Make It: Winter Photo Coasters

Who loves a good photo craft? I know I do! In fact, photo crafts are some of my favorite projects, and these photo drink coasters did not disappoint. I love how personal and unique even a common craft idea can become when I add my own photograph.

Handmade gifts can be a lot of fun, but I often find myself short on time so simple projects have the most appeal. Making photo beverage coasters has been on my list of projects to try for a while now, so when my recent winter instagram photo was "popular" with my friends, and I was on the look-out for last-minute gift ideas, and the weather outside was frightful...well what's a gal to do but get craftin'?

Make It: Decoupaged Trinket Dishes

I love to organize my jewelry in pretty dishes. So, when I found these cute little hexagonal plates, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make some trinket dishes with a personal touch using some of my own printed photos and decoupage medium. On the nightstand or next to the sink, these pretty jewelry catch-alls come in handy anywhere.

Last month I shared this quick decoupage craft over on Landeelu. These simple trinket dishes are easy and inexpensive to make. Make a few extra to keep on hand for gifts. You could even try some seasonal images for the holidays.

DIY Stamped Condiment Spoons

Add an easy custom touch to your next summer BBQ, Taco Night, or Sundae Bar with this easy metal stamping project.

Custom-Stamped Condiment Spoons are a fun way to add a personal touch to your summer buffets. Last summer, we served hot dogs and lots of toppings over the 4th of July. With Memorial Day coming up, I thought I'd break this project out again! Grab some metal stamps and some inexpensive stainless steal teaspoons and make a set of your own for summer entertaining. So easy!!

Mother's Day Gift Tags (free printable)

Are you looking for a simple Mother’s Day gift idea this year? Do you need to make several Mother’s Day gifts (including Grandmas!) and need something quick and easy? Maybe last-minute? Use these free Mother's Day gift tags to dress up a container full of chocolate kisses that will make Mom’s day!

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I put together some fun “Hugs & Kisses for Mom” printable gift tags to pair with a jar (or bag) of chocolate kisses. There’s a version for Grandma too!

Kids' Artwork Pendant DIY

Easy DIY jewelry is fun to create and makes a great keepsake gift for Mother's Day.

What mom doesn't love children's artwork? Especially that done by some of her most favorite people? (I'll admit I've had a hard time parting with any art my children--and nieces and nephews--have made over the years.) This project showcases a favorite piece of art (new or old) and makes a lovely Mother's Day gift.

Make It: Jack-o'-Lantern Pendant

Earlier this month, I shared an easy DIY jewelry project for Halloween on Landeelu.com.  If you've got a few minutes, there's still time to make one (or several)!

Glass tile pendants are a fun and easy photo jewelry craft. Ever since I helped my niece make one featuring her favorite pooch, I've been wanting to try some of my own. For this Halloween version, I used a favorite "glowing" jack-o'-lantern photo that I took several years ago.

Choose a Halloween photo for your pendant or download mine below. Gather your supplies.

Supplies Needed for Glass Tile Halloween Pendants

• Glass Tiles (Mine were about .9" square. I ordered online, but I've also seen them at my local Hobby Lobby.)
• Pendant Bail (one per necklace)
• Black Satin Cord (or necklace chain of your choice)
• Mod Podge or other jewelry decoupage medium (read label to make sure it can be used on glass)
• Small Brush
• Scissors or Paper Trimmer
• Halloween Image (printed and cut to fit your tile)

Make It: "Admit One" Ticket Memory Box

Do you make gifts for the holidays? Here's a fun and easy DIY gift idea for teens and tweens that I first shared on Landeelu.com last month.

Do you or someone you know have a collection of ticket stubs from concerts, sporting events, or other performances stuffed in a drawer or tacked to a cork board?

Safely display those memories in a shadowbox turned memory box. I found these 8x8 Wish Bank frames at my local Michael's store.

Make It: Stamped and Beaded Garden Markers

Do you have a vegetable garden or know someone who does? It's on my very long list of things to do/try, but my sister has a beautiful garden and she's been hoping for some new plant markers for a while now:)

Stamped & Beaded Plant Marker Tutorial

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Supplies Needed for Your DIY Plant Markers

• 10" Zinc Garden Markers (or I found some at our local Bachman's garden center)
• 18-gauge wire (or thickness to fit your beads)
• Assorted glass seed beads (size 6/0 "E")
• Decorative Silver-toned beads (Butterfly and Dragonfly found at my local Michaels)
• Metal Alphabet Stamps (I used 1/4" stamps for the markers in the photo.)
• Hammer, small pliers/wire cutter, pencil, tape, and ruler.
• Acrylic sealer - optional

Make It: Easy Twisted Cord Bracelets

Looking for an easy summer craft? Try these easy twisted cord bracelets I first shared last month on Landeelu.

Whether you're looking for an easy summer camp craft, inexpensive gift, or an afternoon boredom buster, these simple wrap bracelets are sure to please. Similar to woven friendship bracelets or the simple braided bracelets that some call "wish bracelets," these take only a few minutes to make.

Make It: Kids' Art Embellished Keepsake Boxes

Mother's Day is just around the corner, but don't worry because these Kids' Art Embellished Keepsake boxes go together in a jiffy. If you're short on time, look for an already painted box like the one I found. If you don't mind adding a coat of paint yourself before the decoupage step, you can find wood boxes in assorted shapes and sizes at your local craft store.

