Dec 5, 2013 | DIY
Hello all! I actually had completely different content planned today…and then I glanced at the calendar and realized that because of the day of the week Christmas fell on, I would have to get my holiday parcels out tomorrow if they were ever going to be delivered in time for Dec 25th in Japan. Curse you, late Thanksgiving!!!
So since I spent my whole day running around trying to get all these packages ready to be sent tomorrow, instead today I’m going to share with you some ideas for creative gift wrapping and presentation…after all, if you’ve DIY’d any Holiday Gifts, you want to present them beautifully, no? I’ll be adding to this Pinboard in the next week or two, so follow along to get some ideas and inspiration for creating the perfect wrapping:
DIY Gift Wrapping and Presentation on Pinterest
Also, if you’re looking for ideas to make your holiday a DIY one, from baking to decorating to gifts to unique trees to wreaths to ornaments, please check out my:
Holiday DIY Projects: Christmas/Winter Board
Hope to see you there!
xo
Carly
Dec 4, 2013 | DIY
The holiday season is upon us! (Was that FAST or what??!) I’ve been trying to stick to a budget this year, and make what I can for those near and dear to me. There’s nothing that’s more personal or heartfelt than something you’ve made yourself, and here are 17 ideas of lovely gifts to make and give to your friends and family:
DIY Dry Baking Mixes are always great, and travel well. There’s so many to pick from, too! Hot cocoa mix, cookie mix, or muffin mix are some great choices. (This is a great roundup of ideas for jarred mixes!)
Last year I made tons of my DIY Holiday Chocolate Bark, and my family begged me for more. (I wouldn’t share the white chocolate macadamia flavor leftovers, though!) Anyone who likes chocolate will love this, plus it packs and keeps really well (good for boxes being sent through the post!)
These DIY Stamped Cookies are also divine. (I’m thinking you might be able to directly color on the stamp with food-grade coloring pens rather than dealing with a stamp pad? Shall have to try.)
Home-made candles are really lovely, and you can mimic that high-end Diptyque look by using pretty jars (and maybe adding printedwater decals or stickers with fantastic images or typography?) Check out this DIY tutorial for candles in tumblers.
For the avid sewist in your life, a DIY Tomato Pincushion is a must. Or you could go old school and sew up a DIY Sewing Needle Book to hold needles.
Decorative objects can be great choice for homeowners and renters alike. Some lovely pieces include: DIY Kelly Wearstler Kaleidoscope Starburst, DIY Dinosaur Planters, DIY Starburst Mirror
DIY Office Supplies are a welcome present to anyone who has an office space, whether at home or at work. Paint rocks with magnetic paint and glue together to make this paperclip holder or make a No-Sew Pencil Roll to help tame clutter.
Body lotion, scrubs, bath bombs, soap: beauty products that can be made at home and shared are a wonderful indulgence for a favorite someone. Love this DIY Coconut Rose Lip Balm! (And yes, this works for guys too; just use more “manly” fragrances and additives into soap bars or DIY Shaving Soap!)
Since it’s the holidays, why not gift some DIY ornaments to a special someone? Some of my favorites include these Colorful Geometric Ornaments, Sprinkles Ornaments, Pinned Sequin Ornaments.
Need more ideas for gifts? Check out my list of 30 Great DIY Hostess Gifts for some more inspiration!
Happy Holidays and Happy DIY’ing!
