DIY Advent Calendars

Well it's getting close to Christmas so time to start thinking about making some Christmas craft.   I have come across some great Advent calendars which look so much better than store bought ones and you can put your own little surpise in each day.

Some easy ideas from bunting, pegs, boxes and a shoe organiser.   

Advent Bunting via Mousehouse

Shoe Organiser Advent Calendar via eighteen25

Peg Advent via Home Ideas Mag

Hanging Advent Calendar via Small fry & Co

Box Advent Calendar via Ideas Mag

Mason Jars

I recently came across some mason jars in my local supermarket so set about finding what could be done with them, here's a few ideas.

Soap dispenser, vase and adding a door knob on the jar for decoration all make for some easy DIY.

Soap Dispenser via A Pretty Life

Mason Jar Vase via Cupcakes & Couture

Decorative Jars via That's What We Said

Washi Tape Ideas No. 2

Here are some more clever things to do with washi tape.   Cute bird house key hooks, easy gift wrap, tags, bows and some easy no sew bunting to make.

Bird house key hooks via Torie Jayne

Washi tape wrapping paper & gift tag via Poppytalk

Washi tape bows via I am Doe

Washi tape and Fabric Bunting via Tatertots & Jello

Printables

A few lovely printables I came across.    Gorgeous gift tags and gift wrap, print on paper bags and put some yummy sweet things in and some cute Monogram labels.

French Inspired Gift Tags and Gift Wrap via Lia Griffith

Bags for Sweets via The Pretty Blog

Monogram Labels via Martha Stewart Weddings

Gift Packaging Ideas No. 5

A few more cute wrapping ideas using brown kraft paper, including a tutorial for making the pennant stamp and then you can write your own message on it. There is also a quick and easy idea using confetti and a bow made out of washi tape.

Brown paper has never looked so good, so pull out your roll and start decorating and wrapping!

Confetti wrapping via 3@12

Pennant Rubber Stamp wrapping via Just Something I Made

Washi Tape Bow via Easy Living

Bakers Twine

Bakers Twine is a great replacement for ribbon when it comes to decorating gifts, packages and other craft.   It's soft and comes in the most wonderful colours so you can easily match your packaging and gifts with it.

We sell 5 colours in our store at present:   blue, yellow, orange, green and red. There is approximately 100 metres per spool so you will get plenty of gifts wrapped with one spool.

The Gift Package

Here are some other ideas using Bakers Twine:

Bakers Twine Tassel by Mumtastic

Bakers Twine Cupcakes by Oh Craft!

Twine wrapped bags by The Paper Art Studio

Twine Votive by Mod Podge Rocks

DIY Gift Bags

Instead of buying a gift bag, why not make one.   Here are a couple of ideas for creating your own gift bag.   With supplies you would already have at home:   paper, tape, ribbon and any other embellishments you want to personalise your bag, you will be soon making gift bags for every occasion.

Paper Gift Bag Tutorial by Hello Sandwich

DIY Gift Bag Tutorial by The elli Blog

Washi Tape Stamps

The discovery of Washi Tape Stamps has led me to search for some fun ideas for using them.   The stamps come in a 2 pack with various designs available or if you are clever enough, you may be able to make them yourself.

Stamps can be used to decorate gift bags, cards, envelopes, decorate scrapbooks and many other items. Take a look below at ideas for using the stamps and also a link to a tutorial for making your own.

Washi Fabric Bag Project by Stampington & Company/Vanessa Spencer

Washi Tape Bag by Ishtar Olivera/Rike

Washi Tape Envelope by Ishtar Olivera/Rike

Handmade Washi Tape Stamps by Memi The Rainbow

DIY Washi Tape Stamp by Girl Town

Vision Boards

Last year I decided to make a Vision Board by buying a cheap cork noticeboard and attaching some nice fabric with tacks in each corner as a background, then I began the fun part of cutting out pictures in magazines, typing up words and phrases that I hoped to manifest into my life.

Vision Boards have become popular since appearing in The Secret and also on Oprah.  By having these pictures and words where you can see them everyday, it will keep you focused on your goals and the direction you want your life to take.

I have listed some great books below which go through making vision boards.  I only have one vision board at the moment with everything on it but some people choose to make a separate board for each area they wish to focus on.

Here are also a couple of cool ideas if you want to be a bit more creative with making your vision board.

The first tutorial is for a pin board but I think it could be turned into a fantastic vision board also.

Pin Board by Fabric Paper Glue

Inspiration Boards by Creature Comforts/Papier Valise

The Complete Vision Board Kit

Vision Board

Creative Books for Gifts and Home

A couple of lovely books I have with some great ideas for making gifts and papercraft.

Homemade Gifts Vintage Style will inspire you to make gifts using items like old jumpers, blankets, buttons, wallpaper, cups and give them a new lease in life by turning them into gifts like stuffed toys, teacup candles, cards and much more.

Papercrafting in No Time shows you how to make 50 projects making use of letters, labels and more.  Mobiles, gift boxes, notebooks, wreath, paper bowls, cards, tags, cupcake toppers and decoupage eggs to name but a few are featured in this book.   Clear step-by-step instructions and templates are provided.

To find out more about these books click on the links below.

Homemade Gifts Vintage Style

Papercrafting In No Time: 50 Inspirational Projects Crafted from Paper

Gift Packaging Ideas No. 3

Some more cute gift packaging ideas using brown paper, paint marker, doilies, vintage ribbons and a photocopier!

Polka Dot Gift Wrap by For Chic Sake

Doily stencil paper by Pink Hammers & Sippy Cups

Personalised decorative paper by My Poppet

Gifts to Make

There is something special about giving a gift that you have made yourself.   Not only do you get the satisfaction of creating something special but also the recipient can see that you put time & effort into their gift.

Here are a couple of quick & easy ideas:

Stamped Coasters

Coasters from Somewhere in the Middle

Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Scrub

Sugar Scrub from The Idea Room

Easter Gift Ideas

Searching for DIY Easter gifts, I have come across some easy & cute ideas to make for Easter, some without calories.

Cute Decoupage Bunny from Little Birdie Secrets

Easter Bunny Gift Jars from The Idea Room

Bakers Twine Easter Eggs from Landee see, Landee do

Gift Packaging Ideas No. 2

More gift packaging ideas showing how creative some people can be.  Often using items we might discard, now it's time to get inventive & reuse what we have at home.   There are so many ways to jazz up plain paper, so time to get out the white & brown paper & start decorating.

A cute idea that was used for Christmas but could be used for any occasion:

White paper, twine & vintage stamps by The Grower's Daughter

A clever use of duct tape to make a bow:

Tutorial for Duct Tape Bow at The Sweetest Occasion

Simple idea used for a Birthday Tea Party:

Brown Bag & Doily at The Sweetest Occasion

Gift Packaging Ideas

I love the idea of making your own gift packaging, not only fun to make but the recipient also gets to appreciate something different & personal.  It's amazing how plain brown & white paper can look once decorated with items you probably have at home, a good way to use up those bits & pieces you don't know what to do with.

Take a look at these fantastic ideas:

Cute Gift Packaging from Daisys & dots

Pretty Recycled Gift Wrap from Shop Girl

DIY Mini Envelopes by The Creative Place