Tuesday 31 December 2013

Happy New Year!

With Christmas fading fast (although the decorations remain) it is time to look forward to 2014.

I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy & wealthy 2014!

I hope to keep you updated throughout 2014 with new ideas, projects and interesting posts!



Sunday 22 December 2013

Brown Paper for Christmas?!

My other theme this year has been brown paper. It is easy to use and there are lots of opportunities to accessorise.

Brown paper isn't for everyone as it is not very Christmassy. I would like to have done some printing and ink stamping onto brown paper but I didn't really have the right stamps.

Below are a range of the ideas I used this year.

HELLO KITTY STICKERS (Michaels)




CRAFT PAPER & MINI PEG (Craft paper - Hobbycraft, Peg - Paperchase, Tag - Tiger)



FELT BIRD CUT-OUT & WOODEN LETTERS (Felt bird - Tiger, Wooden letters - eBay)



RIBBON & FELT STAR TABLE SCATTERS (Paperchase)



TWINE & CINNAMON STICKS (Tiger)



FELT REINDEER PEGS (Paperchase)


Candy Stripes

I'm not a big fan of Christmas colours in general. My usual theme is either gold or silver with an accent such as teal or lilac. This year, however, it have embraced what Americans call 'candy stripes' - red & white stripes.

During my recent holiday I found some red & white striped wax paper which set me off on this path. I recently also found a large roll of paper in IKEA which has allowed me to to do lots of wrapping in this theme!

Below are a range of presents with different accents or accessories.

MINI REINDEER PEGS (Paperchase)





FELT TREE TABLE SCATTERS (Paper Source)




POM POM WREATH TAG (Pom poms & pegs - Hobbycraft)




WASHI TAPE & BOW



FELT TREE DECORATION (Paperchase)



FELT TREE DECORATION (Tiger)



FELT BIRD CUT-OUT (Tiger)



MINI JINGLE BELLS (Paperchase)


Saturday 7 December 2013

Christmas Wrapping Without a Jingle Bell in Sight!

I'm starting my Christmas present wrapping early as I get so distracted by all my supplies!

Below are just some ideas for less traditional looking packages ie. no red, green or traditional images used. I admit the packaging isn't for everyone but I like a bit of subversion at Christmas!!!

BROWN PAPER & WASHI TAPES






I used something simple for these gifts for a male. No fuss. Simple. The chevron washi tape came from the USA and I haven't seen it in the UK yet. I will post a link if I find it for sale in the UK.

CRAFT PAPER & STAR TAPE


I liked the duck egg blue craft paper with gold stripes and had a stock of gold star tape which kind of clash when together. This gift wrapping could be used for a birthday but I liked the idea for Christmas.

TISSUE PAPER, CELLOPHANE & FELT STAR



Slightly more traditional as the wrapping contains a snowflake but non-traditional colours and cellophane wrapping. The felt star is actually a coaster! This is an ideal wrap for a flat package but could work with a food gift.

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Christmas Wreath Gift Tag

I'm a little in love with pom poms this festive season. I have a selection in my craft store for a few months but haven't really found a good use for them. Today I changed that.

At the beginning of Christmas I saw a pom pom wreath for Christmas trees and thought this would make a great gift tag idea. (See previous post for pom pom wreath from John Lewis)

I started by making a rough circle out of cardboard with a cut out centre which I then covered in washi tape.

WASHI TAPE COVERED CARDBOARD RING

I then attached a ribbon loop for the hanger and covered the front of the ring in pva glue. I then placed as many mini pom poms over the glue to cover the surface. I decided to be very relaxed with colours and pattern but you could use only one colour pom pom or have your colours in a certain design.


POM POMS AND RIBBON

Once the glue dried, I affixed a card to cover the centre space as my message area. I suggest you write your message prior to affixing!

WITH MESSAGE

I really like the feel of the gift tag and you could have so much fun with colours and design. I have some larger felt pom poms in my store which may be good as accents on other tags.

Pom poms are widely available from craft stores but can be expensive. Stock up on special offers or even make your own!


Wednesday 27 November 2013

New Website & App Find

Today I found a great new app for my iPad (also available as an android app and windows app) and it is also a great website - www.brit.co

They have some great posts for craft ideas, there is a shop (shipping within USA only at present), episodes & tutorials. The items are all categorised from crafts through to tech.

