So here's a super simple DIY handmade gift! And the best part is, depending on what diecut you use, it could be perfect for any holiday or occasion! Customize the shape for the holiday, season, or maybe what your giftee enjoys- use their favorite colors, if they like dogs you could find a cute doggie cut out, if they like sewing you could use great buttons instead, use umbrellas for a baby shower or wedding shower decor, the sky's the limit!
.: materials :.
- frame
- background paper
- die cut (or other items to frame)
- 3-D pop dots
.: instructions :.{1} remove glass from frame
{2} cut background paper to the size of your frame
{3} measure your die cut, and approximate how many will comfortably fit in your frame
{4} cut out die cuts, if needed
{5} attach die cuts to background paper using 3-D pop dots **
{6} assemble frame and gift away!
** a few things I found useful during this step...
- I assembled this with the frame around the background paper, not attached in the frame yet, but just resting on the table around the paper. It helped visually space the die cuts.
- I also assembled this with my Olfa sewing cutting mat under my project. I aligned the frame/background paper with the measurements on the mat so I knew I was roughly spacing the die cuts evenly. You could also simply put a ruler along either side to help with spacing too!
linking up here...
So I'm not one for skipping holidays- Thanksgiving is actually one of my favorite holidays because both sides of our family always get together each year for big turkey dinners :) Love that it's a holiday that has really become about great food and great family!
With that said though, I did want to share this ornament that I'd made for a Silent Auction gift basket I donated! I'm getting started on Christmas gifts already too, since some require a bit of time to make- like a few other cross-stitch gifts I'm working on (I'll share once they're done!). This is a great gift- handmade and pretty cheap to make! 
linking up here...
So this home is the first {and likely last for a while!} time that we've had a mantel!! Usually housing for DH's rank doesn't get fireplaces, so we're relishing in it while we have it :) hehe... anyways, so I'm new at this decorating a mantel thing- but I'm pretty pleased with the outcome! Let me walk you through what I have on it... most of it is frugal or DIY!
So first up we have....
And on the other side we have...
We're not currently using the fireplace because it's not really autumn or cold weather yet here in the south! Of course our first home with a fireplace and it may never get cold enough to use it! *sigh* oh well, it still provides a great smell and look- depending on the day, we can often smell the burnt wood that's been baked into the brick over the years :)
