it's a wrap. [make your own wrapping paper] #2

right-o lovely readers! here is the tutorial for wrap design #2!
it's just as easy as the #1 tutorial only this time we'll be using an old wine cork. wine corks are fab for creating stamps - they are basically already in the right shape and all you really need to do is cut off the end, trace a shape and cut it out!

below is an image of what you'll be creating.

  

/////////////////////////////////

what will you need?

materials

// string & ribbon

// scissors

// a stencil knife

// a pencil for tracing

// stamps

// a gift tag [optional]

// a cork [or eraser]

// kraft paper [or brown paper]

// an ink pad

other bits and bobs you can add for decorations

// a ruler

// sticky tape

step one // turning a cork into a stamp

to make your stamp - we'll be using the bobble end of the cork; this means we can use the other end to hold while stamping.

/////////////////////////////////

step two // trace a shape onto the cork

trace a shape with a lead pencil onto the bobble end of the cork; i'm doing a triangle to create a sort-of-snow-like effect. the nature of the cork also makes the stamping effect look quite rustic. carefully cut off the rounded end to make the surface flat and then trace a shape of your choice. try and go for a shape with angles as it's much easier to cut than rounded shapes. again; carefully follow the traced lines cutting down about 5mm-10mm then by cutting on the side as you did to level of the rounded shape off the top, gently cut with the stencil knife until you get to edge of the triangle.

/////////////////////////////////

step three // stamp away!

next is the fun part - stamping! do a couple of test stamps on a scrap piece of paper so you get the result you like. cut an appropriate sized piece of kraft paper to fit you present. using the ink pad - press the stamp on a couple of times to get the ink well dispersed across the shape.

/////////////////////////////////

step four // wrap away!

to finish my present up i've used a piece of brown string tied over a red ribbon to give contrast to the colour used on the present - with a hand typed gift tag!

/////////////////////////////////

step five // gift tag [optional]

here's another quick idea for a gift tag! i've cut out a piece of card with my pinking shears to create a zig-zagged effect matching the triangles. i've used my typewriter to type you a message but you can get the same effect using this free downloadable font off one of my favourite websites called DaFont - and just print one off your computer [i've linked it to the typewriter fonts page] - just download the file to an appropriate folder, then - open control panel, go into "fonts" and drag the text file out of downloaded zip file into the "fonts" file and it will automatically appear in all you programs!

happy crafting!

love g xx

/////////////////////////////////

here's another quick and cheap idea! - using some vintage music sheets i picked up from the op shop for about 50 cents - i've covered a present to make a beautiful and distinct effect.

/////////////////////////////////


i'd love you to share any of your fab ideas for stamps and christmas present wrapping!

it's a wrap. [make your own wrapping paper] #1

hello dear readers.

one thing i love to do at at any present wrapping occasion is customise my own wrapping paper and gift tags. it's super easy and loads of fun! i love coming up with new ways to put spins on last years efforts. here are a couple of ideas for you try, share or make.

using various recyclable and reusable materials found around the house; i'm going to make my own stamps, which will create the pattern we will use to design our own super fab wrapping paper.

i'm using the lid off an old eye-liner pen and a wine cork - however you can use almost anything you like depending on what shape you want to achieve.

below is a pic of the #1 wrapping design you'll be creating.

 

/////////////////////////////////

but first things first. what will you need?

 

 

materials

// string & ribbon

// scissors

// a pencil for tracing

// stamps

// a gift tag [optional]

// an old pen lid [i'm using an old eye-liner pencil lid]

// kraft paper [or brown paper]

// an ink pad

other bits and bobs you can add for decorations

// a ruler

// a feather

 

 

/////////////////////////////////

 

#1. style wrap // pen lid

to create this simple yet effective result i have used an eye-liner lid - however any lid of a similar shape will do.

 

 

step one // made to measure

 

start off by grabbing some kraft paper [or brown paper] and then measure the present you are going to wrap so you don't under allocate.

 

 

/////////////////////////////////

 

step two // stamp away

 

grab your stamp implement - i'm using the lid off an old eye-liner pen. i'm using the 'flat side/the top' to create a 'rough' circle. you can use so many different things from around the home - such a toothpaste lids. this is a new spin on the old "potato stamp"!. i'm also using a red stamp pad instead of paint; mainly because it dries instantly, saving you time and mess associated with paint.

