7 Adorable Handmade Gifts for Girlfriend for When You Need to Be Extra Cute and Lovable (2018)

Couple T-Shirts

• 2 plain white cotton or cotton-based t-shirts (in the right sizes)
• The pattern you want (we are making a heart) - you can use a stencil or draw freehand
• Fabric paint in the colour of your choice and brushes
• A large sheet of cardboard (as large as the biggest t-shirt)
• Hair dryer

• The first step is to figure out the measurements so that the heart shape is placed correctly across the 2 T-shirts. Since the two tees will have one half of the design, you need to ensure they match while wearing, despite differing heights.
• To do this, mark out the spot on the tall person’s t-shirt where you want the top part of the heart to sit, as well as the spot where the lowest part of the heart will come on the shorter person’s tee so the whole shape looks matched.
• Draw one half of the heart shape freehand on 1 t-shirt and the other half on the second shirt
• Now onto the painting. Take 1 tee shirt and pop the cardboard sheet inside, between the two layers. We need to do this to ensure the paint doesn’t seep through to the other side.
• Start painting the area you have marked out. Ensure the edges come clean and crisp
• Take the hairdryer and blow dry the painted area. Once it has dried, apply another coat and use the dryer again on it.
• Check for any patchy areas, and fix if needed. Blow dry again
• Do the same process on the second t-shirt.
• Let them both dry out naturally for a bit, and that’s it, you have an adorable matching tee-shirt set!

Frame Jewellery Holder

• 1 large empty photo frame
• 1 decorative steel mesh
• Paint in your chosen colour and necessary brushes
• Push points and hammer

• Paint the frame in the colour you want and let it dry.
• Your photo frame needs to be of medium size otherwise it may not be of much practical use. Several websites as well as local furniture stores will have empty frames that you can buy.
• Get the wire mesh cut to the size need at hardware store near you, else buy a pair tin snips at the craft store. The size of the mesh depends on the frame you have chosen.
• Place the sheet inside frame and secure it using small nails or push points

DIY Picture Wall Clock

• A MDF board of size 16 x 16 inches (get it cut at a hardware store)
• Your photo, printed with the clock template
• A clock parts set (you find it on Amazon or in craft stores)
• Paint that matches the colour scheme
• Craft drill machine
• ModPodge

• First step is to load the photo onto a photo editing website/software like Pixlr or Photoshop and layer on a printable clock template or vector that you can find free online. Make sure the photo is sized 16 x 16 and has a minimum resolution of 300 dpi. A simpler option is to omit the clock numerals altogether.
• Get the final photo printed professionally at places like Printo on photo paper
• Paint about 3-4 inches in from four edges of the board on one side – this is to ensure the board is not visible behind the photo. Let dry fully.
• Now apply ModPodge onto the board and paste the photo onto it carefully, ensuring no bubbles or creases
• We need to find the right spot to place the clock hands, so measure the board diagonally both ways, and mark the point where the lines meet in the middle. This is where we will drill a hole to insert the clock parts
• Use the drill to make a hole of the right size and attach the clock hands on the front and the main unit at the back. Affix a wall hook on top if you wish.

• A medium sized glass jar. You can either buy it at a craft store or recycle one
• 2-3 sheets of coloured card stock
• Marker pen and scissors

• Prepare a list of things you want to write as your messages. You can put in anything that will bring a smile to your girlfriend’s face - reasons you love her, inspirational quotes, inside jokes, love notes, favourite memories etc.
• Cut the card stock into even sized slips of paper
• Write one message per slip and fold it neatly
• Fill the bottle with all the paper slips you’ve prepared. At least make 50 – if you need inspiration, look online as several bloggers offer suggestions.
• If you want to decorate the jar, paint something on the outside - your girlfriend's name, a message or any pattern.

Candy Cake

• Large Cake base
• 2 round shaped cardboard or thermocol blocks with the middle portion hollowed out - both same size or one smaller than the other, but at least 2-3 inches smaller in diameter than the cake base. Cake dummies are a good option which can be found on Amazon or craft stores. Medium sized empty tins can also be used.
• A whole lot of chocolates, toffees, and candies. The exact amount depends on the size of cake you are planning
• Glue and scissors
• Cellophane paper and some satin ribbons

• Glue the two round blocks together and let dry
• Now glue the blocks to the cake board. Once it has dried, wrap some ribbon onto the sides so the surface is entirely covered
• Start gluing the bigger candy bars onto the side. Use just little glue dots to secure the candy as you don’t want to make a mess!
• Fill the cavity in the middle with smaller chocolate packs, candies etc
• Now wrap the whole thing with cellophane and tie it up with a ribbon and a personal note.

Monogrammed Mug

• 1 plain ceramic coffee cup (white or any other plain colour)
• 1-2 sheets of thick cardstock paper
• Access to an oven
• Acrylic or porcelain paint in a colour of your choice
• Paint brush
• Scissors

• Prepare a stencil with your girlfriend’s initials using the cardstock paper. To do this, first draw the 1-2 letters that you want on the paper. Decide on the size of the initial depending on the size of the cup - it must not be too small or large. You can also use free stencil maker websites to create it.
• Now cut the paper such that the initial part is removed.
• Position your stencil on the mug on desired location, and start painting the carved out portion (of the initial) so that it appears on the mug.
• Remember to keep the stencil firmly positioned as the paint can otherwise seep to the sides, ruining the look.
• Let it dry for 1-2 hours, and then bake it in the oven for 30 mins

DIY Animal Necklace

• 1 tiny plastic toy animal
• Gold spray paint
• Mini screw eye pins
• Jump ring
• 24 inch gold chain
• Needle nose pliers

• Screw in eye pin into the middle section of the toy firmly
• Spray paint the toy with golden paint. Make sure to apply 2-3 coasts so the paint looks even
• If the chain is open, then open one end of chain and link it to the other end and close it firmly with pliers
• Now open the jump ring with pliers, connect the eye pin and the chain and close it securely….voila - you are done!