My brother in law just bought a new home and they love nice crafty things they are making some new all the time for their house. It needs to be something pretty nice that cost under 30.00. Their house is really nice and I don't want something that a 1st grader can make....thanks in advance for your advice.
2006-10-17 15:04:15 · 10 answers · asked by dananapril 2 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Some things I've made over the years are:
Welcome signs: using a wood-burning tool, I've made customized welcome signs to hang outside their home (either close to the door or near the curb). I have also carved poles to hang carved signs near the gateway/curb/door.
Stepping Stones: Using a concrete mix and a hand made mold, I've made these with last names, house numbers, etc...using marbles, glass stones, river rocks, or engraving. Using large plant leaves to create leaf-shaped stones is very unique, easy to do, and inexpensive (it is time-consuming, but well worth the effort!). These have always gone over the best!
Painted Mailbox: Using an old flea-market find, I've painted old mailboxes in favorite colors or themes, with names or house numbers, or with a picture painted (eg. of their house, etc). One I did was painted a dark blue, with an Arabian horse head painted for breeders I know :)
Swag: using branches and twigs, along with store-bought dried or silk flowers, berries and the like, I've made lovely swags to hang on the front door, or even inside. One I still love is in autumn colors, with berries and a small "Welcome" sign hanging from it.
Home portraits: Take a photo of their new home, have it printed large, and frame it in a nice, simple frame. You could even take it to the next level by making it a Pyramid image (contact me personally for more information - it's super easy!). The pyramid image is always well loved!
Paper Doll Family: I created a family out of paper dolls, to look like each member. The dolls were set in a shadowbox, with colors the family liked, and the date they officially moved in.
Hope this helps!
TDK
2006-10-17 16:11:40 · answer #1 · answered by Tara Dk 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you can paint or decoupage,try making a key rack out of a nicely shaped wooden plaque from the craft store. Either paint it or cover with decoupaged prints also available at the craft store. Then screw 4 or 5 cup hooks along the bottom and a sawtooth picture hanger on the back. I made a cute key garage using an old scratched narrow spice cabinet I found at a yard sale. I sanded it, gave it a coat of paint that matched my kitchen colors and sponged another coat of a lighter shade on top for a mottled look. Applied some rub on decals at the top and lined the lattice look door with a scrap of fabrics left over from my curtains. There was even a little open shelf below the door compartment to display a favorite novelty salt and pepper shaker. These type of spice racks are always available at thrift shops.
2006-10-17 22:50:55 · answer #2 · answered by jidwg 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say what your area of specialty is, so I'm going to toss out a couple of ideas.
A pretty "Welcome" picture in cross stitch or needlepoint, or pillows for their sofa in either form.
Some of those cookie mixes in Mason jars with decorated lids. After they bake the cookies, they can use the jars for spices or other things.
A fretwork clock if you like to use a bandsaw -- you can buy the clock part itself at Clockit very cheaply.
A quilt or afghan for their bed. The materials will cost less than the time, but a quilt or afghan would be wonderful.
An appliqued banner for a flagpole. You could make a set of seasonal ones or one pretty "Welcome" banner.
A pretty shelf done with the bandsaw and/or scrollsaw. Maybe one for that "awkward" area where the standard storebought one won't fit.
Like I said, if I knew what your area and level of expertise are, I could've probably been of more help. But maybe these suggestions will spark an idea for you. Good luck, and happy crafting!
2006-10-17 22:19:29 · answer #3 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try this. I use it for all housewarming gifts and they go over very well. Buy a heart shaped jar/bottle with a wide enough opening to fit change (quarters, nickels etc). Usually you can find them at Wal-Mart in the craft or floral section. Fill it with a handful of assorted change and white rice. Put a cork on the top of it (also found at Wal-Mart). Tie a ribbon around the neck and print these words on a card attached to the ribbon:
May you always have food in your pantry
Money in your pockets
And Love in your hearts.
The Heart jar symbolizes the love, the rice represents the food and of course the coins represent the money. Its fairly cheap to make and will be treasured for years.
2006-10-17 22:31:44 · answer #4 · answered by lyfsavr1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I love crafty things too. One of the nicest things I have seen is a Christmas bulb with their (old or new) house painted on it, with the year/date printed. Of course you'd have to find someone that knows how to paint and put it on a hanging displayer.
Also if you're handy with computers or know someone who is-take a picture of their house, have it transposed into a pencil drawing with a type of software that does that kind of stuff, and print it on a nice or
canvas paper. Then put it in a nice frame. I took a picture of my husband with my grandson and transposed it into a drawing and we put it in his scrapbook page and everyone comments on how neat it is. I hope this helps. It really is a great gift and not very costly. Good Luck!
2006-10-17 22:26:29 · answer #5 · answered by jokers5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can embellish photo frames, using leather, paper, or other materials. Just check to see what goes with their livingroom. You can also dress up candles/candleholders,etc.
If you know how to sew/quilt- I think anyone would appreciate a nice 3' X 4' quilted throw for the recliner
Walmart, Joann's, and Micheal's all have craft kits- like keyholders, shelves, wooden plaques, signs with wire handles, etc.
2006-10-17 22:21:48 · answer #6 · answered by dpferguson29 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go and find a very old rusty pot, for the garden...its really a french craze...looks awsome!!! as 30.00 is not a great deal to spend.Put a lavendar plant the next week in it or when ever you can.
or
Buy them a fantastic door mat....
or
Go to your local hardware store and ask what you can make...they will be great to ask! all the best.
2006-10-17 22:15:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A quilt, you can make it from old clothes for cheap.
2006-10-17 22:14:05 · answer #8 · answered by venusiaint 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could do a picture and if its any good they might actually hang it up
2006-10-17 23:30:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
blanket for there bed
2006-10-18 07:31:12 · answer #10 · answered by Linda O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