Category Archives: ~Gifts

Not Just Your Ordinary Thumbtack

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Find the average office box store thumbtacks just a little to ordinary? How about a quick sprucing up with some findings you probably already have and some epoxy glue.

Some ideas include:

-Buttons

-Jewelry Findings

-Small stones or pebbles

-Small antique door knobs

-Other

Just clean the top of thumbtack with alcohol and do the same to the part of the item to be glued to the thumbtack to ensure a clean gluing. Use of epoxy is suggested, however, goop or super glue can be used for some items.

Enjoy your new addition to your bulletin board…. it will show your personality and uniqueness by adding charm or flare to an area of your home that is surely busy. I hope this brings a smile to your face every time you see your little creations.

 

Terra Cotta Pot Dolls

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I don’t have instructions for these but thought I would share….. would look cool to have a bunch of these little ones sitting on ledges around the garden! Anyone have instructions/directions please let me know!

Cake In A Jar

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Ingredients

  • 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
  • 8 straight-sided wide-mouth pint canning jars with lids and rings
  • Icing

Directions

  1. Prepare the cake according to package instructions, or use any cake recipe.
  2. In pint size, straight-sided wide-mouth jars, put 1 cup of batter in each greased jar. Make sure to keep the rims of the jars clean. Put in preheated oven 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place jars on a cookie sheet to keep from tipping over while baking.
  3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.
  4. While they are baking, have your jar lids boiling in a pan of water. When the cake is done, take one jar out at a time and add the hot lid and screw on your jar ring and let set and cool.
  5. It will seal as it cools. Place the jars on the counter and listen for them to ‘ping’ as they seal. If you miss the ‘ping’, wait until they are completely cool and press on the top of the lid. If it doesn’t move at all, it’s sealed.
  6. After it cools it will pull away from the jar and when you are ready to eat, open and pop out the cake and enjoy.
  7. Unsealed jars should be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 2 weeks. Sealed jars may be stored in a freezer.

 

Icing: If sending this to a loved one include a small amount of icing in a can. If you give this to someone in person you can top the jar with icing right before you give it to them.

If mailing these wrap securely with bubble wrap!

When giving as a gift, top with a ten inch square fabric tied on with a ribbon and tag. You can also attach a little baggie with sprinkles, chocolate chips etc.

Masquerade Mask

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Print out using a picture manipulation program or a desktop publishing program and adjust the size to fit you or your childs face. Cut out and glue fabric to one side and trim – then repeat for the opposite side. Tie a ribbon that goes well with your fabric to both sides that can be tied around head. Trim with ribbons around edges, or dangling, sequins, or any other findings you want. Think feathers, boas, plastic spiders (for Halloween), tiny ornaments (for Christmas), bows, paper cutouts, and beads.

Also consider these a childs activity at a party… then can be painted or drawn on in marker or crayon. Print out a size appropriate for children and trace onto poster board and cut out. If they are going to paint, color or draw directly onto the paper it will need to be stiff because they wont have the extra strength from the fabric on both sides.

This could also make a great invitation: make with one side covered in fabric that goes with your parties theme and print the information for your party on the back. It would fit in a legal sized envelope so no special purchase would be required.

Spruce Up Your Mouse Pad

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Just in time for that rainy day… one of many that approach several areas of the country… a simple little craft that will brighten up and personalize a place you never thought of doing.

Use a scrap piece of fabric or get one ready to go for the next rainy day! It needs to be slightly larger then the mouse pad.

You will also need an spray can of all purpose glue and a sharp pair of fabric scissors.

When you are ready simply spray the underside of fabric and top of mouse pad…. lay fabric top up on mouse pad. Use a ruler of pencil to roll the folds off the edges. Let dry for recommended time on can.

Then trim the edges to fit the shape of the mouse perfectly. When done use fray check (fray stopping glue) around edges.

Your done…. you spruced up an old mouse pad and personalized it to fit your personality. Now try another (even if you have to buy a cheap mouse pad) for a friend!

Enjoy!