DIY Gift Ideas
Ashley Van Sipma
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: Outside the Bubble
I spent my youth in a house with grey walls, white trim and black furniture. Accents and color were few and far between and the trashcans in the bathrooms were used for decoration. I'm not kidding.
My grandmother was a neat freak, which turned my mother into a compulsive cleaner, and god help with who I become when I own my own house.
When I finally landed a bedroom outside of my parent's home, I painted my accent wall bright pink and decorated with neon-framed pictures and knickknacks I'd collected and hid in boxes over the years. My mom actually spent the afternoon of my college graduation in our sorority cleaning my room with anticipation to re-simplify my life. I'd had my fun. It was time to grow up.
As a 'grown-up' I've come to appreciate the simplicity of decorating with limited clutter, but I'll always appreciate the unique element of a homemade gift. Why buy thoughtless presents that will be re-gifted next year when you can create something fun and meaningful that is uniquely inspired by you?
I don't claim to be the most creative person, nor do I follow in the footsteps of Martha Stewart; in fact, I hate arts and crafts. But when you can take something dull and cheap and turn it into something fun and priceless, I'm all about the DIY.
Not Just a Boring Picture Frame
I first got the idea for this picture frame on a summer road trip stop at the Leinenkugel's Brewery Lodge in middle-of-nowhere Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (good times). The frame retailed at $25+ tax but you can DIY for under $5 depending on where you find the cheapest frame-my steal was at Michael's.
1. Choose a wood picture frame with at least a 1 ½'' edge and at least 1'' thickness.
2. Use a 1 ¼'' spade drill bit to drill a hole just deep enough to countersink the bottle cap-a little bit raised above the wood is better than too deep. Be sure to go slow and check the depth often so that you don't set the bottle cap too low in the frame.
3. The fun part: pick your bottle caps. But be sure to do the drinking after handling a hot glue gun or drill.
4. Using a hot glue gun, apply glue in the inner circle of the drilled hole.
5. Carefully place the bottle caps in the drilled holes-you only have one chance to get them straight since the glue will dry extremely quickly.
6. Put your favorite picture in the frame and send it off to a friend!
Beer Cap Magnets
On the days that your paycheck allows you to switch from warm Natty Light cans to the bottled beer of your choice, don't be so quick to assume those hard-earned bottle caps are just trash. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and use some imagination with your accumulated fancy beer toppers.
1. Pick out your favorite bottle caps.
2. Super glue two magnets together-press together tightly for about 30 seconds to make sure they're secure.
3. Place a small amount of super glue on the inside of the cap.
4. Evenly place the magnet directly in the center of the cap.
5. Press the cap and magnet together tightly for about 30 seconds and let dry overnight.
6. Use them as refrigerator magnets to liven up your kitchen or give them to friends to use on their white boards.
I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself
Call me a sap, but I have a true love for inspirational lyrics and quotes, and used to buy magnet quotes regularly at supermarkets and convenience stores for $5 each. Looking back at money poorly spent, I've realized how crazy those impulsive purchases were. You can make them on your own for way less than than five bucks, following these steps.
1. Design your favorite quotes and/or lyrics on the computer and create the document so that it prints as a business card label (it's best to use a thicker paper quality, like cardstock).
2. Get a pack of business card magnets (Staples sells them for about $15 for a 50 pack).
3. Peel off the paper strip from the magnet and evenly place your quote in the center.
4. If the sticker magnet is larger than your desired design, use a sharp paper cutter to correctly format the magnet.
The key is to have have fun and be creative wit cheap and easy gifts. Black, white and grey are not permitted!
***
If your creative minds have other suggestions for priceless DIY gifts, please send a letter to the editor at e-mail us or comment below to share with other DITZ readers.
My grandmother was a neat freak, which turned my mother into a compulsive cleaner, and god help with who I become when I own my own house.
When I finally landed a bedroom outside of my parent's home, I painted my accent wall bright pink and decorated with neon-framed pictures and knickknacks I'd collected and hid in boxes over the years. My mom actually spent the afternoon of my college graduation in our sorority cleaning my room with anticipation to re-simplify my life. I'd had my fun. It was time to grow up.
As a 'grown-up' I've come to appreciate the simplicity of decorating with limited clutter, but I'll always appreciate the unique element of a homemade gift. Why buy thoughtless presents that will be re-gifted next year when you can create something fun and meaningful that is uniquely inspired by you?
I don't claim to be the most creative person, nor do I follow in the footsteps of Martha Stewart; in fact, I hate arts and crafts. But when you can take something dull and cheap and turn it into something fun and priceless, I'm all about the DIY.
 Media Credit: Ashley Van Sipma Beauty In A Cap |
I first got the idea for this picture frame on a summer road trip stop at the Leinenkugel's Brewery Lodge in middle-of-nowhere Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin (good times). The frame retailed at $25+ tax but you can DIY for under $5 depending on where you find the cheapest frame-my steal was at Michael's.
1. Choose a wood picture frame with at least a 1 ½'' edge and at least 1'' thickness.
2. Use a 1 ¼'' spade drill bit to drill a hole just deep enough to countersink the bottle cap-a little bit raised above the wood is better than too deep. Be sure to go slow and check the depth often so that you don't set the bottle cap too low in the frame.
3. The fun part: pick your bottle caps. But be sure to do the drinking after handling a hot glue gun or drill.
4. Using a hot glue gun, apply glue in the inner circle of the drilled hole.
5. Carefully place the bottle caps in the drilled holes-you only have one chance to get them straight since the glue will dry extremely quickly.
6. Put your favorite picture in the frame and send it off to a friend!
 Media Credit: Ashley Van Sipma Beer Cap Potluck |
On the days that your paycheck allows you to switch from warm Natty Light cans to the bottled beer of your choice, don't be so quick to assume those hard-earned bottle caps are just trash. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and use some imagination with your accumulated fancy beer toppers.
1. Pick out your favorite bottle caps.
2. Super glue two magnets together-press together tightly for about 30 seconds to make sure they're secure.
3. Place a small amount of super glue on the inside of the cap.
4. Evenly place the magnet directly in the center of the cap.
5. Press the cap and magnet together tightly for about 30 seconds and let dry overnight.
6. Use them as refrigerator magnets to liven up your kitchen or give them to friends to use on their white boards.
 Media Credit: Google Images Sentimental Art |
Call me a sap, but I have a true love for inspirational lyrics and quotes, and used to buy magnet quotes regularly at supermarkets and convenience stores for $5 each. Looking back at money poorly spent, I've realized how crazy those impulsive purchases were. You can make them on your own for way less than than five bucks, following these steps.
1. Design your favorite quotes and/or lyrics on the computer and create the document so that it prints as a business card label (it's best to use a thicker paper quality, like cardstock).
2. Get a pack of business card magnets (Staples sells them for about $15 for a 50 pack).
3. Peel off the paper strip from the magnet and evenly place your quote in the center.
4. If the sticker magnet is larger than your desired design, use a sharp paper cutter to correctly format the magnet.
The key is to have have fun and be creative wit cheap and easy gifts. Black, white and grey are not permitted!
***
If your creative minds have other suggestions for priceless DIY gifts, please send a letter to the editor at e-mail us or comment below to share with other DITZ readers.
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