Bow Time ~ Stampin' Up! Artisan Blog Hop

If you like it then you gotta put a bow on it.. oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh oh. Before we get any deeper into this terrible excuse for a Beyonce cover, here's how I made this super easy bow with the Gift Bow die...

I used nine cut outs (I was even a bit cheeky and rolled them through ALL at once). The bottom layer of the finished bow has five 'petals' and the top layer four. They're cute all facing the same direction to look like a fan too!

1) Pull some linen thread onto a needle until both ends meet then tie the ends in a knot twice in the same spot.

2) Poke your needle through each end of the cutouts. Make sure the side of the designer paper you want to see is facing you when you first poke.

3) Thread on all your cutouts.

4) Roughly put them in the orientation you want then cut the string to let the needle off, thread a button on and tie tightly. 

5) Use some sticky strip to secure it to your package. This holds each 'petal' in place pretty well.

Did you know our uber-cool takeout boxes are food safe? Maybe you could fill them with Chocolate Peppermint Bliss Balls! (SEE RECIPE BELOW) You know I will be.

Supplies for Box:
Inks: Whisper White Craft, Cherry Cobbler
Papers: Takeout Boxes, Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Trim the Tree Designer Series Paper Stack, Gold Foil Sheets
Stamps: Cheerful Tags (Holiday Catalogue)
Accessories/Tools: Cherry Cobbler Sheer Linen Ribbon (love this stuff!!), Linen Thread, Gold Basic Metal Buttons, Gift Bow Bigz L die

Chocolate Peppermint Bliss Balls

By Tanya Howie

(Tanya is a passionate and healthy foodie friend of mine. Check out her Delicious & Nutritious board on Pinterest and if you're an Auckland local, she's contributing in the Backyard Grocer hampers - great for Christmas.)

1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup desiccated coconut (plus extra for coating)
1 firmly packed cup dates (soaked in hot water for 15 mins, or use medjool dates)
1/4 cup cocoa or raw cacao powder
1/2 tsp peppermint essence (or more to taste)
Pinch of sea salt

Soak dates in hot water for 15 mins, then save the water in case your mixture is a bit dry.
Blend first four ingredients in your food processor until it's a fine crumb.
Add in dates (not water), cocoa, peppermint and sea salt. 

Blend again until well mixed. If mixture is too dry, add in 1 tbsp of date water at a time, until you can roll it into balls easily.
Roll mixture into balls & roll in coconut.
Put into fridge to set for at least 30 mins. Store in fridge.

Let me know in the comments if you make these and what you think! Nom nom. 

Time to check out Teneale's creation this week...