Making Presents

I'm sitting here watching The Big Bang Theory (it's the one where Sheldon doesn't get a haircut on time and he starts to play the bongos in the middle of the night...I love this show!) :), and thinking about my friend's birthday next week. I like to make my presents if I can, since I am crafty and all that, and I feel that sometimes (not always) it is more meaningful to someone than store bought (although I never turn down a present!)

I was in Michael's the other day (part of my June shopping haul) looking for inspiration (my original idea was no where to be found) and I stumbled across the glass painting/stencil aisle. I found a cool Martha Stewart press on stencil-on clearance (not normally a big fan of her...but this stuff was pretty cool), and some paint, and viola! an idea!

I could make some votive candle holders and personalize them to her style. This is what I used.

Some paint, foam daubbers, votive candle holders and stencils. The cool thing about these stencils is that they are self adhesive and flexible, so they can curve around objects. The ones I bought have a floral theme.

I put the paint into different corners of a paper paint, to make clean-up nice and easy. I also recommend having damp paper towels and some q-tips on hand to wipe up any extra paint.

I centered the stencil on one side of the class and used a daubber to 'paint' the glass. I stippled it on (think of bouncing it up and down on glass). This is where having the paper towel and q-tip come in handy, so you can wipe up paint from the edges of the stencil if you're messy like me!

After I did one side, I removed the stencil and tried to center it directly across on the other side. It stuck without any problem! This time though, instead of laying the votive holder down on the table I did the 'stick your finger in the glass to hold it steady' manuever.

The finished product! After the paint dries a little more, I am going to spray it with a finishing spray to make sure that it won't flake off.

I made three more in different colors/flowers, but you are going to have to wait until Monday to see them!

I just need to buy the tea lights to go in the votive holders, and my friend is going to have a wonderful (if I do say so myself! :) unique gift for her birthday.

You can also reuse the stencils many times, so think of the things that you can create! I also though about doing a couple of vases to match, and candlesticks, but maybe that will be a Christmas present! ;)

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn