Whether it's decorating for the holidays, coming up with a creative gift idea or throwing a fabulous party, I am all about DIY.
I hope you enjoy what you find at
reneelovesdiy!
View all posts by Welcome to my blog! →
Need a simple, yet personal gift for the New Year! Well, I have one for you! Gather your candles to create our New Year’s Wish Candle!
Recently, my daughter and I were visiting friends and we wanted to present them with a gift for the new year! We decided on labeling a candle with a wish for each member of the family with the idea that burning the candle then makes the wishes come true!
The wishes for this favorite family ranged from good luck on a college search to may you have many wonderful bottles of wine. Yes – those wishes were for different members of the family!
What do you need?
Candles
Paint Marker
Tape – to keep things straight!
Any candle will work for this project!
If you need a guide to keep things straight, apply tape before writing on the candles! Electrical tape works well because it is narrow and can be stretched! Also, it is sticky, but not too sticky.
I purchased a metallic Sharpie brand paint pen. The Oil formula worked very well on the candles. Occasionally, I found it necessary to write on plain paper to remove any wax that accumulated on the tip of the marker!
Here is the candle we made for our friends with their personalized wishes. The candle was originally in a jar, but it was easily removed by freezing the candle. As the candle freezes, it shrinks and will simply pop out of its jar. After we had written on the candle, we returned it to its jar, wrapped it in beautiful tissue paper and we had a wonderful New Year’s gift!
If you enjoy a wonderful glass of wine then you are probably like me and delight in giving your favorite bottles as gifts! Since we all like our gifts to be beautifully wrapped, what better way to present a bottle of wine than to wrap it in a lovely wine bag! This post also includes free printable wine gift tags!
Wine bottle gift bags are incredibly easy to make and for those of you who claim to be “non-sewers” this is the perfect project for you to begin your sewing adventure!
What do you need!
1 yard of a medium weight woven fabric – Decorator fabrics are my fabric of choice!
One yard will make 5 wine bags!
Courage! Yes – You can do this!
Here is a how-to video for making wine bags! This is the easiest way to learn how to create this fun and easy project!
Step One – Lay out your 1 yard of fabric and cut 8.5″ strips lengthwise. If your fabric is at least 44″ wide, you will be able to cut 5 strips of fabric that are 8.5″ wide and 36″ long from one yard of fabric.
Step Two – Taking one of your strips of fabric, fold it in half with the right sides together.
In sewing terms : Right side = printed side.
Pin along the long edges and mark the bottom fold with a pin.
Now we are going to create a pleat at the bottom fold to create a nice “boxed” bottom to our bag.
Step Three – Using your bottom fold pin as a marker, measure 1.5″ and create a new bottom fold. Remove the pin that originally marked the bottom and replace it in the same spot catching both layers of fabric. Do this on both sides of the bottom fold.
Now you will notice extra fabric on your top layer, just flatten this out and you will see how easily the pleat is formed at the bottom fold. Remove the bottom fold pin again and re-pin it so it now goes through all 4 layers of fabric.
On the other side, do the same thing – Remove the bottom fold pin and re-pin it so it goes through all 4 layers of fabric.
Step Four – You are now ready to sew your bag! Stitch 5/8″ seam on each of the long ends making sure to use a few back stitches at the start and end of your seams so your stitching will not unravel. At the top opening, finish the fabric edge with a zig-zag stitch to prevent it from fraying.
I am fortunate enough to have a serger therefore, I used that to sew my seams and finish the top edge of my bag. This is not necessary!
Time to create a hem at the bag opening.
Step Five – Fold the top opening of your bag over 2.5″ and pin it in place. Stitch the fold in place using a straight stitch 3/8″ from the edge.
Turn your bag right side out and Voila! – A Beautiful Wine Bag!
I do iron the bottom box pleat on the bags. It is not necessary, but it does finish it off nicely!
Now go take an adventure to your local fabric store and find a beautiful fabric to create these wonderful bags! Don’t forget the ribbon to tie your bag with!
A ribbon with a bow will require 42″ of ribbon and a ribbon with just a knot needs only 24″.
For additional fun, include an adorable wine tag with your gift – they are free!
Click here to print – Wine Tags!
“This is sooo good” – my son’s comment after taking a sip of this wonderful hot chocolate!
My daughter describes it as “creamy, delicious and chocolatey!”
This recipe truly makes a heavenly, rich hot chocolate that is so easy to prepare!
A printable recipe can be found at the bottom of this post!
Ingredients
1/4 cup Cocoa – I use Dutch Processed!
3 Tablespoons Sugar
1/2 cup water
12 oz Evaporated Milk
6 oz Milk
1/4 teaspoon of Vanilla
Dash of Salt
If you do not have Dutch Processed Cocoa – no worries! Any cocoa will work, but you may want to add an additional tablespoon of sugar with any other cocoa! If you can get your hands on the Dutch Processed – it is worth it!
Combine the water, sugar and cocoa powder in a medium sauce pan.
Bring the contents to a simmer for 3 minutes, whisking constantly.
Whisk in the milk and the evaporated milk. Heat thoroughly then remove from heat, add the vanilla and a dash of salt! Enjoy!
Have someone on your list who could use a “Happy” gift; a gift that will bring a smile to the grouchiest of grinches!
I have one for you!
An Elf movie basket with free printable gift tags!
In our household, the go to happy movie is Elf! It doesn’t matter what time of the year it is, watching the movie Elf is guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
If you have never seen it, you really must watch it sometime! The movie stars Will Ferrell as Elf, it has a delightful message, wonderful characters and is fun, fun, fun! The movie also stars Zooey Deschanel (you get to hear her fabulous voice) James Caan and Bob Newhart, need I say more?
