DIY Holiday Gift Wrapping

I love wrapping presents every year, but hate trying to find boxes and bows. I am crazy about coordinating wrapping with my home Christmas decorations. It is just always difficult to find bows that go with my wrapping paper.  Well look no more! These tutorials will show you how to make bows, bags, and boxes for all your gifts if buying is just not in the budget this holiday season! Or even use your matching wrapping paper for one of a kind presents!
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#1 Gift Bags
This is a super easy tutorial that is done with newspaper, but this can easily be substituted with thick wrapping paper. I found that the "premium" paper worked best especially ones that were shiny held the creases a lot better.

 

 

Newspaper Gift Bags by: How About Orange

Full Tutorial HERE
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#2 Felt Gift Boxes
This project doesn't have a tutorial but the pictures are very easy to follow. I thought, initially, that this could be done in wrapping paper that is not the case. You should use felt or even faux leather. This box is more for permanent use and reuse.

Found on Pinterest, no link to original 

Now if you are looking for a gift box you can make out of wrapping paper, an origami box is best. 

Origami Box w/ Cover by: Origami Instructions

Super easy to follow Tutorial HERE

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#3 Origami Gift Bows

These bows just melt my heart they are so crazy cute and easy to make!! The tutorial instructs that you use magazine paper which is totally possible but gift wrap works just as well!

Recycled Origami Bows by: How About Orange

Full Tutorial HERE

Here is one I made with wrapping paper, so cute!

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Happy Wrapping!!

♥

Last Minute DIY Christmas Gifts

Did you just realize there is only 7 days until Christmas?

Are you freaking out a little? 

ME TOO!!

Well no worries, there are so many fantastic tutorials out there for fantastic gifts that are easy and cost effective. But if you're like me, the second I get on Pinterest to find something to make I don't get anything done. Because I am just scrolling for hours!

Luckily, I found 10 easy gifts that are so great! All of these projects were found on Pinterest and were created by so many fantastically creative people! So be sure and check out the original blogs where these gift ideas came from.

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#1 T-Shirt Art

For any special guy in your life, from your dad to your boyfriend, this is a great idea and super affordable.  Take old unwanted T-shirts, preferably ones that have significance. Favorite bands, skate companies or sports teams are the best options.

Threadbare Memories by: The Not So Blank Canvas

Tutorial HERE

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#2 Bead Safety Pin Cuff

A beautiful project that is simple enough even a child could do with limited supervision. Only takes 3 supplies and you are off!

Safety Pin Bracelet by: Craftbits

Tutorial HERE

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#3 Custom iPhone Case

A gift for anyone, for that student, teen or best friend. So many people have iPhones, so you can't go wrong.

iPhone Case by: Lesley Myrick Art & Design

Tutorial HERE

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#4 Fabric Button Earrings

This gift only takes a few bucks and you can make a ton! Just use scrap fabric you have laying around from past projects or go pick up some quilting packs for $1 at your local craft store!

Fabric Button Earrings by: Crafts After College

Tutorial HERE

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#5 Photo Canvases

These are so in right now but are pretty pricey, but this tutorial shows a great way to do them on the cheap! Use those great pictures from Thanksgiving or Halloween that you have been meaning to give Grandma or Aunt So and So. 

Photo Canvases by: Literally Inspired

Tutorial HERE

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#6 Colorful Bangles

This is just a beautiful gift that looks so unique! I want them! :)

Pearly Colorful Bracelets by: Heodeza

Tutorial HERE

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#7 Cork Monogram

This gift is great for a hostess or even a mancave! If you don't have a ton of wine corks lying around check your local Goodwill many of them have bags of corks or people are always selling them on Craigslist. You could even modify this by doing it with bottle caps. :)

Cork Monogram by: The Oceanside Bride

Tutorial HERE

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#8 Swarovski Drop Earrings

These are just stunning pieces that will take any woman's breath away. Detailed items needed along with great instructions can be found in the link. But feel free to get creative and use beads you may already have around.

Minnow Motion Earrings by: Fire Mountain Gems

Tutorial HERE

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#9 Colorful Bobby Pins

A great gift for little girls or teens, crazy cheap to make but really fun and practical. 

Simple Hair Accessory by: Oh Hello

 Tutorial HERE

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#10 Freezer Paper Screen Printing

Have an inside joke between friends that would be great on a shirt? Well, with DIY you can make it for just a few bucks! This can be good for all ages!

