arts and craft, Decorating, Holiday decorating, Home Decor, wreath

Make an Elegant Holiday Wreath for Less than $20

Have you ever been in a home decor store and fell head over heels in love with a wreath only to gag at the $50 or more price tag? Put your wallet away, because today I want to show you how you can turn an inexpensive wreath into an Elegant Holiday Wreath for Less than $20! Who knows, you might already have one of these cheap wreaths and some of the supplies in storage — making your cost almost FREE!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Instructions:

Remove anything you don’t want to keep from your store bought wreath. Fluff out the wreath by bending the branches to make it look larger and more full.

Grab your tree picks and decide where you want to place them on the wreath. Use strong wire cutters to cut off some of the length from the stems.

Curve the main branch of the tree pick so it mimics the curve of the wreath. Push the end of the stem under some of the wreath branches then back up so there is tension to hold the pick in place. Wrap some wreath branches around the entire pick to hold it firmly and disguise the stem. (If you are using heavier tree picks, you can secure them using floral wire.)

Repeat the process for the other tree picks. Leave a blank space at the top for the ribbon.

Time to add some color! Make a u-shape with some floral wire and push it through the top of an ornament. Place the ornament on the wreath. Wrap the floral wire around the wreath, twist the wire to secure from the backside of the wreath.

Evenly space the remaining ornaments, then attach with florist wire.

To complete the wreath, take a length of ribbon and loop it around the top of the wreath. You can tie a bow if that is your preference, but I prefer the simple look this year.

And there you have it! An elegant holiday wreath for less than $20 made in just a few minutes.

Here’s the video tutorial showing you how incredibly easy this Elegant Holiday Wreath was to make:

Display your new beautiful wreath on your front door for the entire holiday season!

The great thing about this wreath is you can customize it to any design style or color scheme. Plus, you can change it up each year!

Pin this image and remember: Never spend more than $20 on an Elegant Wreath again!

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

21 Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

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:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

1/2″ or 3/4″ Plywood scrap wood
2″ pieces of lathe or scrap moulding
Sheet Metal Scrap (large enough to cover plywood base)
Tin Snips
Fuze It Construction Adhesive
Sandpaper
Steel Wool

Gloves
Drill
Pencil or Marker
4 – L-brackets and 1/2″ wood screws
Nails
Nail gun or hammer

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!

Want some more gift giving inspiration?

DIY Scrap Moulding Trays

Make a Driftwood Gift Crate

November 27, 2017/1 Comment/by Brittany Bailey

arts and craft, DIY, gifts

DIY Teacher Sign for End-of-Year Gift

This teacher sign is the perfect end-of-year gift!

Hi everyone! It’s Vineta from The Handyman’s Daughter back with another fun project to share with you! It’s almost the end of the school year, and I’ve been racking my brain to come up with a nice gift for my son’s second grade teacher. Hopefully this little wooden sign will make its way into her classroom next year and reminds her of how much she means to her students.

I used one of my favorite stencil techniques, on this family birthdate sign I created for Mother’s Day. The reverse stencil effect appears almost like magic when stain is applied!

We’re going to use the same technique for this DIY Teacher Sign. Here’s how it works!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Scrap piece of plywood about 9″ x 12″
Stencil vinyl
Silhouette or Cricut machine
Wood glue
Gel wood stain
Sanding sponge
Small paint brush
Foam brush
Tack cloth
Iron-on edge banding and iron (or use wood trim to create a frame)

Instructions:

I started by digging through my wood pile for some scrap plywood and unearthed a 9″ x 12″ piece that would work perfectly. Remove any dust from the surface with a tack cloth.

You can choose from one of the many designs in the Silhouette Store (I used this one), or design your own. Apply the white stencil vinyl to the cutting mat and let the machine do the cutting.

Weed out the letters and shapes, then lay the transfer tape on top of the design. Use the smoothing tool to push out any air bubbles and ensure that the stencil is on securely.

Peel up the stencil and transfer tape together. Apply it to the plywood. Smooth out any air bubbles, then remove the transfer tape. The stencil should remain. Give the stencil one last rub, concentrating on the edges of the letters and shapes.

Here’s the trick to this stenciling technique: wood glue! Have you ever discovered a big blob of wood glue preventing stain from soaking into your project? We’re going to take advantage of that instead of fighting it!

Dip your craft brush into the wood glue and carefully paint a thin layer inside the stencil. Move from the outside in, and try not to get any glue under the stencil vinyl. Allow it to dry for at least half an hour and the wood glue has turned clear.

Carefully remove the stencil from the plywood. Some of the wood glue may flake off or stick to the letters. Use the fine grit sanding sponge to remove any excess. Anything with glue on it won’t take the stain, so make sure the edges are as sharp and clean as possible.

Using a foam brush, stain the surface of the sign. Gel stain works best for this technique.

After a few minutes, rub off the excess. I prefer to stick my gloved hand in an old sock to wipe off the surface. Like magic the letters pop against the dark stain!

If you prefer more contrast, apply a second coat of stain. I found that thicker fonts and dark stain show up best. Apply a coat of poly over the surface to protect the surface and give it a glossy finish.

Use iron-on wood veneer edge banding to cover up the plywood edges and cut off the excess with a utility knife. Brittany has a great tutorial on how to apply edge banding. You could also create a simple frame using trim.

Your teacher sign is ready for the last day of school (although I’m not!)

