Picture Perfect

When we were married, my husband's aunt made us a really nice wedding present. It was our wedding invitation preserved inside a beautiful wooden picture frame. It's still beautiful! I later made one for a friend of mine who was getting married.--Gwen

Materials needed:

• 8" x 10" wooden picture frame, at least 2" in depth (must have enough room for items to be placed inside; may be purchased at a frame shop.)
• Colored ribbon (with lace if desired) to match invitation color. Wedding ornaments such as small hearts, bells, etc. (purchase at hobby or craft stores)
• Copy of invitation (obviously!)
• Glue or hot glue gun
• Felt material to lay as background (Our colors were silver and blue-my husband's aunt used dark blue felt with silver and white wedding ornaments and light blue ribbon)
• Piece of Styrofoam (large enough to place behind invitation to hold into place)

Instructions:

Fold the invitation in half gently, so as not to crease it. Cut shape around it as desired (i.e., zig-zag). Cut the Styrofoam to fit just behind it, with no Styrofoam showing. Cut felt to fit the frame's back and glue into place. Add ribbon around the edge of the frame, 1/2" to 1" from the edge. When you lay it out, "buckle it" so it does not lay flat. Glue at points you buckle. Leave the top part flat. (You may want to lay it out first and place the frame over it to see how it fits. Once that is glued into place you can add your ornaments around the ribbon, with the bells or bows at the top in the corners. Glue into place on flat areas. Center two hearts at the top. Now you're ready to add the invitation. Line up the Styrofoam on the piece of felt. Once it is centered, glue into place. Glue the invitation to the top of the Styrofoam carefully. Let all this dry several hours before you place it into the frame. Place it into the frame very gently. The person who receives this gift will treasure it and have a very nice keepsake of their wedding!

Gift Baskets

This is just an idea of how to get started making your own homemade gift baskets. The possibilities are only limited to your imagination! They are fun to make and most people really enjoy them. You can find wicker baskets or other types of baskets in hobby shops, discount stores, etc.--Gwen

Materials needed:

• Wicker basket (or other basket), any size
• Packing peanuts or newspaper (to lift up products)
• Shred, any color (should fit theme of basket) (can also use colored tissue paper)
• Products for basket (i.e. items for baby basket, wedding basket)
• Shrink wrap (check package for proper size for your basket) OR cellophane, found in party supply shops or hobby shops
• Bows to match the package. Can be wrap around, or stick on.
• Gift tag to match the theme of basket.

Instructions:

Suggested items for themed baskets:

1. Baby Basket--wash cloth, baby lotion, baby bath, baby shampoo, diapers (two or three), wipes, rattle, baby bottle, plush toy, pacifier, nail clippers (all the little things needed for baby), small photo album or picture frame; possibly a gift certificate for a baby item at a specialty shop.
2. Wedding Basket--champagne goblets, sparkling cider, bride/groom bears, large wedding photo album or picture frame; wedding favors.
3. Pampered Basket (lady)--shower gel, lotion, body spray all same brand, loofah sponge or body puff, small pkg. potpourri or aromatherapy candle, specialty coffee or tea, candies such as Werther's; small teddy bear, or other stuffed animal.

Once you have the items you need, start by placing packing peanuts or crumbled up newspaper into the bottom of your basket. Make sure the "filler" takes up about 1/4 to 1/2 of the basket. Layer shred across the top (and down sides if needed). Lay items around the basket on top of shred. Try to place a larger item in the middle for eye appeal. Once you have everything laid out the way you want it, if you have trouble with some items standing up, or laying a certain way, you can use tape to hold them into place. Some hobby or craft stores also have small sticks you can insert into the basket to hold things in place. Simply add a piece of tape to the item and to the stick and insert the stick into the basket. Next apply the bag or shrink wrap according package directions. (Shrink wrap requires being heated with a hair dryer to shrink it, but it travels well, and looks professional. It is a little more expensive.) If your basket has a handle, you may want to wrap the whole thing, or just the main part of the basket and apply the bow to the handle. (If you want to be really creative, hobby stores have tools you can use to make your own bows.) Tape the bow on if needed. You can then add a gift tag you've made on your computer or one that you've bought to match the theme. Enjoy your gift giving!

Cloth Wreaths

I enjoy making these wreaths, because they are fun and easy to do. --Shirley

Materials needed:

• A Styrofoam wreath, any shape, any size.
• Material, such as polyester, colored or patterned preferred.
• Hot glue gun, glue sticks
• Small Phillip's screw driver.

Instructions:

Depending upon the size of your wreath, you will need enough material to cover the wreath, using 2" by 2" squares. Using a patterned material will produce great results! Cut the material into as many 2" by 2" squares as you can. Make the wreath, by adding just a drop of hot glue to the wreath; lay one piece of the cut material on top. Gently push the material into the wreath with the screw driver. You don't need to push it in far. The hot glue is simply to hold the material in. Continue adding pieces of material, by placing another drop of hot glue on the wreath, next to the previous piece of material. Add another piece of material, and push through with screw driver. Continue until wreath is done. Important: Leave the back of the wreath undone (no material on it). Gently push a hole into the top of the wreath in the back, with the screw driver, for hanging. An optional idea: Once the wreath is done, glue a printout of a poem or other inspirational saying, or someone's wedding announcement across the back of the wreath. The poem will show through the front and the material will gently frame it. Makes a lovely gift and it's fun to make!