Packaging

I made a few necklaces (bought then altered) for some friends for Christmas. They were simple so they needed an extra special package to be wrapped in.

This was very simple to make. All you need is kraft paper, a sewing machine, paper doily and some bakers twine (or other string/twine).

Measure up your gift and wrap the kraft paper around it (I smashed and crinkled up my paper before wrapping to give it texture and dimension). Make sure to leave enough room on both ends to be able to make a zig-zag stitch with your sewing machine.

After sewing, place your doily where you want with a piece of tape on the back of it. Then string up and wrap with your twine with a tag attached.

This packaging would be great for Valentine's Day too.

Crushing on these packages...

makes me want to wrap something

creaturecomfortsblog.com

Love these washi colors!

  fifteeneleven.bigcartel.com

 

flickr.com

youaremyfave.com

more packaging ideas here

How to: kraft and tissue paper pom gift wrap

I came up with this little wrapped gift because I had so many of these pre-made tissue paper poms all over the place.

If you don't have any kraft paper, I suggest you get some. It's very versatile. I use it for every occasion in gift wrapping. Just add an accent or theme and you're done.

Need:
wrapped gift in kraft paper or use a kraft box
pre-made tissue poms (these kind)
string or twine
double stick tape or vellum tape

Wrap your gift in kraft paper 

I used a kraft box

Gather several tissues and lay them across the top of your gift. 

Keep them unfolded with the fringes pointing outwards. 

If that makes sense..?.. 

Next, wrap the twine around the box and over the middle of the tissues

Then, place your double stick tape or vellum tape over the twine that is on top of the tissues. 

Like below

I used vellum tape, since I had some laying around that I never use

Afterward, fold up your tissues and scrunch them up onto the tape

scrunch?? ...sorry, I'm not great at explaining things

But if your final product looks something like this, then you have success!

Wrapping inspiration

If you like simple packaging and wrapping and don't already read this blog... then click on for her latest [WRAP] Package tutorial. I felt like I had to share because I get most of my gift wrapping inspiration from Sally J Shim.

 She makes kraft paper look so good.

Rainbow gift wrapping

I like simple wrapping that makes a big statement. This is one of them, from Mini-eco:

Easter Pakaging

I like to get a new movie for my family as an Easter gift.

This year it's Bambi!

Crossword Puzzle wrapping paper

My sister, again, sent me the coolest link to some crossword puzzle wrapping paper. She spotted it on the dieline.
It comes with 20 phrases in which you can highlight (like Merry Christmas below) and wrap.
Too bad its not for sale (unless you found it.... let me know).

 

 

Packaging simply

I love this wrapping

from SallyjShim

Unique wrapping paper

My sister showed me this awesome site that makes wrapping paper as a gift. This last December they showcased fruit. Fruit paper that is. Check it out here.

 I love the watermelon with the pink on the inside. And the stickers are a nice touch. 

Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

Found this via cakies. She uses happy tape, bakers twine and simple kraft paper to decorate and wrap her Christmas gifts. 

I'm sure these gifts will pop out from the rest of the traditionally wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree.

I might try this (as well as Furoshiki)

Furoshiki

If the Japanese people and culture didn't exist, 

our world would be a dull place. 

I think they originate some of the most detailed yet simple arts and crafts.

I LOVE everything Japanese (down to the food). 

Enter, Furoshiki; eco-friendly fabric gift wrap.

 

The wrapping style isn't called Furoshiki, but that is what I like to call it. Furoshiki is actually the piece of Japanese cloth that is used to wrap gifts in. It is make of silk or cotton or whatever else. And they are usually bright colors or have some cool pattern on them (search the web to find some great demonstrations or ideas.)
 

My eyes are peeled for inexpensive pieces of cloth right now. I plan on wrapping most of my kids Christmas gifts Furoshiki-style this year (great because they will be re-usable for years to come).

Click here for 10 different ways to wrap.

Also here at Kakefuda. The instructions are in Japanese, but they have pictures to follow. Just click on a picture you like then click the first link in the new page.

**Update: for more furoshiki folds and fabrics go to this ridiculously cool blog, myfuroshiki.

 (reposted from my personal blog)

If you like japanese washi tape, you'll love this tutorial

Fabric Tape!

This tutorial is perfect for all those extra scraps of fabric you don't know what to do with. Also great because that cute little tape can get really expensive sometimes. Click click and head over to annekata

Summer gift wrapping ideas

Tie your next box up with a jump rope for an extra little gift. 

Get more gift wrapping ideas from REAL SIMPLE

Children's Day

This post is probably a little late, since TODAY is Children's Day,

but I wanted to share these adorable Koi Treat favors from Shop Toast

They've got all kinds of cheerful treats, stationary, and accessories on their site too. 

Shop Toast (click)

Practical Gift Bags

Last week my daughter went to a friends birthday party. I decided to lay off the gift bag and wrap the gift in something more useful... a BEACH BUCKET. We bought this inexpensive pail at the dollar store and found it was actually cheaper than buying the gift bag! Score. 

We stuffed it with a swimsuit and some sunglasses for the birthday girl.