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Don’t forget to check out all my other woodworking projects over at The Handyman’s Daughter!

Until next time!

~ view more of Vineta’s projects ~

June 7, 2017/4 Comments/by Vineta Jackson

Build It

How to Build a Tall & Skinny Storage Cabinet

Hey everyone!! It’s Shara from Woodshop Diaries back to show you How to Build a Tall & Skinny Storage Cabinet. This storage unit works perfectly as a bathroom linen cabinet. Of course, it could work elsewhere besides a bathroom. An entryway would make another perfect spot for it. I use mine in the bathroom because it is the perfect size for towels, toilet paper rolls, baskets, and cleaning supplies.

If you need something a bigger, you can check out this “whatchamacallit” cabinet that would be really cute for storing linens and such. Ready to learn How to Build a Tall & Skinny Storage Cabinet? Let’s gather a few items and get building.

Tools:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials:

(1) full sheet ¾” plywood
(1) ¼ sheet ¼” plywood
(1) 8’ stick cove molding
(1) 1”x 4”x 8’ board
(1) knob
Wood Glue
Wood Putty
1 ¼” pocket hole screws
1 ¼” nails for nail gun

Cut List:

For Cabinet:

(2) 3/4″ x 13″ x 40″ plywood
(5) 3/4″ x 13″ x 14½” plywood
(1) 3/4″ x 13″ x 16″ plywood
(2) 1″ x 4″ x 13″ (beveled 45 degrees on one end)
(1) 1″ x 4″ x 16″ (beveled on both ends)
Cove molding cut to fit

For Drawer:

(2) 3/4″ x 5½” x 12″ plywood (for drawer sides)
(1) 3/4″ x 5½” x 12¾” plywood (for drawer back)
(1) 3/4″ x 7″ x 14¼” plywood (for drawer front)
(1) 1/4″ x 12″ x 14¼” plywood (for drawer bottom)

Instructions:

Cut down your 3/4” plywood. I used a Kreg Rip Cut to help with this, but you could also use a straight edge with your circular saw, or skip the circular saw altogether and use a table saw.

Cut your plywood into two 13” wide strips. Then, cut two pieces at 40” long. You will also cut five pieces at 14 ½”. And finally, one piece at 16” long. Did you get all that?? Lots of cutting at first, but the rest is easy 🙂

Drill pocket holes into both ends of all five of the 14 ½” pieces…

…and into only ONE end of the 40” pieces.

Assemble the Cabinet

Attach the shelves between the two 40” boards using 1 ¼” pocket hole screws. Make sure you attach the bottom shelf on the opposite end from where you drilled the holes on the 40” boards. Those are for attaching the top later.

Space the shelves 7 ¼” apart. It helps to use a measuring tape and square to line them up.

Before you attach the last shelf, attach the top (the 16” long piece you cut in step 1 using 1 ¼” pocket hole screws.)

Then, attach the last shelf in place.

Add Trim:

Measure and cut the cove molding to fit along the top and bottom edges of the cabinet. Using wood glue and 1 ¼” brad nails, attach cove molding along the edges of the top and bottom.

Putty the nail holes and corners. Let the putty dry while you move on to the next steps.

Cut two pieces of your 1” x 4” board at 13” long and one piece at 16” long. Miter both corners of the 16” long piece at 45 degrees and miter one end of each 13” long piece.

Use a jig saw to cut out a decorative pattern in the pieces (if desired). I used a stain can to help me draw perfect curves.

Sand all the pieces, then glue them together at the corners and use 1 ¼” brad nails to hold them in place.

Flip your cabinet upside down and glue this piece onto the bottom making sure everything is square and lined up nicely. You can use a heavy object or clamps to hold it in place until the glue dries.

Construct Drawers:

You don’t necessarily have to add drawers. You could leave it open if you’d like. To see how to make drawers, check out my post about maknig drawers here.

You could cut a piece of ¾” plywood from the remaining sheet 5 ½” wide and then cut two pieces 12” long and one piece 12 ¾” long. Glue and nail the 12” long pieces onto the end of the 12 ¾” piece.

Cut a piece of 1/4” plywood to 12” x 14 ¼” and glue and nail it onto the bottom of the drawer box.

Then cut another small piece of 3/4” plywood 1/4” narrower and about 1/8 – 1/4” shorter. Making sure your box stays square, glue and nail this piece onto the front of the drawer. I added some thin wood strips to the front for decoration. That’s optional.

Finally, to keep the drawer in its place, glue and nail some small pieces of scrap wood onto the back to keep the drawer from sliding out the back side.

Putty and sand. You could add edge banding to the plywood edges if you plan to stain. Since I was painting, I just puttied and sanded the edges.

Once it’s sanded, prime and paint the piece any color you like. When the paint is dry, add a little knob to the drawer.

This is a great piece to add matching baskets to, or to leave open for storage.

If you’re looking for more linen and bathroom storage ideas, check out this storage from one 1″ x 8″ x 8′ board or this gorgeous pantry cabinet.

Until next time, happy building!!

~ Find More of Shara’s Tutorials ~

May 24, 2017/5 Comments/by Shara M

Tag Archive for: diy

Make an Elegant Holiday Wreath for Less than $20

Materials:

16 Unique DIY Hostess Gift Ideas

YEAR-ROUND IDEAS

HOLIDAY IDEAS

DIY Sheet Metal Gift Trays