xo
Carly
Nov 21, 2013 | DIY
So next week is the big turkey day – and if you’re spending it at someone else’s home sometimes you want to bring along something to thank your hosts. Since you’ll be saving all that time not having to make the dinner itself, why not create a lovely gift that shows both your creativity and your appreciation for the holiday? Here are some ideas for some great DIY gifts to bring with you to the Thanksgiving dinner:
DIY DECORATED STORAGE BOXES
Everyone could always use more storage, and beautifully-decorated boxes show your thoughtfulness. Left to right, clockwise: Decorative Boxes, Fabric-Covered Boxes, Faux Malachite Boxes
DIY SUCCULENTS AND PLANTERS
Succulents are a low-maintenance plant that look adorable presented in groups. Left to right, clockwise: Tiny Pinch Pots for Kids, DIY Terrarium, Gold Succulents in Origami Geometric Planters
DIY MINI CANDLES
Candles are a welcome addition to any home, especially ones that smell delicious or look beautiful. Left to right, clockwise: DIY Mini Pumpkin Candles, Modern DIY Candle Votives, DIY Satsuma Candle
DIY TABLE LINENS
Handmade table linens are a unique representation of one’s unique style – and you can use a variety of objects as stamps. Left to right, clockwise: Potato Stamped Napkins, Stamped Table Runner, Apple Stamped Napkins
DIY DRINK COASTERS
To add to a festive table, you could make some coasters – adding paint or decoupaged photographs for a personal touch. Left to right, clockwise: DIY Photo Coasters, Personalized Coasters, DIY Leather & Cork Coasters
DIY SERVING TRAYS
For a perfect presentation, a serving tray is just the ticket. Touches of gold or punched cork make these look especially chic. Left to right, clockwise: DIY Painted Tray, Punched Cork Serving Tray, DIY Metallic Gold Leaf Tray
DIY DRY BAKING MIXES
Any cook would love a starter mix for some favorite recipes, and these are all fabulous ideas to add to a well-stocked kitchen. Left to right, clockwise: DIY Whole Food Dry Mix Recipes, DIY Spice Mixes, DIY Hot Cocoa Mix and Homemade Marshmallows
DIY PAINTED UTENSILS
Painting plain wooden utensils and bowls is so hot right now – and it adds a pop of pretty color to the table and kitchen. Left to right, clockwise: Painted Neon Utensils, Neon Spoons, Dipped Bowls
DIY FLAVORED ALCOHOL
If your hosts enjoy a little drink from time to time, it might be superb to gift them with a delicious flavor of homemade spirits. Left to right, clockwise: DIY Rhubarb Liqueur, Infused Vodkas, DIY Coffee Liqueur
DIY WINE BAGS
To present your thoughtful bottle of homemade alcohol (or high-end wine!) to your hosts, package it in your own homemade wine bag. Left to right: No Sew Felt Wine Bag Tutorial, Recycled Jean Wine Bag, C Wonder DIY Kit
Also! Use the many lovely labels from Lia Griffith for your packaging and tagging for all your gifts – and watch your hostesses’ faces light up with joy upon receiving your gifts!
Do you have any go-to hostess gifts that you always give during the holidays? Please share in the comments below!
xo
Carly
Nov 19, 2013 | DIY
Big jewelry straight out of the 1980’s is having a HUGE moment this year. The bigger, the better – covered with plexi and acrylic, chunky bold shapes, and glittering rhinestones – anything goes right now. I saw these earrings for sale in a store during my last trip to Tokyo this Summer – and decided to DIY them with some materials I already had on hand. Clear acrylic for accessories is hard to come by – so I just repurposed an old photo-frame for my main material. Here’s how:
You Need: (more…)
Nov 6, 2013 | DIY, Fashion
Seen all over the runways for Fall 2013, this sophisticated take on a monochrome check pattern is too good to miss out on this season. I love the graphic boldness of this windowpane grid pattern – and how great it looks paired with other solid colors (in a Mondrian-esque fashion). It seems to me that this would be a pretty simple DIY…which I’ll be sharing with all of you shortly (once the supplies I ordered more than a week ago arrive!!)
xo
Carly
Photo credits: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here
Nov 5, 2013 | DIY
Hello everyone! Today I am over on WeHeartThis.com sharing my DIY tutorial for some sweet Washi Tape Barrettes. They’re so easy to make with your favorite washi tape – and they look like you could have bought them from a store! Click on over to check out the full step-by-step tutorial on We Heart This!
xo
Carly
Save
