creative gift giving...

08 October 2008

First of all, the giveaway below continues until Sunday~thanks for all of your kind words and links on your blogs.
I was going to say cheap gift giving, but creative sounds much better, don't you think? And no, it's not re-gifting, I promise.
I'm always on the lookout for nice, thick frames at yard sales. This is from my treasure hunt last weekend...It's a gold frame with a scripture in it that I got for 50 cents.



My sister is spiritual and all, but I think I found something better to put in the frame. This is her and her husband (aren't they adorable??) I just went to her blog and copied this picture right off of it:

Out comes the trusty cream .97 spray paint from Wal-mart (remember from the rooster makeover?? It's just a great color to have on hand)
a quick sepia job on the picture, a ribbon from my ribbon stash, a staple gun to the back, a little sandpaper here and there to let a little of that gold shine through, and ta-da!:
a gift for under a dollar for my sweet sister. She already got it in the mail so I can post this, and yes, she'll see how much I spent on her, but it's okay. She knows I'm cheap, er, I mean creative. They are in medical school right now, so she understands it all. Love you, Kels!
P.S. a little trick on the ribbon~you don't actually hang the picture from the ribbon. Hang the picture on the wall like you normally would, then lift the bow up, put a tad of hot glue (it peels right off without damaging the wall) behind it, and it looks like it's hanging from the bow, but it's not. Then you can keep your picture straight and your bow from ripping, stretching, and being all off balance.

23 comments

  1. what a super cute frame idea! i never knew about the hot glue on the wall!! great new trick to know!! i love your blog and i am sure i will be back for more!! :)

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  2. Love this idea - you are quickly becomeing one of my favorite blogs.

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  3. What a cute idea!! Your frame turned out great! And my family knows I'm creative (a.k.a. cheap) too. But nothing beats a homemade gift from the heart!! Thanks for sharing your creativity :)

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  4. Super cute an it actually looks like something I could accomplish on my own. Thanks for the tip Melissa!

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  5. look at miss crafty over here. I had no idea you were so creative. I mean I see your pictures of your cute house all the time but wow you are good. Thanks for sharing your fun ideas.

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  6. That is a great tip on the ribbon hanging. Cute gift. I am trying to get "creative" and thrifty with gifts this year for the holiday.

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  7. Love the picture! Thanks for the tip on ribbon hanging. I never would have thought of that. ;)

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  8. Not cheap looking at all...Love the outcome and what a great gift for anyone you love...friends included!

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  9. Oh yeah I found me some roosters today and going to pull out the ole cream this weekend so gotta give credit where credit is due...Mine are yellow and green.

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  10. I love it. You are so creative and I enjoy seeing all of the new ideas. I love yard sale steals.

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  11. I love your new blog. I clicked over and thought I had landed on someone else's. I love, love your header and the title. Too cute, but I wouldn't expect anything less.
    ~Connie

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  12. Well, I know you don't know me but I am Meghan Stower's sister. Awhile back she told me I should check out your blog to see all your cute house decorating tips. Every so often I stop in and blog stalk. You are so talented and I love all your ideas. I went to the Dollar Store today and bought myself the 3 opening frame so I can attempt to make something crafty. I hope it works! I actually have a link to this blog on my blog but you wouldn't be able to check because my blog is private. Sorry!
    And as for Sonic.....if I drive by Sonic during happy hour you can bet I'm stoppin'! I'm a diet coke lover so I can't say I mix it up very much!

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  13. It looks absolutely wonderful! I'm sure your sister loves it.

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  14. i seriously love your blog and am so glad you had a giveaway because that is how I found you, but even if I don't win, I will still be a follower!!!

    but..............


    Isn't that enough to be announced the winner??

    I'm just sayin......

    LOL

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  15. not to mention I only put up with word verifrickation on those blogs I really LOVE!

    ... I mean.. I'm just sayin' .....

    LOL

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  16. Looks fantastic! Great idea for Grandma and Grandpa Christmas gifts. Thanks Melissa
    Love Ya oh and I MISS YOU TONS!!!!!

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  17. I am so glad to have a spot on your blog! And I love that you only spent a dollar on my gift! But you should have added that you did also buy me a sweet cookbook! Thanks Melissa! love ya.

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  18. Melissa, You have absolutely made my day. I loved the idea of the frame but it was the pic in the frame...David Barber and Kelsey, your sister. I live in Bogotá, Colombia where my husband is the MTC Pres. David was his Assistant in Quito, Ecuador and we absolutely love him dearly. Thank you for bringing a warm, huge smile to our faces with your post. Please Tell David to write to us on email and tell Kelsey she got the prize when she married him.

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  19. Seriously, You are Brilliant!! I am newly addicted to your blog. You are absolutely fabulous!! You have truly inspired me. Thank You!

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  20. I just came over to your blog from Carrie (queenbee) and love it. Loved your iron on tshirts, too. :)

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  21. I am just browsing your blog and came across this post. You did an awesome job on that picture frame, I have seen some like that in stores around here selling for like $20. I am so going to have to try this for my office.

    Also thank you for the tip on the hot glue on the wall trick for the bow. I haven't heard that before and always wondered what kept the ribbon from stretching.

    Have a wonderful day and thank you for sharing all of your ideas.

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