Homemade Gifts and 80’s Wooden Bin Makeover

I just got home from New Mexico and haven’t worked on any new projects yet, so I thought I’d share a few homemade gifts that my mom and I have given over the years.  We don’t make as many handmade gifts as we used to – simply because all of our houses are maxed out with decor, but those used to be the only kind of gifts we gave.

I’ve also got a quick makeover of a  1980’s  potato bin that I did for my mom while I stayed with her.

Please forgive the photos… I was quickly snapping them without a tripod before I left, so the quality isn’t great.

Long before I knew what a blog was, I made both my mom and sister each one of these wooden signs.  This one is my mom’s that hangs in her kitchen.

I made this cross stitch sign for my sister over 20 years ago.  My husband and I lived in the mountains when my oldest son was about 2 years old and my daughter was just a newborn.  We didn’t have any telephone service, and it was before the days of internet.  I made so many cross-stitch projects as gifts, because they were inexpensive and it kept me busy during the long hours each day that I was by myself while my husband was at work.

My husband made my mom two of these window shelves for her living room many years ago.

Several years ago, my mom had knee surgery, so while I visited her at the rehab center, I showed her how to make this book page banner.  She gave it as a gift to my sister, and it hangs above her piano.

My mom made these adorable wreathes and gave them as homemade gifts for Christmas many years ago.

My sister and I each received one, and mom kept one for herself.

Here’s the potato bin my mom got at a yard sale.  It’s all wood, but has a dated 1980’s look.

First I sanded off the images, then painted it solid white.

I decoupaged the same antique seed catalog cover image on the front that I used on the recycled bottle flower vases I made my mom as a get well gift.  I printed the image a little larger and cut out the head of lettuce to add to the top of the bin.

Normally, I would have filled the nail holes on the sides, but I didn’t have enough time, so mom said she would do that later, and touch up the paint once the holes are filled.

I didn’t take a before photo, but my mom’s headboard was shiny gold, and she wanted it white, to I painted it for her and we both love how it looks now.  I’d love to find one like it.

I’ve been busy unpacking my suitcases and getting orders ready to ship today, then I hope to get back into a creative groove and start tackling new projects.

Does your family give homemade gifts?  If so, I’d love to hear about them!

Vaya con Dios,