Archive for Gifts
Furoshiki Gift Wrapping
Posted by: | CommentsThis is pretty neat. Here is a way to wrap gifts using only the gift itself and beautiful scraps of fabric. The video even shows how to tie a makeshift purse using only a square of cloth. A must try! Click here: Furoshiki Gift Wrapping.
Reader Request: Find the Perfect Non-Scrapbook For a Special Present
Posted by: | CommentsA few weeks ago, YAY! DIY reader Kath reached out to us, asking us to help her with a very special project. Kath was looking for a special gift for her son’s high school graduation in June, who will be leaving for the Marines shortly after his birthday. Kath wanted to give her son a special gift to take with him that would remind him of home – something like a scrapbook, but not in the traditional sense. She wanted a format in which others could contribute messages and well wishes to her son as well. Kath asked us to help her brainstorm some creative ideas. Needless to say, we were excited to help Kath brainstorm ideas.
We learned a bit more about his son, and put our heads together. Heading to the Marines, we knew her son may not always have room for a ton of stuff, but would certainly want to have mementos of home and his loved ones with him. With that in mind, we sent the following three ideas to Kath:
Idea 1: A digital scrapbook:
- Have family and friends record short 1-2 minutes messages and well wishes to your son on their digital cameras or camcorders. Ask them to email you their short videos, and then save them all on a USB Flash drive, labeled by the person’s name so that they are clearly organized. (Purchase one here.) Read More→
Mother’s Day Gifts? Mod Podge Projects from the Heart
Posted by: | CommentsAs many of you know, I had a major slight obsession with Mod Podge in college. I mod podged (oh yes, it is a verb!) everything and anything. Binder covers, picture frames, coasters, and on and on and on. I’m not sure what it was about this glue-like substance that kept me so entertained, but there was certainly something.
Last week for University Chic, Lia and I blogged about Mother’s Day gifts. These gifts, obviously, revolved around Mod Podge. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a completely personal, customized gift that can contain messages straight from the heart. Want to learn more? Check out our post with ideas and instructions for making gifts here. Good luck! I hope it strikes a little inspiration. My mother was always a big fan of the picture frame I gave her. I think she still has it in her kitchen some 10+ years later.
For those of you who live in a bubble, here is what Mod Podge looks like: 
Happy Valentine’s Day
Posted by: | CommentsWhether your celebrating today with one special person, or a group of people, we hope that everyone takes a moment today to have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Brian's gift to his lucky girlfriend.
We wanted to share the twist that Yay! DIY reader and friend, Brian, put on the sweet Valentine’s Day gift, Queen of Hearts, Erin posted earlier this week.
Brian chose a different way to decorate the cards, using a combination of cut-out magazine letters (can you spot the clever use of a a logo?) and ribbon.
Inside, he posted the 52 reasons why he loves her – so very sweet! Just another reminder that there is no one way to say I love you, and no one way to make a perfect gift!
Cheap Valentine’s Day Gifts: Google Maps Envelopes
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Image courtesy of Craftzine.com
If you’re kinda freaking out (like me!) about what to get your significant other for Valentine’s Day, these Google Maps envelopes we saw on Craftzine are awfully cute.
In case you are wondering how these could possibly be romantic at all, consider printing out the map that corresponds to a favorite vacation destination or restaurant. Or the location of a place you have dreamed about visiting. To up the sap factor, you could even put a love letter inside.
In today’s digital world, a good old-fashioned letter in a personalized envelope is a vintage way to show you care. That will always be romantic!
Queen of Hearts is always your best bet…
Posted by: | CommentsLooking for the perfect gift for your significant other on a budget? We found this amazingly cheap, yet perfectly sentimental gift over at Trans-Craft-Inental’s blog. 
The book is made using a deck of cards and is held together with binder rings. Using masking tape, you can write a special message to your significant other about why you love him/her. 
Adorable, right? You can also laminate the front cover, to make it a little more durable. I mean, seriously. This present is like, the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.
You can check out the full instructions and more picks at Trans-craft-inental’s blog here.
Brooklyn Flea…
Posted by: | CommentsI have a confession to make: I’ve never been to the B rooklyn Flea. It’s not something I’m proud to admit. But I’ve heard its amazing if you’re looking for anything vintage or crafty. I’m hoping to their in the next few weeks, and will have a full report of everything I find then, but in the meantime, since it’s not, oh, 10 degrees here today, I thought some of you may like to spend your Saturday or Sunday there.
Starting last weekend, they have a new location near the Atlantic Avenue subway. You can look up directions and a vendor list here: http://www.brooklynflea.com
If you go, share some pics of what you find! For those of you outside NYC, are there any cool vintage/crafty shopping spots in your hood? Tell us about them and we’ll post them next week! Happy Shopping.
Drink More Wine, Make More Trivets
Posted by: | CommentsLast year, my friend Grace (a girl after my own DIY-minded heart) gave me this fabulous present: a DIY wine cork trivet kit from Wine Enthusiast. (You can still purchase them from the Web site!) Grace happily enables my wine cork collecting hobby, saving her corks for me. 
My finished Trivet!
The kit is a super-easy and foolproof way to create a handy trivet at home, that takes minimal effort and time.
While I will definitely purchase another kit, I did learn a few things, which I’ll share in my directions. If you’re looking for something creative to do with your saved corks or to make a homemade gift (Valentine’s Day present for the man who collects corks? Or for the one who cooks? Birthday present for the best friend who helps you finish off enjoy each bottle until the end?) this is for you. Here’s what I did:
