Be the fashion designer and have your clothes modeled by your family and friends as gifts. Do everything on your own from the illustrations to the serging on the sewing machine.

SKETCH BOOKS

Ready, set, race to the drawing board. First, draw an outline of a woman or man’s figure with a pencil. Then, start designing the attire, whether it is a dress, skirts, etc… Use colored pencils to blend all the colors together evenly.

TYPES OF FABRICS

Then, decide if you want to use cotton, wool, silk, polyester, rayon, or even nylon. Once you make your choice you go to threading.

SEWING MACHINE

The most commonly used machine is called the SINGER. This is the oldest sewing company and the number one. They even have sergers and books to guide you through how to sew and thread the needles.

TYPES OF STICHES

Of course, you have the typical straight edge stitches. Then, you have zig-zag, embroidery, etc… Now, every time you change the stitching you have to either tighten or loosen the needle tension.

STYLE OF CLOTHES

Your artistic fashion will be seen no matter what you design: whether it is shirts, skirts, skorts (it’s a pair of shorts and over that is a skirt effect), dresses, pants, hats, purses or any other accessories for that matter. Whether you are sporting a posh or tom-boy look you can do it all yourself. Be your own fashionista and start creating!

When working with a tight gift-giving budget, you don’t have to break the bank on fancy, expensive arrangements. There are plenty of ways to create tasteful gifts on your own. With a little imagination and knowing where to find the best deals, you’re well on your way to putting the finishing touches on a personalized spa gift for your loved one.

Start with a Container

Always save gently used wicker baskets and other attractive containers hanging around the house, which can come in handy when creating a gift basket. Think outside of the box, such as using an empty decorative popcorn tin. If you don’t have anything that suits your needs, the Dollar Store offers a range of decorative options.

Pick a Theme for the Gift Basket

What kind of gift basket do you want to create – one that focuses on a specific need, color, or scent? A foot spa gift basket may include a pumice stone, foot scrub, moisturizer, wooden foot massager, spa slippers, pedicure socks, and pedicure tool set. Add a manicure tool set, cuticle cream, nail treatment, scrub brush, hand lotion, and nail polishes to a hand spa gift basket. Treat a loved one to a facial spa gift basket with a relaxing eye mask, exfoliant, moisturizer, lip gloss, facial cleansers, and cooling splashes.

Cut Costs by Making Your Own Products

Create handmade bath and beauty products to help stay within your spa gift basket budget. For example, instead of buying aromatherapy bath salts, consider making your own. To save money, this homemade bath salts recipe combines 3 cups of Epsom salt, 1 cup of baking soda, and 1 cup of sea salt. Use a large spoon or your hands to blend the ingredients. Add 3 drops of any essential oil to the salts – a couple at a time. Take your time because if you add too much oil, you’ll end up with an overwhelming scent. Fragrance suggestions for your bath salts include lavender, tea tree oil, peppermint, and rose.

Add Candles

Candles help set the relaxing mood that comes with a pampering spa gift. They are also an inexpensive way to add character, color, and bulk to a gift basket. You can choose from a variety of scents, aromatherapy effects, and colors to match the theme of your gift basket. Choose peppermint to uplift the spirits. Lavender helps calm the nerves. Patchouli is known to jumpstart the romance.

Record a CD of Favorite Tunes

Record a compilation of your gift basket recipient’s favorite tunes to ensure a relaxing atmosphere as they enjoy their collection of products.

The Finishing Touches

When looking for items to add bulk to your spa gift basket, consider the functional selections, such as:

• Inflatable bath pillow
• Handmade soap
• Loofah sponge
• Exfoliating mitt
• Comfortable slippers

Decorate with Ribbons, Bows and Embellishments

The Dollar Store offers an assortment of decorations for a spa gift basket, including colorful ribbons, shiny bows, and tissue paper. Craft shops, such as Michaels and JoAnn Fabrics, also host weekly sales on decorative supplies. Scan the local newspaper for coupons that reach up to 50% off one item.

Mom’s are tough… Especially on Mother’s Day. And if you’re like my mom, she wants something that’s pretty AND thoughtful. That’s not an easy feat! What to do? Combine both ideas and make her something pretty!

Show your mom all kinds of love by crafting a beautiful necklace or bracelet for Mother’s Day! Another nice thing? It comes from the heart and also less expensive than going to a store, picking something out, and spending 10x the cost. All you need is a wire/cord, jewelry charms or beads of your color choice, a little “mom” imagination (we all know mom’s have their own style:) and you’re all set. You can even make one for yourself!

