Hunter Gatherer Maker: 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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

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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.