Sarah Hearts

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)

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}

This summer my brother’s good friend’s Jeff and Laura got married in Orlando. Both the ceremony and reception took place at Leu Gardens, a beautiful garden in Orlando. Laura was kinda enough to send over some photos of her gorgeous purple, jewel-toned wedding. Their simple wedding was filled with galerous, handmade touches like her unqiue bouquet, that Laura said, “was made by my mom out of vintage brooches and the bridesmaid’s were made with ribbon and reclaimed fabric/buttons by a Tallahassee “eco” artisan.” Such a unique idea! I love how these fabric and button bouquets will last forever.

The flower girl held a floral and ribbon wand rather than a basket of rose petals. This really creates such a whimsical look and matches the bridesmaids bouquets so well. They also added another handmade touch by creating a beautiful collage of photos in memory of loved ones and displayed it in the reception area.

Laura, thanks for sharing your gorgeous wedding!

Photos by Terri Smith Photography, Pantone color board by me.

Remember my friend’s Kristine and Calen? They tied the knot in a super intimate and beautiful ceremony in the mountains of Colorado this November. The very talented Paperback Weddings shot their ceremony. You will swoon over these images. What a gorgeous couple! Kristine made her gown, veil hairpiece, and fun feather broach bouquet. Doesn’t this make you want to runaway and get married in a snowy forrest?

Tomorrow Kevin and I are going to Asheville, North Carolina for our “honeymoon-a-versary.” So white I have Carolina on my mind today, I wanted to share a gorgeous North Carolina Wedding. It was shot by the Schultzes at the Point Club in Mooresville. The photos are stunning and the details are perfect. I especially love the cute details on the cake, don’t you?

It’s not too late to pick up some awesome Halloween inspired art for your home! Or if you’re heading to a Halloween party, one of these prints would make a great host/hostess gift!

{My favorites clockwise from the top right: Halloween Party, Old Man Winter Was Here, Pumpkins, Mr. Poe Your Friend is Here}

This week I’m loving embroidery hoop art. Who knew a sewing tool could become such great wall art?  I’m thinking this might be exactly what my living room needs… how cool would it be to have 5 or so hoops of various size clustered together. If you are feeling crafty, this would be a great weekend project. If you’re feeling a little less inspired, above are my favorites that are for sale.

{Clockwise from the top right: Personalized Anniversary Hoop, Sophia Clock, Vintage Fabric Patriotic Hoops, Wall Flower and Turquoise Wood Grain}

Welcome the new on-line store front for all things handmade for your special day. I love the vendors are from all the globe! They also a few goodies that would make great gifts. Above are a few of my favorite items on Wedzu.

{Top to bottom from left to right: paper hydrangea bouquet, custom cake banner, floral necktie, zipper rosette hairpins, custom clutch purses}