Once November hit this year, I immediately started thinking about holiday gifts, for friends and family. Admittedly however, its not because I’m always on top of it gift-giving wise….it’s because I’m nearly always rushing at the last minute to get DIY presents done for friends or last-minute shopping for family, etc.
It seems like not matter how good my intentions are, I’m always down to the wire. So, I’m making an attempt to get ahead of the game this year, with some DIY pressies that were actually REALLY easy to make…probably because they land closer to the semi-DIY category than anything else. But who’s keeping track, right?!
I teamed up with CVS Photo to create 4 one of a kind prints that you can gift to anyone on your holiday list this year… Well, anyone who likes colorful prints, at least. 🙂 I finally broke out my paints and brushes again and went to town on a handful of pieces just for fun and then had Amelia photograph all of them up close…like really, really close – so you could see the brushstrokes, paint drips, etc.
Then, I turned them into prints online at CVS.com/photo (you can also go into a local store), shipped them to the studio, framed ’em up, and now I have hangable artwork for myself AND custom (but also super affordable – under $40, including the frame) gifts for friends for the holidays.
If you like the way these art pieces turned out, you can print your own too because I’m making all the files available for download. All that’s left to do is printing. BONUS! I’m giving away a $100 CVS gift card to have these art prints, or even your own family photos printed, so you don’t have to pay a penny for holiday gifts this year. Just click through to find out how to enter (scroll down to the bottom for entry rules).
Download art files here
Click here for blue and yellow print
Click here for pink and mint print #1
Click here for pink and mint print #2
Click here for pink and mint and yellow print
Once I ordered the prints and they came in the mail, it took me only a few minutes to get everything framed up and ready for gifting. I found ready-made frames (with mats) at Ikea in various sizes, popped the prints in, and added some big ol’ bows to make them feel even more special.
I like the idea of keeping them unwrapped other than that, BUT you can always add festive wrapping paper too, if you want your gift to be a surprise.
And…just in case you like the idea, but maybe colorful abstract prints aren’t your thing, you can still give this DIY idea a whirl with your own completely custom photos. Have old family photos printed at CVS for gifting to family members (this idea has Grandma written all over it) OR make your own photo prints, by styling a scene, taking a picture, and having that printed instead. Pretty simple, right?
Budget-Friendly Gift Idea
But aside from being easy to put together, they’re affordable too. Which is exactly why they’re at the top of my list for gift ideas this holiday season!
A 20×30 matte poster like mine (the larger one) was only $19.99 to have printed. And the ready-made 24×35 frame from Ikea was $17.99…which makes the total for a framed art print under $40 for a pretty big piece of art! And the smaller version is even cheaper…The 12×18 matte posters were $12.99 each and the frames were $9.99 each. Which makes the grand total for the smaller version less than $25 each! Super budget-friendly.
Photography Amelia Tatnall Lawrence
Artwork and styling Brittni Mehlhoff
Giveaway!
For a chance to win a $100 CVS gift card to have these prints or your own family photos printed, head over to this Instagram post. And leave a comment on that post telling me “how you photo”. Just be sure to tag @cvspharmacy and use the hashtag #CVSPhotoMyWay in your comment. One giveaway winner will be selected at random and will be announced on that post when the giveaway is over. Good luck!
What do you think of the art prints? Think you’d gift one of these to family or friends for the holidays?
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I’m proud to partner with CVS Pharmacy for the How Do You Photo campaign. I am being sponsored by CVS Pharmacy for my posts and activities, but all opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Paper & Stitch running.
15 comments | Click here to reply
Hi Karen. While it was being painted, we took photos and those are the prints we used. The paint was mixed with other ingredients to make it extra thick for the photos…it never dried, but we didn’t need it to. Because the photos of the work were what we considered the ‘finished piece’. Hope that makes sense.
Brittni-Brittni
I’m far from an artist but wow, I’m not sure how u got paint to dry when it’s that thick..or how do u copy a print that is not flat?? I feel like such a failure cause I can’t do anything artistic.
Karen Purdy[…] 15. painterly art prints (free download) […]
63 Awesome DIY Gifts for Everyone on Your List + What's your Favorite Gift You've Ever Received?! - Paper and StitchThanks Lori.
BrittniYour artwork is beautiful, and what a great gift to receive.
lori baptisteHappy to hear that Jenny. These would be great holiday presents…and super affordable too (my favorite kind of gift to give). 🙂
BrittniLove this idea! I have been trying to think of DIY christmas gifts this year, these are so inspiring 🙂 xxxx
JennyThanks Emmy. 🙂 I appreciate it.
Brittnithese are so pretty!
xoxo
emmyEmmy Coletti
Haha. Thanks Samantha! The jumper is from ASOS http://rstyle.me/n/b6sdnamvmw and the shoes are old Anthro (the brand is Klub Nico).
BrittniLove these prints, but I need to know everything about this outfit! LOVE!!
SamanthaThanks Kimberly. 🙂 That is one of the parts of these prints, for sure.
BrittniI love how the prints look 3D. It looks like you could feel the paint if you ran your hands over them.
KimberlyYou’re so sweet, Corina. 🙂 Thank you!
BrittniYou’re so talented! These are very inspiring – love the blue and yellow combo it really pops 🙂
Corina Nika