DIY Holiday Gifts

Yesterday we talked food gifts, and today we’re talking handmade DIY presents. I don’t know about you, but I would  much rather receive something small with lots of thought put into it than something pricey that was an afterthought. It just means more knowing someone spent their time rather than their money. Here are fifteen gifts that would be perfect alone or partnered with one of our suggestions!

 

antler-monogrammed-door-mat-Lia-Griffith-Design-Crush

Pair with: a boot brush, a small rosemary bush for the porch.

 

bullet-horn-necklace-The-Merrythought-Design-Crush

Pair with: simple earrings, a pair of bangles.

 

etched-snow-globe-Apartment-Therapy-Design-Crush

Pair with: a pretty brass bell, bottle brush trees.

 

geometric-tree-puzzle-A-Beautiful-Mess-Design-Crush

Pair with: a few vintage ornaments, homemade pomanders.

 

knotted-leather-bracelets-Henry-Happened-Design-Crush

Pair with: a soft pair of gloves or mittens, a silk scarf.

 

leather-cup-jacket-Design-Sponge-Design-Crush

Pair with: hot toddy ingredients, a set of mason jars.

 

leather-stained-coasters-Design-Sponge-Design-Crush

Pair with: a set of mugs, mulling spices.

 

leather+wood-trivets-Design-Sponge-Design-Crush

Pair with: soup mix, a vintage pot.

 

painted-mugs-Front-&-Main-Design-Crush

Pair with: gourmet hot chocolate, homemade cookies.

 

polka-dot-napkins-Freutcake-Design-Crush

Pair with: crackers and cheese, pretty cocktail plates.

 

rope-chargers-Whimseybox-Design-Crush

Pair with: letterpress place cards, a set of linen napkins.

 

soy-wax-candles-Henry-Happened-Design-Crush

Pair with: a candle snuffer, a nice box of matches.

 

stitched-clutch-Henry-Happened-Design-Crush

Pair with: a bottle of nail polish, a pair of sunglasses.

 

sweater-wrapped-votives-BHG-Design-Crush

Pair with: a cozy scarf or blanket, a favorite board game.

 

tablet-sweater-case-Sweet-Paul-Design-Crush

Pair with: an iTunes gift card, screen cleaner.

Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

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DIY Holiday Decor

Each December I make the effort to take on at least one holiday craft project. Because it’s true what they say – homemade/handmade really does mean more. I can look back at past projects and know just what was going on in my life the years that I made them, almost like a timeline. I haven’t decided on my project for 2013 just yet, but these 25 (yeah, that number is no coincidence) are for sure in the running!

 

3-wreaths-Oh-Happy-Day-Design-Crush

 

cinnamon-stick-garland-Ruffled-Design-Crush

 

colorful-bottle-brush-trees-Just-Something-I-Made-Design-Crush

 

giant-christmas-bells-Oh-Happy-Day-Design-Crush

 

gold-leaf-pine-cone-garland-The-Sweetest-Occasion-Design-Crush

 

Holiday-Wall-Art-Paper&Stitch-Design-Crush

 

honeycomb-ornament-chandelier-Studio-DIY-Design-Crush

 

origame-christmas-trees-myLifebox-Design-Crush

 

Paper-Star-Design-and-Form-Design-Crush

 

pom-pom-wreath-Jojotastic-Design-Crush

 

rope-light-strang-A-Merry-Mishap-Design-Crush

 

snowflake-panels-Design-Sponge-Design-Crush

 

wooden-christmas-tree-display-shelf-Curbly-Design-Crush

 

birdseed-ice-ornaments-Henry-Happened-Design-Crush

 

color-block-ornament-garland-Sugar&Cloth-Design-Crush

 

dipped-pine-cone-wreath-Style-At-Home-Design-Crush

 

giant-fringe-ornament-Paper&Stitch-Design-Crush

 

