A season for forgiveness

So I am totally hanging my head in shame for probably the WORST blog series ever! However with the rumors of major cutbacks at my company I figured my job needed my full attention these last two weeks.  To make up for such a horrible faux pas I hope to have a mass of beautiful posts when we get back from Paris...and maybe a few when we are there as well. For all those out there that did wait 'til the last minute to wrap gifts, or maybe you just like looking at pretty packages here are some favorites I have seen this year. 

{To get this look they used craft paper and decorative foil. You can find the foil at craft stores or stores that specialize in cake baking}

{I realize how much I love the look of craft paper as gift wrap it's simple yet festive. These pompoms where made from leftover yarn. Here is a great pompom tutorial for those like me that cant naturally create beautiful things out of yarn!}

{Here is a more elegant gift wrap option for those that really want to impress, or maybe want to draw the attention away from the gift inside :). Laura Lapin used vinyl wall paper she got at a flea market for the white decorative paper and then red craft paper for the other.  Seriously this Brit is one of the most creative gift wrappers I have ever seen.}

{This little snowman package from dSharp would be a great kids gift wrap option. She used different size circle tags to create the snowman image, but you could use really anything.}

 

{I love these shiny monogram packages!! You can use any font and any paper to personalize it for the person you are giving it to.}

{Ok this is probably the coolest one I have seen. It's vinyl wood-looking paper you can get at a hardware store and homemade snowflakes. I really wanted to do this but I had already bought wrapping paper before I saw this idea...rats!}

{And last but not least for the sewers out there, this is craft paper that is stitched up on the sides and painted to make it look a little more like a gift, perfect for little handmade gifts.}

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas filled with love and peace. See you in the new year!

A Super duper Giveaway!!

I am taking a short break from all the gift wrapping to promote a 12 days of Christmas Giveaway over at Design Mom. If you are not familiar with her Giveaway's, they are AMAZING! Check out her blog on Friday Dec. 12 for your chance to enter 12 fabulous giveaways...Good Luck to all!

All buttoned up

Sorry for being such a slacker, work always seems to get in the way of blogging! I have always been a huge fan of old buttons. Last summer when we were dividing up my grandmothers things there was an rusty old baking tin full of old buttons that I just had to have. There so sentimental to me! Any way here are some fun holiday wrapping ideas you can do with buttons...have fun!

This first idea found on Martha would be a fun craft for kids to do.  Simply attach a button to a cork with double-sided tape. Place plain paper on a piece of felt or a folded piece of fabric (this cushions the paper so the mark will be even). And top with a pretty button tied on with baker's twine. A snap!

This next image found on BHG is a perfect use for all those old buttons! You can make pretty much any shape you want. I recommend sketching the shape on paper and arranging the buttons out as you want them before you start gluing. Happy wrapping!

Say it with letters

Monograms add a special touch to most gifts, but I had never thought of using letters in my wrapping regimen. Here are some great ideas that add a unique touch to your gifts, and they are easy enough for even a novice crafter to try!

This is another dSharp creation (she is so crafty). She used an old house number for the number and a chipboard letter covered in glass glitter for the letter.

This "G" reminds me of a vintage sign you would find at a garage sale...I am now on the look out for letters! Hobby Lobby and Michael's both have a variety of chipboard letters and numbers that will work just fine though. 

Images found on Design Sponge

One of my favorite parts about gift giving...

I love making gifts look pretty, it's almost more important then the actual gift itself. My hope is that people hesitate before opening their gifts this year because of how pretty they are wrapped! So I think I will start my first series  "Pretty Packages" in the hopes that your holidays will be brightened by some unique and creative wrapping ideas. 

To start us off I have chosen a practical and very elegant wrapping idea. Anyone hate to tie bows? Or maybe they just never come out how you want them. Well Denise of dsharp has a very easy solution to this problem.  She has created a series of letterpress buckles and accompanies them with gorgeous coordinating ribbon.  Check out her etsy shop here.