DIY Leather & Metal Housewarming Gift

Hi lovelies!  I don't know what it is, but I am so motivated to get creative stuff done lately.  I feel like I have been in a perpetual rut for the past year, but, now it's finally lifting.  The clouds are parting, the skies are clearing... and all is well in the world.

I might be old fashioned, but I love giving housewarming gifts and hostess gifts.  I'm trying to do this thing where I celebrate even the smallest things in life.  Even if it's just someone moving into a new apartment or a friend having me over for dinner.  These are all the things that make life so amazing, so why not acknowledge the happy moments with a little gift?

This idea was inspired by my good friend, Sarah.  We stopped by Michaels during lunch one day and she saw these little test tubes with corks in the fun little bins by the registers and told me her idea.  I immediately asked if I could poach it and share it with you guys.  I came up with the leather wrap and metal tag, though.  The tag idea came about when Martha Stewart asked if I'd like to try out their new metal stamping kit and sheets of metal.  Of course, I said, "HECK YES".  

First I have to say that the sheets of metal in the pack are GORGEOUS.  There's a copper hue, gold hue, then a rubbed bronze kinda hue.  All absolutely stunning.

Secondly, although the idea of this metal stamping is pretty awesome, I felt it difficult to execute well.  I did not have the "rubber stamping mat" they instruct you to use the tool with, so I improvised and used a towel.  It worked... kinda.  I had to go over the letter with the end of tweezers to really get the detail to show.  I'm going to get the rubber mat eventually and see if the stamp works any better.

So now onto the little gift.  You need a bunch of spices, EVOO, one of those nifty little corked test tubes that you can get at Michaels, and a small bottle with a cork also from Michaels.  You will also need a piece of leather and some leather cording.  Again, both found at Michaels.

Layer and mix the spices into the test tube and then cork.  Fill the bottle with EVOO and set aside.

I found this pre-cut, pre-shaped piece of leather and cut slits in it as shown below. 

The slits on the short ends are what you will slide the test tube and the bottle.  The tiny slits on the long slides will be wear you lace the leather cording.

Below, you can see how the glass items slide into the slits in the leather.  Cut an extra long piece of leather cording to lace into the tiny holes and then wrap around the entire package and finally tying.  Take a smaller piece of leather cord and tie your tag on.

TA-DA!  A super adorable, minimal, rustic looking housewarming gift that will be just as delicious as it is cute!

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising".