From Grocery Store Blah To Easter TA DA!!!

What a FUN day!  I am a guest poster over at one of my VERY FAVORITE SITES:

 

thirty handmade days

Do you guys visit here?  If you don't, click on the link above and get over there right now and check out all of it's goodness!!!  I'm seriously obsessed with it!

It's not one of those hit and miss blogs where one day the stuff will be awesome and then the next day it's lame.  Mique, (pronounced Mickey) the creator, has the most amazing taste and EVERYTHING she posts is TO DIE FOR!

And I'm not just saying that because I'm a guest poster there!  :)  hee hee

So, I have an Easter confession...  I'm OBSESSED with Easter candy, but HATE the packaging!  

 

C'mon people who make delicious chocolate Easter bunnies- can't you come up with something better than those cheesy boxes you always use?  Nobody wants a bunny that looks like it's in a shiny paper upright casket!

And what about those gorgeous speckled candy eggs???  Do they deserve a garish purple bag with ingredients and weight and calories written all over it?  NO ONE wants to know how much damage those eggs can do to our thighs!  Let us eat our candy coated eggs in peace and suffer the consequences later!!!  

And grocery store bakeries- you make those lovely frosted and sugared cookies in every Easter shape you can imagine and then you stick them in a plain plastic box- the SAME plastic box you use for sandwiches and bagels- and then stick them next to the garlic bread!  That's wrong!  wrong...

So, as you can see- I HAD to come up with something new.  If no one was going to attempt to make the packaging I so desired, then I'd have to do it myself.  I had to give the cookies & candy what it deserved... CUTENESS!!!

Here's what I came up with:

I first hit the grocery store and then the dollar store and bought tons of bright, yummy treats.  I knew I wasn't going to use it all, but I just grabbed what looked good- even if it wasn't made for Easter.

I was excited to get it home to see what I could do with it!

COOKIE DECORATING KITS-

I bought some unfrosted cookies from our grocery store bakery, then some icing and a container of ice cream sprinkles and knew I wanted to make Cookie Decorating Kits with them.

Well, these 3 items on their own are anything but cute, so I knew I had to do something!

 So I grabbed a plastic piping bag, some stickers, cute paper, some ribbon and a clear lunch sack and this is what I came up with...

 Now, look at the difference!!!  Who wouldn't be proud to give that as a fun giftie?

I just put the cookies in the sack and added a sticker to the front and a piece of folded paper to the top with ribbon.  I then took all the original stickers off of the sprinkles container and added my own to make it more festive.  Then added the icing to a piping tube and added a big bow.

Fun, easy and worth the effort!

COTTON CANDY CONES-

 Now I know ice cream cones have nothing to do with Easter, but when they're selling cones in the most delicious Easter colors, then I HAVE to do something with them!

Here I simply made a ball with the cotton candy and plopped it on top of the cone.  I put them in a clear lunch sack and added a folded paper topper to the sack and some stickers and VOILA!  Easter ice cream cones!

CHOCOLATE BUNNY CARROT CONES-

 So here is the poor old bunny I was speaking about earlier- kind of like Hans Solo in the frozen casket in Empire Strikes Back!

So here I took the orange paper and cut scallops into into it.  I then stuffed it with some paper towels and added paper punched scalloped circles and strips of paper that I had roughly accordion folded.  I used double sided tape to hold everything in place.  Then I wrapped ribbon around the cone and added a tag with a sticker to it.  The last thing was to place the cute bunny into the cone!

  So inexpensive- I had everything on hand except for the bunny!  

Now this is a proper setting for a delicious chocolate bunny to be in--- before I eat him!  :)

BUNNY MALLOWS IN A CONE-

 Now I happen to be a girl who LOVES a marshmallow.  It doesn't have to be toasted even (although there is NOTHING on the face of the earth more delicious to me than a toasted mallow).  So this is just a super little treat on it's own.

BUT- if you added another cone filled with white hot cocoa to it... OMG- heaven! (I tried 2 stores and none of them had white hot cocoa, so I gave up!  I figured you could all use your imagination and picture the deliciousness of the situation on your own! )

CHOCOLATE BUNNY GARDEN IN A JAR-

 Okay, so I kinda died when I saw that the dollar store had Beatrix Potter chocolate bunnies!!!  How adorable is that?!?!

So this one was obvious- this bunny had to be in a garden!  To do this, I filled the jar up with a bag of jelly beans.  Then added some candy grass.  I then planted those cute carrot suckers (are those adorable or what?!) and added Flopsy!  I tied some ribbon around the neck of the jar, added some paper and a sticker to the lid and I was done!  About 5 minutes total!

