Sarah Hearts

This week I will be sharing simple gifts you came make for all your fooide friends. Like some of the gift ideas from last week, these will be easy to make and be very affordable.

Today’s gift was inspired by a recipe I discovered in the current issue of Everyday Food. This citrus-herb seasoning salt uses pantry spices to make a very versatile seasoning that can be used as a meat rub, a bread dipping sauce, popcorn or nut flavoring, salad dressing mix, and even a veggie dip.

After making this simple seasoning, you can print out the gift tags I made (shown above and below). They include serving suggestions and a place for you to write the expiration date.

Since the seasoning contains fresh lemon zest, it will last 3 months when stored in an air-tight container. Glass jars with a rubber seal work perfectly for gifting this.

Ingredients:
• 3/4 cup coarse salt
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest
• 4 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 3 teaspoons dried thyme
• 3 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Supplies:
• Glass jar with an air-tight rubber seal (I got the one above at Home Goods for only $1.99)
• One sheet of card stock
• Home printer
• Ribbon or string (I used baker’s twine I had on hand)
• This Citrus Seasoning Salt Gift Tag Template

Combine all ingredients in a bowl then place in a clean jar. Wrap jar with string or ribbon and add gift tags. Be sure to write in the expiration date, which is three months from that date you made it. Happy gifting!

Cost: $1.99 per gift

Here’s a gift that is cheap to make and fun to give! I made this chalkboard frame in a couple of minutes by simply painting a ready made frame. This would be a thoughtful way to present you holiday card with a portrait of your family. It’s also a great gift for newly weds (like my gorgeous friends Haley and Kevin) so they can frame a wedding photo.

This would also be a fun gift for kids (or kids at heart) because the chalk drawings can be erased and re-drawn each time you change the photo.

Supplies:
• Chalkboard paint (I used some that I purchased for making chalkboard wine glasses, it’s $9.99 for 30 oz., you can probably make 20+ frames with one can)
• Ready-made wooden frame, unfinished ones work best. (I got the one above for only $1 at Michaels)
• Foam paint brush
• Chalk for gifting

Directions:
Apply a thin coat of paint . Allow to dry and repeat with a second coat. Once dry, insert a photo and you’re done! If you would like to the chalk drawing to be permanent, I recommend drawing with a china marker (I used one for the chalkboard garden markers). It’s an oil-based pencil that won’t rub off.

Cost: $1.50 per frame

Here’s another practical gift that is perfect for newly wed friends and foodies alike. Stenciled monogram tea towels (also know as kitchen or hand towels) are very cheap to make and look lovely in the kitchen. I used the freezer paper stencil method (explained below) with acrylic paint mixed with a fabric medium. The fabric medium allows the paint to set and be washable. You can also use fabric paint, and save some money.

These would also be a perfect hostess gift you give to your friend or family member who is hosting the holiday dinner. The would be an adorable wrapping “paper” for a small loaf cake. Don’t be overwhelmed with the length of supplies or directions. This is a supper simple craft!

Supplies:
• Tea towels (I purchased these towels at Ikea for $.79 each!)
• Fabric paint
OR
• Acrylic paint and fabric medium (like this one, I had both)
• Foam brush or medium size paint brush
• Freezer paper (can purchase this at any grocery store)
• Printer
• X-Acto Knife
• Iron

Directions:
1. Print out the letters or initials using a word processing program. I recommend using a font that is pretty thick and not a script, as a script font will be harder to cut out. I used this font (I’m obsessed with it right now!)
2. Place the paper with the printer letter under a piece of freezer paper that is about 2″ larger than the letter. Make sure the shinny side of the freezer paper is facing down.
3. Using a pencil or sharpie marker, trace the letter (you will be  writing on the matte side of the freezer paper).
4. Remove the print out then using your x-acto knife, carefully cut along the outline of the letter. If using a letter such as A, B, D, you will also need to cut out the “inside” of the letter. Keep the “inside” of the letter. you will need this for the stencil.
5. Iron your tea towel to smooth out any wrinkles. Then place the freezer paper stencil with the shinny side down on top of the tea towel wherever you would like the monogram to be. Iron the stencil onto the towel. Make sure you not use any steam or spray while ironing the stencil onto the towel.
6. Paint inside of the stencil then allow to dry. After it is dry, add a second coat if necessary. Then remove the stencil once it is completely dry.
7. Using a dry iron, iron over the monogram to heat set the image. Then you’re ready for gifting!

