Artsy Fartsy Holiday GIft Guide 2012

Homemade gifts can be a really nice touch if done right and for the right person.  I will admit, not everyone does go for this, so definitely find out first if you think this is the right way to go.

Here are a few ideas this year...

• Candles! There are so many great candles you can buy in the store.  (i.e. Bath and Body Works, Yankee Candle) You can make your own... I have heard that the candle making process can be difficult at first but if you are up to the challenge... 
• Michaels Arts and Crafts has a list of everything to get started
• I usually find about[dotcom] pretty helpful with DIY tips. http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/votivesandcontainers/ss/basiccontainers.htm

• Etsy! Not everyone has the time to make something artsy for gifts; that's why I suggest searching through etsy[dotcom] for some ideas. ( i.e. paintings, jewelry, clothes, posters) Support the artists!

• A Jar of... Anything, really.  Last year I posted the Jar of Optimism where you get a jar and decorate it any way you'd like and fill the insides with small, folded up pieces of paper with positive quotes written/typed on it.  You can create this for the person who needs it the most.

• Photos! You can take it professionally or you can look through old photos and find a special one for the recipient.  Photos are great to look back on a great memory.  Either have it framed by its self or put together a scrap book page and have that framed! Depending of what you think the person would like best. I may have used this one last year but it's just a classic choice.

• A Mosaic! All you need to find is a frame, glue (i suggest mod podge) and some mosaic tiles.  You'll be gluing the mosaic tiles on the glass portion on the frame (the inside part, right when you open the back) and be sure you pay attention to the placement of laying down each tile, as when your design is hanging on the wall, it might be backwards. Draw it out first on tracing paper (or trace a photo!) and place that on the glass.  Always, always, always place the pieces down before gluing to make sure it's how you want it.  You can get mosaic tiles at most craft stores, including directions. 

I hope this gave you some ideas for artsy ways for gift ideas this year.  Be sure to check out last years post! :) 

Have fun and good luck!!

Cindy

Been awhile + Jar of Optimism

Well, hello there!  It's been awhile. 

I've wanted to post something in the past couple of weeks, but we've been short-handed at work and it's been crazy busy.  Also, the projects I've been working on has been Christmas gifts.  Of course, I forgot to take pictures of the snazzy 'Cindy-fied' knitted scarves before wrapping them.  I'll have to knit one quickly sometime and post it.  What I did with these scarves was knit the 'eyelash' yarn and regular yarn (is there a better name for it?) together I think it went together well.

For one gift that I do have a picture of, which is a Christmas present for a friend (she doesn't have it yet.. I am refraining from posting this on facebook until she opens it) is the Jar of Optimism.   "What is this 'Jar of Optimism'?" you may ask? Well, it's a jar that has a much of inspirational quotes inside that you can keep on your dresser/table/wherever and when you are feeling down, open the jar and read a quote. 

I got the inspiration from this jar from this video and just tweeked it a bit.  Added a bit of my own flair.

I'm thinking that I should have made the tag a little smaller, huh? Next time.

One last week of 2011 left!  Enjoy it and make it worth it. :) 
I, for one, am in full swing of 'Get That Full Time Job in My Field By the New Year'.  Positive thoughts, please!

Hope everyone has a great Christmas.

Cindy

Artsy Fartsy Gift Ideas for the Holidays 2011

Christmas is pretty much my favorite holiday.  Before you start saying 'But Thanksgiving is first!  Lets not forget about Thanksgiving! One Holiday at a time!" ...blah blah blah.  Well, each Holiday is different, yes, but they both go hand in hand in letting us remember to always be thankful and appreciate what we have.

If you're like me, you want to be able to give your family and friends nice gifts but sometime those 'nice' gifts are super expensive.  I already have a (temporary) job in retail so the less time to spend in the mall around this time the better. (Although, I make the most of it, humming along to the Christmas music. Yay, Christmas music!)

I've come up with a few Artsy Fartsy gift ideas for this year.  I hope you enjoy!

• Knitting/Crocheting varies items i.e. hats, arm and leg warmers etc., a blanket
• Be creative.  If you knit a hat, figure out a way to add a little something to it, like a (fake) flower, or sash.  I would recommend a real flower as it might be difficult to water it.  Add your own spin to it.  If you want to learn how to knit or crochet, youtube videos work very well.  I always forget how to cast off and I believe it is The Knit Witch who has simple instructions on how to knit.

• Photos of Family and/or Friends
• If you're good with a camera or have just been on a family vacation, photos are a very easy and affordable idea.  Print out a special picture, find a reasonable frame (or mat board) and viola! 

• Paintings
• If you are an artist, maybe you have thought of this before or have done it in the past, but this is a nice idea to use your talents and give a meaningful piece of work.  If there is a subject that the gift recipient enjoys, paint it!  No matter what media.

• A Collage
• I don't mean a messy collage on a paper just thrown together.  (Well, you could do that to get ideas on how to arrange photos, clippings, movie stubs, etc.)  I'm thinking of collecting varies items that mean something to the recipient and finding a way to bring them together.  The obvious way, I'm thinking is on a board of some type as a background.  Be creative.  Frame it and have some fun.

• Baked Goods
• Ok, so this one isn't your typical Artsy gift idea, but why not make some cookies (or other baked goods ..mmm I'm hungry..) and make the packaging all fancy.  If you have a tin, or can find a nice one at Target or WalMart, one idea you could do is wrap the tin in wrapping paper (the cover and bottom seperately) and line the inside with tissue paper or a fabric of some type. Many fabric/art stores sell small pieces of fabric that were tossed away.  Top with a bow and you are good to go!

Well, those are my Artsy Fartsy gift ideas!  In another week, if I get more ideas, I will post them up.    If you try any of these ideas, feel free to comment below, send me an email (contact in the side bar) or tweet me @cindydesigns on twitter!

Get Creative and be Thankful every day of the year! (:


-Cindy

Good Luck!

This post was edited to add the Illustration at the top of the page on November 30, 2011. (: