Showing posts with label frame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label frame. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

On the Tart Side's Holiday Gift Guide

Everyone and their brother is doing a holiday gift guide this time of year so I figured I would throw one more in the mix! While I still stand by the advice from my previous gift giving entry - You Shouldn't Have! - A Guide to Gifting - here are some creative items for everyone on your list!

Ladies first....

Gentle Reminders Pencils - Even though we ladies strive to embody all of these attributes, it never hurts to have a little reminder at our fingertips! These cute pencils come in a variety of colors (though I think the gold on white is very chic) and at just $12 a set are perfect for small gifts for co-workers or stocking stuffers. In addition Amanda Catherine Designs, the Etsy shop that sells the pencils, donates a portion of their proceeds to end child sex slavery & exploitation. These pencils are not quite the "write" sentiment? There are several other fabulous designs as well as a number of cute prints for your walls.

 
 
 
Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Gold Chevron Picture Frame - As a huge Jonathan Adler fan, I was thrilled when he started designing a line for JCPenney! While MY wish list has a number of items from his regular store, you can't go wrong with this adorable $15 frame. The neutral tones of gold & white give it flexibility to work with a variety of different decors. Other stylish frames are priced similarly so you can bring that Jonathan Adler look to your home for a fraction of the cost! Also, right now all of the holiday themed items are on sale! Very cute stockings to dress up your mantel!

 
 
 
Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely All of It - Nothing says friendship more than crazy Patsy & Edina from Absolutely Fabulous! This just released DVD box set includes every episode, every special and lots of extras. While at the higher end (currently approximately $143 on Amazon) it would make a very memorable gift. Don't forget a bottle of Stoli and some champagne sweetie darling!

 
 
And now for the Gentlemen....
 
Antonio Glasses Holder - I am a big fan of anything that makes boring more fun. Lose your shades frequently? Not anymore! What guy wouldn't want to see his glasses perched on top of a moustache? At only $6.99, it also can double as a conversation piece on your entry table. Is it practical? Is it art? It's both! Available at The Container Store.
 

 
 
 
 
Recycled Vinyl Record Bookends - Regardless if he uses these bookends to hold up his own vinyl collection or a bunch of encyclopedias, give his bookshelf a facelift! IKC Designs confirms that no viable records are harmed in the creation of these bookends so for $24 a set he can cozy his books up next to some vintage vinyl. One can only hope that such classics as Air Supply and Milli Vanilli end up in your order. These records are coming from my home state of Ohio so you never know what you might get!
Craft Beer Connect - Shopping for a craft beer lover? Give them the gift that keeps on giving with a membership to Craft Beer Connect! Memberships start at just $30 per shipment and you have several options depending on the types of beer you would like to gift/receive. Prefer to do a one time shipment? That is an option too - same options and prices but as single transaction. You can even select your beers if you want! Please read any shipment restrictions carefully as not all states allow the shipment of alcohol.




 
 
 
 
Don't forget the kiddos!
 
Fingernail Friends - I remember the year that Santa brought me my first nail polish. It was supposed to be kid friendly however I recall sitting in my parents' bathroom waiting FOREVER for it dry. Kids are not known for being great at the waiting game which is where this product comes in. Choose either Butterflies or Zoo Animals and have fabulous nails in seconds with these great stickers from The Container Store. At just $4.99 they make a great stocking stuffer!
 

 
 
 
Incog-Neato Moustaches - Movember might be over but kids will love playing with this fun selection of moustaches from The Land of Nod. Hours of make believe await for just $7.95!
 

 
 
 
 
What about a gift for the ENTIRE FAMILY?
 
 
Zoku Quick Pop Maker - Kids want popsicles, parents want to provide a healthy snack with minimal time and effort - enter the Zoku Quick Pop Maker. You simply store your pop maker (makes either one, two, or three pops simultaneously depending on model) in the freezer and when the popsicle mood strikes, simply fill with your favorite juice, chocolate almond milk, etc. In just seven minutes you will have fully formed popsicles! Each slot can make up to three pops before needing to be fully refrozen. The maker comes with instructions on how to make fancy layered pops if you want to get creative. The single pop maker starts at just $24.95 and is available directly through Zoku as well as Williams Sonoma; Amazon; Bed, Bath & Beyond among others.
 

 
 
 
Show your favorite Host or Hostess that they truly are the Mostest!
 
Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato - Last year I traveled to Australia and while there discovered this wonderful, light, sweet sparkling wine - Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato. While a traditional champagne is a safe choice, I think this particular wine is a very fun and festive option for a hostess gift. Rather than a champagne cork, the bottle is topped with a bottle cap which is very unique. In Australia they also serve this wine on draft at bars in fabulous beakers. K&L is selling this wine for just $10.99 a bottle so at this price you can pick up a case!
 
 
 
 
Journals from Kikki K - Kikki K is another discovery from my time down under - a Swedish themed stationary company based in Australia. Kikki K has the most amazing journals - not just a book with blank pages but one that helps take you on a journey. The two examples I included below are two of my personal favorites. The "A Sentence a Day Journal: Celebrate Today" is a three year journal where you write one sentence about your day each day. It is a wonderful way to reflect on the little things that make up the days of our life. Another favorite is the "Happiness Journal" which provides activities and places to write you monthly objectives to exploring your own happiness. I could go on and on so it is better to just take a moment and see for yourself (I bought my guestbook from this store - it is similar to this book). Prices vary and international shipping is free with orders of $150 or more.



 

 
 
Last but not least a fun item for your office gift exchange!
 
Misheard Lyrics Coaster Set - I just saw these coasters this week and thought they were just too fun! Coasters with commonly misheard lyrics are an automatic conversation starter - Did you ever think they were singing that? What lyrics did you realize you sang wrong for years? With a price of $20 they are the perfect price point for your gift exchange!
 

 
 
What is the best gift you've ever received? Any favorites for this year you are hoping to find under the tree? Happy Gifting!
 
 






Monday, August 26, 2013

She's Crafty! - DIY Personalized Name Art

Today I'm sharing a simple, personalized art project that makes a great gift for friends and family. I made my first one about 10 years ago and over the years made them as the "inspiration" struck. About a year ago my friend Joy insisted that you would all love this idea as much as she did and that I should do a blog entry to share. So nearly a year later I'm finally doing it! This project doesn't really have a name so we'll call it "DIY Personalized Name Art."

So the heck is DIY Personalized Name Art you may ask? Here are some samples of some of my past projects.

 
Ben, Whitney & their Wedding Date - I originally created the "Ben" for my brother for Christmas. His fiance (now wife) liked it so much that she had her sister create the other two pieces to match. They displayed them at their wedding reception and now have them hanging in their dining room.
 
 
 
Gina - I created this for Gina's birthday last year. Gina is actually an Emmy nominated hair stylist so the "Gina's Beauty Salon" was a perfect fit! The first "Gina" was actually from another salon called "Gina's of Beverly Hills" which is located on Crenshaw - so very far from Beverly Hills!
 

 
Megan - When Megan saw the "Ben" piece she had to have one too. Megan isn't the easiest name to find naturally. I drove across town to find the "Megan" at the top of the piece - it was on a realtor's sign. "Pic-a-nic" was on the Yogi Bear movie sign and is one of Megan's nicknames so it was a perfect addition to the piece.


How to Make Personalized Name Art

1. Find signage with the names you are looking to use. It's actually quite simple to make these pieces - finding the names themselves is the most difficult part! When I see names of friends or family, I generally take photos of them regardless if I plan to make them a piece in the near future. You never know when the inspiration or occasion will strike! When I traveled to Australia last year, I took a ton of photos "just in case" since some names are more common there than here.

2. Take the photos. I always take photos of each sign from a variety of angles to give me the most options when laying out the piece. As you can see, I favor "Dutch" angles but like to include one that is straight on when I can. Usually the structure of the sign dictates which photos ultimately look best.

3. Choose your frame. All of the frames above are RIBBA frames from IKEA however you can utilize any frame design or size you desire. I like these frames as they are inexpensive but are also clean lined to not distract from the piece itself. Please note that the openings in this frame are not standard 4x6" in size. I usually purchase 5x7" photos with the white border and they fit perfectly.

4. Edit the photos. I usually end up editing multiple photos of each name to find the best combination. While your preferences might be different, I make the photos black & white and generally crop in tight on the person's name. Sometimes I leave more of the sign in the photo but it has to fit properly and add something to the piece. "Gina's Beauty Salon" is a great example of this. I also really liked that there was a Ben Avenue so I left that one too.

5. Print photos & assemble. This part is pretty self explanatory and is the best part because you can see your vision come to life!

I hope this will inspire you to create simple yet impactful personalized art for your friends and family! If you make a piece, please share with me below. I would love to see your interpretations!