DIY Bread and Cheese Board

This bread and cheese board makes a great gift, and is simple to make!

DIY Bread and Cheese Board

Hi there, Pretty Handy Girl readers! I’m Vineta from The Handyman’s Daughter, back with another tutorial for you! This bread and cheese board was a gift to my mom for Christmas, and she absolutely loved it! The marble inlay is perfect for keeping cheese cool, and the walnut cutting surface contrasts beautifully against the white marble.

I was nervous cutting into this gorgeous walnut piece. I decided to wait until my dad, The Handyman himself, visited for Christmas. The whole process was actually quite simple, and we finished just in time to put the present under the tree!

Materials:

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Walnut wood at least 3/4″ thick and 8″ wide (I went to my local hardwood lumber store and found a gorgeous piece that was 1 1/4″ thick and 9 1/2″ wide.)
Marble tile (I had a 2″ x 18″ long piece of marble tile left over from building my fireplace hearth.)
100% silicone adhesive (must be food safe)
Painter’s tape
Table saw with dado blade
Router and 1/8″ roundover bit
Sander and sandpaper
Mineral oil or cutting board wax

Instructions:

Start by cutting a piece of marble tile to your desired size. (Mine was already 2″ x 18″, so I just sanded down the cut edges to remove any bumps from the tile saw.)

Next, cut your walnut to the length of the tile. Make sure the ends are square before proceeding.

Run your walnut through the table saw to make sure is square. (The dado blade was already in place, so my dad just used the blade closest to the fence to make the cut.)

Using a 1/8″ roundover bit in your router, remove the hard corners from each side.

Determine where you want the marble to go in your finished piece. (I wanted my marble stripe to be asymmetrical, so I placed it 2″ from the edge.)

Mark the width and depth of the marble tile on the end grain of your walnut.

Set the depth of the dado blades on the table saw to the same depth as the marble. Line up the edge of the blade with your markings, then make the cut. Repeat the cut until you reach the mark for the other side.

Test the fit of your marble tile inside the groove. There should be a tiny bit of room on either side to allow for wood movement. If the marble rocks when you press down on one side, you can clean up the bottom of the groove with a straight router bit.

We soon realized that the corner of the marble was sharp, while the rest of the cutting board edge was curved. Luckily, marble is very soft, so we were able to round over the corner with 80 grit sandpaper.

Sand your cutting board with progressively finer grits of sandpaper. Be careful not to round over the edges of the groove.

Give the surface of the wood an initial coat of mineral oil or cutting board wax. This will prevent the silicone from seeping into the grain. (Isn’t it amazing how the wood comes alive as it soaks up oil?)

Tape off the edges of the groove with painter’s tape. Then apply a line of silicone along the perimeter. Check the label to make sure it’s food safe 100% Silicone.

Cover the top of the marble with painter’s tape, then lay it in the groove. Run another bead of silicone in the gap between the marble and the wood, and run your finger along the seam. This will prevent crumbs from getting into the cracks, while also allowing for wood movement. Let the silicone set for at least 24 hours before use.

Remove the painter’s tape and clean up any silicone that might have squeezed out with a razor blade. Then give it another coat of mineral oil and it’s ready to use!

We put the bread and cheese board to work right away serving appetizers on Christmas Day!

I plan to make a few more of these to give as gifts in the future. It’s such a simple project that’s sure to impress!

If you loved this project, check out my other woodworking projects over at The Handyman’s Daughter!

~ view more of Vineta’s projects ~

Liked this tutorial? You may also like this DIY Wood Cutting Board:

January 3, 2018/2 Comments/by Vineta Jackson

Gift Ideas, gifts

31 Last Minute DIY Gift Basket Ideas

31 last minute gift basket ideas social media images

I’m sure you are feeling that crunch to get gifts for those last people on your list. Or maybe your cousin you haven’t seen in years is suddenly coming for a visit. I get it, there’s nothing worse than feeling the pressure to purchase last minute gifts for people. Today I’d like to ease your burden and offer you 31 Last Minute DIY Gift Basket Ideas. The best part about this collection is that they can be tailored to even the most quirky and unique people in your life! Most of these ideas only take half an hour to make and you may even have many of the supplies on hand. Oftentimes the supplies for a DIY Gift Basket are no further than your scrap wood pile or a quick trip to the local hardware store.

Gift baskets can take many forms. They can be a crate, a basket, a tray, or anything that holds things can become a gift basket. I love giving gift baskets because you can use the “basket” long after the contents have been used or consumed. Plus, they don’t require gift wrapping!