Cost: $.79 per towel

{Photos by me)

This past weekend I had several friends over for an evening of holiday crafting and cocktail making. One of the crafts was making these adorable chalkboard wine glasses. We also made chalkboard painted drinking glasses. This is a perfect holiday hostess gift, or for friends that are wine or beer lovers. The would also be great to make and give as a wedding gift! I found Ikea to be a great source for the glasses.

You can dip the glasses in chalkboard paint, however, we found it easiest to use a small foam brush and paint the stem of the glass.

Supplies:
• Glasses (I purchased wine and beer glasses at Ikea)
• Chalkboard paint (I got mine here for $9.99 for 30 oz., you can paint about 50 glasses with one can)
• Small foam brush
• Painter tape or masking tape (optional)
• Chalk

Directions:
Use the tape to create a straight line towards to top of the stem. If painting a highball or beer glass, you can freehand (not use tape) the bottom portion of the glass. This creates a lovely organic look. You can also use the tape to create a rectangle shape to paint in on the side of the glass. Use the foam brush to apply the paint. Apply the paint in one thin layer, allow to dry (about 30 minutes), then apply a second coat. And that’s it! Super simple and looks so cute! I would recommend waiting at least a week for the paint to cure before hand washing the glasses.

Cost: $1.00-$2.20 per glass

{photos by me}

Here’s a simple gift that you can make in a couple of minutes and your friends will appreciate how practical it is! This handmade felt tissue case fits the travel tissue packs perfectly, however, you can just fill it with individual folded tissues.

There’s no wrapping necessary with this gift. Simply attach a gift tag (I made the one above it scrap card stock, glue and glitter) with a safer pin.

Supplies:
• Piece of felt cut 7″ x 6″
• Sewing machine with coordinating thread
• Any additional trimmings, such as ribbon, felt shapes, etc.
• (Optional) Pinking shears to trim the sewn sides

Directions:
Bring the shorter (6″) side together so the seams align, like in the second photo. Sew the sides perpendicular to the middle seam. If you are adding ribbon, like I did, you will want to sew this onto the felt before you sew up the sides. If you like, trim the sewn edges with pinking shears.

Cost: $0.00 (I used all things I had on hand)

{Photos by me}

Here’s my second gift idea: washi tape decorated candles. This gift only takes a couple of minutes to make and is so cute and festive. I used only metallic silver and gold tape, however, you could use any color or pattern.

You can give one candle or a few. One candle would look lovely on a small, circular glass candle dish.

Supplies:
• Candles (I purchased large unscented candles from Old Time Pottery for $2.99 each)
• Washi tape (I have over 30 rolls now! You can purchase it here or here)
• Optional tray ($4.99 from Ikea)
Cost: $19.94

{Photos by me}

The holiday season is upon us (already!) and I already feel a bit behind on decorating and gift shopping. If you’re like me, I love giving handmade things to friends and family for Christmas. If you are looking to be thrifty, give a unique gift, and let someone know you care, I encourage you to give handmade this season.

I am very excited to announce a little series I will be doing. I will feature a simple DIY handmade project you can make and give. It’s starting today and will continue daily until Christmas day.

Here’s the first gift!

About a month ago Kevin and I built a raised, box garden in our backyard. We are lucky to be able to still have such warm temperatures that we can start a garden in November! I was looking for a unique way to identify my plants and here’s what I came up with.

This is the perfect gift for your friend with a green thumb… or someone who would love to start a garden.

Supplies:
• Large popsicle sticks, tounge drepessors, or fan handles (I used I had on hand from making  programs for clients)
• Chalkboard paint or black acrylic paint (chalkboard paint can be pricey, I just used some black acrylic paint I had on hand)
• White china marker (a cheap, oil-based pencil you can purchase at an art supply store)
Cost: $1.00

{all photos by me}

It’s a new month and that means it’s time to change your wallpaper! Here’s a holiday inspired wallpaper I made. You can download it for your phone, iPad, or with or without the calendar for your computer.

2560 x 1440
2560 x 1440 with calendar
1920 x 1280
1920 x 1280 with calendar
1280 x 800
1280 x 800 with calendar
iPhone
iPad