Friendship Jar DIY Cheap but Chic Gift

I made a friendship jar for each of my friends who had surgery last year.  I had maybe $1.50 in the entire gift, but it was a hit with each of my friends as well as their families.  I was told by one of the family members that I was the most thoughtful person she had ever met.  That made me feel good. 

I enjoy giving gifts.  I always have.  Now that money is tight, I have to think outside of the box.  This can def be a good thing because instead of picking up something from the store to give to someone, 9 times out of 10 I'm gonna make it.  I can honestly say that every handmade gift I have ever given has been well-received.  I think the reason is the recipient knows more thought was put into other than shelling out a few bucks.

Anyway, here you will see original instructions and where I got the idea from.  I am going to post the directions to their original concept, but I'm going to tell you have I modified to fit my situation.

Both of my friends had gastric bypass surgery.  Having had the surgery myself in 2005, I know how much their lives are going to change.  With that being said, on each slip of paper I included in their jars I wrote a positive mantra that they could look forward to.  .
Here are some examples:

• Eating to Live, Not Living to Eat
• Finding your size at thrift stores.
• NOT paying more for your clothing just b/c you can afford that extra cheeseburger!
• Fitting comfortably in a booth.
• Not checking the weight limit on everything you buy, stand on, sit on, etc.

There were many more that only obese or formerly obese people will get!  Anyway, each of my friends took the jar to the hospital to read the days after surgery when they were in pain.  They both told me that it helped them to get through the worst of it.  :)

Here's their original.

Materials:

• Decorative Jar with wide mouth I got mine @ Dollar Tree
• Ribbon or other embellishment
• Handwritten or computer generated positive words on slips of paper  I used small pieces of cardstock and decorated them with stickers
• Paper  See above
• Pen or Computer with printer  For above
• Scissors or Fiskars Personal Trimmer  I used the scissors that cut in the cutesy patterns-$1 each!

Instructions:

1. You can find fun jars at thrift shops and garage sales, you just want a wide mouth jar so it’s easy to put your slips of paper in and out of the jar. You can tie ribbon or embellish the jar with your favorites.
    
2. Handwritten messages: Cut slips of paper with scissors or personal trimmer. You can use one color of paper or use several, personalize this to the event or person getting the Friendship Jar. Write out positive words or statements. For example if this is for a special aunt you could write out all the things you love about her from her pretty smile to her fabulous chocolate chip cookies. Fold up the slips of paper and place in jar. I always recommend handwritten notes because the message and words just seem more unique written by you!
    
3. Computer generated messages: This is easy and quick, and if you are a neat freak using a computer will make you happier. Have fun and play with fonts and font size! Write out positive messages and words like described in Step 2. Print. Using your scissors or personal trimmer cut into slips of paper, fold, and place in jar!

Read more at http://www.favecrafts.com/Gifts-in-a-Jar/Friendship-Jar/ml/1#46aCRl3v0PRSDGjL.99

Friendship Jar - Used from Favecrafts.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father's Day...on the Cheap!

Father's Day is coming up on June 17th..any idea what you're gonna get your dad...or your baby's daddy??  If your dad is like mine was, he has everything!  Unfortunately, I will miss my daddy like crazy like I do everyday, but my Furrybabies always get their dad something.  Here are some FRUGAL Father's Day ideas:

Make a Daddy Caddy: use a recycled coffee can to make a decorative tool caddy for Dad to store things like nuts and bolts for DIY projects.

 Photos for His Desk: give Dad something that he can show off on his desk at his office at work. This cute photo cube is one idea, but use your creativity!

Other Homemade Ideas: a personalized blanket, a cool scrapbook or a duct tape wallet may be the way to go this Father's Day.

A Freshly-Detailed Car

Here are a few sites for Craft Ideas for the Kids!

Family Crafts

Family Fun

Martha Stewart

Father's Day Freebies

TCBY: head to your local TCBY location to pick up a free frozen yogurt on Father's Day! 

Free Personalized Cards: send dad a free Father's Day photo card from Cardstore.com. Just enter in coupon code LUVDAD2 at checkout after you've selected you card. Offer is good through June 8th and shipping is also free. 

Make Your Own Free Cards: print your own cards for free from one of these 20 great sites. 

Vistaprint Freebies: find free customizable gifts, like business cards, mugs, t-shirts and more over at Vistaprint.

Valentine's Day Wreath

Once in a while I get inspired!  I wanted a new wreath for Valentine's Day but I am on a TIGHT BUDGET!  I hate that word!!!  My oldest Lab had knee surgery December 16th to the tune of $2500.  Don't get me wrong...she is worth every little penny!  But dang, that hurts!

Okay....ADD moment!  Oh, my wreath!  Most of what you see was purchased from the Dollar Tree.  I'm gonna post a pic and break down the cost for you!