Find all of these arts and craft supplies and much more from Factory Direct Craft. Not only are there loads of beautiful charms, filigrees, beads, and wire/cords for jewelry making, but they are at really great prices, too! Here are a couple of Mother’s Day ideas, to set you off:

Minute to Win It is a hot game show on NBC where contestants race the clock to complete seemingly simple challenges using household products. With a million bucks dangling before them, the excitement level is always high. Since the 60-second challenges involve items you probably have around your house, lots of people are throwing Minute to Win It parties. Here are some tips for making your Minute to Win It bash a party people remember for a long time.

Choose Fun Games

All of the games played on Minute to Win It are fun and the majority of them could work in your own home. But take into consideration the number of people you plan to have at your Minute to Win It party, as well as the space available for playing these games. Check out this library of games that have been featured on the show and select about a half dozen to feature at your party.

Serve Food that Fits the Theme

Any good party needs great food. Perhaps you could serve Mexican dishes including a taco bar with a sign that says “Taco Time!”. Give cupcakes a shot and arrange them in a circle. Number them like the face of a clock. There are lots of fun ideas that would be great for a Minute to Win It party.

Show the Video Blue Prints

Give your party a high-tech feel by showing the blue prints (aka. rules) for each game just like they do on the real Minute to Win It game show. You can find the videos on YouTube, commercial free. For instance, here’s the blue print for the game “Face the Cookie.” Showing these professionally produced videos will make your party feel more like the real thing.

Award Prizes

You’ll definitely want to reward winners for their hard work and competitive spirit. Try clock-themed prizes like funny watches or timers. This round wooden ready-to-decorate clock from Oriental Trading Company is just $6.99 and would make a fun prize. You don’t have to spend much, but it will create a more festive feel.

Vintage Clock Magnets Make Great Favors (Photo by Alison Storm)

Hand Out Favors

Everyone likes to go home from a party with something. A great (and affordable) party favor for your Minute to Win It game is this DIY mid century clock magnet from How About Orange. Spray paint some bottle caps and use Mod Podge to adhere the printable clock designs. Hot glue a magnet onto the back and your favor is complete. It’s a great gift that will remind your guests of the great time they had at your Minute to Win It party.

A T-Shirt Flower Pillow

These days everyone is looking for ways to be more eco-friendly– even when it comes to giving gifts. This simple project is definitely green, but it’s also easy. We’ll show you how to turn an old t-shirt or leftover fabric scraps into a cute flower with just a few simple steps. All you need is an old t-shirt, a pair of scissors, a needle and thread, and a few minutes.

Use the flower to create a barrette, pin or attach it to a drab pillow for a unique creation. Whatever you choose to design, you’ll end up with a great, affordable handmade gift that any of your loved ones will appreciate– especially since they won’t be able to find another one like it in any store.

Step One

Step One: Cut out simple flower shapes of various sizes in an old t-shirt. Depending on whether you plan to use your flower to jazz up a pillow or to create a hair clip, your flower sizes will need to be adjusted. Create four different sizes. You will only need one flower in the largest size. Cut our four of each of the other three sizes. In all, you should have 13 flowers cut out.

Step Two: Lay the biggest flower on a flat surface. Take the next smallest size of flower and fold each one in half. Then fold them in half again. Position the four flowers so that the points meet in the

Steps two, three and four

center of the largest flower. Using a coordinating thread, simply hand stitch each section at the point, attaching these four pieces of fabric to the largest flower.

Step Three: Repeat step two with four more folded flowers in the next smallest size.

Step Four: Once again, repeat the stitching process one last time with the smallest flowers.

Step Five: How you finish your flower is up to you. You can stitch on a pin or barrette to the back, or you can attach it to a pillow like this one. Whatever you decide to create, it will be a low-cost, green gift that someone is sure to love.

Photos courtesy of Michelle Suarez

Help Little Ones Give Dad Special Gifts. photo courtesy of davef3138

Father’s Day is approaching so it’s time to start thinking about gifts for dad. Watches, golf clubs and silk ties don’t fit into a little kid’s budget. If you have little kids in your home they are likely eager to get involved in showing their love for dad. But they probably need a little help. Here are some inexpensive gift ideas that will help little kids get involved in giving Father’s Day gifts.

