Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Get Ready, Get Set, GO!


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Yes, Virginia, the Holidays are Upon Us

(The Graphics Fairy LLC)

Just like that the calendar flipped a page and the holidays officially began.  Of course, there are still a few weeks of quiet before the bustle of menu preparations, party invitations, travel plans, Thanksgiving shopping, and meal preparation.

All the same, this is the quiet before the storm.  I am taking advantage of this calm to prepare.  Lately my focus has been on gift wrap and package embellishments.  I love a beautifully wrapped gift and it is wonderful to give a lovely gift wrapped with creativity.

Every year I have a color theme for the gift wrapping.  One year it was blue and silver; another burgandy; green yet another and so on.  Having a color theme, for me, keeps everything on track.  I get so distracted with all the cute possibilities my gifts can quickly look like a mish mash of victorian, french, childish, and retro. 

Some gift wrapping ideas are very simple, inexpensive, and done easily with items at home.  To me these are the best ideas -- clever re-use of common items to create something lovely.

Many of my favorite ideas involve kids helping.  One year we made hand stamped gift tags using rubber stamps, ink, and glittler glue.  It was fun to customize the gift tags to match the color theme that year (I think we stamped blue snowflakes and reindeers).
(photo courtesy of seesawdesigns.blogspot.com)

I also love the look of white craft paper and waxed twine.  It is easy to embellish the white craft paper with stampings, burlap, saved ribbon from past gifts, or thrifty finds from the store.  My children have decorated craft paper with cut outs from old Christmas cards.

I am so excited because this year I am making my own gift tags using free (always make sure it is free) clip art.  I found lovely French and Victorian scripts courtesy of The Graphics Fairy LLC (http://www.thegraphicsfairy.blogspot.com).  I have downloaded them (similar to the graphic at the top of the page) and I will print several on a page, cut them out, punch a hole, and tie with a ribbon.  I think they are perfectly unique.  Fabulous!!

Let your imagination take hold.  Gather inspiration from the sites below and create a uniquely lovely gift for your loved one this year.

(The Graphics Fairy LLC)

My favorite places for great ideas and inspiration; sources for great information:

The Graphics Fairy LLC   http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

Seesaw Designs   http://seesawdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-gift-wrap-diy.html

The Gifted Blog    http://www.thegiftedblog.com/

Martha Stewart, as always, has clever ideas to make a beautiful gift.  http://www.marthastewart.com/274678/gift-wrapping-ideas/@center/307035/santas-workshop

Pinterest (of course!)    http://pinterest.com/shesabetty/holiday-gifts-wrapping-ideas/

Creature Comforts Blog    http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2011/12/21/holiday-roundup-20-great-gift-wrapping-ideas.html

(The Graphics Fairy LLC)