Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Homespun Wrapping Ideas

I haven't quite finished my gift wrapping yet - but I thought I'd share the ones that are done. I wanted to do something different this year, but keep with my signature brown paper wrapping. I have acquired a large amount of vintage craft supplies this year from a variety of sources. The biggest of which was David's aunt who was cleaning out her attic!

I also used fabric scraps, buttons, tissue paper scraps, old ribbon and trims, an old book, felt and thread.

I made the to/from tags out of scraps of cardboard, some ink and more of the trims.

Since this was what I had and it is all cute to begin with - I sat down with all the supplies and started creating - here is what happened:



So, how do the rest of you wrap your gifts? I'd love to hear your ideas!

48 comments:

Liisa said...

I love these ideas! I have so many little crafty things that I have been searching for a use for now I know what I am going to do with them! Thank you...you are such an inspiration.
Blessings,
Liisa

Wendi said...

I LOVE this idea! I usually use brown paper that I sometimes stamp and then a ribbon and decorative tag. I really like the idea of wrapping fabric around the package. I haven't started wrapping yet, so I will hit the craft closet first! Thanks!!

Michelle said...

Very cute ideas, Monica! I'm sure the recipients won't want to just crumple up THAT gift wrap and throw it away like one usually does with the standard wrapping paper and bow people usually use! LOL

Blessings,
Michelle

Andrea said...

Monica, where do you get your brown paper? Is it an economical "base" for all your pretty wrapped creations? Thanks for sharing these pretty ideas, my dd (13) and I are getting inspired!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness have you been busy!! I love all the packages. I have been busy making stocking inspired by Pottery Barn. I will email you a pic when I get done. They want $26 a piece with embroidery I got all the material for $15 and then I am taking them to get embroidered. hopefully that won't break me ;o)

Paige said...

I like the one for your dad, that one made me smile!
Where do you get the kraft paper in bulk?
P~

Edi said...

Wow! Those all look great.

My wrapping ideas are not even close to as creative as yours.

I yr I did wrap all the gifts in brown paper and wrapped string around and then wrote on the front part of the lyrics from Sound of Music "Brown paper packages tied up with string".

Another year I made everyone stockings (hand sewn as I don't have nor know how to use a sewing machine) out of material I had around the house - and put their gifts inside.

I've made gift tags out of colored paper and used Scrabble tiles to spell out the names.

Those are a few I can think of off the top of my head.

I also like making my gifts into gift baskets...this yr at least 4 relatives will be getting gift baskets (and not always using actual baskets).

Anonymous said...

Wow, so very beautiful! The wrapping itself is a gift of artwork.

Monica Wilkinson said...

The brown paper can be re-used brown paper bags or purchased kraft paper. I buy mine by the roll when Walgreens has it on sale for $1/roll. It really goes a long way - I only use a roll or so for all my gift wrapping. Also, in the past, I've found brown kraft paper on clearance after Christmas! Since this is almost all I use, I keep a stash of it in my gift wrap

melissa said...

those are so beautiful - it would hard for me as a gift receiver to open and ruin the beautiful creation and hard work of the gift giver, though!

I wrap with Christmas paper rolls that we brought with us overseas. I'll be baking cookies for our neighbors this year and plan on using white decorated gift bags with string for wrapping (then tying with strong craft string for hanging on doors).

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness -- the time you have spent creating these wrappings which are a gift in themselves! Way to use your resources! Love you, Mom

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I confess to just using the clearance stuff I find after Christmas for the next year. I'm in awe at your ability to beautify everything around you, though.

Jennifer said...

Love your wrapping ideas! I would love to link to them on my blog with your permission. I've been trying to come up with a source for thrifty wrapping...I have all kinds of things to embellish with, but no base yet. :) I'd like to find a cheap source for something like butcher paper...but I'm going to be watching sales for kraft paper now, too!

*carrie* said...

