Looking for a Gift Idea with Sand.

Hi L.,
I've done little pyramids using bevelled glass triangles you can buy from hobby or stained glass stores. You can seal the sand inside and still see it. I've done little beaches with shells etc. from different vacations. The sand and shells move around so they allways look different and are a nice keepsake.

L.,

How about a glass shadow box with the dirt as a base for a small terraium with a candle in the middle. Or you could put the dirt in the box with a couple angels and have it blessed for the new home.

Good luck there are so many things an ideas those we the 2 that came to mind first

Good luck and what a kind heart you have

I dont have any ideas, but martha stewert might. Ther real reason I wrote is becuz I felt compelled to tell you what a wonderful thoughtful person you are! Most peole would be jealous if someone was building their dream home especialy in today's economy. I have had a lot of friends come and go and none have ever been so thoughful. Not even my mother. Just wanted to let you know how wonderfully rare you are and special! :)

L. ~

There is an ornament that comes to mind that could be fitting. And you wouldn't even have to do it as an ornament. It would work in anything that is clear. You use sand, a nail, and a sliver of wood and place it inside your container. It is to represent Jesus - sand from the path He traveled, wood from the Cross and burden he carried, and the nails of His crucifixion. These materials can all be collected from their building site, and whatever you choose to display it in, attach a poem about the travels and trials of Jesus, the path that leads to new beginnings, and His blessing on their new home and family.

Good luck to you!

~ V.

What about one of those terraniams (sp?) with the sand/desert landscape and little plants? Maybe you could buy one at a flower store and them put the sand in it.

Sounds very sweet what you are looking to do. I was actually reading some of the replies. I had a thought. If you could take a picture or several pictures during the process. Have the pictures matted. Of course, do this before the pictures are in the frame.

On the matte you could use glue to make some scrolls or meaningful words and put the sand down. Do it all around the matte....just the top or the bottom. You might have to use stensils. Try a test run first.....just an idea....not sure how it would work! :)

Just my opinion - but I think three pictures. One before the house, once in mid-construction, and the finished house. Would certainly be a daily reminder of your love and thoughtfulness of your sister. And nice reminder to see how far your sis and her hubby have come.

Good Luck.
K.

hi--what a great idea. My first thoughts are to make a shadow box, and have a small jar with a stopper or other cute lid in it. maybe a neat lable on the jar. (I dont think you dont need the entire shovelful to get across the point) anyway - you can kinda scrapbook photos or labels, or inspirational labels in the background.

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/preserve-vacation-me...

here is an example. Good luck, sounds like a fun project.

:)

I have to second the pyramid idea that Lisa L gave. I have one that I purchased from Florida as a gift for my husband (bring the beach to him, so to speak)...it's been a favorite for so long. Mine has small shells, starfish and a pearl (honestly, not a lot to clutter it, and it's a small pyramid...but it looks elegant on our end table). You can add small meaningful trinkets - one thought is a bead birthstone for every member of her household, tiny shells, heart shaped bead, teeny scroll that you could roll up and have written their wedding date on (or a meaningful/inspirational phrase or verse)...it's sealed so she won't be able to read it, but you can take a photo or write it down before putting it in there, a tiny cross, etc. Really, you can add any tiny item that fits the theme or your message perfectly.
What a thoughtful and beautiful idea you have! She's going to love it!

You may want to put it in a glass jar but color the sand different colors like the color of the families individual birth stone colors and layer it by role in family. With a nice cork top decorated with birth stone theme as well.With maybe a Dollar store Home sweet home hand held item to tie around the bottle. That's all I got. Hope this may help. Jen

Just an idea and not sure how it would work but you could dye the sand colors and stick it into a pretty jar that can be displayed. Not sure if you need a special dye or not just an idea that popped in my head.

I like the idea of putting it in a vase of some sort. I'd add layers of stone or something to make it interesting. Check a craft store and I'm sure you will see something you like! If you want to shop on-line, I know a great site ~
www/marketamerica.com/thevoiceoftruth . They pay rewards for using it!

S.

There are lamp bases that you can fill with items--my family collected shells from the beach on a trip to Florida one year and my mom filled a lamp with all the shells. It's a wonderful memory.

Maybe put it in a neat sealable jar and take a permanent marker and write a short letter of all the great things about her and how inspired you are by her and add something about her dream coming true with her beautiful home.. going all the way around the jar.