Little Hearts sticking out from the wreath:  $1 per pack x2 = $2

Large Bow in Center, holiday clearance @ Michael's = .39

Large Flowers, Ebay, bag of 30 for $2 = .27 for 4

Wired heart wrap, Dollar Tree =$1

Small Flowers, Ebay, bag of 40 for $2 = .20 for 4

Die Cut scalloped hearts, Ebay 30 for $1.50 = .25 for 5

Foam Letters, Dollar Tree, Pk of 135 =  .4 for 5

Wreath, Dollar Tree = $1

Hot Glue, Used 1 mini stick = .5

Grand Total $ 5.20

Cheap Mulit-Guitar Stand!! DIY

As many of you know my hubby is a musician.  He only has about 482 guitars...so maybe I'm exaggerating a little but he has A LOT!  He has a guitar stand that holds 5 but he had outgrown that.  He went searching for multi-guitar stands online but they were right at $100!  He knew I'd have a baby cow so he went searching for a way to cut costs....did I tell ya' I taught him right!?  

He found the instructions on how to create one online using PVC piping.  He made me a list and I went to Lowe's and picked it up because I was off work that day.  You will not believe how little this thing costs!  It would also make a great gift for any friends/family that you have who are musicians.  Check out the break down:

All Piping and fixtures are 3/4 inch in diameter.

1  10 Ft PVC Pipe  $1.68

5  caps  .20 each = $1.00

1  piece (6 ft) insulated pipe wrap  $1.18

14  T's  .29 each = $4.06

6  elbows  .28 each = $1.68

4 oz (smallest you can buy) jar of PVC cement  $3.38 for the jar, he used 1oz = $.95

GRAND TOTAL (tax included because I had to pay it too) $11.29

Estimated Savings = $88.71 = almost 89%

How cool is that?!?!  As I mentioned, this is a GREAT gift idea!  It took hubby about 1 hour to complete it and it looks awesome as you can see below:

If you want to cover the white piping you could always do so with all of the various colors of Duck Tape they have out now.  I suggested the Tie-Dyed one to hubby.  I think that will probably be done later! 

NOW for the PIMPED out Guitar Stand....

We have some kinda black n' white zebra thingie going!  CUTE!!

Until Next Time...Rocking Out w/ Our Cheap Guitar Stand,

Joy

Candy Bouquet Instructions

Sorry it has taken me so long to get these directions out for the candy bouquet...can you say EXAM WEEK?  Ugh...I thought that actually being the teacher during exam week would be MUCH less stressful...NOT SO MUCH!  I will blog either tonight or in the morning about how we're going on the Pantry Challenge!  :)

Cursing the EOC Exams, 

Joy

Candy Bouquet Instructions

Materials Needed:

*6 full size candy bars (or more depending on your container)

*2-3 fun size candy bars or other small candy treats

*bamboo skewers (1 for each piece of candy/candy bar)

*vase or other container that you like or find at a bargain!

*tissue paper-various colors; its very pretty with the shiny cellophane stuff too

*hot glue gun

*glue sticks

*foam block – size depends on your container

*curling ribbon bow or the ribbon to make your own bow

Directions:

*Hot glue bamboo skewers to the back of your candy by placing a long, thin line of glue wherever you’d like the skewer to go.  Gently lay skewer in hot glue.  I glue mine about 1.5-2 inches from the top of the bar just to give it support.  The small pieces were glued almost to the top of the piece of candy.  After you have the skewer on, take a small (probably 2x2 in) of tissue paper and poke a hole in the middle with your skewer.  Push the paper up to the base of the candy.  Place a VERY small amount of glue on 2-3 places around the candy and secure the tissue paper to it.  You want this to be very free flowing so just kind of scrunch it! 

By the time you have finished gluing your last piece, your first piece will be ready to use! 

*Place the foam block in your container so that it fits snugly.  Mine was very tight and didn’t go all the way to the bottom, so I wrapped the foam with tissue paper before putting it in the clear vase.  I also placed small hard candy pieces in the bottom of the vase that was empty.  If your foam does not fit snugly, simply put a few drops of hot glue on the bottom.

*I started my bouquet by “fanning out” 4 -6 candy bars in the back (think of the flower arrangements you have received).  Gently push the skewers into the foam…don’t push them all the way through.  :)  I ended up breaking off only about 2 inches of the skewer on these because I wanted them tall.  Next, using your other pieces fill in the empty spots, placing shorter ones towards the front. 

*The final step is to hot glue your bow to the front!

The thing I love about this idea is it’s SO easy (even I can do it), it’s cheap, and you can do SO many different things with it.  Whatever is on sale can go in it.  You could make it colored themed such as orange and black for Halloween, etc. 

Please let me know if you have any questions!  It is SO MUCH easier than it sounds!!

The finished product again!