Five Last-Minute DIY Gift Ideas

     Long time, no post, right? I took a hiatus to plan a new and hopefully improved website that will debut in 2016. And, I've been Christmas-ing: visiting family and friends, watching Christmas movies, shopping, wrapping presents, and baking goodies. Simply Christmas-ing. And watching the new Star Wars movie.
 
     While I do plan to share my spoiler-free thoughts regarding Star Wars: The Force Awakens, that is not the topic of today's post. Instead, I plan to share five DIY gift ideas.
 
     Now, I'm usually not a last-minute gift shopper, but I do like to creative one-of-a-kind gifts for people. Here are five gift ideas you can create in up to five days.
 
Melted Snowman Ornament
Estimated Length of Creation Time: 30 minutes max
Supplies: clear ornament, salt, peppercorns, ribbon, orange chenille wire, glue
Directions:
     Fill ornament half full of salt.
     Add eight peppercorns inside ornament.
     Cut chenille wire to an inch and add inside ornament.
     Cut ribbon to three inches and add inside ornament.
     Glue silver top to ornament. (I used Liquid Nails.)

     I added a Melted Snowman tag to mine, but that is optional.

Monogram Note Pad
Estimated Length of Creation Time: 1 day
Supplies: 4X6 plastic frame, wooden letter, paint, scrapbook paper, ribbon, glue, and a pad of Post-Its
Directions:
     Paint the wooden letter for the monogram. Set aside to dry. (I used acrylic paint.)
        Cut the scrapbook paper to size and slide in frame.
       Wrap ribbon around the top of the frame and glue in place. (I used Liquid Nails as glue.)
       Center wooden letter on top of ribbon and glue in place. (I used the letter to hide the seam in the ribbon.)
        Center Post-Its on the frame and glue in place.
    
     I did not take a photo of the ones I made, but here is one I used as a guide: 

Source: The French Flea

Snowglobe
Estimated Length of Creation Time: 2 days
Supplies: Mason jar or snowglobe kit (from a craft store, mine came from Hobby Lobby), waterproof figurines, waterproof glue, glitter, ribbon, and glycerin (both optional)
Directions:
     Arrange figurines on the base of the jar or kit and glue in place. Allow to dry for a day. ( I have found that the glue picture below offers the strongest bond.)

Snowglobe kit

Best bonding glue

Figurines glued to base

     Add just a drop of glycerin (optional) and as much glitter as desired to the jar or globe. (I used glycerin once, but noticed that the glitter tended to clump. The glitter did not clump when I omitted the glycerin.)
     Add water until the jar is almost full.
     Attach base to the jar.
     Glue ribbon around the base (optional).

     Here are photos of globes I've made:

     I prefer using Mason jars. Although the kits look nicer, I haven't been able to fill them as full of water, and they leak. The Mason jars never leak.

Snowman Ornament
Estimated Length of Creation Time: 1 day to create, 1 to dry
Supplies: clear ornament, snow flakes, medium sized colorful pom poms, small black pom poms, chenille wire, googly eyes, orange puff paint, and glue
Directions:
     Fill ornament completely full of snow flakes.
     Glue silver top to ornament (I used Liquid Nails.).
     Thread a two-inch piece of chenille wire through hanger on silver cap.
   Glue wire on each side of the ornament (I used hot glue for this and the following gluing steps).
     Glue pom poms to cover the ends of the chenille wire, creating "ear muffs."
     Glue two googly eyes.
     Glue six, small black pom poms to create a mouth.
     Create a "carrot nose" with orange puff paint.
 
     The ornament needs at least a day to dry.

Decorative Plate or Mug
Estimated Length of Creation Time: 4 days
Supplies: ceramic plate or mug, oil-based Sharpies, stencils (optional)
Directions:
     Clean surface of plate or mug with an alcohol wipe.
    Decorate with oil-based Sharpies in design of your choice. Stencils can be used.
     Allow item to dry for at least 36 hours.
     Bake in oven at 425 degrees for 1 hour.
 
 Caution: The cheaper the ceramic, the higher the likelihood of discoloration after baking. 

     I hope you aren't scrambling at the last minute for a gift; but if you find yourself in that predicament, I hope these give you some inspiration!
     Until the next post . . . keep smiling!