This weekend I finally put together a housewarming gift for my wonderful friend Ali! I picked up all sorts of treasures from some of my favorite home decor shopping locations. I created a gift basket using a creamy, yellow locker basket from Vintage Hardware. I then proceeded to fill it with all sorts of neat finds. My items, besides the creamy basket, were all in various shades of green, not because I planned it originally, but because once I started with green, I just couldn't stop. The main item inside the basket was a
West Elm stripe favorite throw in beansprout and ivory.
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| West Elm is my new favorite home decor company! |
I then added a stack of three minty crackle painted flower pots from Dollar Tree. They are so adorable, I'm contemplating returning to buy some of my own!
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| They came in a few colors, so you have options! |
I then added a three pack of flour cloth dish towels because they are my favorite for all things kitchen, plus they clean up nicely with a bit of bleach. I also added the latest issue of one of my favorite magazines,
Country Living! Always chalk full of great decorating ideas, products, and food.
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| I especially loved the June edition this year! |
While hunting around our local Goodwill, I came across two brand new, Pyrex liquid measuring cups. They were identical and each hold two cups. Of course I snagged both of them, one for Ali and one for me! What a great find! I also added a fun, flowery frame that I found last year on a 60% Fred Meyer clearance table. It has been sitting in my gifting pile waiting to find the perfect person that it should be given to. I instantly thought of my developing green gift theme and new it would be a great addition in Ali's basket! Thank goodness I know that Ali LOVES Goodwill and good deals as much as I do, so she would not be offended that she is getting gifts that were steals! :)
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| Discount Pyrex and picture frames. |
The last piece to the gift puzzle was actually three pieces. I picked up three fresh herb plants from our Fred Meyer, taking advantage of the Memorial Day weekend Garden Center sale! I picked up onion chives, cilantro, and lemon verbena. I then cut squares of craft wrap that covered the unattractive black, plastic store pots. I folded the edges over the corners of the pots so they look slightly pleated, then used natural colored raffia to secure the paper in place with bows!
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These would make absolutely terrific place markers or favors for a summer party!
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Any good gift has to have a good card to accompany it, so my next task was to create a simple, green themed card! I started with a crafting and card making staple, a paint chip! Acquiring new paint chips is literally the only reason I go to Home Depot. They have the multiple color chips still, when most companies are stocking individual color chips only.
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| Happened to have the perfect green chip! |
In order to make the chip less industrial and harsh looking, I used my
Martha Stewart lace paper punch that I picked up a few months ago at JoAnn's.
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| I only punched one end, only because I liked the look. |
I then used a stamp that I have been dying to use, because it is just so cheery and cute! The uses for the stamp though are limited, so it was great having a purpose for it! I used a chocolate brown ink and placed it on a white pricing tag from my scrapbooking box. I attached the tag using a glue dot on one end and a green (go figure) brad through the hole at the other end.
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| Picked up at Michael's for $1.00! |
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So simple, but so happy!
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I finished the card up with a simple To and Heart in a matching chocolate brown marker. The card only took about five minutes to construct, but it matched the green themed basket perfectly!
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| :) |
The finished product turned out so wonderfully, it may be one of my most favorite gifts I have ever given! Thanks Ali, for letting me blog all about your neat present! And may your new home bring you many wonderful memories and blessings! Love you!
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| The final basket! |
