How To

WORDS OF ENCOURAGMENT JAR

The Words of Encouragement Jar is a very easy and inexpensive way to spread love, kind words and encouragment. This handmade gift made a huge impact when I originally created it.  It was so well received, that I decided to make the printables and directions free and available to anyone who would like to give this project a try! I have included all the links to the supplies, so that you can find the exact supplies I used for this project.

Originally, I designed these printables for a 50th birthday party. During the party, each guest wrote a birthday wish/scripture/poem/positive thought and added it to the empty jar.  For those who could not attend the party, I mailed the blank printable card so they could still participate. If you prefer to have all the cards filled out in advance, you can request guests send their well wishes to you through a text or email.  Just type their words onto one of the cards and print. This option allows you to arrive at the party with a jar full of encouraging notes.

Although I used this idea for a birthday party, it can be used for for a Thanksgiving dinner party, teacher appreciation, graduation party, retirement party, anniversary or good-bye party, just to mention a few!

Supplies needed:

• empty jar
• printable cardstock for your inkjet or laser printer
• zots adhesive dots
• paper cutter or scissors
• printer (use your own home printer or have a local printer, such as Staple’s print for you)

STEP ONE: Download the free printables here.

STEP TWO: Print out the label onto the injet/laser paper of your choice. I included 3 different jar labels to choose from.  I printed my label onto Epson’s gloss photo paper because I wanted that extra polish and pop.  You can also use printable sticker paper for the jar label. For the actual blank encouragement cards, I used white Staples injet compatible cardstock. You can also just print on plain white copier paper. For additional printing instructions, you can read my “printing how to” blog post.

STEP THREE: Use a paper cutter or scissors and a steady hand to trim the cards and the label.

STEP FOUR: Make sure the empty jar is clean and free of fingerprints or oils so that the adhesive will hold properly. You can use any size jar.

STEP FIVE: Use a heavy adhesive to stick the printable label to the jar. I like to use Zots adhesive dots.  They hold well and can be found at most craft stores.  I always keep a supply of them at my house, because they work for all sorts of projects and crafts! If you are using a printable sticker paper, then you just need to postition the label and stick in place.

STEP SIX: Decorate the lid with ribbon, gems, paper or fabric flowers, wax seals or whatever works with your theme. Fill the jar with the notes!

If you want to create this jar using different quotes, you might enjoy looking at the digital word art from Baer Design Studio.

If you want to make other coordinating printables for your party, you can find the the paper backgrounds here.

If you have any questions, or want customized Encouragement Jar printables, please free to contact me at bdhhbaer@gmail.com.

Have an amazing day!  Brigitte Baer, Baer Design Studio

This blog post is written for my customers who have already purchased my printable tags and need printing tips, AND for those who are considering to purchase but need more direction.  I have included some paper suggestions as well as links where to purchase those papers. There are many different paper options, but I have limited this post to the ones I have personally tried.  Also, I have included samples of my tags, in case you want to practice printing first.  Also, I sell my personalized tags in two sizes.  If you do not know which size will work best for your project, I encourage you to download and print out this sheet.  Trim the tags and attach to your party favor or gift bag to see which one works best. The tags used in the example can be ordered here

My tags come in both jpeg and pdf. Open the PDF into the PDF viewer (this comes on most computers).  If not, you can download Adobe reader for free here or open the jpeg into a software program of your choice.

Always print my images on WHITE paper to retain the color quality. When choosing the type of paper to use for your inkjet printer, I find that it is best to use paper from the manufacturer of the printer you are using.  I personally use Epson matte premium heavyweight presentation paper. Because it is designed for printing photos as well as text, I find that the colors are most vibrant when using this paper.  This is a 45lb weight paper, which may not be thick enough for your needs. However, I find it is what I use 90% of the time when I print my own personal tags.

Prefer to work with card stock? The number one printing problem comes from customers who are trying to print onto CRAFT STORE card stock. I do not recommend this type of card stock as it is porous and can have a coating. These papers are commonly found in the scrapbooking sections of stores such as Michael’s and Hobby Lobby.  Instead, look for inkjet or laser friendly card stock/cover paper online or at an office supply store. Here is one I have used from Staples. If I need a stiff cardstock, this is a pretty good option. This is 110lb card stock, however, the prints are not as vibrant as I prefer.  I use it when I need something heavy and inexpensive such as a tag for a child’s classroom party.

If you want to print out the tags on sticker paper, here is an Avery sticker paper  I like to use.  This paper is a nice option when you want to add a tag to a candy buffet paper bag.

