Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Inexpensive Christmas gifts to make 'em say "Wow!"

Are you sitting down for a bit?  I've got a photo-heavy Christmas gift post to share.  Would you believe that each of these gifts cost me no more than $3.00 to make?  Granted, I have many, many (many) supplies on hand already -- like the paper, ribbons, pearls -- that I'm not adding in to the cost.  Each beautiful candle ring cost no more than $2.00 on sale, and the wooden frames were each $1.00.  


Each frame started off looking like this:


I'm in all things miniature (check out my Pinterest board, "Miniatures") and these candle rings just grabbed me by the heartstrings.  They're only about 3 3/4" wide, and, well, I just love 'em!


The next one has Champagne Metallic craft paint by Martha Stewart on the frame.   You can't see the pretty shimmer it has here.



I used Light Gold Metallic craft paint, also by Martha, on the following frame.  It's got a terrific pearly shine, but so hard to photograph!



The next two frames were primed with white craft paint first, and then washed with Heavenly Hues Gold paint wash by DecoArt, and wiped off.


You can see the gold better here:




Stampin' Up! lovers will recognize this retired flocked patterned paper from several years back.  It makes a dramatic piece, doesn't it?



Similar to the one above, the frame below has a slightly different 'wreath' on it.  It doesn't have white berries.


I lined the recessed part with metallic gold ribbon.  Can you see it?


Of all the frames, I fell in love with this modern one below, destined for my mother.  She loves black and all things contemporary.  Something about the simple lines and clean palette appealed to me.


I used another piece of retired Stampin' Up! designer paper (a wedding set...forget the name) behind the wreath.  It's got stripes of matte and glossy black.


Lucky me....these projects fit in the City Crafter challenge:  Wood + Frame.  It's like it was made for me!!  I'm also entering at The Paper Players -- theme is "Evergreen."  These wreaths are definitely fitting in. :-)

I'm glad you stopped by!  Which one is your favorite?

29 comments:

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, these frames and the little candle rings are just beautiful! Each one so very different but fantastic in its own way. I, too, love the elegant black, but also the whitewashed frames, and and and... hard to pick a favorite. Again, the candle rings are fabulous. I'd go crazy buying those up! Thanks for a great post, Colleen!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Wow wow wow wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww!! These are all AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS!!!! I loveeeeeeeee those wreaths!!! Pinning!!!

Carol Hurlock said...

These are absolutely gorgeous Colleen. Looks like you have quite a few made too!!! The wreaths are so beautiful. I can see how they caught your eye. They make a most awesome gift to be treasured for years to come.
Bear Hugs,
Carol

Marisa said...

These are FABULOUS, Colleen!! Gorgeous wreathes and what a great idea for gifts!

Unknown said...

Absolutely gorgeous !

LeAnne said...

WOW WOW WOW! These knocked my socks off! What charming gifts, and a great way to use those candle rings! Amazing! Thanks for participating in my Evergreen challenge this week! Loved them all!

Rebecca Deeprose said...

YEAH Colleen! Your mojo is really going!!! Love them! Such a terrific idea and I adore the variations you've created! ((hugs)) Rebecca

Maria said...

Soooo gorrrrgeous, Colleen! A definite "WOW" from me! I love every single one of these creations! Those little wreaths are spectacular! Framed beauties that make fabulous gifts!

~Tammy~ said...

Oh Col, I know I am echoing everyone who has commented before me, but seriously these are too gorgeous! I love all things wreaths and this is right up my alley! Aren't making Christmas Gifts so fun! I think I have burned off my fingerprints with my glue gun this year.

So so pretty!

MackieMade Paper Creations said...

Wowsa!!! All of your frames are absolutely gorgeous!!!

Vicki Dutcher said...

Well that was quite the fun post! Adorable mini wreaths on all of these - what fun little gifts!

lisa808 said...

Gorgeous! The first one is my favorite--love the colors.

Rose said...

these are awesome!!!! i love the candle rings used for wreaths :)

Lisa Elton said...

Holy smokes Colleen these are all so PRETTY!! I think the second one is my favorite. The fancy corner embellishments and that pretty little ivory bow are the icing on the cake there!!

Sathya said...

Awwwww...series of pretty frames..Such eye candies..Yet black is my favorite!!!Sure gonna be a winning entry, Colleen :)

Ros Crawford said...

Oh Colleen I need to visit here more often ... These are stunning!! Thank you so much for playing along at CCCB ... I'm off to visit your Pinterest site ... Have a beautiful day!!

Ros Crawford said...

Oh Colleen I need to visit here more often ... These are stunning!! Thank you so much for playing along at CCCB ... I'm off to visit your Pinterest site ... Have a beautiful day!!

Emily Keaton said...

GASP!!!! Colleen, these are GORGEOUS!! I am in love with each and every one of these beautiful creations. You *know* I love making gifts, and these are just incredible. And moneysavers, too!! Everyone will love their gifts. Awesome work!!

Karen McAlpine said...

"WOW" indeed. The beautiful framed pieced are so pretty. Candle rings??? This is such a great way to used the candle rings!!! Super idea!!

Anonymous said...

Stunning!!!! I love all of them!! Cant pick a fav :-) Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB

Nance Leedy said...

Oh my Colleen, these are all GORGEOUS! I am really drawn to the contemporary ones as well--my fave is the green wreath on the glossy black background...stunning! Thank you for sharing with us at The Paper Players!

Petti said...

Those are really gorgeous!

stampwithsandy said...

Wow these wreaths are just gorgeous, Colleen! What a great idea and what a great gift for someone special. I think I like the red one you submitted for our challenge the best, the gold cording is so pretty. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work with us at The Paper Players!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Awesome work there, thanks for playing along with us at CCCB!

Susie said...

Oh my! OH MY! OH OH MY!!! Colleen, I love these beautiful framed pieces of art. Like Leslie Miller, I'd go crazy buying these little numbers up. Where did you find them? I love the flocked SU frame and the modern Black frame as well. Oh who am I kiddin' I loved em' all! I thoroughly enjoyed this post!

Stacey Schafer said...

Gorgeous! Truly beautiful frames!

AppleApricot Wen said...

Oh wow Colleen you're Christmas frames are so gorgeous!! Great decorations and gifts for Christmas. Thank you for joining us at City Crafter :) Hugs

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

WOWZER Colleen - what a delight to stroll through these pictures - I have never seen any candle rings quite like these, but boy - I'm sure gonna try and find some!! I love the inventive way you have used them with the frames and embellishments - absolutely fabulous!
Hugs, Sylvia xx

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

WOWZER Colleen - what a delight to stroll through these pictures - I have never seen any candle rings quite like these, but boy - I'm sure gonna try and find some!! I love the inventive way you have used them with the frames and embellishments - absolutely fabulous!
Hugs, Sylvia xx

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