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Fun and quirky Father’s Day gifts

27 Aug 2024

Give dad something special this Father’s Day and make your own gift! Try this rocking DIY artwork, or this handy glasses holder, which is sure to impress Dad and put a smile on his face. These easy DIYs won’t take you long at all, and you can use his favourite colours by getting some affordable testpots from your local Resene ColorShop!  

Spec-tacular storage 

Storage solutions in a home make things easy to find and everything has a place.  While some people store sunglasses and reading glasses in a basket or bowl, they can end up scratched,which is why this glasses wall holder is a great option. You only need a piece of pine and some wooden rings and can customiseit by painting in your Dad’sfavourite colours to match his space. 

You will need: 
  • 1x piece of pine 60cm long, 9cm wide and 1.8cm thick  
  • 3x wooden rings 5.6cm in diameter and 1.1cm thick  
  • Wooden PVA glue  
  • Testpot brush  
  • Pencil  
  • Ruler  
  • Jig saw or saw  

Step 1: Cut your wooden rings in half using a saw or jig saw. 

Step 2: Paint your long piece of pine in your chosen colour. We used Resene Rivergum. Apply two coats for best coverage. 

Step 3: Paint your wooden loops in your chosen paint colours. We painted three in Resene Rainee and three in ReseneXanadu. 

Step 4: Once everything is dry, glue the half loops onto the piece of pine spacing them out evenly. 

Step 5: Either use a hanging strip or screw to attach the holder to the wall and add Dad’s glasses and sunglasses. 

Wall painted in Resene Parchment, console table in Resene Villa White, bowl in Resene Triple Tea and plant pot in Resene Rainee

For Dad’s that rock!  

This is one project the kids will love making for Dad this Father’s Day. This cute rock artwork is quick to do and so effective. Display it on a bedside table, in Dad’s office or on a bookshelf, reminding him of how much you care.

You will need:

  • New or old picture frame
  • Testpot brush
  • Flat rocks. We got ours from outside.
  • Fine black pen
  • Googly eyes
  • PVA craft glue
  • Fine paintbrush (optional)
  • Resene testpots in Dad’s favourite hues. We used Resene Triple Sisal, Resene Half Tea and Resene Tea


Step 1: Remove the glass from the frame and paint the frame in one of your chosen paint colours. We used Resene Triple Sisal.


Step 2: Paint the backing board of the frame in another of your chosen colours. We used Resene Half Tea.


Step 3: Using a fine paintbrush, paint a pattern of your choice around the frame. We used Resene Tea for ours.


Step 4: Glue the rocks onto the backing board with PVA craft glue.


Step 5: Draw the legs and arms in a fine black ink pen or use a fine paintbrush in a colour of your choice.


Step 6: Glue the googly eyes onto the rocks, or if you like, paint the eyes on using a fine paintbrush and some bright paint colours.


Step 7: Find a good spot to display your artwork to surprise Dad with it on Father’s Day.

Wall painted in Resene Parchment, vase in Resene Double Rice Cake and console table in Resene Villa White.

project Vanessa Nouwens

images Bryce Carleton

Published: 27 Aug 2024