Monica,

You are too much! I won't even want to open my gifts--so pretty to look at! (fun to get a little sneak peek here--ha)

Anonymous said...

Not only do I love the packages, I love what you did with the pictures - rough edges. How did you do that?

Molly said...

Who is going to want to open these adorable gifts?! Cute ideas! Maybe I can make a dent in my craft stash this Christmas! Thanks for the ideas!

Unknown said...

i love it! i am a big "brown paper packages" gal so these are all so lovely to me!

Lee said...

Oh' my stars those are adorable. You are just too much. What a blessing a person like you is in people's lives! :) Someone who brings loveliness into every area. :)

Jennifer said...

Wow! Too pretty to open. Thanks for always having such lovely ideas, and for sharing them with us.
Have a lovely day!
Jennifer

Christi said...

How cute! I love the snowman, and the one with all the tied ribbon, espcially!

Great ideas!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely adorable! I have four rolls of that brown paper that I got on clearance at Walgreens back in July for 59 cents each. I've been planning on letting the kids drawn with green and red markers to make our wrapping paper this year.

Anonymous said...

Monica:
I am just curious. How do you find the time to do all these things with 2 children and 1 on the way??? Everything you do is so lovely. I have just one son (18M) and I can't get a thing started let alone finished!

Monica Wilkinson said...

Anonymous: We don't have any software or anything that edits pictures - but I did this by uploading them to the Wal-Mart photo web site. Then, I edited and saved them back to my computer. You can do this on any number of sites like Snapfish or Kodak as well.

Donna: Yes, lots of people seem to ask that question. Nap times are a blessing! One Saturday, my hubby took the girls to run errands and I sat on the bed all morning and wrapped. The other thing is this was not all done in one session! I did spend a considerable amount of time on each package - so just keep all the supplies gathered on my dresser and wrap one here and there as I can. Once the creative juices start flowing - it is hard to stop! :)

Amy said...

These are wonderful ideas, Monica! They are just too pretty to unwrap and I am sure they look beautiful the tree.

I did find some very cool paper at Target this year and got rolls of velvet ribbon for $1 each and kelly green for a$1 each. I also wrapped in newspaper some and used a deck of cards for our gift tags this year. They turned out really cute, but I am always inspired by your ideas!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! Those are so so cute!! I would not want to open them. Wow, wow, wow!!
Elise

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Monica Wilkinson said...

Amy - I enjoyed watching your TV segment - the card idea is so cute! I don't usually see cute wallpaper at the thrift store - but I'll be watching!

Melissa - I'm 28 weeks this week, due Feb. 19th!

Charlotte Cushman said...

Monica - I love the fabric scarps tied this way and that all the way down. That one is my favorite! char

Anonymous said...

We use cloth giftbags reused every year for family exchanges. The first two years, it was a lot of sewing- but after a while, you have enough bags in average sizes. Once in a while, I'll need to sew a bag for an odd shaped item- but then I'll have it for the next time. I made easy bags with ribbons sewn on to tie them shut. Kids use rubber stamps to make new labels every year.

Santa at our house wraps in color coordination for the kids. My eldest DD is red, my eldest DS is green; youngest DD is yellow/gold, and the baby boy is blue. It works for toothbrushes, cups, board game pieces- you name it.

Carmen at Old House Homestead said...

Those are very cute packages, Monica! I loved them!

If you gals aren't able to find kraft paper go to your local newspaper and ask for the end rolls. (Here they are free.) They are plain newspaper...no ink. It's a lot lighter than kraft paper but you can doll it up quite nicely. I like to rubber stamp on mine. I actually use one rubber stamp for each person and make a chart for myself to remember who's stamp is what. For example, Noah's package is stamped with candy canes, Rebekah's is stamped with gift boxes, Hannah's is stamped with mittens, etc. No one knows but me who's gift is who's. No shaking and peeking involved! However, I must admit that this year I'm expecting number 7 and not feeling as ambitious (we're also probably moving in a month or so) so I've resorted to dollar store gift wrap. Hope that helps.