Gift Caddies:

One of my favorite caddies was made out of an old wooden box and a branch. Once painted and distressed, this Branch-Handled Rustic Caddy would look adorable filled with seed packets, gloves, garden sheers, twine and a trowel! But, that’s just my idea, fill it with anything you want.

This multi-functional caddy has nice clean lines and would thrill anyone after they remove all the gifts. How fun would it be to fill this caddy with a bottle of wine, some crackers, cheeses, and other munchies.

How impressive would it be to buy a vintage toolbox caddy and fill it with lots of little gifts? This gift idea requires no building, crafting or sewing, making it a snap to assemble.

Sometimes you have a few smaller items to gift, and don’t want to use a large basket. In that case, this pint-sized picket fence caddy would make an adorable gift basket.

I’ve seen a lot of beer caddies in stores that look flimsy, but this custom built caddy will definitely hold a six pack of micro-brews without sweat. Add a wall-mount bottle opener and you have the perfect gift for that guy or girl on your list that loves a good brew.

Can you name one person who wouldn’t appreciate getting a DIY Cupcake Tray Caddy filled with cupcakes? Neither can I, so get working on this cute project and use it for a gift basket this holiday season.

Gift Crates:

The only difference between a caddy and a crate is the lack of a handle, although a few of these crates have rope or ribbon handles on the sides.

I get it, some of you haven’t broken out the power tools yet (but if you want to learn, I have an entire library of power tool tutorials.) In that case, feel free to Build this Rustic Crate using no power tools! None, nada, zilch. And you can still create a beautiful custom crate to fill with gifts (or flowers.)

Creating your own DIY Rustic Wood Box Crate is a great way to custom build a larger gift container for gifting bigger items (think pillows, throw blankets, or a plant.) When the gift has been opened, your recipient can use it for storage. For fun, you could add to the character and charm, by attaching some rusty hinges or odds and ends you’ve been hoarding.

Forced bulbs are a beautiful and thoughtful gift for the holidays. Why not gift them in a unique White-Washed Wine Crate?

I love repurposing driftwood. A few years ago I collected lots of driftwood from my favorite beach and kept it in my workshop until I came up with this fun Driftwood Gift Crate idea.

You can’t get a more simple gift crate than this! To “make” this Rustic Wine Crate, ask you local wine shop or Costco if you can have their extra wine crates? Stain the outside, drill a hole for rope handles and fill this crate up with some gifts.

Gift Trays:

Trays are one of my favorite bases for a gift basket. You don’t have to add a lot to make it look full. And trays are perfect for use anywhere in your house. They help corral items to keep things looking neat and organized. If you worry about items falling off, use double stick glue dots or cellophane to keep the items secured onto the tray.

In the spirit of all things shiny, you can make these simple sheet metal trays to hold anything you want to give to a friend or family member. Plus, you can use up your scraps of wood in the process!

I love a customizable project that allows you to Build a Tray or Gift Box to the size you want. These cute little gift trays can hold anything you want them to. Simply gather your gifts and measure the size you want to make the box. The tall and skinny one works well with just a bottle of wine inside!

If you’ve taken on a room renovation, you may have loads of scrap moulding laying around. Why not use those scraps to make adorable Scrap Moulding Trays. These little trays provide many uses: from organizing desk items to corralling hair products. You’ll surely find something special to add to this gift tray.

One of the easiest trays to make is this DIY Bathtub Tray. Think about how nice it would look if you tied beautiful towels, soaps and a bath bomb to the surface! Makes for an instant spa-themed gift basket.

Building a tray is a simple idea, but you can elevate the gift by creating a DIY Cut Out Tray with the recipient’s name on it. Talk about being the “talk of the season” when you deliver this beauty with baked goodies on top.

What to do with all those scraps of pallet wood you harvested? How about a Rustic Scalloped Pallet Wood tray to serve as a gift platter?

This City Pride Rustic Tray is an easy DIY project using scrap wood and upholstery tacks. As a bonus, I’ve included my source for making free watercolor prints of your favorite city. How cool would it be to gift someone with this map tray filled with local goodies?

If you are scared of the power tools, this Painted Scrapbook Paper Tray can be made using a few items from your craft store. Purchase an unfinished tray, paint it, and get crafty. Then fill it with thank you cards, cookies, or anything your gift recipient might like.

What could be better than a fun upcycled gift idea? Make a tray out of an old cabinet door and then load it up with baked goodies.

