One of the benefits of being involved in this industry is the ability to feed off of the creativity exuded by my peers. I was speaking to Lisa Johnson the other day on the phone and she said, "Since the small heart tins have such a great height, I bet they would be great to bake mini loaves of bread in." After her statement, I knew it was just something I had to try for myself!
I found this Strawberry Muffin Mix at the grocery store yesterday. I knew that the flavor would lend itself to the strawberry image contained in our My Punny Valentine stamp set. I washed the small heart tins thoroughly with water and dried them with a soft towel. I then greased the inside of the tin to allow the muffin to slide out easily after it was done baking. I whipped up the mix quickly and filled each tin 2/3.
To bake the muffins, I simply arranged the tins on a cookie sheet so they would not tip over or fall in-between the spaces in my oven rack. The baked for exactly 15 minutes and turned out perfectly!
To add a little something special, I decided to create a coordinating tag. I started by stamping the strawberry image from My Punny Valentine.
Here is a little trick I like to do sometimes. I like to remind myself that I don’t always have to center my images within the boundaries of a punch. I can also do them off-center, which can allow for more creative opportunities. (I used the small tag punch from SU! for this particular project)
After punching the tag, I added the sentiment. It helped to finish the tag nicely.
I placed the lid of the tins on the bottom, so the recipient can wash out the tin and re-use it. I put a tiny piece of tacky tape down the length of the bottom point of the heart and tied the tin with red gingham ribbon. The tape helps to keep the ribbon from sliding off the point. I added the tags as a last step. These are so adorable, and I know my friends & neighbors will appreciate the gesture so much!
Edited to Add: A few of you have emailed me with the concern of chemicals transferring from the tin into a muffin during the baking process. I don’t have any solid resources that can confirm whether or not this could be true. In my opinion, if this is something that concerns you, one could easily line the tin with baking parchment paper. The barrier you create should prevent anything from transferring into your food, if it is even a risk. I hope this helps!
Carrie says
This is really, really adorable….how on earth do you think of these things??? I wish I had an even a fraction of your creativity!
Julie C. says
Berry cute!!!!
Tracy Whitney says
how cute (not to mention yummy)!
Julie Brooks says
You are SOOOO clever!!! What a great idea!!
Tessa (aka shastess on SCS) says
How cute is that?!?!?!?!?!
laulief says
These are so cute and yummy looking!
Wendy W. says
Get out!!! Those are just the stinkin’ cutest things I have EVER seen! (And I had already decided I only needed the big heart tins and not the little ones . . . whatever!!)
Clara Rubalcaba says
You never cease to amaze me!
Vicki Callier says
“THUD” my jaw just hit the floor!
You are truely amazzzzzzing!
Chris Mott says
What a sweet idea!!! Great for neighbors!!!
Laura Holt says
Sweet lorraine! How DO you do it?! This is just to cute for words. Why haven’t I ordered this stamp set and tins????
Granna on the Go says
Way too cute! I only wish I had ordered more of the tins! You are amazing and so kind to share with us. Thanks.
Lorie says
Holy cow! I’ve always known you are creative but seriously…this is over the top! What a neat idea!
Alli Miles says
I bow down to you!!! Sooooooooo clever.
Lesa Rapp says
Shut up! Oh my gosh! I am so glad I ordered some of these, but now you made me go an order some more! 😉 This rocks girl!
Beth D says
That is just the cutest idea I have ever seen for Valentine’s Day! You are so creative!!!
Lisa Johnson says
Oh these turned out SO cool! I’m so glad you tried it!
They honestly look heartfelt…just lovely!
Kiim says
Pure genius! This is amazing and I’ve found a new use for my new heart tins! Better Crocker, here I come!
Lisa says
Super cute!
You could even use some pretty celophane to wrap them at the top and then tie your tag on that way.
Catherine says
OM Gosh! You are just way too much. Too cute!
Tracey says
AMAZING! How do you think of these things!?!?
Cresta Woodruff says
AWESOME! I am continually inspired by you!
tracey aka cuccicoo1002 says
You’re incredible…I can’t say anything more…really. WOW! 🙂
Geny says
Oh my goodness those are so so cute! I need to get some of those tins pronto! What a great idea Lisa had!
Christina says
GREAT idea! And great work! I love it!
Jenn Ellefson says
yes, now I’m quite sure that you don’t sleep! 😉
Very cute idea, Lisa & Nichole!
Janet says
Um. WOW. As always. Somewhere Martha is shaking in her clogs.
Carrie says
Cute Cute Cute! This would make a great gift for anyone, exspecailly kids!
Kelsey Forester says
What a great idea for a gift! So many uses for these tins other than just to fill with candy! Have a wonderful day!
Susanna says
I just had to comment on this — SQUEEEEEEEL of delight — that is the best sales pitch ever — Now, I HAVE to have all three things, because I NEED them for Valentine’s day!