 Try and take a picture of something inside of a thick canning jar- NOT EASY!  So excuse the lame picture, but this is so darling in real life.  I *heart* it the most of all my projects!

MARSHMALLOW STICK CONTAINER-

 Again- marshmallows-- I can't get enough of them!  I really do love them.

So, I went old school here- like pre school old school- and decorated a can.  "Hey, Keiran... how about some mandarin oranges for a snack?"  :)

So, I took the label off of the can and used that as a template for my pink paper.  I then covered the can with my paper.  Added some ribbon, stickers and a die cute.  I then got SUPER FANCY and drilled 2 holes in the side of the can (I've impressed you, huh?) and added some wire I twirled around a pencil.  Then I stuck some candy grass in the can and added my beloved marshmallow sticks.

On a side note... how FANTASTIC would those be as hot cocoa stirrers?!?!  I've gotta get my hands on some white chocolate cocoa!!!  Darn you Ralph's and Von's!!!

JAR OF EGGS-

 What do you get when you cross a jam jar, some malted eggs, ribbon, paper and fuzzy pompom chicks?

 
  The cutest little nest ever!

HOW CUTE ARE THOSE BIRDS???  They're from Von's of all places!

So here I just filled the jar with eggs.  Then curled strips of ribbon around my pencil and taped them to the top the lid.  I then added tape to the bottom of the chick's feet and stuck them down on the lid.  Added a bow and I was done!  

I really do love those chicks.  Scarlet insisted I give her the yellow one...

CHOCOLATE DUCKIE BAG-

 

I can't take the cuteness of a chocolate duckie!  Seriously, someone who is doing a baby shower soon needs to high tail it to Dollar Tree and buy these NOW!!!  What was I thinking-- I should have bought more myself!  How cute to use on top of a baby gift!?!?!?  I'll be right back...  :)

So, release the duckie from it's tacky packaging.  Then go through all your candy and pick out the blue pieces and add them to the bottom of your bag.  Add the duckie, tie a bow-- cuteness X infinity!!!

A PEACHY BAG-

 Okay, so every project can't be amazing, but look at how sweet just adding candy to a little bag can be?  These little bags are from Joann's and are made for candy mold pops.  I think they look darling with candy in them and then folded down with a stick added to them.  Great for party favors!

MINI JAR OF EGGS-

 

I don't drink coffee, but you know what would almost make me start?  Those little Starbuck's glass containers!!!  They taunt me every time I see them.  In fact, a few years ago I had a Halloween party and used those little containers as invitations for my guests.  It made me sick pouring the coffee into the sink, but those darn little jars are soooooooo cute, it was wastefully worth it!

Here I used a jar of Prima flowers.  My lovely little flowers are now in a Ziplock bag- anything for easter candy!  :)

Add some candy to a mini jar.  Wrap with paper.  Add ribbon, a die cute and punch a circle and add it to the lid.  Sweet...

Disclaimer- I can not be held responsible if you start a hardcore coffee habit after reading this post!

 

TUBE OF SKITTLES- 

 Now I have to say, this is the PERFECT goodie to hand out at school.  They are so easy to make and so inexpensive and yet there is something about those little tubes that is just so dang adorable!!!

The little tubes are from a company called ClearBags dot com.  I have used them for so many holidays- you should see them filled with black and orange M&Ms--  divine!

BASKET OF COOKIES-

 Seriously, how much cuter are those cookies in that basket?  If you wanted to give your child's teacher a little gift then this is just perfect.  Go to the dollar store and buy a basket and some grass and for $2 more you have a DARLING treat.  

BUNNY POP-

  
   Earlier in this post I admitted my LOVE of marshmallows-- well now I'm about the admit my weakness for fizzy drinks.  

Not the normal kind of soda- the kind they sell separate from the regular stuff.  The French Lemonades, Izzes, Juicy Bursts, italian sodas, etc...  I find no great luxury than reading a book on my porch on a warm afternoon with a fizzy drink.  Heaven..

So, that is where this idea came from.  If the Easter bunny left me a basket, I would want it filled with cases of Izze!  And of course the Easter bunny's not going to leave it in it's bland ol' packaging.  He would decorate it to look like 4 bunnies... right?!  lol

I simply made some ears and taped them to the bottles.  Glued on some goggly eyes and wire whiskers and topped them with a pompom nose.  Then of course, added a bow.  I traced the box onto cute paper and cut it out and taped it to the case.  Then looked through my stash and found that bunny and some stickers letters and stuck them down.  

It's super goofy looking, but I kinda love it!  :)

Well, that was about the longest post EVER!  I must admit though, I had a blast planning, shopping for and making it!  It was delightful...