A Decorated Cake

Dads deserve dessert. Bake a cake or cookies and let your little ones decorate. Give them frosting, sprinkles and candies to personalize a special treat for dad.

Breakfast in Bed

Children may not be able to prepare an entire breakfast, but they can help with certain parts of it. Let them flip some pancakes or squeeze a few oranges so dad can enjoy breakfast in bed this Father’s Day.

Chores

Little ones will love the idea of helping dad on Father’s Day. Let them take out the trash, mow the lawn or sweep the garage as their gift to dad.

A Personalized T-shirt

Tie-dyes are back in style. For slightly older children, this can be a fun outdoor activity. Get a plain white t-shirt in dad’s size and a few colors of dye. Kids will love making dad a special (and cool!) new t-shirt.

Stepping Stone

Pick up a Stepping Stone Kit like this for $14.99. It comes with everything you need to guide your children through the process of making a garden stepping stone– a gift dad will treasure.

Artwork or Collage

Children’s artwork is always a great gift. Pick up some supplies so your little ones can make custom paintings or sculptures for their dad. Another option is letting them make a photo collage. Pull out pictures of your kids with their father to create a special college for Father’s Day.

A Performance

For little kids, coming up with a performance can be a great gift for dad. Children love being in the spotlight and dad will enjoy the play, song or dance that was created just for him on Father’s Day.

Your Backyard Bounty Makes Great Gifts (Photo Courtesy of Technotheory)

Spring is here which means it’s time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather. A great way to spend more time outdoors is by starting a backyard garden. Not only can a garden offer great, organic and fresh food for you and your family, but it can also be a great source of gifts for family and friends this summer. If you’re starting a garden this spring, think about planting vegetables, flowers and herbs that can be used to give great gifts your loved ones will appreciate.

Homemade Salsa

Nothing at the grocery store quite compares with fresh, homemade salsa. Grow the tomatoes fresh in your garden along with the other ingredients you need to give your friends and family members homemade salsa. Check out salsagarden.com for tips on growing your ingredients and canning your salsa.

Fresh or Dried Herbs

Cooking with fresh herbs is the best way to go. Share your backyard bounty with your friends and family members by giving them some herbs. You can either cut fresh herbs and tie stems together with twine, or you can hang your herbs upside down inside and let them dry out. Once they are dry bag them up and give them away.

Flower Bulbs

Flower bulbs make great gifts. If your backyard is full of them pull some out of the ground and package them creatively using a flower pot or other plant container. Include a short list of instructions explaining how to plant and grow the bulbs.

Fresh Cut Flowers

Just about everyone loves getting flowers. If you grow flowers in your backyard this gift will be quick and affordable. Create a bouquet from the blooms in your own backyard. Arrange them in a low cost vase and your gift is ready to go.

Ingredient and Recipe

If you’re great at growing peppers, eggplant, avocado or another vegetable, bag up several of them to give as a gift. Include a recipe where that ingredient is the star. Your loved one will appreciate the thought and care that went into your gift.

Give Homemade Spa Treatments (Photo courtesy of Fing'rs)

Lots of your friends and family members probably love the idea of indulging at a spa– but few have the time or money. Now you can give them the gift of relaxation with these DIY spa gifts. With a few simple ingredients packaged creatively in jars or plastic containers from a craft store, you’ll have a great gift ready to go.

Coffee Body Scrub

Don’t toss out those coffee grounds– put them to good use. Combine two cups of coffee grounds with a half cup of raw sugar or sea salt and a few tablespoons of massage oil for a lovely coffee body scrub that will wash away the dry skin winter leaves behind.

Bath Cookies

Check out SpaIndex.com’s most requested recipe– bath cookies! You’ll bake up something great for your friends and family members to use in their next bath. The recipe is pretty easy and includes many ingredients you probably already have in your fridge or pantry including sea salt, baking soda, cornstarch, oil, and eggs. Combine the ingredients, bake for ten minutes and you’ll have a gift that looks like you picked it up in a fancy spa!

Sugar Coconut Hand Renewal

Winter does a number on our hands often leaving them dry and cracked. Whip up this recipe from Health Magazine and give it away to those who may need a little pampering. The recipe is made up of ingredients like coconut oil, sugar, and lemon juice. Make sure your gift also includes a pair of cotton gloves like these from PrettyLikeMe.com so they can let your mixture work overnight.

