7 Days of Gifting

Day 3

"for him"

 

I don't know about you, but every year I really struggle with gifts for the men in my life...and when I say struggle, I mean wrack-my-brain-tear-my-hair-out struggle.  Every so often I'll come up with one fantastic idea, which only makes it harder the following year. My brother is the second hardest person to buy for (N is the first because anything that would really make him smile costs big bucks...we're talking cars, trucks, and large tools...).   Anyhow, I'm pretty excited about this project because it's for my brother and I'm kinda proud of the concept;) My brother lives in Manhattan, works for a really cool company and has a really cool bachelor pad. And he loves beer:)  So a few weeks ago when my dad gave me a bunch of flattened 6-pack cases and said "maybe you can use these for something..." it only took a couple hours for the light bulb to go off, and for the 6-pack cardboards to begin there extended lives as coasters! 

You Will Need:

4 plain ceramic tiles

1.5 Sheets of craft felt

4 beer cardboard 6-pack holders (what the official name for these are ..i do not know) 

ModPodge

X-acto knife (careful please these can cause serious damage..I've been to ER twice thanks) 

Scissors

Paintbrush

1. Cut squares (same size as your tiles) out of your beer cardboard.  I cut mine a teeny tiny bit smaller than the tile so that when I decoupaged them on, I could be sure the edges of the cardboard really stuck down and didn't hang over the edge of my tile. 2. Using ModPodge, decoupage the card board onto the tops of your tiles and repeat coats every 15-20mins (I did four coats to give them a thick, shiny protective coating). 3. Cut to size, four squares of felt and adhere them to the bottoms of your tiles (I used the ModPodge again here, between felt and tile, as it was the only thing I had that wouldn't soak through the felt). 4. Using a spray gloss, evenly spray a final protective layer onto the facades of your coasters ( I find that ModPodge always remains a tad bit tacky, this will eliminate drink bottoms sticking to the coasters).

 Your technically done! It's up to you on the packaging. I chose a plain wooden box from the craft store, decorated the lid with an extra sq. of cardboard (ModPodge again here), and rubbed the whole thing down with a bit of natural oil. I also put a ribbon loop on the inside of the box because the box was such a perfect fit, I wanted my brother to be able to lift the ribbon loop to easily remove the coasters for use!

So what do you think?? cool enough? I really hope my brother likes these, I'm so excited for him to see them, aaaand none of his buddies will have them, they'll be so jealous! (boys get jealous right? I don't know.."DUDE! Where'd you get these sweet coasters!?" ...hmm..perhaps!)

What else could we make with tiles!? I've got a whole box! ;)

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Autumn Vintage Brooches

Several Months ago, a family friend gave me a most lovely gift...A container full of vintage costume jewelry from her mother. To me, this was a tremendously exciting gift, the container held many beautiful and unique pieces.

I have used a few pieces, here and there, for projects, jewelry making etc. But there are three specific pieces, brooches in a gold finish and one in silver, that have proved to be my favorite. I thought it would be nice to offer them a little shelf time, and incorporate them into my mantle display of harvest gourds and mini pumpkins...This was a simple task, I just gently slid the open pin right into the skin of the gourds/pumpkins...

I really love the organic feel of the gourds paired with the rich and refined quality of the brooches...and the best part is... when I'm finished with this little display? I can just pull them out and save them for their next appearance;)

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