DIY Design - Hostess Gifts

Chocolate pretzels | recipe here
Silverplate | step-by-step tutorial here
Flat finish | tutorial here

During the holiday season people, especially family, seem to gather together more often. The McGuire clan is big and getting bigger so it seems there is always an occasion or reason to party.
Everyone contributes a dish of some kind and more often than not, I seem to bring a cake. Presentation is important and placing the cake on a cake stand you've made is always appreciated.
Treats are gobbled up quickly. One sister-in-law is famous for her spiced nuts, an easy, munchy snack and another for her savoury dip. Both are great with wine and beer.
Flowers or seasonal plants are always festive and brighten up a table or sideboard buffet spread.
Candles set the mood and depending on the design, like the memory candle, can start conversations about events that happened during the year.
Your host and/or hostess has welcomed you into their home. Why not show appreciation with a small gift?

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DIY - Heartwarming Ideas

Image | t-shirt inspiration here

Valentine Gifts and Projects
The heart has always been a popular and appealing design element, but I've found that a lot of the designs were either too busy with patterns or in some cases, too juvenile.
The following projects are simple, fun to do and can be easily modified to suit your needs.

T-shirt Restyle
This is a very simple and attractive restyle. The colours here are neutral, but a black and white combination or neon and white would also be very current and stylish.
The heart cutout can be further embellished with crystals and pearls, giving the top a more dressy look.The heart can be have finished edges or left raw to fray.
Black lace heart on a white t-shirt, crochet heart for texture - it's all good.
Look beyond the jump for more "heartfelt" ideas.

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DIY

Both Images | how-to tutorial - thedrifterandthegypsy.blogspot.ca

A really creative way of recordkeeping your family's life is through scrapbooking.
But just as as much fun is creating snow globes. Not only is this fun for the whole family but inspires each person to create a personal scene in their bottle using keepsakes or mementos they have collected.
These are truly personal holiday decorations. They can be arranged as a table centrepiece during the holidays, displayed on windowsills or hung on a tree. Each bottle tells a story and will be a visual reminder for years to come.
There are many kinds of snow globes shown as examples, from the simplest to more detailed versions.
Make one this holiday and see how much fun they are.

Image | Pinterest

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DIY

Gift Idea | countryliving.com

Around the holiday season, giving wine as a hostess gift is common and always very welcome. Why not up the gift idea with a fun wine stopper such as the trophy examples shown. Other toppers might be small china figurines, plastic toys, golf balls, billiard balls and glass dresser knobs.

• DIRECTIONS TO MAKE WINE STOPPERS


• ■ First, use a drill to make a 1/8-inch-wide hole halfway down into a new cork ($3.99 for 30; winemakingsuperstore.com)
  
• ■ Next, twist off the top of a vintage trophy (typically a few bucks each at thrift shops and garage sales).


• ■ Apply superglue to the underside of the trophy top's base and the screw that extends from it.
• ■ Insert the screw into the cork and twist the pieces together until flush and a tight bond forms.


• ■ Allow one hour of drying time before using your prize design.