I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions.  I usually set some hefty goal and fail within the first couple of weeks, so I try not to even think about it most years.  However, I have but one simple "resolution" this year...

This year is going to be the YEAR OF HANDMADE!! (echoes: made... made... made...)

I, Messy in the Head, do solemnly swear to give the gift of handmade items for at least 80% of the gifts I give this year.  Whether it be a birthday, anniversary, Christmas or National Taco Day, I plan on either making the gifts with my own two hands or purchasing the gifts from a fellow craftsman.  This is my pledge.

Now... with 4 family birthdays and a special anniversary happening this month alone, I am already off to a rocky start.  I have purchase 2 gifts from "commercial retail" establishments already.  They creeped up on me and I panicked.  However, I plan on making it up.  I already have an idea for a gift to make for my sweets on our "anniversary", and  I have been scanning Etsy and Pinterest all day saving/pinning items to consider for birthdays later this year. 

Now, don't mistake me for one of those people who are against big box stores and mass produced items.  Hello!  My name is Messy and (this is hard to admit) I love stores like Target and World Market and Old Navy (actually it's not that hard to admit).  However, I always try to encourage myself to give handmade and DIY items because to me they show that you want to give the gift of originality... the gift of something different.  To me it says, "You are a one-of-a-kind person, and I wanted to give you a one-of-a-kind gift".   I love the feeling I get when someone opens a gift from me and says "Oh my gawd... this is so awesome!  Did you make it?"  It's music to my ears.

And as long as I plan accordingly, I know I can make it to my goal of 80% handmade!

Who's with me?!?


For a great, super-easy DIY gift idea, check out my Instagram magnet tutorial here:
http://mymessyhead.weebly.com/2/post/2013/10/easy-instagram-magnets-repost.html

For some awesome, one-of-a-kind gift ideas, check out my shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/creativityismessy


 
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Every once in a while, I come across something (or someone) so awesome that I feel the need to tell everyone I know about what I have found.  Today is one of those days!!  (You're welcome!)

Christmas is just around the corner!  Do you still need to send out Christmas cards?  Do you want to find a way to spice up the packaging for your otherwise boring gift cards?  Do you want to be the talk of the neighborhood with amazingly packaged sweet treats for the whole block?  If any of these apply to you, you NEED to check out Claudine Hellmuth on Etsy.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/claudinehellmuth

Claudine isn't new to Etsy by any means, but apparently I've been living under a rock or something and just recently found her unique little shop.  I'm totally in love with her adorable illustrations.  And the most awesome part of her shop?  Everything is an instant download.  So you just purchase, print and... BAM!  Gift done! Crack a beer!  (Okay, sometimes there is assembly required... but you know what I mean...)

Although I already purchased goodie "treat bags" for the neighbors and our Christmas cards are already sent, I am seriously considering purchasing some of her adorable gift card holders.  How cute would these be filled with iTunes cards for all the hard-to-shop-for teenagers in my life?!?

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https://www.etsy.com/listing/129130733/cassette-tapes-gift-card-holders-party
 
This is a tutorial I am reposting from my old blog.  The holidays are coming and I thought I'd share this super-easy, super-cheap, but super-awesome gift idea with you all (again)!
This idea was orginally for a Father's Day gift for my Boyfriend, but I think it would make wonderful Christmas gifts as well!  Especially for parents and grandparents!!

I have an Instagram account with many photos of my boyfriend, his children and his Chocolate Lab, Mattie. He LOVES pictures and is always asking me to "Print Out" the good ones.  After much thought, I decided to make him magnets with some of my favorite shots of his family.  It was super easy, so I thought I would share this little 'how-to" with you!

These are the "Materials" that I used:
  • My Smartphone
  • Instagram Account
  • Diptic Account (other apps also work for this part. PicFrame is another of my favorites.)
  • A place to print Instagram photos (if you don't want to print at home, Walgreens has an app for your smartphone that allows you to print direct from Instagram onto 4x4 sheets you can pick up at their photo center)
  • Magnet Sheets with a sticky side

I first used my Diptic application.  I chose the layout (under "classic") with 4 square frames equal in size.  I selected 4 of my favorite pictures and placed them into each of the squares.  Then I saved it as a picture onto my phone.

Next, I used my Instagram app.  I chose the photo I had just made in Diptic, added a little Instagram flare, and them saved it to Instagram. I actually made 2 sets of four this way.
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Next using my Walgreens smartphone application, I uploaded the two Intagram photos and had them printed at my local Walgreens. They turned out great by the way.  Wonderful quality, quick turn around, and they were only .39 each.


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Once I had the prints, I purchased magnet sheets at Hobby Lobby.  I chose the sheets with one sticky side, so that I wouldn't have to glue the photos myself.  I strongly suggest this.  It obviously makes the whole process quicker and easier, but also you don't have to worry about the possibility of your photos getting ruined by the glue.


I simply stuck each photo onto a sheet, cut off the excess magnet, then cut each 2" x 2" square with a sharp pair of scissors.
The end result was a quick, easy and inexpensive gift that my boyfriend loved!  I can't wait to make more!!
A little update since I first created this tutorial....
I've made more.  In fact, I've made a ton more.  Our refrigerator at home is litterally covered in the damn things. 
But seriously...  They are so easy and so inexpensive, yet they make such a cool, unique gift.  Make some.  Just do it.  In fact, make a metric shit-ton and cover every single magnet surface you can find with them.  They're little 2" squares of joy.  You'll thank me.