The most overlooked component of printing at home tends to come with the printer settings. Make sure to adjust the printer settings on your printer.  This will vary based on the printer manufacturer.  The majority of the time I use “BORDERLESS PRINTING” because I do not want the printer to shrink my image and to make sure there is not an additional  white band added to the outer edge of my image. I always choose “BEST PHOTO”, even if I am not printing a photo (I find is best to treat the printable image as a photo).  These settings are generally found under the advanced settings option. Make sure to choose the correct “PAPER TYPE” setting.  When you are working with specialty papers, from Epson, Avery, etc., they enclose printer instructions which tell you which paper settings to use.

When you find a combination that works for you, keep that paper in stock AND write down the printer settings that you found successful (write it directly on the box). This way, if months pass between printing projects, you will not have to rely on your memory or start over from scratch! Since I like to order online, I always like to keep my favorite papers in stock.

If you prefer to send out your tags to be printed at Staples, Office Max, Kinkos, etc., they have a variety of paper finishes and paper weights to choose from.  Should they ask, you have my permission to have Baer Design Studio tags printed by a professional printer.

If you would like to browse through my printable tag section on Etsy, you may do so here

If you have any other questions, you can send me a convo through Etsy  or email me at bdhhbaer@gmail.com.

Thank you!  Brigitte Baer of Baer Design Studio

Printable tags are extremely popular are sold through many different online shops. People attach them to party favor bags for a special birthday, use for 50th anniversary parties, Halloween treat bags, graduation party favors,  classroom parties and soooo much more!  They are all over Pinterest! Ever wonder how to print printable tags right in your own home?  I sell a number of them in my shop and am asked all sorts of questions.  I made a list of the most popular questions I am asked, and tried my best to answer them in this blog post.  I have also included a free set of printable tags so you can try it out on your own! Download here 

Most printable tags come as jpeg or pdf.  You can open the PDF into the PDF viewer (this comes on most computers).  If not, you can download Adobe reader for free here: http://get.adobe.com/reader/ or open the jpeg into a software program of your choice. Add type if needed of you visit my shop, I offer tags with customized text here

What type of paper do I recommend? No matter the type of paper, I recommend printing on white paper so that that printed colors retain their integrity. When choosing the type of paper to use for your inkjet printer, I find that it is best to use paper from the manufacturer of the printer you are using.  I personally use Epson matte premium heavyweight presentation paper. Because it is designed for printing photos as well as text, I find that the colors are most vibrant when using this paper.  This is a 45lb weight paper, which may not be thick enough for your needs. However, I find it is what I use 90% of the time when I print my own personal tags.

Prefer to work with card stock? The number one printing problem comes from customers who are trying to print onto CRAFT STORE card stock. I do not recommend this type of card stock as it is porous and can have a coating. These papers are commonly found in the scrapbooking sections of stores such as Michael’s and Hobby Lobby.  Instead, look for inkjet or laser friendly card stock/cover paper online or at an office supply store. Here is one I have used from Staples. If I need a stiff cardstock, this is a pretty good option. This is 110lb card stock, however, the prints are not as vibrant as I prefer.  I use it when I need something heavy and inexpensive such as a tag for a child’s classroom party.

If you want to print out the tags on sticker paper, here is an Avery sticker paper I like to use amzn.to/1MSOhxX This paper is a nice option when you want to add a tag to a candy buffet paper bag.

The most overlooked component of printing at home tends to come with the printer settings. Make sure to adjust the printer settings on your printer.  This will vary based on the printer manufacturer.  The majority of the time I use “BORDERLESS PRINTING” because I do not want the printer to shrink my image and to make sure there is not an additional  white band added to the outer edge of my image. I always choose “BEST PHOTO”, even if I am not printing a photo (I find is best to treat the printable image as a photo).  These settings are generally found under the advanced settings option. Make sure to choose the correct “PAPER TYPE” setting.  When you are working with specialty papers, from Epson, Avery, etc., they enclose printer instructions which tell you which paper settings to use.

When you find a combination that works for you, keep that paper in stock AND write down the printer settings that you found successful (write it directly on the box). This way, if months pass between printing projects, you will not have to rely on your memory or start over from scratch! Since I like to order online, I always like to keep my favorite papers in stock.

If you prefer to send out your tags to be printed at Staples, Office Max, Kinkos, etc., they have a variety of paper finishes and paper weights to choose from.  Should they ask, you have my permission to have Baer Design Studio tags printed by a professional printer.

Please do not let these instructions overwhelm you!

Thank you for visiting my shop!  Brigitte Baer

www.baerdesignstudio.etsy.com

www.baerdesignstudio.com

My family LOVES making s’mores and creating a smores bar.  For the past two summers, we have even held s’more making contests, enlisted a judging panel and given out awards and prizes in multiple categories of s’more design and execution.  I enjoy hosting the parties, arranging the s’more ingredients in cute containers and of course, I have a Pinterest board completely dedicated to s’mores. So, it was no surprise that for my son’s high school graduation party, he would request the party end with s’mores.

