So Nichole has challenged us to use her FABULOUS  Coffee Bags in a fun way.

Make sure you check out all the Senior Design Team members blogs 😀

Amy

Debbie

Heather (Pine)

Lisa

Nichole

I LOVE challenges and I especially LOVE altering stuff (in case you didn’t notice :D) Altered gift packing is just so fun, and your recipients feel special that not only did you make a card, but you took the time and attention to the packaging. Packaging doesn’t always have to be something complex and difficult. Keep it simple.

 The greatest thing about these Coffee Bags is not only are they STAMPABLE, but the interior of the bags are lined with waxed paper, which will prevent any oils from the treats they contain from seeping to the outside of your project.

I really love her coffee bags for gift giving. Usually we think a great time to send treats is during the holidays. That isn’t always the case though. Don’t you love when people think of you ALL year? Receiving a gift for NO reason is the BEST!

So here is my gift idea:

A few months ago my friend Paulette sent me this wet mix in a ziplock bag. It was for

Amish Friendship Bread. I had to take the 10 days to make the mixutre. Then separate it out and pass the mix along to a couple of people.

 The idea behind Amish Friendship Bread is that it is the chain letter of the baking world. The idea is very simple: a friend gives you a cup of yeast culture (also known as “starter”) and a copy of instructions. Following the instructions, you add sugar, flour and milk and it rises. Eventually, you end up with 4 cups of the starter. You use one cup to make bread (the instructions provide you with the recipe), keep one cup to start a new cycle and give two cups to your friends. Each of your friends also gets a copy of the instructions for what to do with the yeast starter. The latter part makes it somewhat like a chain letter. Of course, Amish Friendship Bread does not come with any promises of riches for those who spread it on or curses for those who don’t.

It was created because the Amish believe that we live in a fast paced world. Fast food, lack of time taken to enjoy the cooking/baking process with family & friends. By giving and receiving the kit, you are not only sharing of yourself, but taking time in the fast paced life to stop and make something from scratch so it is home made.

I made the bread and it tasted AMAZING!!!!  So I promptly passed it along. Ever since I hoped to get more 😀 I made a starter to pass along, and decided this is how  I am going to give this mixture.

amsih-friendship-breat-mix.jpg choice-amish-friendship-bread-mix.jpg click to enlarge

I typed up my recipe/instructions, then resized them to fit my project. I then printed them in a plum color onto vintage cream cardstock. I then used the house image  Boards & Beams, and stamped the house in Lavendar Moon.

I took my LONG rectangle scallop nestabilities to die cut the long scallop mat from Plum Pudding cardstock. I layered on my recipe. The best part about this bag is I didn’t ADHERE the recipe to the bag. It is just held on with the ribbon. Now the person receiving it can slip it off and keep the recipe for future use 😀

I used my Guidelines patterned paper to make a simple cover for my bag. I felt it was very in theme with the simple Amish way of living.

I used my Making Memories ribbon slot tool to then string though my simple satin ribbon, which holds my recipe in place, as well as my tag with my greeting. I then kept it simple with decorating it using prima flowers and adhesive pearls.

Once it was decorated ( 3 bags took 20 minutes 😀 to make including printing recipe) I poured in my mixture.

TIP:  I wrapped my bags with saran wrap before pouring anything,  just in case I spilled anything, my bags wouldn’t be ruined. 😀 Which me being the messy clutz I am, they would have been ruined. LOL!

I hope you enjoyed this simple project, and you take the time to make one for a friend, family member, teacher or neighbor!

Here is the recipe-you can just copy & paste !

Amish Friendship Bread

Important Note:

Don’t use metal spoons or equipment.

Do not refrigerate.

Use only glazed ceramic or plastic bowls or containers.

Required Main Ingredient1 cup live yeast (already in starter kit)

day 1: Do nothing with the starter. days

2-5: Stir with a wooden spoon. day 6: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Stir with a wooden spoon.

 days 7-9:Stir with a wooden spoon.

Day 10:  Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Stir.

Take out 3 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic containers.Give one cup and a copy of this recipe to three friends.To the balance (a little over one cup) of the batter,add the following ingredients and mix well.

1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

In a separate bowl combine the following dry ingredients and mix well:

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 – (5.1 oz) box instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup nuts

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.

Mix and pour into two well greased and sugared bread pans.

Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

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