You can comment on posts, pin items to Pinterest, Facebook & Twitter and tag favourite items.

I love this post below and it has inspired me to get on with my Christmas gift wrapping posts!!


Check out the website & app now

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Christmas Inspirations

Before I start some festive wrapping posts, I thought I'd post some images of items you can currently find in shops that are inspiring me in 2013.

POM POM BAUBLES



WOODEN TREE DECORATIONS




BIRD BAUBLE


ADVENT BUCKETS


All above items are available from John Lewis. 

TABLE SCATTERS



CERAMIC GIFT TAGS


SEASONAL INK STAMPS


The last few images are for items available at Paperchase




Tuesday 19 November 2013

Neon Craft Thread

On my travels around the USA I found some amazing craft items. I also found some common craft items that also gave me some ideas.

At Paper Source (see previous post for details about this store) I found neon craft thread which gave me an idea for gift wrapping.



I have an excellent gift box from Paperchase (www.paperchase.co.uk) which is a a ridged, clouded plastic which is ideal for jewellery, cuff links, sweets or small gifts. I decided to use the neon thread to 'wrap' the gift box by using two strips of each colour.



I like the simplicity of the gift wrap and the brightness of the colour against the clear box with a darker insert.


SIMPLE KNOTS TO TIE THE THREAD


You could use different colours or type of threads. String, wool and raffia would all work well and you could use more threads to cover a wider area. I like the bright colours that stand out but you could use contrasting colours against wrapping paper or use tones of one colour

Thursday 14 November 2013

Christmas is Coming

Today I completed my first Christmas package. It was for my 6 year old goddaughter Molly.

It is hard to wrap for children as you want it to be all pretty and smart but I think children are more concerned with what is within the package than the wrap. As Molly will be receiving a selection of gifts, I decided on a pre-decorate box. I embellished this with a ribbon, gift tag, a felt reindeer clip (to attach the gift tag to the ribbon) and a reindeer tree decoration.

I hope she likes it!!


The reindeer clip and tree decoration were from Paperchase last year. I always stock up on Christmas items in the post-Christmas sales as most will never go out of fashion. I would always suggest buying more traditional items in the sales as on-trend items may not last until next Christmas

Paperchase has a great range of items available this year including a great selection of felt tree decorations. Visit www.paperchase.co.uk for more information and stock.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Holiday Finds

Lucky me! I've just returned from a few weeks in the USA and managed to get some shopping done. I also managed to find two amazing craft stores.

Please note that both of these stores visited were in Dallas, Texas. Stores may vary by location and may not be in all US states 

Paper Source

I was blown away by this store. It is really one large room holding as many paper items you could imagine. The rear of the store is just racks of paper! There was a paper craft demonstration at the front of the store, friendly & helpful staff and brilliant themed areas. I LOVE THIS STORE!

You can sign up form newsletters and they do ship internationally, which is a bonus. However, there is a flat shipping fee to the UK of $32 (currently this work out to be £22.50)

Visit http://www.paper-source.com for catalogues, ideas and stock range


 PAPER SOURCE


PAPER SOURCE


PAPER SOURCE


PAPER SOURCE


PAPER SOURCE


PAPER TABLE RUNNER - PAPER SOURCE


BANNER GIFT TAGS - PAPER SOURCE


CHRISTMAS FUN AT PAPER SOURCE



Michaels

This store is very similar to the UK store Hobby Craft. On a much larger scale than Paper Source, this store deals in all arts & crafts items. They have great sale sections running all year round and great seasonal items. 

I currently can't see any information on international shipping and you do need a US zip code in order to join the email list.

Visit http://www.michaels.com for stock ranges and info



MICHAELS
A new trend I noticed was gift boxes in Chinese take-out style boxes. Many colours, sizes and styles were evident. I only wish I had room to fit some into my suitcase!


MICHAELS
Wooden Christmas gift boxes - can be painted for further effect


MICHAELS
Another US trend is decorated lunch bags. I also wish I brought some of these back for food gifts


MICHAELS
Mad coloured Duck Tape!