 

 

 

 

 

// stamp in whatever pattern you'd like; i'm going for a bit more of an even spotty page.

 

 

/////////////////////////////////

 

 

step three // the final design

once you've finished you stamping; you're basically done! this took me about 2 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

/////////////////////////////////

 

 

step four // wrap it up!

 

the final step is to wrap it! i've used brown string, a plain gift tag stamped with some of my alphabet stamps and a feather from the paddock and hey presto; you have a present wrapped in a super-duper quick and easy.

 

happy wrapping!

 

love g xx

 

stay tuned for my "it's a wrap #2" on how to use an old wine cork to design a custom stamp.

 

 

 

/////////////////////////////////

 

 

a few of my favourite things

hello hunter gatherer makers!

hope you are all well.

i thought it would be great to share some of my favourite things i use when crafting. these objects are bits and pieces i use time and time again. 

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



[lead pencil, a quality felt tip pen, cutting mat, metal ruler + stencil knife]

i know these objects are old hat, but they're super handy to have and come in useful for pretty much any crafty project so i thought i'd chuck 'em in anyway. a good quality cutting mat and stencil knife will make crafty times way easier and will decrease the chances of causing nasty accidents.


[kraft paper]

kraft/craft/brown - whatever your craft shop/stockist calls it; it's dead handy and a truly multipurpose item. i'm lucky enough to have it stocked at my university's 'uni books' shop and costs a measly 50 cents for an A1 sized piece! i use this for almost everything and it adds a certain somethin' somethin' compared to ordinary white paper.
i use it in present wrapping, label making, to sketch on.. the list is endless! another great thing about this paper is that is generally made of recycled paper - and itself is recyclable.


[paper luggage tag]

these little babies are super cheap and come in rows of four and cost around 25 cents [for a row] depending on what size. the are a quick and fantastic way to customize any present, gift bag or even making a personalized/seasonal garland! they are plain enough that you have as much artistic licence as you would like.
[note: i'm really excited to show you these tags made up in my upcoming christmas present wrapping ideas post - stay tuned peeps]


[brown string]

you can seriously never underestimate the use of a ball of string. brown string [or hessian string] you can pick up from your local supermarket for not that much. i use this [again] for present wrapping, hanging cards, garlands, necklaces.... so many uses.


[pinking shears]

i picked these old dress-maker's pinking shears up from a vintage store in melbourne for about $20. they are fab for cutting zig-zaged patterns into paper or material.

 

[stamps]

to be quite frank; i'm obsessed with stamps. lettered stamps, numbered stamps, stamps with animals, stamps with patterns, old stamps, new stamps... well; you get the jist! anyway; stamps! - they are a fab way of customising any gift or crafty project. there a few particular sets which i use quite a lot.

/// webster's pictorial stamps [you can find them here]
    these delightful flora and fauna stamps are probably my
    favourite and have been designed from the original webster's
    dictionary pictorials. eye candy to the max.

/// tea pot + cup and owl + tree [you can find them here]
    these bad boys were a fab find. they come in packs of different
    scenes so you can customize to your heart's desire. they are by
    yellow owl workshop.

/// letters and numbers
    i've got a couple of different letter and number packs which are
    great for variation. the larger of the two are by
    cavallini and co. the smaller pack was given to me as a gift so
    apologies i cannot forward you the brand, however i have seen
    them floating about in various niche gift shops!

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[typewriter]

i'm not kidding when i say this is my baby. i love this thing to bits and use it far to much considering it's almost giving in. i picked it up from my dear friend's vintage shop vinatge carousel. there's something about old objects that are still working isn't there? perhaps it's my nostalgic love for objects from a different time, but it's true when they coin the phrase; "they dont make 'em like they use to". i love that the way it almost carries it's own secret life story; it's almost humbling to think that this old thing had a life and use probably before i was born. i use my typewriter for anything and everything in-between. writing gift tags, wall art, badge paper, little notes.... it just makes everything more fun. i picked it up for about $30 which is pretty darn good considering some of the prices i've seen around the place for them! don't fret though! - i do see them often around opshops and vintage stores for not too much. happy tapping and typing!


what are your favourite things to use when crafting? i'd love to know!

happy crafting

g xx