I was a bit nervous with the idea of hosting a large party, with open flames, in typical Chicago winds, with loads of excited teens, all in my backyard.  I needed to simply the s’more process! My idea was to prepack the s’more ingredients in a fun and easy way that coordinated with the party theme. As the party was an open house, I wanted to make sure that guests could take a s’more kit home, if they could not stay ‘til sundown.

Here is what I came up with for the Class of 2017 graduation party with the “A Sweet Ending to a New Beginning” theme:

Supplies Used:

• 4” x5.5” cellophane bags purchased at Hobby Lobby
• Square marshmallows purchased at Wal-mart
• Hershey chocolate purchased in bulk at Sam’s Club
• Easy to break apart Honey Maid Graham Crackers purchased at Sam’s Club
• Printable labels I designed and printed onto sticker paper

In order to make the packet compact, these are the items packed inside.  We packed all the ingredients a week before the party.  We noticed that the graham crackers did get slightly moist, however, they were still fresh and made it a bit easier to work with when the toasted marshmallow and chocolate were added. Why two marshmallows? From personal experience, folks who are really eager to roast marshmallows, many times burn them.  For those who do not like burned marshmallows, having a second marshmallow in the packet provided them a second attempt at creating their perfect s’more.

The s’more kit was packaged with the graham crackers first, then stack the chocolate and then place marshmallows side by side. The plastic bag was rolled down, forwards, and then the sticker was used to secure it all in place. We made 75 s’more packets. During the party, they were part of out dessert bar.  The dessert bar included a candy station, dessert station and s’more station.

So how did the party turn out?  Well Chicago provided us with 30 mile an hour winds, so we could not have a fire pit!! Ugh!  For those guests who wanted, we gave the s’more kits to take home. Also, we were holding a second graduation party two weeks later in Michigan, so we were able to use the s’more kits successfully!  Since the s’more were all packaged, it made it easy to transport them and it was quite the conversation piece.

Happy S’mores!  Brigitte, of Baer Design Studio

Since this is the number one question I am asked,  “how to print digital scrapbook paper”, I will pass along what I have learned over the past 17 years of experimenting on multiple printers/papers/inks.

• First off, there is no one size fits all. You have to take into consideration your printer, your printer settings, the paper type and the project itself. I work off of a number of different printers, for different reasons.  For the best and most consistent results, I use my Epson Photo Stylus inkjet printer with Epson Premium Presentation Matte Paper. I tend to like photo printers. I also like photo paper and it is available in matte, luster and glossy.  Many people assume “glossy” when they hear photo paper, but there are other options.
• I find that it is best to use paper from the manufacturer of the printer you are using, especially when printing photos or need the colors to print accurately.  However, my HP Photosmart printer was my go to printer when working with ink jet canvas/fabrics, iron on transfer and inkjet watercolor paper from a variety of manufacturers.
• Prefer to work with cardstock? The number one printing problem comes from customers who are trying to print onto scrapbook cardstock.  I LOVE cardstock because it is heavyweight and looks beautiful, but it can be a printing nightmare because it is porous and can have a coating. Look for inkjet or laser friendly cardstock/cover paper.  Make sure to adjust the printer settings. My latest favorite paper- metallic cover papers.  I have found them at Staples and through Jam Papers. I generally use a white pearl version, but I have also used the ivory and gray metallic papers. I use them for gift tags, invitations and my printable doilies. Every year, I find more and more printer friendly cardstock and will keep you posted through my newsletters.
• The most overlooked component of printing at home tends to come with the printer settings. Make sure to adjust the printer settings on our printer.  These will vary based on the manufacturer.  The majority of the time I use “BORDERLESS PRINTING” and “BEST PHOTO” , even if I am not printing a photo (I find is best to treat any printable image as a photo).  These settings are generally under the advanced settings option. Make sure to choose the correct “PAPER TYPE” setting.  When you are working with specialty papers, from Avery, etc., they enclose printer instructions which tell you which paper settings to use.
• Should I use generic ink or ink from my printer’s manufacturer?  If I am printing a project that requires perfect color and the photos are the main focus, then I use the manufacturer’s ink.  If there can be more give on the color, then I use generic ink.  Most of the time I use generic ink and adjust my printer settings and paper selections.
• When you find a combination that works for you, keep that paper in stock AND write down the printer settings that you found successful (write it directly on the box). This way, if months pass between printing projects, you will not have to rely on your memory or start over from scratch! Since I like to order online, I always like to keep my favorite papers in stock.
• On a final note, I recommend taking into consideration whether it is cost effective to print your project from home, or cheaper to send out your project.  I print my gift tags, paper party décor and cards from home.  I have found that it is much more cost effective to have all my 12×12 scrapbook pages printed by PersnickityPrints.com and my 4×6 photos and posters printed by Costco.