At-Home French Manicure

Put together your own French manicure kit that includes cuticle cream, white and pink nail polish and a fancy nail file. Give it to someone who may not have the time or money for regular manicures, but deserves to look their best.

Package Your Food Gifts Creatively (Photo courtesy of Adie Reed)

Edible gifts are great– you don’t have to worry about whether they’ll fit or if you’re selecting the right color. I mean, who doesn’t like good food? Plus, edible gifts can be very affordable and thoughtful. But as with just about any gift, the package can make a big difference. Here are some ideas for creatively packaging edible gifts.

Jars

Mason jars may be great for jams or jellies, but what about for cupcakes? Julie at Joy’s Hope stacked two cupcakes in eight ounce mason jars, layering them with frosting. She topped it with a cupcake print fabric and ended up with a sweet gift. You could also fill your jars with layers of dry ingredients for muffins, cookies or bread. Or as the photo shows, bake pies in them.

Takeout Boxes

Continue the food theme into the packaging by using a takeout box. You can pick up a set of 12 for just $8.40 from FavorStudio.com. Choose between hot pink, turquoise, lime and almond. Or if you need something more heavy duty, check out the SafePak take-out boxes from The Container Store.

Mixing Bowls

Take something practical from the kitchen and turn it into a way to package your edible gift. Use a mixing bowl, decorative tray or even a coffee cup and make it part of your present.

DIY Cake Plate

Make the display part of the gift with a DIY cake plate. Back in December we gave you the simple step-by-step instructions for taking thrift store finds and making cute cake plates. Top them with cookies, chocolates or mini cakes and your edible gift is ready.

Creative Tags

Sometimes simple is better. You could easily package your yummy gift in a plain brown box or bag from a craft store, wrap it with baker’s twine and attach a cute gift tag like this one. Just load some card stock in your printer, make a copy and cut it out.

Recycle

You may be throwing packaging options into your recycle bin without even thinking about it. Mini loaves of bread can be cutely squeezed inside cleaned out tin cans. Or a coffee can may be a great way to store and transport your handmade treats. Just make sure you thoroughly wash out anything you decide to use.

Need a low-cost gift that’s big on personality? Whether you need something thoughtful to give your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, birthday or any special occasion, custom art made by your two hands is a great gift. You don’t need to have any special artistic skills to complete this DIY art either. The only thing you’ll need are a few bucks worth of supplies.

Lay Out Your Letters on the Canvas

Step 1: Get Your Supplies

Your canvas for this project is going to be a cheap piece of underlayment from a hardware store. This will cost you about $6. Make sure you have it cut to the size you want at the hardware store to avoid extra work at home. You’ll also need some paint colors of your choice (any kind works) and a paint brush. Small bottles of paint from the craft store will work, or you could even use leftover wall paint stashed in your garage.

Step 2: Select a Quote

Pick a quote that will easily fit on your board. For our artwork we used Proverbs 25:11, A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. But you can choose a quote, song lyrics or poem that is meaningful to you and your special someone.

Step 3: Print Your Letters and Cut them Out

Choose a font and size and then print your letters. It’s best to choose a basic font that will be easy to cut out. We used Impact. Cutting out your letters may take a little while, but it’s a project you can complete while sitting on the couch.

Step 4: Prep Your Canvas

Choose Your Colors and Paint

This step is optional. You may want your letters to show the natural wood color, or you may want to paint the canvas. Either way your artwork will be lovely. We painted ours white.

Step 5: Tape On Your Letters

There are many ways to adhere your letters to the board, including just using regular tape. Stick them down well so that paint is less likely to seep underneath.

Step 6: Start Painting

This is where your creativity can really show. Select your colors and start painting. There are no real rules– just have fun! And if it doesn’t turn out the way you imagined, simply start over with more paint!

Step 7: Allow Paint to Dry

The Finished Product: DIY Custom Artwork

Make sure the paint dries completely before peeling away your letters. This will help the edges of your letters stay more crisp.

Step 8: Remove Letters and Hang

Start tearing away your letters. Don’t be alarmed if your paint leaked under them. This just adds to the artistic affect. Framing your custom artwork is definitely optional. The board works fine on its own, or you can add a frame to give it more of a finished, gallery look. Either way you’ve got a one-of-a-kind gift that your sweetheart will love.

Photos courtesy of Alison Storm