Gift Bins, Pails, and Baskets:

These round vessels can be extremely inexpensive options for gift baskets. Hunt your local thrift store, dollar store, or the hardware store for a bin or pail to use as a gift basket.

Dollar Store pails and buckets are one of my favorite vessels to use for gift baskets. For the holidays, I like to tuck an inexpensive scarf inside to line the bucket and then fill it with chocolates, hot cocoa mix, and a Dollar Store mug. These are the perfect Instant Warm & Cozy Gift Baskets for last minute gifts.

What busy Mom doesn’t deserve a spa day? Why not create this Aged Painted Pail Gift Basket and fill it with some indulgent bath salts and treats. You’ll love my frugal idea for making the fabric liner. I bet you’ll never guess what I used!

So you have a golf lover on your list?! You can’t go wrong with this Golf Gift Basket. Don’t stress about buying all the golf balls. Read my blog post to learn my secret to making the basket look full and not spending a ton on golf balls.

A homeowner will always find good use for this Hostess Gift Basket in a Chalkboard Pail. Especially when you tuck a Lowe’s Gift Card into the basket. Include some scented soaps and candles to freshen their home for the holidays.

Who says laundry isn’t fun? This Laundry Fun Gift Basket is also the perfect gift for that person who is moving into a new house or apartment (or the new college student.) Sew a basket liner and fill it with DIY Laundry Detergent and more. (Bonus, you will save them loads of money when they learn they can make their own DIY Laundry Detergent.)

Creative Gift Containers:

Remember when I said anything that can hold items can be a gift basket? Well here’s the proof. Tuck a gift card inside a mug, glass, or jar with some snacks and you have an instant gift basket!

This is a gift idea I threw together for my sons’ teachers one year. Make some Lemon Zest popcorn and throw a movie theater gift card (wrapped in plastic) in the center of a mason jar mug. Then fill popcorn around the card. The teachers raved about this gift idea.

Who wouldn’t love this DIY gift idea: Hot Cocoa in a Jar. It can be incredibly fun to line up a bunch of mason jars and fill them with hot cocoa mix and top it with a bow. Even the kids can help make this gift idea.

Coffee lovers will flip for this idea! Sew a draw string pouch and include coffee and an insulated cup inside to make a super simple Coffee Lover’s Gift Idea

These Custom Etched Glasses are gift enough on their own, but if you wanted to use them as a gift, personalize one and fill it with a gift card and some sweets for your special gift recipient. Or make one for a teacher and fill it with pencils, pens, and a gift card to an office supply store.

These chalkboard painted mugs are right on trend with the chalkboard craze. Fill them with some hot cocoa, coffee, or a gift card to Starbucks and you are done.

Okay, I get it, sometimes purchasing a gift card is the simplest solution for that hard to buy for friend. Why not hide the gift card in a super secretive book with hidden storage? Tuck the gift card inside and watch your friend’s reaction as they open your gift.

Do you have any creative DIY gift basket ideas? I’d love to hear them in the comments below. Hope you have a Happy Holiday!

Love these ideas? Be sure to pin this image for reference throughout the year!

You’ll also love these DIY Gift Ideas:

35 Upcycled Gift Ideas

50+ DIY Gift Ideas

December 15, 2017/5 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

Gift Ideas, gifts, kitchen, recipe

26 Creative DIY Gifts from Your Kitchen

Gifts from your Kitchen Social media image

Creative DIY Gifts from Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and a place full of love, family, and delicious food. Why not make your kitchen the go to place for DIY gifts this year? Plus there’s something special about receiving a homemade gift. Would you agree? Instead of braving the mall and the stores this year, why not make these Creative DIY Gifts From Your Kitchen to show your friends how much you care.

Popcorn doesn’t have to be seasoned with just salt and butter! Add a tangy flavor with this delicious Lemon Zest Popcorn recipe. Go ahead and fill a cute mason jar with popcorn and tuck a movie theater gift card inside.

Homemade Honey Rosemary Blackberry Jam by Satori Design for Living is the sweetest gift that doesn’t have to be eaten at dessert time. It can be enjoyed all day long!

Show your love with this gorgeous, mouth-watering Strawberry Tart Recipe.
It’s sure to be the hit of any pot luck too.

These Peppermint Snowflake Candy Ornaments are fun and decorative.
The kids will delight in helping with this DIY gift idea.

Dry weather can be brutal on our skin and lips. A homemade Lemonade Lip Balm is a sweet gift for anyone who needs a little ray of sunshine in their life.

