Handmade Christmas Gifts

My niece, Lauren, has become a thrifter like her Auntie, I think and found her namesake on wood at a local thriftstore, so of course it came home with her. Oh, and I should have taken the Before pic, as it was extremely cutesy in turquoise and yellow, just right for a little Lauren. But, not so good for 26 year old Lawyer Lauren. So, she handed it over to me when I was home last and said….fix this. She knows I’m good for a makeover and had no idea what I’d do with it, so leopard print tissue paper to the rescue. That and black spray paint did wonders.

So, for Christmas this year, I decided to do handmade for my sister and niece. Hobby Lobby had their unfinished wood pieces on sale and that prompted me to grab up the necessary things to make one of these plaques that I’ve seen around blogland in the last few months, starting here at Joy’s (she has some great ideas & projects). I think many more bloggers have made them too, so I certainly cannot take credit for this, but I’m so not above stealing copying great ideas! And this is one of them! Simple wood plaque and letter spray painted black. Decoupage scrapbook paper to the front, glue on the letter, and you’re done! I added the polkadots with my leftover laundry room paint. Used the end of a large magic marker cap. Lauren loves pink and green, so this paper was perfect. Do you recognize it from my Christmas tin?

The “S” is for my sister, her last name with a little more elegant look to it. So I hope they will enjoy them, a sweet and simple handmade gift, perfect for any time of the year.

Don't forget Wednesday, January 7th will be our Top Before and After Projects of 2008 party! Come back on Tuesday for all the details.