Holiday-Floating-Candles-Bell'-Alimento-Design-Crush

 

honeycomb-christmas-tree-Studio-DIY-Design-Crush

 

makeshift-christmas-tree-almost-makes-perfect-Design-Crush

 

painted-ornaments-Oh-Happy-Day-Design-Crush

 

perforated-table-top-christmas-trees-Curbly-Design-Crush

 

popsicle-snowflakes-Uptown-DIY-Design-Crush

 

silhouette-wreath-The-Paper-Mama-Design-Crush

 

wax-paper-tree-Bower-Power-Design-Crush

Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

4

My (Imaginary) Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving 13-Header-Design Crush

 

I’m a planner by nature. As a 10 year old I drew floor plans for fun and throughout school rewrote notes to relax. NERD ALERT! Now I love that planning is a part of running Design Crush, and there’s not much I love more than planning a good dinner party – real or imagined! (You can see Thanksgiving 2012 right here.)

 

Thanksgiving13-Cocktails-Design-Crush

 

Thanksgiving13-Apps-Design-Crush

 

Thanksgiving13-Decor-Design-Crush

 

Thanksgiving13-Table-Design-Crush

 

Thanksgiving13-Dinner-Design-Crush

 

Thanksgiving13-Desserts-Design-Crush

 

THE COCKTAILS
Pomegranate + Blackberry Lemondrop
Spiced Amaretto Apple Cider Kiss
Satsuma and Pomegranate Campari

THE APPS
Oven Baked Camembert with Honey Roasted Figs
Zucchini Chips
Sweet Onion Crack Dip

THE DECOR
Colossal Golden Wishbone
DIY Laurel Wreath
Mini Brass Square Candle Houses
Gold Glitter Garland
Solid Brass Coasters
Thanksgiving Banner

THE TABLE
Castle Peak Dinnerware
Arrow & Adobe Linen Napkins
Aueux Carving Set
Enchanted Ikat Table Runner
French Paddle
Graphic Pitcher
Industrial Inspired Metal Candle Holders
Mercury Glass Taper Holders
Metallic Print Glassware Set
Rose Gold Flatware
Rose Gold Salad Set
DIY Rosemary Wreath Place Cards

DINNER
Acorn Squash and Pancetta Soup
Autumn Arugula Salad
Caramelized Coconut Butter Apples
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes
Citrus and Herb Roasted Turkey
Herbed Bread and Cherry Cranberry Stuffing
Honey Maple Beer Bread
Honey Mustard Brussels Sprouts Slaw
Pumpkin Sage Polenta

DESSERT
Greek Style Pumpkin Pie
Honey & Whiskey Apple Tarts
Maple Pudding Cakes

9

Happy Weekend

1-Design Crush

2-Design Crush

3-Design Crush

4-Design Crush

5-Design Crush

6-Design Crush

7-Design Crush

8-Design Crush

9-Design Crush

10-Design Crush

01/ Mica Angela Hendricks illustrates heads and let’s her 4 year old draw the bodies!
02/ Fantastic 3D drawings by Ben Heine.
03/ A floating rainbow made from 840 sheets of colored paper.
04/ This little bike really is the ultimate IKEA hack!
05/ Illustrations of every outfit Walter White ever wore in seasons 1-5 of Breaking Bad.
06/ This clever outdoor color installation mimics lamplight.
07/ A man spent 20 years building kinetic carnival rides to advertise a family restaurant.
08/ Beautifully graphic crystal stemware from Scholten & Baijings.
09/ Banksy set up an anonymous booth in Central Park + sold his original art for $60 a pop!
10/ Just some regular guys as underwear models.

This week on Design Crush:
Mix #29: You Hold My Hand and Tell Me It’s Fine
Shannon Finley
All Spooked Up
Mark Lovejoy
Party Prints
Variopointe
Marbelous Wood
Tips&Tricks: Being Green
Anek

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Tips&Tricks: Being Green

Tips&Tricks-Being-Green-Design-Crush

I don’t know about you, but I try to consistently add green ways of living to my day to day on a regular basis. Some things are easier than others, but it’s always worth it. Here are some tips&tricks (and a few products) that can go a long way.

 

10 easy secrets to greening your house.

30 items to avoid composting + recycling.

Make your own compost bin.

30 green beauty finds.

Using natural fabric dyes.

DIY cleaning products.

Natural homemade wood polish.

DIY living wall projects for your home.

 

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