, , , , , , , ,

3 DIY Books for Holiday Gifts

three-book-recommendations

I’m thrilled to share with you a selection of 3 DIY books this holiday season. If you are looking for ideas for someone on your gift list who: has children who love to create; loves rustic metal decor; or wants some simple ideas to love the home they are living in…I have the book for you!

Let’s start with C.R.A.F.T – Creating REALLY Awesome Free Things (affiliate link). This book by Jamie Dorobek was not a book I had originally planned on reviewing. But, when I opened the envelope and set the book on the counter it was instantly whisked away from me. My boys took the book and read it from front to back!

C.R.A.F.T. Book Review

Within 30 minutes, my oldest (a middle schooler) had already cut up a cereal box and was working on his own puzzle.

C.R.A.F.T. Book Review

C.R.A.F.T. Book Review

The next day, my 3rd grader had a playdate at our house. He and his friend asked for the materials to make their own Emoji masks. Read more

/6 Comments/by
, , ,

21 Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

21 Creative Ways to Gift Wrap | Pretty Handy Girl

21 Creative Ways to Gift Wrap | Pretty Handy Girl

Hello again! It’s Colleen from Just Paint It with a collection of 21 Creative Wrapping Ideas.

When I was a kid my favorite part of Christmas was wrapping presents. (Outside of opening them, that is.) I loved it so much that my mother would often have me wrapping my own presents without telling me. Then she’d switch the tags around on Christmas Eve! Such great memories. Using creative gift wrapping is a special way to create memories that will last a lifetime. Enjoy some beautiful gift wrapping inspiration here:

creative gift wrappingPolar Bear Gift Wrapping

 

creative-gift-wrappingMonogram Gift Wrap Read more

/4 Comments/by
, , , , , , , ,

Scrap Wood Shadow Box Frame

Rustic Scrap Wood Shadow Box Frame | Pretty Handy Girl

Okay all you woodworkers. You know as well as I do that you have an ever growing scrap wood pile that you don’t want to throw away because you know you’ll use it one day.

Rustic Scrap Wood Shadow Box Frame | Pretty Handy Girl

Well, today is that day! I challenge you to use some of that scrap wood to make a Scrap Wood Shadow Box Frame like this one.

But, if this isn’t your cup of tea, Sawdust Girl has an entire link up party of scrap wood projects. And you can link up your own scrap wood challenge too!

Okay, so the truth behind this project is that Pretty Handsome Guy has been begging me to frame his U.S. Open flag from Pinehurst almost two years ago. My poor hubby rarely asks for anything, and I figure he waited long enough.

Materials:

  • Scrap wood
  • Backer board (scrap bead board, masonite, thin plywood)
  • Construction glue
  • Lattice edging
  • Wood stain
  • Plexi-glass
  • D-hooks
  • Drill bit
  • Drill
  • Double stick foam tape
  • Brad nails
  • Nail gun or hammer
  • Machine screws
  • Saw (miter, jigsaw or Dremel UltraSaw)

Optional: Gorilla Glue

Instructions:

Cut backer board to the size you want for your frame.

Rustic Scrap Wood Shadow Box Frame | Pretty Handy Girl

Lay out your scrap wood on top of the backer board until it is covered completely.

Rustic Scrap Wood Shadow Box Frame | Pretty Handy Girl

I tried Gorilla Glue Construction Adhesive on this project (Gorilla Glue sent me a tube of glue to try out.) It dried and held all the scrap wood firmly.

Rustic Scrap Wood Shadow Box Frame | Pretty Handy Girl

Lift up one piece of scrap wood at a time and apply construction glue onto the backer board. Read more

/8 Comments/by
, , ,

DIY Snowflake Christmas Trivets

2 diy snowflake trivets

DIY Snowflake Christmas Trivets

Hey there, everyone!  It’s Katie again from Addicted 2 DIY.  I’m back with a Christmas tutorial that can pull double-duty as both Christmas decor and a useful accessory for your big family gatherings.  I don’t know about you, but in my family finding a spare trivet during Thanksgiving or Christmas meals is about as hard to find as an extra serving spoon.  We often find ourselves short one or two and holding hot dishes of food, while trying to decide if it’s cool enough to set on the bare table.  I decided that making my own simple and pretty trivets would solve some problems.  The fun thing is that you don’t have to just use these pretty snowflakes as trivets.  You can hang them as Christmas decor if you like!

snowflake trivet

To make these, purchase plywood (a 1 – 2′ square piece is all you need) or you can use scrap wood.  I used 3/4″ plywood. However, you can easily use 1/2″ or even 1/4″ if that’s what you have on hand.  It’s all about saving money this time of year, right?

Materials:
(contains affiliate links)

Instructions:

STEP 1:  Size your snowflake templates however you would like and cut them out of cardstock.

snowflake trivet step 1

STEP 2:  Trace the snowflakes with a pencil onto your plywood. Read more

/2 Comments/by
, , , ,

35 Upcycled DIY Gift Ideas

35 Upcycled Gift Ideas | Pretty Handy Girl

35 Upcycled Gift Ideas | Pretty Handy Girl

Plain glass jars, an abandoned door, a rickety ladder, or stray drawer. These aren’t items most people would envision as beautiful gifts. But we aren’t most people. We like creating unique, one-of-a-kind gifts that add beauty to a space in our homes instead of landfills.

Hi, it’s Colleen from Just Paint It, back with 35 Upcycled DIY Gift Ideas. This collection is guaranteed to spark your creativity to repurpose ordinary items into extraordinary gifts!

Upcycled Plant CartUpcycled Plant Cart

 


Pottery_barn_like_organizational_boxRustic Chalkboard Wall Organizer

 

Repurposed Milk Jug TableRepurposed Milk Jug Table

 

Easy Washi Tape VasesEasy Washi Tape Vases

 

DIY Unique Wine RackDresser Turned into Wine Rack Read more

/3 Comments/by