolate also can be frozen. The best method is to pack pieces into retail boxes, then put the boxes into Ziplocked plastic bags. Vacuum seal or remove as much air as you can before putting them in the freezer.

Finding the right decorative boxes to make the presentation as sweet as what’s inside is easy. Visit BowsNBags.com for a great variety of sizes, types and colors.

Kraft Paper Production Is A Science

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Kraft Paper In It's Finished Form
Kraft Paper In It’s Finished Form
Kraft paper wrapping and packaging products have become increasingly popular in a world where customers want to take their purchase home in something that’s as attractive as the item itself. The paper, usually brown, but with color options, harks back to the old mercantile treatment of an earlier era. It’s also more durable than many wrappings and holds up well under some heavy-duty shopping. (In it’s native German, Kraft means “strong.”)

Carl Dahl Invents Kraft Manufacturing In 1884

Making Kraft Paper is a method that has been in use since at least 1884, when a German, Carl Dahl, invented it. The first Kraft mill in the United States opened in 1911 in Pensacola, Florida. Today, some 80 percent of paper production incorporates elements of the process. Interestingly, plants using the process can be identified by the strong, offensive smell caused by the sodium sulfide and caustic sodium hydroxide used in production.

Production Process

The production process generates byproducts that can be used in several ways, making it a cyclical process. Wood is prepared for paper production by a chemical process that breaks down the lignin, the cellulose component of wood. That creates a byproduct called black liquor. After evaporation to remove liquids, it is burned to generate the high-pressure steam that the mill uses to make paper. The other non-organic components of the black liquor then regenerate the sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide that are used for pulping.

When the wood of conifer trees is used, a soaplike substance remains, which is acidified and used to produce “tall oil.” The oil is a source of fatty acids, resin acids and other chemicals. A component called rosin is used in some rubbers, adhesives, inks and emulsifiers. Another byproduct, pitch, is used as an adhesive, a binder in cement and an emulsifier for asphalt.

Strong Fibers Are Produced By Removing Lignin

When the end product is intended to be Kraft Paper, a sulfite process is used to remove the lignin from the wood. An alkaline solution, rather than acid, is used because it is less corrosive and damaging to paper production equipment. The Kraft process is more effective at removing lignin and produces a stronger fiber. This fiber also is rougher and contains more impurities than papers created with the sulfite process. The result is that the Kraft Paper is more difficult to bleach.

Kraft Paper Production In The United States

United States producers have moved to the forefront in production of pulp and paper products. The abundant pine trees of the country largely provided raw products for the process. The cyclical nature of paper production also made large energy savings possible. The Kraft process was critical in making America a world leader in the industry.

So, the next time you take home a purchase that is attractively wrapped or packaged in a Kraft Paper item, tip your hat to Carl Dahl, who started the whole thing.

About BowsNBags.com

The BowsNBags blog presents retail store owners with resources that will be helpful to them in growing their businesses. From suggesting conferences to attend to finding the best sources for their products, we cover a wide range of simple, helpful tips and suggestions for your retail store operations. On our store front at BowsNBags, we provide our customers with all the supplies they will need to wrap packages for customers, to provide shopping bags for customer and to provide retail gift … Read More

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