Julie-Ann Wells says
Oh my word!!! That is fantastic. What a perfect day too, I just got my order of tins a few minutes ago!! Super idea!!
Jill says
so cute…thanks for sharing!
Kris Tolman says
(quiet reverence in awe of your brilliant mind)
Michele Zwart says
SHUT UP! That is *so* cute!
elizabeth says
this is great!!!!!!
but ya know, there is a recipe on the back of the muffin package for adding sour cream and almond extract and then sprinkling almonds on top. i have tried em this past weekend and they are delish!!!!
thanks for all the inspo 🙂
Beatriz Jennings says
beautiful! 🙂
Susan S. says
I absolutely LOVE your idea!!! Thanks for sharing!
Jen says
OMG! What will you think of next! They are too stinkin’ cute!!!
Beverly N says
I wish I were your neighbor!
Melissa says
Drat! I was trying to avoid buying more tins. Now I HAVE to! Darling idea!
Gina K. says
You always have the best ideas, Nichole!
Jackie says
What a GREAT idea…y’all never cease to amaze me!!
Blessings to you!
Renee V. (happystamper05) says
That’s it….
I have to get this set and the tins now! Over the top wonderful. Kudos to Lisa too!
Hugs!
Aimee says
I now know I need these tins… what an awesome way to give some baked goods as gifts.
Heather says
This is TOO freakin’ adorable! Gah! How DO you do it? =)
Jessica Kuzelka says
WOW! This is so darn cute!! LOVE IT 🙂
~ jess k
Susannah says
OMG those are ADORABLE….great another thing to add to my shopping cart ;0)
Jennifer Buck says
How very cute and creative! I just received my tins. They are wonderful! I love how you used these! Thanks for the inspiration and take care! 🙂
barb schram says
I love the versatility of every idea. Just amazing, and blessed that you share all these great ideas with us!!!! Can’t wait to give this a try 😉
elana says
So cute – I would never have thought of that!
Debbie Olson says
Nichole, you are the BEST–you ROCK!!!
yifatiii says
so sweet!!!!!!!!!!
Happy valentine’s day ♥
jeanne nielsen says
I love your tag that went with the muffins! You’re right — I also needed a reminder that not everything needs to be centered on a tag or whatever! TFS! Jeanne
Karen says
What a fabulous idea, and I love the tag you made with the strawberry being off center. Thanks for sharing.
Kim Leach says
Oh my! What an adorable and wonderful idea! You make everything so do-able Nichole!
Love it!
Kim
Bev Hammack says
What an awesome idea! I certainly will have to order some of these today in fact! Thanks so much for sharing!
Bev (Rette Mom)
CherylQuilts says
Awesome…once again! You are truly amazing…and I’m so glad you’re MY stamping friend! Your inspiration totally blows me away…every time!
JUDY says
oh what a great idea.so cute.what a clever girl you are!
Carolyn King says
You guys are smart cookies….this is just about the cutest gift i have ever seen!
Brenda says
How cute and creative is that???? Love it. What a cute gift idea.
Debra E says
Adorable! Do you have any trouble getting the bread out of the tin?
Lauren (mytime) says
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh Now Im KICKING myself for waiting on these! What cute teacher gifts they would make too!
Connie Lenden says
Great looking muffins and those tins are the berries. Umm
says it!
Dawn McVey (dawnsing) says
Oh my word Nichole! These are DARLING! What a fun gift! Just love it, Girly!
Cheryl Penner says
This is just SOOOOO cute! What a great and unique idea!
Candi says
I am truly in awe of your work!!! You are so creative. I would love just an ounce of it. Thank you for your amazing blog!!!!
Kaylene says
Wow…what a cutie patootie of an idea! Nichole you always come up with the coolest creations…you rock!
bermudabluez says
This is SUPER cute!!! What a great idea!! Thanks for posting!!
Betz says
Damn another set I just have to have now Boy I love how you do this to me. Love,Love,Love your stuff.Thanks Nicole
liannallama says
ohmigosh! These are absolutely ADORABLE!!!!! I can’t believe how much creative energy you have! Thank you so much for sharing all your ideas and projects!
Sherlie says
These are so adorable and what a great little gift, and if you live close to a Michaels, they have little heart baking dishes that are muffin size and are oven proof that would work well also.
Simone says
This is SO cute and clever…I can think of a million times of year I could use this as a little act of kindness!! LOVE IT!
Ellen says
Hello ~ I just discovered your blog and love your designs and style! SO CUTE! 🙂
Melissa says
WOW.. These are awesome. I love all your ideas..
Sandy says
Great idea and so clever! I love it!
Just want to throw this out there…don’t people use soup cans to bake bread in? Doesn’t seem like there would be a lot of difference being they are both made from tin. Just my opinion.
Amy says
Where do you find the tins? Super cute idea for classroom Valentine’s!!!