Cassie Bustamante

living an ordinary life extraordinarily

Navigation
  • home
  • about me
  • home tour
  • project gallery
  • shop my home
  • Let’s Collaborate

Hand Made Gifts: Art for Your Home (If you are related to me in any way, shape, or form, DO NOT READ)

December 5, 2012 by Cassie 40 Comments

PinterestFacebookTwitter

Before you read, just a head’s up that my friend Julia is having her first ever giveaway on her blog, Cuckoo 4 Design.  She is giving away a custom couple silhouette digital art file ($50 calue) from her etsy shop.  Head on over for your chance at this….
Couples silhouette DIGITAL art file (no frame)Pin

Now, if you’ve been reading this blog for over a year, you know that I am big on handmade gifts.  I love giving them, and I love receiving them.  Something about the time and effort someone put into creating something me just makes it all the more special.  Last year I made soy vintage teacup and jar candles, vintage insulator photo displays, clay penguin ornaments, and painted coasters.  This year I am working to create more handmade gifts.   And I love using the kids for creative artwork and gift giving!

A couple years back we made “Handy Warhols” using their hand prints.

Pin

This year, I used stamp ink, their finger prints, and a fine point black sharpie to create one of a kind art for family members.

REMEMBER IF YOU ARE FAMILY STOP READING HERE.

These are for my parents.  We created holiday lights as well as a bouquet of balloons for my Dad.  Emmy did both of these and chose the colors, as you can tell. ๐Ÿ™‚  On my Dad’s I wrote, “Fly away with me”.    (The Lights were inspired by Meet the Dubiens, but the balloons were my idea)  I simply framed them in Ikea frames.

Pin

For Chris, I created the “me + you” and you can see it still needs his fingerprint!  Emmy created the cardinal family (She wanted cardinals) and I wrote “We are family” on the branch.

Pin

My kids created these for Ali’s kids.  (Don’t worry, Ali, Hayden’s will be framed, but the frame was defective and will be exchanged!)
Sawyer chose monsters as his design for Noah, so he chose all the colors and did hiss finger prints, and told me which monsters to draw, based on this image from The Earth is Our Teacher.  Emmy chose birds for hers, and we added the tree trunk with her initials in a heart, just like on Emmy’s faux bois wall.

Pin

 Here’s a closer look at Sawyer’s artwork, which he titled, “Monster hunt”.

Pin

For my brother and his girlfriend, and for My brother in law and his fiance, the kids created these reindeer in love images… too cute!  And for my in laws, Emmy made a chain of reindeer (Ok, so she printed and I filled in with the doodles).  And I wrote “Won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” on it.  The reindeer with hearts were inspired by Thumbelina cards, and the other one was our own design.

Pin

And if that’s not enough I have more artwork ideas for you!  I am always attracted to paintings at thrift shops and yard sales and a while back I bought a bunch of watercolors at a yard sale.  I was going through all my pins in preparation for a pinterest party I attended last Friday night so I could decide what to bring… I found this pin which was to paint lettering over an old painting from Young House Love.   I LOVED this idea so much!  I pulled out all those watercolors and ha a blast coming up with phrases for them….

Pin

My recipient received the above “it is well with my soul”,  a wine crate, and a teacup tree, and a spool ornament.

Pin

Pin

I am keeping this one…

Pin

Pin

Pin

Anyhow, I think Young House Love is pretty darn smart for coming up with this simple idea that transforms and updates an old painting!  They took no time to add to, and would make great gifts for special people in your life.

Do you like to give handmade gifts as well?  What are your favorites to create?
PhotobucketPin
Sharing here:
dare to diy 675x675 pixelsPin

Related

Filed Under: Christmas, Craft

Subscribe for Email Updates!

« POWW 117
A New ‘Do and December Barn Sale Starts Tomorrow! (And a giveaway for the locals!) »

Comments

  1. Julia Konya says

    December 5, 2012 at 11:35 am

    Thank you so much for the shout out! I really appreciate it.
    Your list of handmade gifts is awesome and gives me some ideas ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  2. The Far Fifty says

    December 5, 2012 at 11:38 am

    I love these, so cute! I’m gonna try the little birds.

    Reply
  3. Cathy Wall says

    December 5, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    Those are the best gifts Cassie! Hope your family follows instructions…. The embellished watercolors are amazing, you never cease to amaze me! YHL now has a place where you can share your take on their projects….