Freezer Paper Stencil by: The Gilded Hare

 Tutorial HERE

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Thank you for reading and I hope this helps you get that perfect gift for everyone on your list!

♥

Egyptian Link Necklace & Earrings!!

I found this picture on google and totally fell in love with this piece! I had to know how to make this, I found a great video tutorial that had to be shared! Enjoy!

Featured Image from Campsie Creations

Part 1

Part 2

The technique is rather simple yet so beautiful!!

As many of you know I have a super short attention span some days, today just happens to be one of those days. So rather than making a full necklace I made these adorable earrings.

L♥VING THEM!!

Hope you do too!!
♥

Redesign Myself? My Blog?

I have recently been mulling over the idea of rebranding myself 

as an artist and a blogger. 

I have long admired my creative/business style as artistic, unique and free form. But as time goes on I feel like it has really become scatterbrained, cluttered and confusing. 

I know what I am thinking but am I really properly conveying my thoughts/ideas? 

Do you know what the heck I am trying to say? 

and the answer to me is uuummmm.... I don't know

which freaks me out. 

If I can't tell if my website is simple and easy to navigate 

and I can't tell what my main mission is 

how they heck can I expect my readers and clients to do the same???

Enough Ranting!

Here is what my goal is for this week.

I need to answer a few questions to find my path..

..........................................

What is the true purpose of my blog?

Is it to sell products? Is it for tutorials?

Should I create 2 websites?

Is my website about me or about my creations?

Should it be about me? 

Should I incorporate my personal life in my website?

Do I need a brand name/logo?

Am I creating a true and accurate reflection of my artistic process and mind?

..........................................

Here is where you (my friends/family/readers) come in, I would like some input from people who know me well and or read my blog. What do you like about my website, what do you hate? Are the questions that I have asked myself the right ones? Should I have more? and the most important, can you help me answer some of these questions?

Please take the time to give me input, I want to you know opinions!

Thank you for your love and support.

♥

DIY $7 Sunburst Mirror!!!

I am sure you, like me, have been drooling over all those awesome sunburst mirrors on Pinterest and keep saying "I can make that!" Well finally, after months and months I made one!!!! And I must say it is beautiful! Plus it cost under $10 bucks!! Can't beat that!

Items You will need:

1. 2 packs bamboo skewers ($2 each @ the grocery store)

2. Hot glue & glue gun (Free had in my office)

3. Small round mirror ($5 @ Michaels)

4. Round piece of cardboard the same size as your mirror (Free in your junk pile XD)

5. Spray paint (I used left over paint from the shed)

Total Cost $7 

I decided not to take progress pictures of mine just because Stephanie Lynn over at Under The Table and Dreaming did such an amazing job with her tutorial! The steps are super easy to follow and the pictures are great! I did do a few things different to mine which I will show you!

Tutorial Here!

Helpful Notes:

1. I started out cutting each skewer with scissors and it was taking forever, I found I could just break them by hand  just as nicely and it is way faster. Just hold it between your two thumbs where you need it to break and bend it back and forth. Boom you're done!

2. Don't stress the spacing. I was getting a little OCD about how perfect they need to be but in the end you couldn't even tell which ones weren't perfect.

 3. Get creative with paint. Don't stop with one color of spray paint, I decided to do an ombre look but there are so many other possibilities.

Once I finished my mirror I decided it would be a great raffle prize for my annual family reunion, plus my grandma was begging me to bring one. So sadly this isn't part of my beautiful asian bedroom but I know it's new owner is in love with it! 

I am bummed that I didn't remember to get a finished on the wall picture :( 

 I really loved how this turned out and how easy it was. I am definitely going to make another one for my bedroom!

♥

Weekend Work List

Since moving into the new place my "To Do List" seems to get longer and longer. It is now to the point where I am not doing anything out of sheer fear of the list. So I decided to just pick 10 things to do each weekend, I don't have to complete them all, but I have to complete at least 5. I think this will be an awesome way for me to stay productive at home and to get it together.

1. Paint bedroom wall

2. Finish sunburst mirror (paint gold)

3. Hang curtains in master bathroom

4. Install shower curtain rod

5. Take boxes to goodwill

6. Put storage stuff in new tubs

7. Hang up laundry

8. Paint Josh's room

9. Pot patio plants

10. Buy shower curtain and towels.

Good luck Brittany, you can do it!!