How to Decoupage Children's Artwork onto a Keepsake Box

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Children's art is one of my favorite things and when I can use it to make memorable gifts, all the better! Here I found some small painted boxes in the Target dollar spot and decoupaged favorite artwork on the top to make an adorable keepsake box. Wouldn't one of these make great a great gift for mom or grandma? And they're inexpensive too!

Supplies Needed for Decoupaged Keepsake Box

• Painted Wooden Box (mine measures 4 1/8 x 6 1/2" and are 4 1/2" high, $3 at Target)
• Mod Podge or your favorite decoupage medium
• sponge brush
• copies of artwork sized to fit
• optional: craft paint (if your box is unpainted), decorative paper or fabric, stamps and ink, decorative edge scissors

Make It: Color-Wrapped Mystery Braid Bracelet

Hello! Do any of you like to pack up a project or two when you travel? Or maybe you're looking for a few new projects to do at home while the kids are off school? With it being spring break season, I thought I'd pull out this fun bracelet idea that I first shared last summer on i heart naptime.

Many of you have probably made or received woven friendship bracelets. And, some of you have probably seen the mystery braid bracelets too! When I had my supplies pulled out one day last summer, I started wondering about making the Mystery Braid bracelet more colorful in some way. After a couple of false starts and a knotting lesson from my sister, I came up with this fun version.

What You Need:

Mystery Braid Bracelet kit (I found mine at Michael's)

Cotton Embroidery Floss (3 skeins in colors of your choice)

You'll also want a scissors and tapestry needle on hand for ending off each thread color.

Make It: Bit of Luck Hand-Stamped Pendant for St. Patrick's Day

As many of you know, I contribute monthly over on Landeelu. Last month, I shared this fun little hand-stamped pendant for St. Patrick's Day. I've been wearing my pendant already! I hope you get a chance to make one too!

Do you wear green on St. Patrick's Day? Whether you go all out or just need a bit of green to keep you pinch-proof, this little hand-stamped pendant will complete your look.

Happy New Year & Top Posts of 2014

Happy New Year to you all!

While I started sharing a few posts here in 2013, the close of 2014 marks my first full year of blogging. I thought I'd kick off this New Year with a round up of my most viewed posts of 2014. Looking at the numbers, a few of last year's Christmas posts would actually be in this year's top ten! I decided to limit the list to posts published in 2014, but I'll give you a peek at those popular posts of 2013 later:)

So here it goes, my top ten most viewed posts of 2014:

Easy DIY: Surprise in a Can Grad Gift

June isn't very far off, and around here that means Graduation Time. Cash and gift cards are popular gifts for grads, but sometimes I like to wrap them uniquely rather than using a traditional envelope.  If you're looking for something a little bit different for your graduation gifts this year, give this a try. It's sure to get a smile out of the recipient:)

UPDATED FOR 2015 (includes an option with NO YEAR)---Print It: Surprise Can Gift Wrap 2015

What You Need:

Fruit can with pop-top lid (unopened)

Can opener

Glue

Double-stick tape

Paper shreds or other filler

Cash gift or gift card

Congratulations Graduate Can Label (Get yours here)

Start by removing the bottom of your can (I used a 20 oz Dole fruit can). Use an opener that breaks the seal and doesn't leave a sharp edge. (Save the fruit for lunch!) Wash and dry both the can and the lid. Remove the fruit label.

Print and cut graduation label. Wrap around the can and secure with double-stick tape.

Make It: Hand-Stamped Pendant for Mom

What mom wouldn't enjoy receiving an adorable hand-stamped washer pendant made just for her this Mother's Day?

With Mother's Day coming up, I thought it would be fun to design a new washer pendant for the occasion. I'm sharing the how-to here today.

Make It: Hand-Stamped LOVE Pendant

I enjoyed making and wearing the Hand-Stamped JOY Pendant that I made for the holidays so much, that I thought I'd try to come up with a similar design for Valentine's Day. If you're new to metal-stamping this little washer pendant is a fun beginner's project.

Stamped Valentine's Pendant Tutorial

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

This little pendant goes together very quickly. Once it's stamped, there's very little to it!

Happy New Year! & Top Posts of 2013

Hello Friends! Happy New Year!!

I hope you all had a lovely holiday week. I took a short break from computer work and blogging for family time. After a nice Christmas Day, we rushed our oldest out the door to return to school for a warm weather basketball trip. We were fortunate enough to schedule vacation to meet at his destination  and see his team in action.

The trip to sunny CA meant a little extra family time between games and a nice break from the MN deep freeze! But despite the cold, I'm happy to be home.

Blogging and social media were new for me last year. I really enjoyed sharing and connecting with such a creative online community! Here are my most viewed posts of 2013:

Rudolph S'mores / Santa Ornament Yarn Craft / Gobble 'em S'mores / Wrap It Up! Printable Rudolph Gift Tags / Make It: Had-Stamped Joy Pendant

Make It: Very Merry Photo Frame

Make your own Very Merry Photo Frame. (Or make several, and keep them on hand for easy hostess or teacher gifts.)

Make It: Hand-Stamped JOY Pendant

Over the summer I made several hand-stamped washer pendants as personalized graduation and reunion gifts. I got great feedback, so I wanted to come up with a simple design for the holidays. This little bit of Joy made me smile when I first put it together. I hope you enjoy it too!