Dare to...give homemade gifts! (Dare to DIY week 4/6)

Welcome to the fourth Dare to DIY blog party. I'm seriously excited to see what you have come up with for this one.

Dare to... give homemade gifts!

Nothing is more special than a gift made by you. Don't think it's too late! Try out something new to give this year - ideas include bath an body items, kitchen gifts, hand-sewn clothing or home decor.

What did I come up with?

This was actually more difficult than I expected. Most of our family and friends read this blog. Read: I cannot post a surprise, homemade gift (even though I want to). So, in addition to the advent calendar I showed you last week,  I have one more gift to share with you today. This one is simple, fun and (I think) pretty cute.

Photo ornaments

I was lucky enough to be part of an ornament exchange with friends I met while planning my December wedding in 2007. While I don't get to chat with many of them anymore (beside through blogs), it's still a connection we'll always have.

I had the opportunity to give an ornament to my friend, Stephanie . I wanted to make an ornament to get the most for my money. It had to be under $10. Since I know photographs mean a lot to Stephanie, I wanted to incorporate her own photos (which I snagged from her blog and Facebook by being a little stalker-ish).

I decided to choose photos from what I identified as important parts of she and her husband's life and make a little series of "collectors ornaments" for them.

I chose a photo from their engagement, wedding, their honeymoon, her husband's return from deployment, and two more recent photos from their new home in Guam.

You can probably figure this out yourself, but here are the simple steps.

1. Purchase simple, circle cardboard ornaments from Michael's

2. Add coordinating blue scrapbook papers as a base on each side with Modge Podge.

3. Add circle-shaped photos to one side of each ornament.

4. Modge-podge several layers for a glossy finish.

5. Add a ribbon around the edges to cover the remaining cardboard.

6. Add a small eye-hook from a hardware store to the top to add a hook or ribbon to hang.

I hope she enjoyed her gift, I know I enjoyed making them and loved the final result.

So, now it's your turn!

A couple of guidelines:

1. Please link to the specific post, not your general blog address.

2. Please include a teaser of your post in parenthese - for example, I would write NewlyWoodwards (Neiman-Marcus cookies).

3. Link your post back up to NewlyWoodwards with text or this button.

<a href="http://newlywoodwards.blogspot.com"><img alt="Dare to DIY" width="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/4079810980_0374bbceb4_m.jpg" height="160" /></a>
Also, please visit at least one other blog below and comment! This will help us all meet each other.

(As a reminder, next week's blog party ideas will go up Tuesday. I will pick a few favorites from today to post at the end of the week.)

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12 Daytz of Christmas @ somewhat simple Mod Podge Amy (Pink & Teal Ornament) $5 Gift Baskets @ My Happy House Anything Pretty (Scarves Jelly Ruffles & Quilts) Garland Stocking Tassel and Wreath. Oh My!! Domestic Adventure (Holiday House Ornaments) Little Moments (cake stands and ornaments) Knit & Crochet gifts a la Kelliebelle : ) Jen @ Notes From the Heartland (Pretty Dry Erase!) Bowl of Cherrys (Decoupage Flower Frames) Pedestal Picture Frames (Red Heads Craft More Fun) Jen @ Jentility (Fabric Decoupage Wall Decor) Design2Shine (5 crafty gift ideas) Grandma Jan Making Gifts Another Holiday Banner Relatively Unique (Miracle Wire Bracelets) Johnson & Johnson - 4 Great Gift Ideas! Gift Idea @ Fun To Craft Alex & Jess (Pink Yellow & Green Baby Quilt) Cookie Platters. . . Brick City Loves {Super Towel} Little Lizard King - Cupcake Applique Imperfect - No - Sew Childrens Tutus Cookies for Santa @ Craft Bug Bites

Leslie @ Our Soft Spot {Cozalicious Coffee Cozy} MC @ Longbrake Living (NeedlePoint Pillows) Little Big Nest (Coasters) m @ tales from an oc cottage {copycat ornament} Jen @ homeinthecountry (childrens apron) Jenny @ Words On Wendhurst (Monogram Coasters) Homemade on its way to Afghanistan - for daddy Kesler Expresser (Clutch and Ornament Wreath) MedicalSchoolMrs . (Pink Rose Petal Tree) Laurel @ Ducks in a Row - Monogramming Snowman Gift Boxes @ Blue Cricket Design Christmas Pop Top Cans @ Blue Cricket Design Paper Mache Ornaments @ Blue Cricket Design Clip Art Gift Tags @ Blue Cricket Design Gifts In a Jar & More by The Meckleys Jill @ BarnesYard (simple jolly & burlappy ornaments) Grey Umbrella {free diy wreath} Cowboy / Cowgirl Cookies in a jar Clothespin Photo Holders Popcorn Ideas (candle & fabric ziplock bag) Moody Girl Projects - Book Page Banner Lauren Makes (Glass Etched Beer Mugs) Desi @ Wee Share - Shirts an ornament and cookies This linky list is now closed.

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