November 18, 2010

A Quick and Easy Gift Idea

I love a quick, easy and functional gift idea. Today’s project is all that! Dry-erase organizers like this one are a terrific gift to make for sisters, moms, grandmas and teachers alike, and with an itty-bitty price tag and a minimal investment of time, you can whittle down your gift list considerably by making a few of these beauties!

All set? Let’s get started!

(The board pictured here is one I made for my mom for Mothers’ Day earlier this year, and I didn’t take any pictures of it as a work in progress. I am very sorry for the lack of a photo step-by-step with this tutorial!)

For this project, you will need…

(1) 10×13-inch frame (I purchased mine at Wally World for $5)
Scrapbooking papers in two patterns
Cardstock: one color that coordinates with your patterned paper, and white
Scrapbooking adhesive (I prefer this adhesive roller from Tombow)
Paper trimmer
Letter stickers
Stickers, rub-ons and other embellishments

step 1 Trim your papers and cardstock according to the following dimensions:

From your first patterned paper: (4) strips cut to 1.25 x 11.75 inches
From your second patterned paper: (3) strips cut to 1.25 x 11.75 inches
From your colored cardstock: (1) strip cut to 1.25 x 11.75 inches and (1) strip cut to 1.25 x 10 inches
From your white cardstock: (7) 1-inch squares

step 2 Remove the cardboard backing from your frame. You will affix all of your pieces directly to this piece. Take your 1.25 x 10-inch strip of colored cardstock, and adhere it vertically along the left edge of your cardboard piece, so that the lower corners are perfectly aligned. Now, take your remaining colored cardstock strip and adhere it horizontally along the top edge, butting the edge of this piece just against the right-most edge of your first piece. (The entire left and top edges of your cardboard base piece should be covered now with your colored cardstock.)

step 3 Starting with a strip of your first patterned paper, adhere this piece horizontally so its left (short) edge butts directly against the first cardstock piece you adhered in step one and its top (long) edge is directly against the long edge of the second cardstock piece. Now, take a strip of your second patterned paper and adhere it in a similar fashion. Continue adhering your strips in this manner, alternating between your different patterns, taking care to ensure that the edges of each subsequent piece touch, but don’t overlap. You shouldn’t be able to see any of the cardboard backing between your strips.

step 4 Now, adhere your white cardstock squares within the boundaries of the column created by your left-most piece of cardstock, making sure each square corresponds to a different patterned paper row. Place letter stickers on each of the squares to represent the days of the week: S, M, T, W, T, F, S.

step 5 If creating a menu/to-do board as I have done here, place those letters in your top cardstock row. (You can modify the wording of this board to suit the needs of your recipient.) Now, finish your board by embellishing as desired with additional stickers, rub-ons and other flat scrapbooking embellishments.

step 6 Now, slip your finished work into your frame (making sure the glass front is still in the frame when you do so). The glass makes this board 100% compatible for use with dry-erase markers, so your board is now ready to fill with your plans week after week!

Helpful Hints and Tips

If giving this as a gift, be sure to include a dry-erase marker with your board. Or, if you would prefer, chalk markers like these are marvelous, and they are far less messy! 

For this project, I highly recommend American Crafts Foam and Vinyl Thickers. I love the dimension they add, even when they are behind the glass. 

As always, I will be happy to answer any additional questions you might have!

***

Who can believe Thanksgiving is one week from today? Whoa!!

Photobucket

Linking this to…

Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!


Photobucket
If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Positively Splendid 
to receive updates, and join us on Facebook and Twitter!

  Subscribe in a Reader Receive Email Updates Follow on Twitter Join us on Facebook
Photobucket

Amy @ Positively Splendid

Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you'll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
Amy @ Positively Splendid

@splendidamy

Mama of four, creative enthusiast, craft & DIY blogger. Find me knee-deep in my next project at http://www.PositivelySplendid.com!
Fresh strawberry-lime pie. Sweet and lively - like summer on a plate! Recipe here: http://t.co/co5Pz9UhKU - 3 hours ago
Amy @ Positively Splendid

Latest posts by Amy @ Positively Splendid (see all)

,

11 Responses to A Quick and Easy Gift Idea

  1. Summer November 18, 2010 at 10:11 pm #

    This is fabulous! I may have to make one for my mother in law for Christmas! (And perhaps one for myself, too!)

    Reply
  2. Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} November 19, 2010 at 1:57 am #

    This is really cute! I love the bright colors and it sounds super simple. I may have to make some of these for my girlfriends for Christmas. Thank you so much for the inspiration, Amy!

    Reply
  3. Liz at 4 GUYS and A DOLL November 19, 2010 at 2:17 am #

    Very pretty….I would have to quadruple the size to work for my household…but it has my mind working…thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  4. Amanda November 19, 2010 at 12:57 pm #

    Happy Friday! I love this! I featured you today on my blog toptwentthings.blogspot.com I would love for you to stop by and grab a button!

    Amanda

    Reply
  5. Tammy@ Not Just Paper and Glue November 19, 2010 at 5:18 pm #

    This is an awesome idea. I guess I never realized that glass was erasable. This is so cool!

    Reply
  6. Summer November 22, 2010 at 2:21 am #

    I’m going to be featuring this on my blog next week! Thanks for the great idea!

    Sumo
    http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com

    Reply
  7. PeaceLoveApplesauce November 23, 2010 at 9:33 pm #

    I love, love, love this!!

    Reply
  8. ~*Connie*~ March 22, 2011 at 7:41 pm #

    I found your amazing blog through blog hopping and loved this craft. I linked you up on my page but here is what I did with mine at http://mommyfaithadkinslove.blogspot.com/2011/03/craft-time.html

    Thanks for the inspiration!!! =)

    Reply
  9. PeaceLoveApplesauce April 7, 2011 at 2:52 pm #

    This is being featured on my blog today.. I hope you don’t mind!! =)

    Reply
  10. Angela May 25, 2011 at 3:33 am #

    Love this project I just made one for myself! I hope you don’t mind I linked this page on my blog for your tutorial.
    http://sunnyonsomersby.blogspot.com/2011/05/projects-lots-of-projects.html

    Reply
  11. ~$moneybaby$~ May 10, 2013 at 5:25 pm #

    omg i did this 4 my mom and she loves t

    Reply

Leave a Reply

myfreecopyright.com registered & protected


© 2009-2012. Positively Splendid. All rights reserved.