1
mason jar lid coasters
Allison Gootee
This time, the ubiquitous Mason jar isn't the star of the DIY hack. Instead, we're focusing on its cap — and it's the perfect place to hold dad's cold drink.
Directions: Get 4 lids. We used weathered zinc lids. Place the lids upside down on top of the adhesive cork shelf liner. Trace around the lid with a pen and cut out a circle. Then stamp an image in the center of each cork circle using a solvent-based ink that won't smudge when wet. In our case, we're inspired by the classic Ball jar. Let the ink dry for at least a minute, then peel the backing off the cork circles, stick them to the inside of a lid, and pop in some cold beer.
2
Cutting Board Clock
Brian Woodcock
Help your dad keep time with this clock made from a round vintage cutting board.
Instructions: Drill a hole in the center of a round cutting board and insert the clock hardware. Attach the metal numbered tag with a black steel tack. If desired, drill a hole in the handle and thread a ribbon through it for hanging.
3
License Plate Birdhouse
Brian Woodcock
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Four
Kitchen Organizer
Photography: Brian Woodcock/Styling: Alison Allsopp
Dad will be happy to have a place for his kitchen essentials!
How to make it: Have an adult attach a small wooden cheese box with screws to secure a rectangular cutting board. Attach a leather strap for hanging.
Five
Paper Plate Award Ribbon
Give your dad a sign of being number one with a DIY award ribbon made from materials you already have at home!
Directions: Paint a paper plate blue. Cut 2 ribbon “tails” from blue craft paper. Attach gold stars (you can cut them from gold paper or use stickers). Use tape or craft glue to attach the tails to the back of the paper plate. Write #1 in the center of the plate with a gold paint pen. Attach gold tinsel around the center of the plate (you can also draw with a gold paint pen).
6
Decoupage Map Chair
Brian Woodcock
To keep with Dad's adventurous spirit, decoupage pieces of old maps (stripes, rectangles, whatever you like) onto the chair using a medium-strength glue such as Mod Podge (available at craft stores). Apply several coats of glue, allowing the surface to dry between coats.
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7
Pillow remote control pocket
With this clever DIY pillow remote control pocket, your dad won't have to hunt around for the remote when he wants to watch Monday Night Football.
Directions: Attach the fabric rectangle to the pillow using hand stitching or Steam-a-Seam.
Buy Steam Aseem
8
DIY Wooden Airplane Clip
Becky Stayner
Fill the bags with dad's favorite treats or gardening seeds and seal them with a cute DIY airplane made from craft sticks and clothespins.
Directions: Decorate 6″ and 4.5″ craft sticks as desired. Attach to round wooden clothespins using hot glue. Paint small round craft beads the color of your choice and attach to the top of the clothespins using hot glue. Cut 1″ pieces from each end of a wooden coffee stirrer and paint it black. Attach to the craft beads with the rounded ends facing out to create the propeller. Attach a silver bead to the coffee stirrer where the pieces meet.
9
How to fold a napkin
When serving Dad a Father's Day brunch, add some fancy napkin folds to the plates.
See here for instructions.
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Ten
Hand-drawn garden stakes
For any dad who loves spending time with his hands in the soil, these DIY garden stakes will delight her heart, and kids will love writing the vegetable names and drawing cute pictures of fruits and veggies.
Directions: Drill a small hole in the wooden handle and thread the handwritten wooden tag through the hole with a string. Insert the end into the soil so the marker stands upright. *To protect the handwritten text from the elements, coat the wood with clear varnish.
11
Jelly Jar Shelf
Wendell T. Weber
Wash and store jelly jars and mount them on shelves to store creative crafts, dad can use them to store screws and nails in his workshop.
Directions: Measure your shelf to determine how many jelly jars you'll be attaching. Space the jars evenly and mark their locations with a pencil. Flip the shelf upside down and place the jar lids along the underside of the shelf. Attach each lid securely with two small nails; if the lids are too loose, they will rotate. Fill the jars as much as you'd like and screw on the lids.
