Great Guy Gift: Ombre Necktie

This tie I made for my friend John for Hanukkah! Every year we celebrate at least one night together, its become our families' tradition. I also made one as my Step-Dad's Christmas gift in a different color which he totally loved.

Things you'll need:
Dye-able necktie
Tulip Dye (powder or liquid)
Stainless steel bowl
Water (temperature per instructions)

Step 1: Follow the direction on your Dye  for prepping your tie and preparing the dye. Some dyes need hot water others room temperature will work fine make sure you know which type of dye you are using and how the color is set, either by cold rinse or dry set where you put your item in the dryer for the color to stay. In my case for this project i used a hot water heat setting dye. I also wet my tie first according to the dye instructions.

Step 2: Begin the dying process. There are two main ways to get the Ombre effect. 

• Option 1-- Dunk your item to a point where you want the effect to begin then, slowly remove  the item  out of the dye a little at a time. 
• Option 2-- Sink your item  into the dye a little at a time watch carefully since the dye will climb or be adsorbed by the fabric in this method.. 

Both methods require some time standing over the dye so which ever method is easier for you to do for your item go for it. I tried both and it's my personal opinion that Option 2 gave me a richer color saturation than Option 1 but to each his own.

*Warning:  DO NOT cook or boil dye. Only follow dye instructions.

Option 1- submerge the whole front of tie.

Option 1- slowly pull the tie part way out of dye

Option 1- the tip of the tie stays in the longest

Step 3: Rinse  and set the  Dye. According to my instruction I rinsed my item in cold water until it rinsed clear and then popped int in the dryer at medium heat. Huzzah, a cool tie for your husband, dad, brother, son or guy friend!

Option 1-- Final Results

Here's a look at Option 2 final results, you can clearly see where the dye 'climbed' at the top. this happened when I dipped the tie and then slowly pulled it out, the dye went both directions.

Option 2-- Final Results

Happy Holidays!

Kiss Kiss,

Natrina 

The Perki Giver

Abstract Christmas Tree Art

O Christmas Tree!

For this project I used one of my favorite art mediums... Shaving cream! Plus this project is fun to do at any age since its quick to do and clean up after. I grab a value pack of blanket cards and do this for holiday cards. Everyone raves about the artistic and personal touch.

Things you'll need:
Aluminum foil tray
Barbasol Shaving cream
Water
card stock paper (white or off-white work best but any color will do)
Tempera and or Acrylic paints
Popsicle stick or squeegee
Plastic Forks and spoons
chopsticks and anything else to make a cool design

Step 1: Fill the aluminum tray with shaving cream. Be generous you are going to use this a couple of times since the paint only sits om the surface and is absorbed by the card. Use your finger, the Popsicle stick or squeegee to spread it out. You get your hands dirty in this project so but in a good fun way.

Step 2: Drop paint in the shaving cream. I use a mixture of tempera or acrylic paint and water to keep the paint from sinking through the shaving cream.A little goes along way here a quarter size drop of paint and a couple drops of water is enough to do 10-15 3x5" cards. This is where the forks, spoons, paint brushes, chopsticks all come in handy, use them to move your paint around in the shaving cream. Different things will create different effects!

Step 3: Once you get your design set, place your card stock on top and lightly press it into the shaving cream. Let it sit for a few seconds and the pull back from the corners on one side. 

Step 4: Next scrape the shaving cream off with the squeegee and SURPRISE there's your design! Let it dry and you have a wonderful piece of art work to decorate with. 

This project is super fun for kids of all ages and the shaving cream makes for an easy clean up, it just rinses away. Do be careful of paint splatter, always wear an apron and put down news or butcher paper to cover your work surface. Most my supplies I got at the Dollar Tree and they can be used again and again.

Have fun making happy little trees!

Kiss Kiss,

Natrina 

The Perki Giver

Perki Monthly SMASH-style Calendar

This was one of my favorite gifts to make so far! There are two main reasons why. One it was for my "bestest" friend in the world and Two she really needs a personal calendar she has twins on the way enough said as to how busy she will be in the coming years. This project was seeded from a demonstration I saw about SMASH books. I didn't use any of the products here but you easily could and I will definitely do a project with some of them in the future. These are a great gifts for the scrapbooker or that friend that still has ticket stubs from fifth grade hanging around (wink!).

Let's jump right in!

Things you'll need:
small binder or SMASH book
File folders
different kinds of paper (various colors, textures, patterns etc)
single hole punch
pouch (optional)
Printer (optional)

Step 1: Create a guide!
This one step can make this a very fun project where you ride a wave of creativity or really frustrating where you have to keep redoing pieces because holes don't match up. Make sure you get the hole placement right this one time and then use it over and over when it comes time to put the book all together.

GUIDE!!!!!

Step 2:
Use your handy dandy guide to make file dividers and pockets. I made one divider and two pockets from coordinating file folders.  Those turned out so well I  made two more pockets out of scrapbook paper.

File Folder divider: Lay file folder flat. Place the guide over the section you would like to cut out. For this one I included the tab. I used small binder clips to hold the guide in place while cutting. you could also trace around the guide and then cut it out as well. Punch holes in accordance to the guide and Voila!
Pocket divider: Use the guide and cut out your base from a file folder or scrapbook paper just like you did for the divider. To create the pocket arrange the top piece how you want your pocket to open either diagonal or straight across at various height. Allow for at least 1/4'' inch on all edges except the side with holes. You won't have to glue that side since the rings will hold that side together. That 1/4'' inch border will wrap around three edges of the base piece. Glue works with light weight papers, but I secured the edges with clear tape for stiff or heavy paper.

File Folder divider

Pocket divider

Step 3: If you decide to add the pouch use the guide to punch the holes. I found this one on sale at Office Depot along with some really cute rhinestone pencils. And be a dear and give the hole punch as well since for these smaller binders a three-hole punch might not always work. I also found black note book paper that matched the black pencils and is awesome to write on with pencil or opaque gel pens. Personalize  it as much as possible.

You can also make a pouch! Take a sheet o f 8 x11" card stock and fold it 1/3 of the in horizontally. the holes will be along the fold, use the guide. close the top and bottom sides with glue, brads or whatever you like. With this one I used ribbon by cutting slits with an Exacto knife and weaving the ribbon through and glued it in place on the backside.  To make the flap of the pouch a 1/4 inch hem glued and taped to the back of the card stock and folded over to close the pocket on front. Here I tore the edges to add some flair.

Step 4: Add on a monthly calendar. I got this one from Printable Calendars. They have all kinds of different calendar options, landscape , portrait, 12, 13, 14-month the possibilities are endless! I downloaded the calendar I wanted and used Microsoft Publisher to edit the size to fit inside the book. Punched holes with the guide and this nifty notebook just got a 14-month calendar upgrade.

Step 5: The Cover!
This part was probably my most favorite technique since you can use it for just about anything and people think they are getting first rate art! I simply ripped long strips of different kinds of scrapbook paper I had in my stash. I keep the pieces all in the same color group but you don't have too. that is true for the shapes you rip as well, you don't even have to rip you could have a nice straight edge, the trick is to patchwork the pieces together. I used white paper as a base and glued my strips on. Test out your base sheet for size and thickness before you start gluing, that it can slide into the clear pocket of the front of the binder. And if you really want to get perki with it do the side binding as well the exact same way.

Whoa! Totally worth the smile I got from my best friend when she opened it!

TA DA!

Kiss Kiss,

Natrina
The Perki Giver

 

Homemade Scented Bath Salts

PERKI GUEST POST!

Here it is our first guest post. I'm so excited because crafting is what my sister Natricia and I do for fun. 

By Natricia Perkins

What your need:

Extra virgin olive oil

Epsom salt

Essential oils

Small or medium jars

Narrow spatulas or spoons

Paint and stencils to decorate

Decorate your jars with paint or stickers. Label them and be sure they are clean and dry before you begin.

Step 1.

We filled our large bowl half way with Epsom salt and added the olive oil until it was a paste. Be careful not to add too much or your scrub will be runny.

Step 2.

Portion the mixture into your jars with a small spoon or spatula. Fill it only half way.

Step 3.

Add your choice of essential oils to scent your creation. I chose Peppermint for one and Lavender and Lemongrass for another. Measure by drops carefully into the jar. For the small jars 4 was enough. If you want to mix your scents find a ratio and add drops sparingly.

Step 4.

Add the last portion of the salt- olive oil mixture to fill the rest of the jar.

Step 5.

Screw the lid on tightly and shake to ensure even distribution.

Step 6.

I tied a bow on this one to give it a special touch.

What a great gift, especially since it was for me, wink!  

Thanks Natricia!

Kiss,Kiss

Natrina, The Perki Giver

Perki Guest Blogger Coming Soon!