This lemon-scented gift will surely pamper the skin (and would pair nicely with the Lemonade Lip Balm above.) Give your friend some Homemade Lemon and Peppermint Hand Scrub found at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

This Sugar Coconut Scrub by The Palette Muse is another luxurious spa essential that makes lovely gifts for your friends.

White Chocolate Cookie Bars are a nice change from traditional brownies and chocolate chip cookies. I’m sure Santa wouldn’t mind a little variety in his diet this year. 😉

These Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies are my go to cookies when I want to impress. They are made using a standard mix from the grocery store, but you add the gourmet factor before baking!

These fresh and sweet Lemon Glazed Shortbread cookies by DIY Beautify would make a thoughtful gift any time of the year.

Coffee and Chocolate Shortbread cookies are the perfect gift for that caffeine junkie in your life. Bren from Bren Did even provides the free gift tag printable to go with this gift!

Short on time? These Peppermint Oreo Cookies are simple to make and super scrumptious.

If you read my article about improving indoor air quality, you know how nasty store bought air fresheners can be. These next two ideas are not only thoughtful gifts, but they are also healthy alternatives when the house needs some freshening.

Give your friends a natural way to add fresh fragrance to their home with these 3 Homemade Simmering Pot Recipes by Two Purple Couches.

For those friends that like to spray their way to fresher smelling air, make your own natural room spray to help them combat stale air in the winter.

If you aren’t the best cook, that’s okay. You can create these fun Chalkboard Painted Mugs. Then add some hot cocoa mix, because nothing warms better on a cold, winter day.

Cold weather brings out the desire to cook more soups. Show your love by giving friends this Friendship Soup in a Jar by Oh My! Creative. Not only is it tasty, but the colorful stripes are pretty too.

The holidays can be filled with so many sugary sweets. Your friend who has gone sugar-free, would appreciate this Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix by Boxy Colonial.

For the rest of your friends who don’t mind the real deal, you can make them this adorable Cocoa in a Jar!

Delicious Cake Mix Cookies like DIY Danielle’s are great gifts for anyone with a sweet tooth (even those that don’t love to bake).

Have a grill master in your life? Give them these Homemade BBQ and Ranch Spice Mixes by Hearth and Vine.

These homemade Infused Oil bottles shared by Craving Some Creativity are a perfect gift for your friend who loves to cook!

My Life Cookbook’s Coconut Toffee Candy would be a sweet little holiday treat for your friends.

Give your loved one Persia Lou’s Hot Chocolate on a Stick. What a decadent gift that old and young will enjoy when stirred in warm milk.

Craving Some Creativity’s Gourmet Chocolate Candy Apples are a fantastic and fun gift for any occasion!

Make these quick and simple Peanut Clusters in your crockpot! Cupcakes and Crinoline has the details for making this candy that your friends will go nuts over.

Take any of the above chocolate sweets and use them to fill this warm, cozy, and useful Chocolate Gift Basket this year.

I hope you found some inspiration for amazing gifts you can make from your kitchen. If you like this collection, pin the image below to share with your friends (because friends don’t let friends go crazy at the mall during the holidays):

Here are a few other creative gift idea posts you may enjoy:

21 Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

35 Upcycled DIY Gift Ideas

Gift Ideas for the Creatives on Your Wishlist

December 8, 2017/4 Comments/by Sheri

Crafts, DIY, Do It Yourself, Gift Ideas, gifts

16 Unique DIY Hostess Gift Ideas

16 Unique DIY Hostess Gift Ideas

Holiday festivities are about to begin, and you don’t want to arrive to those parties empty-handed! Thank your hostess by bringing a thoughtful and personal gift that is sure to put a smile on his or her face. Here is a collection of Unique DIY Hostess Gift Ideas!

YEAR-ROUND IDEAS

Give your hostess something unique like these Personalized Wood Slice Coasters.

Add wine or a few small items to this DIY Gift Tray Box for a sweet thoughtful gift.

These Gold and Marble Coasters would make a sleek gift for your next dinner party hostess.

Add some flowers to a Simple Washi Tape Vase for a beautiful gift at the next party.

Build a Driftwood Gift Crate and fill it with some items as a kind gesture.

Does your hostess love to work in the kitchen? Make some custom Block Print Stamped Tea Towels.

This “Eat Your Veggies” cloth napkin set is sure to be the perfect gift for the hostess with a good sense of humor.

For a hostess who loves gold touches in her home decor, these Tissue Paper Candles would be a perfect thank you.

How about a custom DIY Cutting Board for your next hostess gift? Useful and beautifully crafted.