Hugs,
Carmen

Anonymous said...

Monica, these are so beautiful I'm afraid I wouldn't want to open them.
Julie

jenny said...

Wow! I'm embarrassed to say that I buy the cheap paper at the dollar store and wrap to my little heart's content. Oh, and I also slap on a dollar store bow, too--you know, to make it extra special!

Monica, you amaze me!

Anonymous said...

Wow! These are so pretty! I love this idea. Thanks for the inspiration. I've always just used regular wrapping paper, but I'd love to try something like this.

Anonymous said...

Your gifts looks so lovely! Too nice to unwrap!
Karyn

Anonymous said...

WOWEEE!!!! This is AMAZING! I SO am going to plan on this.....next year! I will wait a year to acquire all the fun accessories and go from there!

Katy said...

oh my goodness....you did SUCH a fabulous job!!! I LOVE it all! What time and beauty you put into each one of those! What an inspiration you are! God has definitely given you a gift of creativity! I thought i was creative...but girl...you make me look bad! LOL GREAT JOB!

Priscilla said...

Hi,
I love your brown paper wrapping ideas, I have already bought the brown paper as I thought a few month ago I would try a traditional wrapping style, I just love brown paper and red ribbons!..... Thank you for sharing your ideas, I am new to your blog and will visit again soon

Priscilla x

~katie~ said...

You are so talented and definitely blessed with homespun goodness!

Blessings,
Katie

Anonymous said...

Your wrapping is so gorgeous! For the kids things... I usually buy 2 different but very pretty papers to keep them separate without using tags until the last minute. I use a lot of brown paper, bought all a store had many years ago for 10­¢ a roll ! Still have several full rolls. Use it for lots of craft projects for the kids too.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful wrappings!

Gena said...

Oh, you just amaze me with your creativity! All of those packages are darling.

I am trying to use up all of the clearance paper that I have from Christmases past, then I will start using brown paper for all gifts, but tying them with different color ribbons for different occasions. I am trying to simplify everything in my life and this is one idea I just love!

Unknown said...

WOW! These are some great ideas! I love this wrapping and you can see the obvious love in each package. You are an inspiration!!!

Anonymous said...

Monica:
You truly amaze me.I concur with all the others that you are truly gifted with creativity & these packages are too pretty to open. I especially like your Mom's (Looks Victorian!!)
You also amaze me with how you manage your time You are truly an inspiration!

Love you, Grandma

Kelly @ The Barefoot Mama said...

I love your ideas! What a beautiful way to spread holiday joy! :o)

Trace said...

WOW!! Love these wrapping ideas!!
This year I bought a HUGE roll of really adorable red wrapping paper with white sparkly snowflakes.. and a HUGE roll of gorgeous white sparkly taffeta ribbon....
Everyone's gift is getting the same treatment, except for the tags which will all be different styles...

LOVE your blog btw!
Hugs, Hugs
Trace

Milehimama @ Mama Says said...

Very cute! I love the felted initial.

One way we wrap small gifts is to have the kids color a picture. I also have a washable ink pad and the baby "signs" his name with a footprint on cards.

I tagged you for the Nice Matters award yesterday!

Debbie J said...

Hi Monica, I have also been the recipient of some vintage craft supplies. Here is a post of them. This picture doesn't show all a friend's mother has given me. I don't know how to store it all!!!!http://homemakingdreams.blogspot.com/2007/10/sew-crafty-friday_26.html

Your post has given me some ideas. I was thinking those little ball things could be used on a purse maybe...LOL

kymk99 said...

These ideas are so fun! Thanks for sharing some different ways to make package decorations look great!

Yvonne :o)

Lenetta said...

I'm way late to the party here, but I wanted to let you know that I linked to this post on my weekly roundup. Thanks!