    Reply
  4. Sarah AKA The Thriftress says

    December 5, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    I love both these ideas! The kids prints pictures are so personal – perfect gifts for grandparents! And the watercolor upcycle is genius. I love the butterfly one!

    Reply
  5. Holly @ Life as a Thrifter says

    December 5, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    SO fabulous! I’m dying of the “Handy Warhols!” I definitely see THAT in our future!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  6. DecorandtheDog says

    December 5, 2012 at 12:33 pm

    I’m dying at the balloon thumbprints. How awesome! And those watercolors. I really like your take on the project. They are super pretty!

    Reply
  7. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says

    December 5, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    Hey artsy craftsy girl! You are full of wonderful ideas today! The thumbprint art is SO cute, I can’t wait to do that with my little niece and nephew when they’re here for Christmas. They make such cute Christmas decor, all framed up. My fave is the two reindeer in love ๐Ÿ™‚
    And the revamping of the thrift store art is genius and so fun!!

    Reply
  8. Jen @ Paisley Print Shoes says

    December 5, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    these are so great!! I bet Katie would love the ones her kids can help make – and I love love the It is well painting. And I bet at least one of your family members peeked…I probably would have. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  9. Kirby Dunton Carespodi says

    December 5, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    I am making gifts this year, as the doctors were pretty well convinced I had cancer (Stage four) in the fall. It turned out to be something else entirely, but I am making gifts so that everyone will have something to remember me by when I AM dead, which will not be this year (or next), I hope.

    Reply
  10. Ange says

    December 5, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    Wow, you’ve been busy! I love the fingerprint art work, so fun and one of a kind! Also the lettering on the art work is a genius idea.

    Reply
  11. Andrea says

    December 5, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    The fingerprint art is so darn cute! Love that idea. Your watercolors are so much cooler now!!! Love all the sayings too.

    Reply
  12. 17 Perth says

    December 5, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    Absolutely adorable! Handmade gifts are awesome! No doubt your family will love them!

    Reply
  13. Between Blue and Yellow says

    December 5, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    Those are fantstic gifts! Great job creating all those. Almost finished with your skirt!

    Reply
  14. Jane Craske says

    December 5, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Yowsers! You did amazingly! I like each one and can’t believe how lucky the giftees are C:

    Reply
  15. CountryBelle says

    December 5, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    I don’t usually comment, but I really enjoyed this whole post! I wanted to start pinning at your fingerprint artwork, but alas, the WHOLE post needs pinned!

    Reply
  16. Trish @TheOldPostRoad says

    December 5, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    I like to give handmade gifts – but – I always worry the recipient will not like them!
    -Trish

    Reply
  17. Rita says

    December 5, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    I have to agree! I love giving and getting handmade stuff and as much as it annoys me I hate when a family member calls my husband and asks what to give me. or tells us what they want. I may have to post about this as it annoys me every year… but I dont’ want to come off as bah humbug either! Maybe I’ll just rant to you and let the buck stop there.

    But JUST IN CASE you do run accross post about it from me soon…Please don’t roll your eyes and tell me “told ya so” when I get hate comments haha!

    Reply
  18. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    December 5, 2012 at 5:39 pm

    What great gifts! I love the idea of getting the kids involved. So special!

    Reply
  19. Nancy says

    December 5, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    FANTASTIC Cassie! great ideas, and love how personal they are.
    Happy Holidays.
    xo Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

    Reply
  20. Lisa @ Turning Tables says

    December 5, 2012 at 5:58 pm

    You are so creative!! Those gifts are going to warm the hearts of all of their recipients ๐Ÿ™‚ Those little fingerprints are so cute and will be fun for Sawyer and Emmy to look back at when they are all big ‘n stuff :/

    (& I hope you aren’t disappointed when you receive my non-handmade gifts this year. I promise that a lot of thought and heart went into them too ๐Ÿ˜‰ )

    Reply
  21. Dear Emmeline says

    December 5, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    love these Cassie! fingerprint art was my favorite to do when I was doing day care! i think i need to resurrect that again and let Elise do some! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  22. amber-wills says

    December 5, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    The thumb print Christmas light painting is too cute! Of course the ballon one is awesome too and bonus it can be used all year.

