Thursday, April 21, 2011

Poppy Picnic Hostess Gift - Please Vote! :)

I am so excited to share this little project with you!  Over at The Handmade Gift Guide, they are having a contest sponsored by 100 Proof Press.  Ten of us received this gorgeous poppy stamp and were asked to come up with a handmade gift idea using the stamp.  Their readers get to vote on their favorite project, and the designer with the most votes gets a gift certificate to 100 Proof Press.  I loooooove their stamps, and I would greatly, hugely, enormously appreciate your vote!   You can see all of the projects and vote by  following *THIS LINK*.  Pretty, pretty please with poppies on top???? ;)

So, what did I make, exactly?  I put together a little Poppy Picnic Hostess Gift.  I started out with a jar filled with organic poppy seeds (actually an old Prima flower bottle).  I stamped the image on adhesive-backed paper from PTI, then colored it with Copics and adhered it to the bottle.  I also bought two plain muslin flour sack dish towels, and stamped the image repeatedly in red or black inks.  I tested this out a bit with another towel I designated as my "trial towel", LOL!  I used waterproof dye ink, stamped the towel, and allowed it to set overnight.  I then heat set the images with a hot, dry iron.  Just to be absolutely certain it would set, I threw the towels into a hot dryer for about 20 minutes.  They came out pretty well in the wash - just be sure not to wash red ink (*any* red ink) with anything white the first time around!  To tie it all together and give it a special purpose, I included three poppy seed recipe cards, stamped with the image in red.  Here's another view of the project:
You can click on the images for a larger view.  In case you can't see the recipe card, below is a recipe for a really yummy salad with poppy seed dressing.  It may sound like an odd combination, but trust me, it's so good, so quick, and so easy!


Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Dressing:
Mix together:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbs. raspberry vinegar
1/3 Cup sugar
1/4 Cup milk
2 Tbs. poppy seeds

Salad:
Toss together shredded crisp leafy lettuce (romaine or green leaf), sliced strawberries, and thinly sliced sweet onions.  Toss with dressing immediately before serving (if you put it on ahead of time, the lettuce will wilt).

If you like what you see, would sooo appreciate your vote. :)  Happy Easter weekend!

26 comments:

Gerri Herbst said...

What a gorgeous creation. I love poppies and would love to have that in my kitchen. Beautiful job...take care, gerri

woodandfabric said...

Oh my! Lovely Work Jean. I voted for your creation!
Happy Easter!
Michelle *Ü*

Lori said...

Gorgeous Jean, and do I get one of those little stickers that says "I voted" ? lol! Have a wonderful Easter!

Lisa Somerville said...

Wonderful gift set Jean! Love your coloring on the Poppy Jar, the matching towels are adorable! Fab use of the Poppy image!

LeAnne said...

Absolutely lovely and OF COURSE I would vote for you. Thanks for the recipe too....that salad is one of my favorites!

Suzanne C said...

Yummy! Beautiful creation! Love what you did with the stamp!

1CardCreator said...

Wow this is gorgeous.

Marie Lost Bird Studio said...

Beautiful creations,Jean!!
FS.Now I'm off to vote for you:)
Have a great weekend and a Happy Easter.
Hugs,
Marie

Daniele said...

it got my stamp of aproval....yours is so far the best, well done
hugs

Cynthia Schelzig said...

What a fabulous gift!! Amazingly classy and beautiful. I am off to vote for you for sure:) Good Luck!!

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful work, hope you win the prize! Valerie

Netty said...

Beautiful creations Jean will hop over and vote, Happy Easter, Annette x

Dolly Daydreams said...

Beautiful project and really love the tea towels such a lovely stamp > I voted for you !

Happy Easter.

Marie

Jacqueline said...

Just stunning Jean! I hope you win too - it looks so beautiful! Lovely recipe too - I didn't know you could eat strawberries with onions though :)

Cyndie said...

Lovely project! I voted for you!

Decor To Adore said...

This is a very sweet project and I will happily vote for you!

You shared one of my favorite salads.

Happy Easter to you and yours!

JulesinParadise said...

That is such a beautiful hostess gift...I voted for you!

Unknown said...

What a lovely set.. I just love it.. I already went over and voted for you... good luck my creative friend...

Hugs, Linda

Sue Lelli said...

Oh Jean, this is so LOVELY! The poppy seed recipe is sure a plus but your handmade gift is AMAZING! I am going over to vote for YOU now! Good Luck!

Zue said...

Just gorgeous!!
I will vote for you. You definitely deserve to win. So, I will pop along now and cast my vote.
You never cease to amaze me..just lovely!
Sue xx

Zue said...

Just cast my vote. Looks like you are in the lead. How exciting.
Sue xx

Heather Rogers said...

What a beautiful set you designed. :) Love the pretty Poppies.
Hugs~

Art From The heart said...

Oh this si awesome.
I'm a new follower,hope you'll join me as well. Having a HUGE spring giveaway,drawing tomorrow if you'd like to enter.
Anyone is welcome.
Hugs, Amy (off to vote)

Anneke said...

Just voted for you, I see your on top :) No wonder, you made the most beautiful handmade gifts! I like the jar and the towels, very nice!

penny4thoughts said...

So beautiful Jean! My friend Naomi's piece is also there - she used a book design learned in one of my classes - oh how do I choose my vote?!?!?!

Lynn Stevens said...

Wonderfully creative! I hope its not to late to vote?