Wanna know my secret "gift?"

One of my favorite things in this whole WIDE world is to give gifts.
 I am not talking about just going to Pottery Barn, finding a good smelling candle and wrapping it up and calling it a day. 

I am talking about pre-planning months in advance, careful listening during conversations and then...here is my new secret...

Going to pinterest.com

Here you can get inspired about what they are looking for, or needing; what their taste is, maybe even what their obsession is right now.  ITS BRILLIANT!! (at least I think so:)

(Since my beautiful cousin, Katie just celebrated her special day, I thought I would offer up some tips on making each gift, SUPER SPECIAL and Ill use her as an example!!!)

TIP 1.  Let's face it, you buy this cute wrapping paper or a gift bag and it just goes straight to the trash, such a waste.  But why not step outside the "box" and actually put your gift in something they'll want to  
KEEP, USE and LOVE?!?!? 

Lately I've been using Crates as gift holders, they offer style and function!  I've also used wooden boxes (with lids), which can then become jewelry, key or craft boxes.

(you can find a crate like this at your local craft store and if you want yours to look like this one, feel free to check out my last blog post, on staining.)

TIP 2. (already gave this one away) pinterest.com!  I mean they are basically laying out gift ideas, right in front of you!

For example, I found one that gave easy instructions for a way to "slough" (gross word) off dry feet.  HELLO...she loves anything that sounds like PEDICURE, so I jumped at this one.  PLUS we can do it together, and I can be a little crafty by making the fun bottles!  


(sadly this turned into a #pinterestfail, but as always, we didn't care, we just liked being together)

TIP 3. Being a good listener.  Yes we were taught that as children, but now its really coming in to play!  For example, Katie mentioned earlier this year she was focusing on her living room decor and had asked me for advice regarding a shelf.  

 GIFT = a few items that I thought she would LOVE and that would be perfect on the living room shelf!

TIP 4. REALLY, TRULY learn your friends.  Some are easier then others, and it takes time, but be aware of your surroundings when you are in their home or out shopping with them.  OR even ask them questions to get to know them better.  

For Example, I've learned that my cousins are "listers." They like to write out lists, in order to accomplish items. 

GIFT = ADORABLE notepad, that's sorta "old school" looking and has an AWESOME feature at the bottom.  It has "tear away stubs" that contain fun messages and quotes.  So you can slip one in someones luggage or send one in the mail...or hey, even put one in a bottle;) (talk about multifunctional)

After spending time at her home, I noticed she is organized and spends a lot of time in the kitchen.  
GIFT = chalkboard label jars.
I know she and her husband are avid readers (cause they are my "go to" for book requests).  
GIFT = I found these adorable and funky new bookmarks that look like a sprout is growing out from your book!

TIP 5. My last tip is maybe more about preference, but (as you may be able to tell) I like to give A LOT of items and that can add up to A LOT of $$...so I search out small little things, that I know they'll love, that add up to ONE BIG, FUN GIFT!

Example: As Ive watched Katie shop over the years, Ive learned she likes a little sparkle.  NOT too much, but just a little.  So I had to find some fun, shiny objects that I knew she would love and what girl doesn't like some new jewelry?! 


PLUS I think your gift LOOKS like a WHOLE LOTTA fun this way! So many fun things to unwrap and LOVE:)

 (P.S. Same concept here with my cousin Chrissie! (I think I'd rather give these then get ANY gifts!)

Have fun with it and ENJOY!

Gel Stain, Changed My LIFE.

I am only SLIGHTLY exaggerating here, but  in all honesty, before my husband, I used to HATE to stain items.

So then he took on side job while out in California where he had to strip and re-stain some dresser's.  This is when he introduced me to Minwax's "Gel Stain" and now I simply cant get enough. (my favorite stain color is "Aged Oak.")

Now a reminder...I am not a professional when it comes to this, but I do have some decent "creds."  While I was in college I had the opportunity of a lifetime, I did my internship with none other then, Pie Town Productions (also known as HGTV.) I worked on the sets of Design On a Dime, Designed To Sell and a few other seasonal shows. (Talk about a dream) so as I said, I may not be a PRO, but I've been there, done that...a few times;)

Okay..so back to the Gel stain, I find this way of staining easy, "semi" foolproof and SO FUN!

(and when my husband makes me go back to the normal stain...I kick, cry and scream...seriously:) 

So in preparation for my next blog, I needed to stain a lovely crate...perfect timing, huh?

Its literally as easy as....

 Dip your brush into the stain and "paint" it on, just make sure you are brushing with the grain of the wood. (very important, otherwise you'll see streaking, or brush strokes)

 Completely cover the piece of wood you are working on,  don't worry about excess because the next step is to wipe the excess of with an old rag. (Just be sure to watch your edges around the wood, as the excess may spill over the sides.)  Again, just wipe it away, if it has dried a little, just use a little muscle and it should rub off. 

 When it comes to nail holes or divets in the wood, I prefer them to be "fully" stained.  If you see in the first picture, I started to stain the board and you can still see some of the natural wood coming through.  My solution is to just press hard with your foam brush over those holes, the excess stain that is inside your brush comes out and...

fills in the holes (as you can see on the left.)  I simply just use that excess stain to keep going on the rest of the board, or if you are already done, just wipe it away with the rag. 

It's literally THAT easy! (at least with Gel stain, that is)

 

Just remember to continue to go around the box and wipe off the excess (like I found on the outside of my box, as I was staining the inside, shown above) ALSO remember to get your edges, and inside the crevices too!

OH! And one last tip...make sure you use a little "extra" stain when working with big knots, seeing as the grains in the wood are deeper around these sections!

Here is the box finalized (I like to paint the inside) Sorry about the bad coloration on the photo:(  (but you'll see more of this box for my next post!)

Here are two other projects my husband and I stained with the same Minwax, Gel Stain

same color (Aged Oak) to give you a better idea of the coloration....

A BEAUTIFUL headboard for some friends out in California, The Fongs! 

(who we miss dearly)

And a beautiful new bed for our niece,  Delaney!

So did I cover everything? Any questions? Please feel free to let me know!

Enjoy!