    We spiced up an old painting with some words for our summer pinterest challenge. Of course I didn’t dare paint the words. I am not that talented!!

    http://www.willscasa.com/2012/07/summer-pinterest-challenge-1/

    Reply
  23. Allison says

    December 5, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    Those are such special gifts and so so thoughtful. All made with love. I think it is so sweet that you and Sawyer and Emmy made all of these together. You are creating wonderful memories and traditions.

    Reply
  24. Twice Nice says

    December 5, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    Love every one of those ideas! The fingerprints are so inspired!! And what a great restyle on the watercolors.

    Reply
  25. pam {simple details} says

    December 5, 2012 at 11:03 pm

    Too cute! The fingerprints are darling, these are the types of art that become more treasured as the years go by! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  26. The Bold Abode says

    December 5, 2012 at 11:22 pm

    Dang, girl! Those are so super amazingly cute! I’ve done nada, zip, zilch!!! I can’t take it. Must make somthing!!!!

    Reply
  27. Renee says

    December 6, 2012 at 12:17 am

    Love those reindeer! I remember creating these types of gifts when my kids were young…everyone still has a handprint wreath and tree! We also may handprint wreath sweatshirts for the grandmas one year!

    Reply
  28. Kelly says

    December 6, 2012 at 12:37 am

    Those little reindeer thumbs are SOOO CUTE. I’m thinking Weston needs to get crackin’ on making everyone’s gifts now!

    Reply
  29. [email protected] Repurposed Life says

    December 6, 2012 at 12:48 am

    wow! this post is jam packed with so much goodness! So many clever, creative gift ideas Cassie! I love them all, really love the balloons, and lights–ohh, but the reindeer are so cute. The words written on artwork, fabulous! I missed YHL post on that.
    pinning this post!
    gail

    Reply
  30. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    December 6, 2012 at 2:16 am

    Aw, such sweet stuff, Cassie! I love all the thumbprint projects, and those painting with the phrases are AWESOME! Thanks for all the inspiration!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  31. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says

    December 6, 2012 at 4:26 am

    Wow, you have really been on a crafy roll Cassie! I love the artwork you created with the kids – so cute and personal! And those paintings are just awesome! I want one or two or three!

    Reply
  32. Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says

    December 6, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    Wow! These are all amazing gifts. I think anyone would be happy to receive them. I’m sort of dying over the thumbprint art, and don’t get me started on the Handy Warhols. SO CLEVER.

    Thanks for linking to Dare to DIY

    Reply
  33. Ali Richardson says

    December 6, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Soooooooooooooo awesome!!!!!! Love them (oh and if you haven’t gone back to IKEA yet, get a white frame for Hayden ๐Ÿ™‚ If you already got black, no biggie). XO

    Reply
  34. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    December 7, 2012 at 2:43 am

    Oh my goodness. These are just way to cute! Adding to my list of projects to try!

    Reply
  35. Megan says

    December 7, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    Seriously, those are some of the best handmade gifts ever! I need to get on that!

    Reply
  36. Maury @ Life on Mars says

    December 7, 2012 at 2:09 pm

    LOVE all of these ideas! I really love the paintings with fun wording. It makes each one so unique!

    Reply
  37. [email protected] Design for Living says

    December 7, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    I’ve made a few handmade gifts this year, and I’m currently hosting my first Handmade Gifts Link Party. Would love for you to share some of your creations with my readers (just saying!).

    Reply
  38. Erin @ His and Hers says

    December 12, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Okay, all of those thumbprint pictures are seriously adorable. I love the holiday lights one. And “Handy Warhols” is hilarious. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  39. Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys says

    December 13, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    I love the fingerprint art! So cute creative and a treasure.

    Reply
  40. [email protected] Not Included says

    January 2, 2013 at 3:10 am

    Such cute gifts! I really love them all. I also love that the kids are doing this when they are small. It will be fun to look back at that when they are older/

    Yes, I’m slowly catching up on old posts. Don’t mind the super late comments ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.ย  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.ย  We all get one chance at this life,ย and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Rss Bloglovin

Categories

Disclaimer

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This blog uses affiliate links.

Connect

Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read Moreโ€ฆ

Recent Posts

Privacy

© 2023 · Foodie Theme Customized by This Bold Girl · Built on the Genesis Framework