The holidays are officially in full gear! Today I received party-made scented bath salts from my sister's best friend's sister's birthday party (say that ten times fast). There is one of lavender lemongrass and the other one is peppermint is super cute decorated baby food jars.

My sister, 'Tricia will also be our first Perki Guest Blogger  later this week. 

Stay tuned!

Kiss kiss,
Natrina, The Perki Giver



P.S.  Don't forget to +1, share, like, tweet and follow me @ThePerki Giver.

Paint Chip Calendar

This project seemed simple but was a bit of a challenge for me. Basically you get paint chips from your local hardware store and a picture frame and put them together. I have lots of tips to share so you don't run into the snags I did.




What you need:
Paint chips ( at least 15 to 35 depending on their size)
A large picture frame with glass
Scissors
Contact paper ( plain, patterned and or transparent*)
Double side tape or glue stick











After selecting my color scheme ( randomly grabbing all the pretty purple and blue ones) I decide to perki this project up a notch by cutting my paint chips into circles; because who wants to be a square?
I got a bunch of paint chips that were 3X5 inches in size so I was able to get two 2" inch diameter dots of each color. I had to trace each circle and cut them out one by one the old fashion handmade way. Which made me realize how much I need more craft tools. My hubby suggested using a compass but I'd rather have one of those neat circle punches or cutting tools ( hint, hint wink!) But once I cut all my circles this project sped up a bit.
The other hiccup was my frames. I had gotten these floral and dog prints at my local goodwill for $4.95 each. I'm not crazy over the prints, I really just wanted the frames and glass around the prints. So I didn't mind so much when the floral one didn't have a backboard and I had to cover it in white contact paper. Everything was going fine until I pick up the frame and broke the glass. Panic attack? Nope, it all worked because miraculously the floral print fit perfectly into the doggie frame! Now to think of something cool to do with the extra frame....


Here are the steps:
1) Cut, decorate or embellish you paint chips how ever you like. Just make sure they lay flat and have enough room to write events in.

2)  I covered my back board in white contact paper but you could use anything really, fabric,wrapping paper, tissue paper, scrapbook paper, patterned contact paper whatever suits your fancy.

3) Arrange your paint chips artfully on the backboard.










4) Make it permanent, glue your chips in your arrangement.

5) Put it all back together (carefully), wrap and give!




 Tips:

• Use a flat head screw driver to lift and lower the staples that hold the backboard in the frame.

•  Use a wet erase markers instead of a dry erase one,the ink wont wipe off unless it gets wet or leave residue. Consider using white or neon opaque markers if you use dark paint chip colors.

Happy Hanukkah !
Kiss Kiss,
Natrina The Perki Giver

Zeta Chapter's 12th Anniversary gift

I got this glittery ornament from my sisters at Georgia State University in Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc. Its the Zeta chapter's 12th Anniversary. I'm so proud of all that these beautiful ladies have accomplished, including continuing giving perki gifts like this one.

Thanks sisters!
Kiss Kiss
Natrina, The Perki Giver

Red Hot Pinecone Centerpiece

This gift is a center piece for my Mom's Christmas dinning table. She goes all out for the winter holiday season. She was super excited when she got this deal on pine cones and wanted me to perk them up a bit.

Here goes a Perki Giver Original!

What you need:
Pine-cones
Fine red glitter
2 Tbsp of cinnamon
Spray adhesive
Basket
Red or white Christmas lights






1) Mix red glitter and cinnamon in a paper bowl . Put down paper over your work surface and don't spray over your glitter bowl or it will stick more to the bowl than the cone.

2) I strung my red lights through an opening in the basket weave. Place fake snow or  paper-towel (its just keeps the glitter from spreading everywhere) in the bottom of the basket.

3) Spray pine-cone with spray adhesive. Watch your fingers they'll stick together from the glue.

4) Roll pine cone around in the glitter bowl. I used a plastic spoon to scope the glitter over the cone to get it all in the nooks and crannies. tap lightly on the edge of bowl to knock off excess glitter and set aside to dry.

5) Repeat for each cone. Spray , Roll, Tap!

6) Once your pine-cones are dry place them  in the basket and  artistically wrap the lights around the cones. The heat from the lights helps the cinnamon emanate throughout the room. Hmmm smells like Christmahanakwanzika!

Tips:

• I used 2 bag of pine cones for this one basket and it took me two hours and 10 mins to arrange. 
• Be as liberal as you want with the glitter and cinnamon the more the smellier which is  a good thing in this case.

Enjoy!

Kiss Kiss,

Natrina The Perki Giver