This past weekend we had the pleasure of heading up to our family cottage in the French River to spend some Holiday time with my family. I love a cottage Christmas! Continue reading “Cottage Christmas”
Category: Holidays
10 Awesome Handmade Gifts
Holy cow, December is upon us, and I am slacking in the Holiday department. I better get off my tush and start making my handmade gifts for this year. If I am this far behind in my holiday gifting, I thought you may need a hand. I have rounded up a few of my favorite DIY gift projects that we have made in the last few years. Happy crafting!
Kristen’s Awesome List of Handmade Gifts
Maple and Oak Cutting Boards
These boards are a fab gift for the foodie or the entertainer. You can make them a traditional shape, or simple & modern. This gift also goes beyond the holidays, and is great for a house warming. Check out the how to here.
Cutting Board Oil/Wax
While you’re making your cutting board, make up a batch of Cutting Board Oil/Wax and a pretty tag, and give it along with the cutting board. This oil/wax is the perfect wood conditioner for all your wooden items. From Grandmas vintage salad bowl, to your every day wooden spoons. See the how to here.
House Shaped Candle Holder
This makes for a perfect housewarming or hostess gift. Its a small gift that you can give in addition to a bottle of wine, or just a little something for a teacher or coworker. Check out the how to here.
Beer Can Carrier & Custom Pint Glasses
This is the gift for the beer lover in your life. You know you have one. Pair it with their fave beer, or better yet some new microbrews. Check out the how to here.
Wood & Nail Bottle Opener
This is another good man gift. Its also a small enough that it can slip easily in a stocking, or pairs well with a six pack at a holiday party. Check out the how to here.
Chevron Cheese Board
Another awesome board, but this time just for cheese. This chevron cheese board is perfect for setting up a cheese tray. You can arrange one or multiple boards along the center of a table and let your inner foodie out. This is the perfect gift for the entertainer in your life. Pair with a nice cheese knife, and a bottle of wine, and expect to be invited over for the next party. View the how to here.
Custom Door Mat
A custom door mat is a great for the newlyweds, or a first time homeowner. Heck, its even a great gift for the in-laws. For a classic look, use a monogram, or for the hipster in your life consider a cheeky saying. Check out the tutorial here.
Custom Mailbox
A custom mailbox is another great home owner gift. You can personalize it with their address, or their family name. See the how to here.
Wooden Bath Table
This is a gift perfect for the overworked, stressed out people in your life. Bathtime (when you’re over the age of 8) is a time for relaxation, and a moment of peace and quiet. Pair the bath table with some swanky bath products or a fluffy robe and a bottle of time, and the Moms, sisters, or athletes in your life will love you forever. Bonus points if you offer to take the kids/dog/whining husband out of the house so they can really enjoy their bath. Check out the super simple instructions here.
Concrete Clock
Last but not least is the awesome concrete clock project we showed you earlier this week. It would be a great gift for your secret santa, your city dwelling brother, or surprise your spouse with it for their office. See the full tutorial here.
I hope these ideas help you out with your handmade gift ideas! Happy gifting!
Handmade Holiday – Custom Beer Glasses & Carrier
Handmade gifts are one of my most cherished things. When someone spends time creating me the perfect gift, it means more to me than if they were to have bought me the most expensive gift around (except maybe an Audi R8, I’d jump in front of a bus for one of those.) Creating the perfect gift is rewarding both for the giver and the givee. Nothing is more awesome than the look on someones face when you give them the most badass gift around. To give you a helping hand on your quest for the epic gift, today a group of Canadian bloggers are showing you their best handmade holiday gifts for under $25. Check out #CDNHandmadeHoliday on social media to find some great gift ideas. Want to see what we made?
Custom Monogram Pint Glasses & Beer Carrier.
This gift is a remake of an old classic. Starting with our simple beer carrier plans, we made a pine carrier with brass nails, and added a brass bottle opener.
The holder will hold six short or tall cans, six bottles, or three bottles or cans and two pint glasses.
Next we created some custom monogrammed etched glasses. Using our Silhouette SD and a piece of adhesive vinyl, we cut out vinyl stencils.
The stencils were applied to the pint glasses, and firmly burnished in place. Masking tape was applied around the stencil to make sure no errant etching cream got on the glass.
The etching cream was applied with a paint brush while wearing gloves, and left on for ten minutes.
Then it was washed away and glasses dried. The simple yet classic monogram is the perfect addition to the classic pint glass.
The carrier & the glasses were all made for under $25! Just fill with your friends fave beer, and show up to your Holiday party like a boss.
SOURCE LIST:
Beer Carrier:
Materials:
Pine (1×6 x 2′) $3
Poplar (1/4″) $2
Dowel (3/4″) $2
Brass Finishing Nails $1
Bottle Opener – Target $5
Cut List:
2 – 9″x5 3/4″ – 1″ thick Pine
2 – 2″x 9 1/2″ – 1/4″ thick poplar (sides)
2 – 2 5/8″ x 9 1/2″ – 1/4″ thick poplar (bottom)
1 – 9 1/2″ dowel (handle)
Tools Used:
Miter saw – Milwaukee 12″
Combination Square
Drill – Milwaukee M18
3/4″ Spade Drill Bit
Orbital sander – Milwaukee
Measuring Tape
Etched Custom Beer Glasses:
Materials:
2 – Pint Glasses – The Bay $4
Etching Cream – Lee Valley -3oz $8
Tools Used:
Vinyl stencil – Silhouette SD
Paint brush
Gloves
Difficulty Level (on a scale of 1-5):
two out of five
Total Cost: $25
What do you think? Would you like to find this gift under your tree?
Check out the #CDNHandmadeHoliday projects from other awesome Canadian bloggers:
Mason Jar Leather Lantern – NorthStory
Fabric Handmade Gifts – Rambling Renovators
Needle Felted Wool Socks – Fynes Designs
DIY Winterberry Branches – Vin’yet Etc
Homemade Sweater Mittens – Life is a Party
Pottery Barn Inspired Advent Calendar – New House New Home
Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph Towels – SewCreative
Mini Yarn Wreath Christmas Tree Ornaments – A Pretty Life in the Suburbs
Santa’s Sleigh Gingerbread Cookie Garland – Kitchen Counter Chronicles
DIY Anchor Fridge Magnets – Swell Conditions
Cranberry Pear Relish – Time with Thea
Burlap Photo Frame Display – Joy in Our Home
DIY Felted Bowls – Bear & Lion
DIY Beaded Star Ornament – lifeovereasy
Dreaming of a Scandinavian Christmas
I got REALLY inspired after my trip to Denmark this year. You can see a more streamlined Scandinavian style slipping into my home (hello, the powder room!). My trip fell over the Easter holiday. All of the stores were decked out for the holidays, and there were candles everywhere. As I am starting to plan for the Christmas season, my mind keeps drifting back to Denmark and to Scandinavian Christmas decor consisting of candelabras, fresh greenery and wood.
I have a few DIY ideas in mind, but have also been sourcing some awesome holiday decor from great European sources. Here are some of my picks.
Ferm Living Christmas Calendar:
Granit Wooden Tree:
Lassen Kubis Candle Holder:
Granit Candelabra:
Ferm Living Christmas Tree Blanket:
Trip Trap Teak & Brass Tree Stand:
Kahler Urban Lanterns:
Ferm Living Brass Ornament:
Also check out my Holiday Decor board on Pinterest for more inspiration.