Katani's Homemade Gifts

Collaged Jewelry Box

Materials:

• An unfinished wood box with a clasp (found at most craft stores)

• Old magazines

• Washable paint

• Paint brushes

• Sandpaper

• Scissors

• Mod Podge (found at most craft stores)

• Newspaper

• Felt and glue gun (optional)

Directions:

1) Cut out pictures, words, and phrases from your favorite old magazines.

2) Use the sandpaper to lightly sand the outside of the box to brush away any dust or splinters.

3) Put on some old clothes and lay the newspaper over your workspace to protect it from any paint spatters!

4) Paint the outside of the box with fun colors. Be careful not to paint over the hinges or clasp of the box.

5) Let the paint dry completely.

6) Here's the fun part! Once the paint is dry, take your magazine cut-outs and use the Mod Podge to stick them all over the box, making a collage.

7) Once the collage is exactly how you like it, paint over the entire surface of the box with the Mod Podge (again, be careful not to paint over the hinges or clasp!)

8) The Mod Podge will dry clear and seal your collage in place.

9) Optional: Cut out enough felt to cover the bottom, top, and sides of the inside of the box. When your collage box is fully dry, use the glue gun to line the inside of the box with felt. Trim any extra felt with scissors.

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Jazzy Picture Frame

Materials:

• One photograph

• One plain-colored wooden picture frame to fit the photo (try reusing an old frame!)• Plastic jewels, colorful beads or small shells• Hot glue gun

Directions:

1) Pick a photograph you know your BFF or family member will love! A photo of the two of you together is always nice.

2) Buy a frame (or reuse an old frame) that will fit the picture.

3) Ask for an adult's help to use the glue gun and stick jewels, beads, or shells along the edges of the frame.

4) Wait for the glue to dry, then put the picture in the frame and wrap it up!

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Braided Bookmark

Materials:

• Colorful string or floss (found at most craft stores)

• Construction paper

• Ruler

• Pencil

• Scissors

• Glue stick

• Old magazines

• Clear packing tape or contact paper

• Hole punch

Directions:

1) Pick your favorite color of construction paper and use the ruler to cut out a 2 x 9-inch rectangle. Optional: write your name and your BFF's name on the bookmark.

2) Cut strips or squares of interesting colors or patterns out of the magazines and glue them to the bookmark until it looks fabulous!

3) Lay out a strip of clear tape sticky-side-up on the table, and set your bookmark down on top. Carefully place another strip of tape sticky-side-down on top and press out any wrinkles.

4) Trim excess tape away from the edges of the bookmark and punch a hole at the top.

5) Braid your favorite colors of floss together, and tie the braid through the hole at the top of the bookmark.

6) Optional: Wrap up a book you know your BFF will love and use the bookmark as a gift tag!