X-Mas Gift Idea #7 - Monogrammed Candles

Like I said before, I think monogrammed gifts are both thoughtful and special. By adding a simple initials to a plain white candle makes this the perfect little gift to show someone you care.

Step 1: clean and dry a plain white candle.


Step 2: using a stencil, paint on recipients initial, Or in this case I made a large letter using a simple font on Microsoft Office. Then I taped it onto the candle, traced it using a mechanical pencil and gave it a little bit of pressure to make an indent. Then carefully, with a steady hand I painted in the outline. Let Dry.
NOTE: I used black craft paint, apparently there is a special Wax paint that may work better, I just had trouble finding it.

Step 3: Mod Podge over the paint to seal it. (regular glue would probably work too. You just want to make sure that the paint wont scratch off)
I made the "S" for me of course. And then the "k C k" for my little sister as a wedding gift.

Wrap it up in some clear cellophane, add a big bow and a tag, and it's ready to give.

Friday Feature @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Kristen at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia was nice enough to do a Friday Feature on my little blog. Please Go check it out. I'm sure you're all all ready followers of her, but if not you're in for a treat.
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.blogspot.com/2010/11/feature-fridaythe-wicker-house.html

X-mas Gift Idea #6 - Spray Painted dishes and Candy Jars

High Gloss White Spray paint can do Wonders!!

All I have done here is taken a glass Mason Jar, turned it up side down and spray painted it with several coats of glossy white spray paint.

I then made a handy little handle by twisting on some wire. Very Simple. Then I added a pretty little candy cane bow, and filled the jar up with candy canes.

The Pitches were found at a thrift store (see the before picture below). They too could be filled with maybe a bag of cookies and then tied up with a pretty little bow and a tag. The thrift store is a great place to look for cute little dishes. They are great to give to friends and neighbors filled with goodies.
And just remember if something has a great shape to it but it's the wrong color, a quick coat of spray paint can make it look new again.

X-Mas Gift Idea #5 - Burlap Candy Sack

This is a great little gift to pass out to friends and neighbors. By adding an Initial it makes this gift personal and thoughtful to the person who receives it.

For this project you will need:
-A scrap of burlap
-a sewing machine
-stencil
-craft paint
-ribbon, yarn or string
-candy canes

First sew a simple bag using the burlap. (you want it to be longer then a candy cane with room to fold over and not too wide, or you'll need extra candy)
Then stencil on the recipitants initial. (place a piece of paper in the bag first, so the paint doesn't leak onto the back side) I only had large letters, but I also think a simple little "joy" in red would be cute too.

I then stuffed tissue paper in the bottom to give it more shape, fill it with candy canes and tie with a simple ribbon, yarn, or string and maybe even add a cute little tag.

Another variant of this bag is to make it large enough to fit a wine bottle, and add a initial or a "cheers" stencil and tie with a bow.

X-Mas Gift Idea #4 - Men's Shirt Pillow

I Love this project. It's "Sew" Simple to make.

First thing you need is a men's large button down shirt. If you have a Man is your life, chances are you have a closet full of these to choose from..... Although you may want to ask first.

Lay the shirt out flat. Using a pillow insert as a guide, cut out a square or rectangle shape. Place Right sides together and sew 1" from the edge all the way around. {The great thing about having the buttons is that you don't need to leave a space to stuff the pillow in at.} Then flip it out to the right side, button in your insert and that's it!
If ever the pillow gets dirty you can just unbutton it and throw it into the wash.
And the really great thing about this shirt are the Pockets!!! You'll never loose your remote again.

X-Mas Gift Idea #3 Cereal box Magazine holder

This would make a great little gift for a co-worker or teacher. And it was fairly simple to make.

For this project you will need:

-A Large Cereal Box.

-2 12x12 sheets of decorative paper (2 for 1 box)

-Mod Podge

-Scissors

-Ruler

To make, first cut off the top of the cereal box, then using a ruler draw a line across the box (I left 3 inches on top and 4 1/4 on side) cut out. Use cut off piece as a template for the opposite side.

Trace Cereal box onto decorative paper, cut out then Mod Podge on. (use directions on container)
Note: Let an inch of the the paper hang over the edges of the box, this is so you can fold it over like a present on the bottom of the box, I used some of the left over paper and placed in the center, to fill in the gap.

{Hope that makes sense. I'm bad about taking pictures while I'm working on a project, but really good at taking "after shots".}

I think they turned out really cute, BUT the problem with these ones is that they don't actually fit a Magazine in them. I think the economy is making our cereal boxes shrink. It does however fit bills really well.

X-Mas Gift Idea #2 - Photo Note Cards

If you look through your folder of pictures chances are you have some really beautiful ones that would work well for this project. I personally am one to take pictures of Everything Everywhere I go, so I have folders and folders of pictures. These photos here are from a post I did on my neighbor Lorraines garden. I made up these cards for her as a little thank you gift. But I was thinking how fun would it be to even take winter and Christmas pictures, such as a snowman, Christmas tree, stockings hanging on the fireplace, etc, etc. and wrap them up as a Christmas gift.

So for this project you will need:
-8 x 11 card stock will make two cards (fold in center and cut in half)
-an assortment of photos that work well together
-a glue stick.
-ribbon or string

Simply glue the photos onto the center of card,
Stack in a pile and tie together with ribbon or string.

X-Mas Gift Idea #1 - Decorative Picture frame

For this project you will need:
- wood frame (this one can be found at Michaels for $1)
- sheet of decorative paper of your choice
- large flower
-button or bead for center of flower
-glue or mod podge



This is the back side of the wood frame ( I didn't take a before photo of the front, but you get the idea) Trace frame on paper and cut out. Using glue or Mod podge attached the paper to the frame. Then add embellishments such as flower with a bead in the center.

This one was given to my son's pre-school teacher last year.

Decorating For Fall

I often joke that Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday. But there may be some truth to that. It's a time when family and friends gather around, sharing what your Thankful for and Pigging out!

Over the weekend, my neighbors put out their Christmas Decorations!! Their poor little Snowman is surrounded by Leaves and Sunshine. It's just too early, Don't you agree? plus they turn on all the lights at night, my poor boys think it really is Christmas.

I like to enjoy my Thanksgiving Christmas-Free. How about you? When do you all start decorating for Christmas?

Anyway, I'd like to share with you my fall decorations around the house.

So Last year Liam (my 4 year old) wanted a scarecrow really really bad. So his Grandma Heidi took him to a store and this is the one he choose (picture above). It makes me Smile every time I look at it.

A while back I took a hand sander to the closet door in my entry way. I'm going for that old beat up look.

This is the back side to the Grocery sign I had before. If you remember it was white with blue letters. I saw one somewhere that had black letters on wood that I liked even better. So I flipped my sign over and re-did it. It now looks more old and beat up (do you see a pattern?) What can I say, I do Not have expensive taste. Truthfully!

My Abby

My Boy's having way too much fun in the leaves!

Oh to be A kid Again.

Happy Fall

From the Wicker House