Impress your host with this adorable Faux Cross-stitch Tea Towel that is sure to make a lasting impression.

Does your hostess love to bake? Make this amazing Rustic Cake Stand!

HOLIDAY IDEAS

These Snowflake Christmas Trivets would be the perfect gift to keep the table festive and protected.

A Paper Bag Ornament would be a sweet holiday gift for their tree.

Make your dear friend some Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar as a thank you for their next holiday gathering.

Add some fun items to this Customized Gift Paint Can for a unique and fun gift! (This would also make a fabulous housewarming gift.)

An adorable set of Chalkboard Painted Mugs would make the perfect gift for a holiday hostess.

I hope this post gave you some great ideas for gifts that you can give to show appreciation for your hostess! We all know how much work goes into a party or gathering. Giving thoughtful gifts is a sure way to keep the invites coming!

If you like this roundup, please Pin this image:

Here are some other posts you might like:

12 Great Upcycled Ideas for Holiday Decor

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35 Upcycled DIY Gift Ideas

December 1, 2017/5 Comments/by Sheri

Build It, caulking, christmas gift wrap, Crafts, DIY, Do It Yourself, Fix It, Gift Ideas, gift wrapping, gifts, moulding, nailgun, sheet metal

DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays

8. Complete with "L" brackets on corners. Add gifts and deliver!

DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays

The holidays are fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about gift giving ideas! Gift trays are a great way deliver gifts to your friends, neighbors or teachers. The best part of a gift tray is it can be reused for anything they want and nothing goes to waste! Follow along with this tutorial to see how to make these DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays.

Materials:

1/2″ or 3/4″ Plywood scrap wood
2″ pieces of lathe or scrap moulding
[amazon_textlink asin=’B000W49NPC’ text=’Sheet metal scrap’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4f103892-cbe2-11e7-a00c-3fda84932599′] (large enough to cover plywood base)
[amazon_textlink asin=’B00009OYFY’ text=’Sheet metal snips’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’56db011a-cbe2-11e7-88c9-230adf5bdb2c’]
[amazon_textlink asin=’B000S7ZSTS’ text=’Construction adhesive’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’65c9549d-cbe2-11e7-8619-39ed35fc6585′]
[amazon_textlink asin=’B000DZF2Q4′ text=’Caulk gun’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6d3fe28c-cbe2-11e7-bb25-e144f3be5a89′]
[amazon_textlink asin=’B00125NQBC’ text=’Sandpaper’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7f0ff979-cbe2-11e7-b34f-fb2f071c5869′]
[amazon_textlink asin=’B001JYVDSE’ text=’Steel wool’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8e654c5e-cbe2-11e7-b495-0ffc93a9294c’]
[amazon_textlink asin=’B01I7DNOYA’ text=’Gloves’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b09e21ba-cbe2-11e7-91af-d908a698cd02′]
Drill
Pencil or Marker
4 – [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N6NID4X’ text=’L brackets’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’de9d5670-cbe2-11e7-84b2-2f143e838863′] and 1/2″ wood screws
[amazon_textlink asin=’B001PNH8D8′ text=’Brad nails ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’prett-wp-001-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’0337c2d4-cbe3-11e7-b1d7-3dfa06c67bf1′]Nail gun

Instructions:

Cut your piece of plywood to the desired size for the tray base. Lay the plywood base on top of the sheet metal and trace with a permanent marker. Use tin snips to cut the metal to size.

Put on your safety gloves and use the sanding block to remove some of the shine from the sheet metal. Smooth over any sharp edges.

Rub the steel wool over the entire sheet metal piece to give it a soft polished finish.

Load a tube of construction adhesive into your caulk gun. Apply a fair amount of adhesive to the plywood. Glue the sheet metal to the top of the plywood.

Press the sheet metal down evenly on top of the adhesive. Wipe off any excess if needed with a paper towel.

Cut the 2″ pieces of lathe or scrap moulding to the length of the two shorter sides. Next, measure and cut two pieces of lathe for the long ends. (Be sure to allow extra length to overlap the short pieces of lathe/moulding. Use the construction adhesive and brads to secure the lathe to the sides of the plywood. Clamp the sides until the adhesive cures.

Once the adhesive is cured, remove your clamps. Attach the L brackets on the lower half of each corner using 1/2″ wood screws. The L brackets will reinforce the sides and add an industrial look.

There you have it! These DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays are easy to make, look great, and are an extra special and environmentally-friendly way to give gifts!

I hope you love this project. Do you have other ideas for quick gift giving? Please share!