So you love the idea of giving handmade gifts, but you’ve made your list and checked it twice and are probably thinking, “ummm, there’s NO WAY.” Truth is, there’s ALWAYS a way to send something a little more personal, if you’re willing to get creative with some basic materials — like this super versatile gold transfer foil! To help you cross off a long customized list, here are three easy DIY gold foiled gifts you can make in minutes and easily ship around the country, sponsored by our good friends at FedEx.
Materials + Tools:
- deco foil gold transfer foil
- deco foil liquid adhesive
- deco foil OR speedball mona lisa adhesive pen
- paperback notebook
- cotton scarf
- embroidery hoop
- linen fabric
- paintbrushes
- pencil
- scissors
- dishtowel
- iron
GOLD FOIL NOTEBOOK
Let’s start with the simplest of the three! All you need is a paperback notebook, a sheet of gold transfer foil and an adhesive pen.
Draw your design onto the cover of the notebook using the adhesive pen. Let the glue dry for a minute or two until just tacky, but not completely dry. Lay your sheet of gold foil down onto the cover, press down firmly all over the cover and then peel back to reveal your foiled design.
This pretty little notebook makes a perfect gift to ship to friends and family that may live further away!
Shipping Tip: To make sure your pretty gold foil designs and any other gifts you throw in stay pristine on the way there, make sure to protect your items with at least 1-2 inches of cushioning around the top, bottom and all four sides.
GOLD FOIL SCARF
This next gilded gift uses the liquid adhesive, paint brushes, an iron and gold foil to customize any plain or patterned cotton scarf.
This time, you’ll paint the adhesive onto the fabric and let it dry for 15 minutes or until tacky to the touch. Then lay your gold foil sheets over the glue, cover with a clean dish towel and iron over the whole design for about 30 seconds. Let the hot foil cool down, peel away and repeat the whole process to cover the rest of the scarf.
Another excellent custom gift to ship to your long-distance peeps!
Shipping Tip: When adding giftwrap into the mix, make sure that all wrappings, ribbons and cards stay inside the box. As tempting as it may be to cover everything in festive colors and patterns, items on the outside of the box can get caught in sorting machines, so it’s best to leave the fun stuff inside!
GOLD FOIL WALL ART
This last version uses the same foiling materials, but trades in the scarf for an embroidery hoop and linen fabric to make a cute piece of art to hang up on a wall or decorate someone’s desk.
First, you’ll want to trace the inside circumference of the embroidery hoop onto your linen fabric using pencil, and then write or draw your design in the middle of the traced circle. Next, paint over just your design outline (and not the circle) using a thin paintbrush and the liquid adhesive. Let it dry for 15 minutes or until tacky to the touch. Then lay a sheet of foil over the glue, cover with a clean dish towel and iron over the whole design for 30 seconds. Let the hot foil cool down and peel away. Lastly, tightly fasten your foiled fabric into the embroidery hoop, erase any stray pencil marks and trim off the excess fabric.
The easiest wall art you’ve ever made is ready to be gifted! This is the perfect gift to tell your friends that “you just get them” with a custom phrase, and to remind them that you care even if you live far away!
Shipping Tip: If this is going to a faraway friend, make sure to plan ahead and send these off early to avoid deadlines and get your gifts to the right hands on time!
Sponsored by FedEx.
Author: Lee Schellenberger
Photography: Brittany Griffin
