Crafty gift giving...

We had an early Christmas (my side of the family) this past weekend allowing more time to enjoy our family, and not rush through sharing gifts.  So I can start to share something we created for gifts!

For-going the “gift card” option for Christmas?… yes please.  I am not saying they are unwanted gifts.  In fact I like to get them.  But I just can’t wrap myself around giving them.  I do like to give a restaurant gift card for special occasions, like anniversaries and such (thank yous!!), but I love to be much more personable than what they can offer me for Christmas. 

I guess you could call me the “crafty” type.  But, you … yes YOU could do any of the small projects I made for Christmas gifts this year.  (My kids helped with some that I will share later on… so I know you can do it too!)  Especially helpful -- just for brain storming if not anything else -- is that lovely pinterest website.   It is where I found and adapted my scrabble art ideas.

I was looking for a used scrabble set…miss matched/unused items... whatever was available, but I was unable to locate one.  People had a hard time giving up their old games… they were more than willing to borrow it to me, but I don’t think they would have appreciated what little I had to give back! I don’t play scrabble, so it wouldn’t have bothered me. – I only play games I can win!  Ha.. well it is true I guess!  (I didn’t look too hard, but was able to find a new one for under $10!!)  I made all three of these with one set! And not too many extra pieces.  (I did “make” a few of my own letters – can you tell?  I just reversed the tile and drew on the back with a fine tip sharpie – there are only 2 “M”s in the whole set… did you know that?)  Remember, I don’t play!

The best advice I would give for this project is to find the “frames” first!!... Then you can mess around with the layout of the letters.  I was very lucky to find the “cherry” frames!  They worked perfectly with the double mat spacing to allow for space of the tile.  You can use a shadow box of any kind too.. which is what the other frame is.  It allowed a fun space for the “tile holder” to slip in and add more of the game feel to it!... I put a piece of scrapbook paper on the back of the “together” one and for mine.. obviously.. I used the game board…The shadow box allowed for a nice background already, which is a plus.  So much fun to make and give.  (Isaac helped me find letters… for most of it -- until he got bored!)  I think they enjoyed them too!...

Placed my new art above the
chaotic entry way/drop zone in our house!

When my sister (with a 4 year old daughter) opened hers she stated, “Hmmmm? Quiet?”.. ha.. I told her maybe she was looking for quiet around the house!... and I had to use a “Q” it is worth more points… lol!

So, I urge you to be creative – one of the biggest challenges for gift giving... I understand! (and then make one for yourself too -- you are going to wish you did!)