Comments

[Tressa]

Ahhh-mazing, Gillian!! You have outdone yourself - I ESPECIALLY love the bunny pop - so cute and clever! It's amazing what you can come up with - you could start a boutique/gift basket business. I love the dollar tree - Darian & Cale's Easter Bunny just went shopping there a couple of weeks ago since last year he/she made the mistake of waiting until the night before and of course the shelves were ransacked (we just made do with other candy). :) Thanks again for sharing all of your brilliant ideas - I love them all!

[Darci]

For some reason, nothing looks cuter to me than candy in a piping bag/tube sack/glass jar with a ribbon around it. You are a credit to the crafting industry!

[Cori]

WOW! You've given me some great ideas for class favors. :)

[Love Stitched]

you are SO creative!!! you do the most amazing thing I am IN LOVE with all these ideas! I will feature them on my blog next week!!

{Brittany}

[Jamie]

I love all of these wonderful ideas! Thank you for inspiring me to think outside of the box this Easter!

[Melanie]

I have to say this was one of the cutest posts I have seen at 30 days......ALOT of work but so stinkin cute!! Can you tell me more details about the tubes......I searched the site but didn't know what I was looking for. Thanks again for the time you put into it- LOVE IT!!

[Mary Ellen]

Wow, what amazingly creative ideas!
I think I like the bunny in a jar one the most, may even try to create it!
Thanks for sharing it with us!

[Holly L]

Really, it is possible for one person to be this talented...adorable. We have asked the Easter Bunny not to bring as much candy, but maybe he'll package up a few things special!

[giuseppina]

i can't even get over how stinkin cute these ALL are!! thanks for the fantastic ideas gillian!!! ;)

[Gillian Greding]

You are just lovely... thank you!

-gillian

[Ingrid]

This is FABULOUS!! I keep looking over all of your fantastic ideas, and I love them all so much I can't pick a favorite....although the cookie decorating kit made me drool (a little) ;) Guess what I'm doing this week!!

[Candace @CraftySisters]

I am dying here...this Easter stuff is so stinkin cute!!!!! Some of the cutest packaging ideas I have ever seen! Love it!

[Stacie @ The CrEaTiVe CraTe]

LoVin' these ideas!! Sooo CuTe!! I would LoVe to feature your bunny in a jar...if thats ok with you :) Thanks so much for sharing!

[Ali Smith]

You are amazing!! I loved it all. I found the piping tube on that website, but what size did you buy. I can't for all the holidays to use them. So Exciting!!!

[Nicole]

Love it, LOVE it, LOVE IT! Actually LOVE them all! Simply Brilliant!
:)

[Jessica]

Could you please email me how I find the clear tube bags you used withe the skittles? You do a great job, I LOVED everything on here!

[Beth Griffin]

Oh, you and I would make the perfect pair!!! I have a bit of a mocha frappuccino addiction. In fact, my mother-in-law buys it by the case at Costco! She usually buys me two cases for my house and one for her house for when I come visit. My very large, very full shelf of lable-free, nicely washed frap bottles may be too much for you to handle!!!

Thanks for the inspiration--loved all your ideas!!!

[Kassy]

So fun! I love your ideas! I looked on the website, but I can't find the tubes you put the skittles in. Can you give me more information?

Thanks,
Kassy

[Gillian Greding]

LOL, Beth! Yes, you are my DREAM BFF! lol

[Trisha]

Where did you get the edible Easter grass? I have never seen that before. Thanks for the cute ideas!!!

[Heather]

Oh wow, I can't believe all the cute ideas here! Just found your blog and so glad I did! Thanks for sharing your sweet projects.

[Sarah Hinson]

Oh girl, you have just inspired me to kick my crafty Easter skills up a notch. Your ideas are amazing!!! Thanks so much for sharing, I'm off to recreate!
God's blessings,
Sarah :D

[Genevieve Le Bel]

O. MYGOD!!! You're FABULOUS! I absolutely adore your ideas, your fashions, your BLOG! I am no a follower! Woot! Woot!

[Chrissy]

Visiting from Today's Creative Blog! Wow! You've got me wanting to make a run to town and I don't live anywhere near town and I was there 2 days ago! Amazing! Love all your ideas!

[Janelle]

Oh. My. Goodness. I too just found your blog through Today's Creative Blog, and I'm so glad I did! Here I thought I was all ready for Easter. Now I have to go out shopping again today to create some of this adorable cuteness for my grandkids - they're coming tomorrow! I need to get busy, but first I have to try to choose WHICH of these fabulous goodies to make!!
Thank you for such a wonderful post.