Or maybe even a mini scrap book?
Good luck..Im sure whatever you come up with she will love!

What an awesome sister you are, that is so thoughtful! I thought as I was reading your post, you should go to a pottery painting store and make her a flower pot. If her kids are local, have them put something on it pot, too. Try this web site to find one in your area. www.ccsaonline.com I used to own a do-it-yourself studio in AZ. We would hold the piece for someone until everyone stopped in and finished their part. Usually there is a studio fee but you can negotiate and I'm sure they would only charge you for one (because it's one piece). Good luck, if you do that, would you send me a picture? I would love to see how it turned out...

Hi L.,

How about a lamp??? I have seen in stores like Michaels and JoAnns a lamp that you fill the clear glass base with whatever you like. You could put the sand and anything else that might remind them of this momemtus project in the clear glass base. This is something not only pretty but useful!! They could put in their home and always remember.

All my best,
L. and co =)

L.,
Is it too late to start documenting the building process with pictures? Perhaps some way to incorporate the sand into a frame of some sort with a collage of the building process? Maybe the sand in a vial of some sort, and mounted into a shadow box with photographs?

A second idea is if the jar is big enough, why couldn't you mount the photos on the inside of the jar, leaving a bit of space in between pictures and then fill the jar itself with the sand?

Good luck-sounds like a very thoughtful gift-those are the best kind!!

Here's an idea, L.. Get yourself an empty globe (one like this, maybe? http://www.seashells.com/snowglob.htm) and rather than filling it with water or oil for a snow globe, create some sort of scene in it using the sand and pictures or figures that would mean something to your sister and how far she's come.

This is a very sweet and meaningful thing you're doing for her, by the way - no matter what you choose to make! Awesome!

Best of luck to you. I hope you're able to get enough ideas to make her the perfect gift!!!

L.

that is the most BEAUTIFUL story ever! thank you for sharing this with all of us...I wish I could help you with the creative ideas for the sand...my first knee-jerk thought was something that could be displayed - like a picture - say use some glue and sprinkle the sand on...hmmm maybe like a picture of her and her family with the sand all around the edges...

I have walked into JoAnn Fabrics and have been inspired for other crafts in the past - maybe go there and see if anything hits you - or ask a person that works there...

I LOVE the idea - it's just a beautiful thing to do - how thoughtful!! What about something that hangs from a hook on the ceiling - like you said, the sand at the bottom and a votive candle or something??

GOOD LUCK!! It would be great to hear what you end up doing!!

Pottery Barn has great shadow boxes. I'm not sure how to incorporate the sand into one (maybe set a pretty little jar or vial in it). The great thing about the shadow box, you can put other meaningful items and relevant pictures in it and she will have a wonderful piece of art for her new home.

Good luck to both you and your sister. You both sound like amazing women.

J.

I think that was so beautiful of you to save that sand. Its the little thoughts like that, that really speak to me, and I think it will speak to your sister as well. My daughter had a beautiful hanging box frame that had a beach as the picture background and sand at the bottom with shells on top. The sand was free to move but with a little shake the shells would emerge again. Maybe you could do something similar with a background picture of their home. Just my small idea. Regardless of whatever you do with the sand, believe me the thought behind it is what will touch her. I would love if you share with us how it goes if you can. Take care and best wishes! N.

Hi! Maybe you could put it in one of those shadow/memory boxes/frames- let it just be in there on the bottom of it...then put or write an appropriate bible verse, quote, or poem in the top part. Think of one that would be meaningful to her, or just have the right words for what you want to convey to her. I am a writer, so I love writing things on my own- and it makes it very personal, but if that is not an easy thing for you to do, you could probably find something already written pretty easily. Whatever you decide to do, I am sure she will LOVE it! Update us on what you decide to do : o )

My girlfriend brought sand home from her honeymoon in Mexico.
For her one year anniversary she put the sand in two really cool clear bottles and painted them in a tropical theme. I think she wrote/painted a verse on the bottle, maybe from their wedding vows?
They turned out beautifully and she gave them to her husband as a gift.

You can make a candle arrangement with sand, sea stars and floating candles. Jars filled with layered sand and stones make a beautiful accent. You can find lots of cool stuff at your local craft store. You're a great sister and I'm sure your sis will appreciate whatever you give her. :)

You could make a Christmas ornament or one that can be displayed all year by filling a clear ornament and writing a message to your sister.