My cousin loves music. He taught himself how to play the guitar when he was younger, and has been playing, and writing songs ever since. His master's in in theology, and he is an associate pastor, but his main gig is leading worship each Sunday. Last year I tried to think of a homemade gift that would go along with his love, in particular-what to do with guitar picks. I had the thought of personalizing picks in some way, and googled the idea. I saw that you can actually order guitar picks with personal pictures on them...the problem is it's about 25 bucks for 5....so then I began the hunt on how to 'do it yourself.' I came across a tutorial on youtube that was right up my alley, and really easy. Step numero uno...snag some pictures from your cousin's facebook page. Case in point.
Plot ways to borrow above cousin's daughter for a week or 57 because she's cute, and if you borrowed her, above cousin could get in lots of practice without interruptions. Proceed to project.
Print array of pictures in smaller sizes (but bigger than thumbnails), grab some picks at a guitar store, mod podge, and diamond glaze. (I couldn't find diamond glaze, but if you can...get it, it dries clearer than this 'other stuff.') I would not print these on photo paper because it bled, I reprinted them via a 'real' photo printing place, and it didn't bled.
I traced the pictures down to the size of the pics, mod podge them down, mod podged again over the top, and then diamond glazed the top (not too much). Dried.
(The dog pick is for my brother, who also plays guitar, these are just a few samples of people in my cousin's life)
I took an over exposed, too close blurry picture before packing them up forever so that you can just imagine whether they might or might not look better than the finished product, and sent them on their way. The overexposed, blurry picture is a really imporant part of the process, so don't forget that. Another year of the 'impossible' to buy for family homemade gifts are now out of the dusty attic that is my brain and on their way to their new owners.
I took an over exposed, too close blurry picture before packing them up forever so that you can just imagine whether they might or might not look better than the finished product, and sent them on their way. The overexposed, blurry picture is a really imporant part of the process, so don't forget that. Another year of the 'impossible' to buy for family homemade gifts are now out of the dusty attic that is my brain and on their way to their new owners.
15 comments
What a fabulous idea here! My brother lives in Alaska and not only is he hard to shop for but it is very pricey to send gifts there in the mail and this one will fit nicely in a card! Blessings o to you and your family this holiday season...thanks for sharing.
That is a gift that would wow for sure! I love it ... you did a great job explaining how to do it too! jules
great idea-my hubby is picking up his guitar after a 10 yr break (guess how old our oldest is). this would be a great idea for a stocking stuffer! thanks!
This is a grrrrrreat idea! My almost 14 y old son is into guitar as well. I think I'll make him some using his fave sports team logos or something. He would probably prefer that over a pic of dear ol' mom - ha! Thanks for sharing this inspiration! Come see me sometime at http://sceneofthegrime.blogspot.com
This is such a cute idea! I sent a link to your post to a friend of mine who has a brother-in-law who is in a band.
By the way...Darbee received her gingerbread set today! Too cute! She loves it! Check out my blog to see pics.
What a great idea! I never would have thought of that and my boyfriend plays the guitar- I know what he'll be getting in his stocking! Thanks so much for linking up to Holiday Hookup!
starting to wish that I hadn't sold my guitar last year!
Very cool! I love it!
You should come link this up to my weekly Thursday Making It With Allie Link Party! I think it would make a Fabulous addition!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
Great idea! Thanks for the tutorial!! I am also from DFW- stop by my blog and say "hi!'sometime :)
http://ticklishmoose.blogspot.com/
what a fun idea! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesdays!
This is SUPER AWESOME!!! Can they actually use the picks?
It inspires people.... I really like the homemade gifts and this is fabulous ideas tocreate our creativity.... i have a website herepersonalized gifts
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I just thought that this blog is very informative and also we haven't yet taken advantage of the full potential of homemade gifts. Thanks for sharing this.
UK Designs Direct
Do you print them like actual photos? Or on regular paper? Love the idea!!
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