12
Book spine bookmark
Have an old book that you can't save? If you have the spine left over, use it to make a new bookmark for your dad. Kids can have fun making it with some adult help.
Directions: Use a utility knife to cut out the spine and line the inside with patterned contact paper. Punch a hole at the top to thread a string through.
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13
Mason Jar Golf Tee Caddy
This is the perfect gift for the dad who loves to play golf on Saturday mornings.
Directions: Cut a piece of wavy green craft paper and wrap it around a mason jar and secure with tape. Cut a “hole” out of dark green craft paper and attach it to the “green” with a glue stick. Cut a wooden coffee stirrer in half and glue it just above the “hole”. Cut a flag out of red craft paper, write the hole number on the flag and glue it to the top of the coffee stirrer. Glue a white beaded “golf ball” onto the green. Fill the jar with golf tees. Write a cute saying on a round piece of craft paper and attach it to the lid of the mason jar.
14
Chill Grill
Your kids' creative cooler will be the talk of Dad's next barbecue. Once it's cleaned up (and maybe even repainted if it's rusty inside), cover the interior vents with foil to prevent dripping. This is a fun project for kids to create with some help from an adult.
15
paint swatch organizer
Burg Absal
Your dad probably has paint swatches scattered around his house from all the DIY projects he's done around the house – why not turn them into a cute pinboard organizer to help him keep his belongings in order?
How to make it: Simply stack two same-sized pieces of card together, front side out, and sew the bottom and sides together with a contrasting color thread (we chose red.) Then use flat head tacks to attach this awesome little pocket organizer to your bulletin board and fill it with pencils, papers, etc.
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16
DIY Checkerboard
Kids and Dad will love playing against each other on the DIY Checkerboard, fun for all ages.
Directions: Use masking tape to tape a pattern of 64 squares onto a wooden cutting board (you'll need a cutting board that's at least 16″ x 16″ to fit a standard checkered pattern), then paint the squares with acrylic paint.
17
Necktie Glasses Case
Lara Robbie/Studio D
Since your dad prefers casual clothing, he may not need a tie anymore, so why not transform one into a cute glasses case?
make:
Step 1: Place the tie right side down. Measure and mark 17 inches from the end and cut the tie width-wise. Discard the narrow end of the tie.
Step 2: Use a seam ripper to open up the seam at the back of the tie at least 6 inches to create a pouch for your glasses.
Step 3: Measure 8 inches from the cut end and make a mark. Fold the tie at the mark toward the pointed tip, then fold in 1/2 inch of the cut end and pin in place.
Step 4: Hand sew along the top and sides to secure the folded over tie section to the top layer of fabric underneath (be careful not to sew the pouch closed). Finally, attach some sticky Velcro dots to keep the case closed.
18
Can Luminaries
Becky Stayner
Transform small metal tins into lanterns to light the way to your dad-centric festivities.
How to make it: Have a parent use an electric drill to drill a hole all around a metal tin and place a candle in the bottom (to make the candle last longer, place it in a cylindrical glass candle holder or vase). Place the tin along a path, by an entrance, or on a table.
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19
Seeds and flowers of beans
Take a quick trip to the kitchen and a stroll around the garden to gather the ingredients you need to make some healthy bean or seed flowers.
Directions: Cut a flower shape out of cardboard. Use craft glue to glue the beans and seeds to the cardboard. Once dry, use hot glue or tape to attach a thin branch to the back of the flower. Place the beans in a small pot and insert the stick.
20
Enamel Bulletin Board
Becky Stayner
The magnetic properties of enamelware make it a great way for Dad to display his trinkets. Fun for all ages.
How to Make It: Simply hang the tray on the wall using command strips or double-sided Velcro. Pick out some fun magnets to attach mementos like photos or old ticket stubs.
Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania whose work has appeared on websites and publications such as Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveler and EDGE Media Network. Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. You can learn more about her travels at gleesonreboots.com.
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