Tricks & Tips for Maximizing Space in Care Packages

 *Remember USPS flat rate boxes are free and ship up to 20lbs for one price. You also get free tracking, insurance and $1off for APO/FPO/MPO addresses. At least thats what I get in California. Make the most of it!

• Individualize - Take all items out of the large packaging, just keep them in individual packets.
• Packing - Larger hard items that don't take shape of its surroundings easily usually go on the bottom. Such as peanut butter jars, Nutella, tupperware with baked goods etc. This is when the good game of Tetris comes in handy. Other smaller hard items come next. After that, you fill the oddly shaped space and crevices with your loose and more "flexible" items. 
• Reduce Chip Bag Size -Bags of chips are what seem to take up the most space. Take out the air and "voilà" you have a much smaller item. The way I take out the air is use a sharp blade or needle and cut a very small slit in the corner on the back of the bag. Once you gently press the air out of the bag you get a small piece of transparent tape and cover the hole. Stays fresh as long as you fully cover the hole. 
• Portable External - I sent a portable external hard drive with tons of movies and full seasons of TV shows. You can avoid sending individual DVDs and send an endless amount of movies, music and shows without using much space with your package.  
• Protein Powder - I once sent my husband about 2 pounds of chocolate protein powder. It came in a 5 pound tub and I sent half of it in large freezer bags. I labeled it in marker, secured the opening with tape and included the tubs label. I can't say that they always allow it because they recommend sending items in its original packaging, but in my individual case he received it with no problems. 
• Seal- Use ziplock bags to seal items that might melt or leak onto other items. (Deodorant, sunblock, toothpaste, etc) You do not want items for hygiene to get all over your food items if  one breaks. Most sites recommend you ship them separately to avoid food tasting like soap, deodorant etc. Final shipping choice is up to you.

I do realize some of this is common sense, but you never know who it will help.
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Valentines Day Care Package Ideas

It's the season of LOVE and our soldiers abroad are waiting for their love filled packages. Here are some cute Valentines Day ideas…

Things you can send and "Punny" quotes to write on them:

• Movie (Hitch, Shallow Hal, Friends with benefits, What Happens in Vegas, etc) - Every love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite
• Write on Banana flavored snack or banana chips (my hubby loves those) - I'm bananas for you, lets never split.
• Orange juice (tang packets, small oj bottle, etc) - Your my main squeeze!
• Goldfish crackers - Your the perfect catch! 
• Hot Tamales - For my hot tamale! or Your Hot!
• Pop Rocks - You Rock my World!
• Gum Balls - I chews you!
• Teddy Grams- Life is un-bear-able without you. 

Box theme to "pop the question"(will you be my valentine?):

Image By Society6

Image By DreamsTime

Pirate Theme  - You're grrrrreat, Will you be my first mate…will you be my valentine?

Image by Zazzle

Image by Jessica Weible

Gold Fish Theme - Will you o'fish'ally be my Valentine?

Image by Catch My Party

Image by Little Miss Boxie

Bee's & Honey Theme - I love you honey! Will you bee my valentine?

Image by sartorialmale

Image by Tenthavenuemugworks

Here to There- No matter the space or time, can't pass the chance to have you be my Valentine.

Image by Google Play

Image by Beau Coup

Mustache Theme - I mustache you a question.
I "sir"tainly will be your valentine. Will you be mine?

My good friend Anna sent this Valentines Day box to her Marine. An idea if you want to get racy. WISH YOU WERE HERE!

 I would love to see your finished product… post here or on www.facebook.com/crownandcapeblog where you can also see all my projects posted.

DIY: Subtle Valentines Day Wreath

I have been MIA I know. Now the the busy holidays are over, I'm back! I figure since the stores are already bringing in Valentines day merchandise, I may as well make a new door wreath for the upcoming holiday!

When deciding the design all I knew was I didn't want traditional red white and pink (because you can buy those already made). I did want something I could use for more than one season if I wanted to. I did my shopping at Michael's (<- I'm pretty sure I've mentioned how excited I was to find this store somewhere near my new home in TX), I just wandered the aisles when I came across their $2 section.

I found a set of scrapbook embellishments that look like ticket stubs with the words "The key to my heart", "Love", "Beautiful", "Love You and a few others I didn't use. I went with the colors these embellishments has going. Then I found a set of different yellow ribbons, our initials in a vintage style block, a fancy looking frame (would look great with the DIY:Ring Holder) and some wood clothes pins with cute patterns printed on them. I also purchased some wreath burlap and a circle wood wreath.

I am a scrapbooker so of course I had many options for paper and some left over Valentines day stickers from last years V-Day page. Later you can remove the sticker in the frame and add something for spring etc. This way you can use the wreath for more than one season.

My design was inspired by :

My Final result:

 I would love to see your finished product… post here or on www.facebook.com/crownandcapeblog where you can also see all my projects posted.