Cookie Gift Packaging Using a Birch Log Pringles Canister

This morning I posted a recipe for some completely decedent and completely delicious Chocolate Chunk Cookies.  It only seems fair to share these wonderful cookies with others so this afternoon I'm going to show you a fun way to package them.

When Angie and I decided to each decorate a Pringles container to package some cookies I used my love of all things birch as inspiration.   I often bring found pieces of birch bark or broken birch logs home from the cottage to use when I'm decorating.  I love the colour, texture, and wintery look of birch bark and it seemed like it would be the perfect way to make a Pringles container suitably festive.  Not only are these containers pretty darn cute, but they're easy to make too - here's all you need:

• Pringles container
• brown paper
• birch log paper (printed in black-and-white from here)
• yarn or ribbon to decorate your container
• glue

Just a word about the birch bark paper .  There are lots of different places to get birch bark backgrounds on the internet.  I used the one I mentioned above, from Martha Stewart, because it had nice even markings.  I did do a few things to it though, before I printed it.  In order to stretch the image to fill an entire piece of paper, I took a screen shot and put it in Paint and then saved it.  I then opened it in Picnik so that I could stretch it.  I also darkened the image somewhat as I found it a bit faint when I printed it.  If you find you are having difficulty with it then let me know and I'll email you the sheet I used.

How to make the birch logs:
1.  The first thing you need to do is eat the Pringles and wipe out the inside of the container - you don't want your cookies tasting like barbeque chips (I also suggest wrapping your cookies in plastic wrap or putting them in a cellophane bag inside the container for the same reason).
2.  Glue the birch bark paper around the canister.
3.  Trace the end of the canister onto the brown paper roll and cut out two of them.  
4.  Draw the growth rings onto the brown paper and glue one on each end.
5.  Wrap the yarn around the log to make it all pretty (and to cover the seam between the pieces of paper).
6.  Fill the canister with yummy cookies and deliver it to someone special.

Can you believe it's already Day 3 of Christmas Cookie Week.  Angie and I have been cooking up a storm so be sure and check out what she has made at Echoes of Laughter.  Come on back tomorrow for yet another delicious cookie recipe in the morning and a way to package it in the afternoon.

Linked to Inspiration Friday At the Picket Fence,
Wicked Awesome Wednesday at Handy Man, Crafty Woman,
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style,
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage,
Handmade Holiday at Just a Girl