I am not one to watch movies repeatedly, but this one I have seen too many times to count!
What do you need?
An Elf Movie
The four main food groups for Elves – candy, candy canes, candy corn, & syrup
Give a Happy Christmas Gift – The Elf Movie!
Don’t forget to include my favorite Elf quote -“I just like to smile. Smilings my favorite!”
Do you have someone on your list who always needs a caffeine fix?
Here is a easy way to take a simple coffee shop gift card and turn it in to a delightful gift to give and receive!
Make a coffee shop gift card a fun gift to give!
What do you need?
Gift Card from a favorite coffee shop!
Paper Coffee Cup , Lid & Splash Stick
Filler for the coffee cup – Candy would be my filler of choice!
The Coffee Shop Gift Card gets Wrapped!
Fill your cup with the gift card and candy. Tie on a beautiful ribbon!
Attach a coffee gift tag to the front and back of the splash stick.
If you are unable to get the splash stick, a bamboo fork will work just as well!
You now have a gift is beautiful, cheerful and a delight to receive!
The cup is the wrapping, the treat is for fun and the gift tags are available for you to print – Coffee Gift Tags! How easy was that?
All the coffee drinkers on your list will love this!
Wrapping the Coffee Shop Gift CardThe back of the gift tag!I linked up to iheartnaptime!
Here is an entertaining way to turn any gift card into a fun gift!
It looks like someone is getting coal for Christmas!
For that naughty person on your list, make it look like they are getting nothing but coal and a sock for Christmas this year! (A house elf is the only one who might think this is a good thing!)
What do you need?
Crazy pair of socks
Wrapped truffles or some kind of wrapped round candy. Something coal like!
Gift Card
It looks like someone is getting coal for Christmas!
Inside one of the stockings, stuff the other sock, the gift card and lots of truffles so it looks like it’s filled with lumpy coal. Tie up the end with a ribbon, add a “coal” gift tag and voila! A sock filled with “coal” that will please everyone, whether they have been naughty or nice!
It looks like someone is getting coal for Christmas gift tags!
These taquitos are absolutely delicious! Recently, I made them for a party and now everyone wants the recipe – so here it is!
A printable recipe may be found at the bottom of the post!
Chicken Taquitos
40 Corn tortillas
2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken (A little over a pound of chicken)
2 tsp taco seasoning – I use the Taco Seasoning recipe from allrecipes.com
1 small can of roasted green chilis or roasted jalapeños
3/4 cup prepared salsa
1 can refried beans (16oz)
2 cups shredded Cheddar and/or Jack cheeses ( I use 1 cup of each!)
Season the shredded chicken with the taco seasoning. Puree or finely chop the green chilis or jalapeños and add them to the chicken along with the refried beans, salsa and shredded cheese. Mix well.
Chicken Taquito Filling
Top each corn tortilla with 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture. Roll tightly. I keep them covered with a wet paper towel until I’m ready to fry them to prevent cracking. Warming the tortillas in the microwave for a few seconds will also help prevent them from cracking.
Preparing the Chicken TaquitosChicken Taquitos ready for frying!
Fry the taquitos in 1 inch of oil until golden brown. This is a little tricky – I use my grilling tongs and carefully place the taquito into the oil with the open fold down. I hold the taquito in place for a couple of seconds to prevent it from unrolling. Once it’s browned, I roll over the taquito and fry the opposite side.
Frying the Chicken Taquitos
When golden brown, remove the taquitos from the oil and drain on paper towels.
Drain the taquitos on paper towels!
Enjoy immediately or freeze them for later! I like to serve the taquitos with salsa and greek yogurt – my healthy substitute for sour cream! Enjoy!
When it comes to giving gifts at Christmas I like to make them fun, useful and easy to create! This family gift is all those things! I like to call it the “Be like Goldilocks and find the pair that fits ‘just right’ family Smart Wool Sock Bag!” Maybe that’s a little long for a title, but it says it all.
For this gift I purchase a pair of Smart Wool Socks for each member of the family for whom the gift is for. Toss them all in a gift bag, label it with a fun tag and voila! – A fun family gift that everyone will enjoy!
White Chocolate Candles make a great garnish for all your birthday cakes and cupcakes!
If you are looking for less fire on your celebratory cake, make white chocolate candles of your very own! Bonus – you can eat these delicious and adorable candles!
What do you need to make 18 candles:
1 Cup White Chocolate Chips
Gel Food Coloring
Place one cup of white chocolate chips in the bowl of a double boiler. Heat the water to a low simmer and let the chips melt slowly. Be patient!
After the chips have begun to melt, stir until smooth.
I divided the melted chocolate into 4 small bowls and blended in the gel coloring. The chocolate began to harden as it cooled, but by microwaving at a low power it softened again. I just didn’t work fast enough!
If you use a liquid food color the chocolate will start to seize. If this happens, you can make it smooth again by adding coconut oil. Using gel colors will prevent this from happening!
Blend the gel food coloring into the white chocolate until the color is uniform.
I drew out a number of candles to provide a pattern for me to follow. I then covered the drawing with a piece of wax paper and began piping the colored white chocolate! By sliding the wax paper over the drawing I could use my template drawing over and over.
Using a number one round decorating tip for the candles and the flame worked very well! This is so easy to make, you must try it for yourself!
Everyone will enjoy these tasty and beautiful candles!
We all know our college students love to receive gifts from home. This year, why not create an advent calendar that not only counts down the days until Christmas, but more importantly, the days until finals are completed!
