Something pretty for Mother's Day

Sometimes when I see a craft, often from Martha Stewart, I wish I was good at crafty creations. Wish I was patient and precise and could painstakingly work until the craft at hand was perfect and finished. But I am not a crafty gal and believe me I have tried. All manner of sewing, glueing, cutting, and I never finished one darn thing. I am too impatient for results and I lose interest quickly but I will spend hours and hours gift wrapping a gift...........so go figure.  But if I really was a clever crafty gal I think I would challenge myself with these beautiful jewelry boxes I found on Martha Stewart here with a full tutorial. I think they are quite lovely all nestled together. If you go at a nice leisurely pace, you have just about enough time to get this elegant set of velvet-lined keepsake boxes done for Mother's Day. You clever craft gals have my full admiration. And won't your mother be impressed?




photo via Martha Stewart Living.

Kate Spade............meet Martha Stewart

It is not that I planned a blog break, it just happened. Lots of personal catch-up, a bit of a new e-reader addiction to sort through, and time to form a lasting relationship with my new Mac desktop. To get myself back into the blog groove I spent an afternoon at Michaels craft store to see what I could come up with in the way of gift wrapping ideas. First I must state I am not a scrapbooker, but I can see the appeal. All those little packages of pretty little things. Before that little shopping expedition, I spent a day at Somerset Mall in Michigan where I indulged in a bit of Kate Spade so I did have this pretty box to play with...................Kate Spade meet Martha Stewart. You two look good together.

Since I am not a "craft" person so to speak, I wasn't really aware of the scope of scrapbook supplies or that Martha Stewart was in the game too (I am just not getting out enough). This is probably just as well judging by my lack of fiscal restraint when it comes to little packages of pretty little things and the way I see it, whoever does scrapbook must have lots of fun little embellishment leftovers that can be used up in other ways so I thought that is what I would show you in the next few weeks. Gift wrap ideas that use up these pretty little scrapbook things, easily and simply. Sort of like craft day at summer camp, only the grown-up kind.

To make this frou frou feminine type of gift box I simply took two packages of Martha Stewart Crafts stickers in two types of paper floral styles using 7 of the 12 pieces. Each package has 6 flowers and here in Canada was $8.49 per package though I am certain that it is less in the US. I changed the grommet-tied store ribbon to a narrow melon colour bringing it to the front instead of the top where it looked way too busy. This idea could work on a plain white or craft box too, in fact I think I will have a few to show you.

To the 1,000 followers of A Gift Wrapped Life................Thank you!

You have made my life more beautiful in the most remarkable of ways.

Do not take my computer.........ever

photo ~ Country Living

Ok, finally feeling a bit better, helped my father move into a new apartment, then head down last week to the studio ready to wrap up some holiday cheer and publish overdue Christmas blog posts. Hear a scary rush of water, somewhere, somewhere and walk into water, lots of water, pouring into my basement studio. This is not good, not good at all. Hint: always know where the water main is located (thankfully I did). For the next eight hours crew of helpful men move all gift wrap materials and work space to temporary and much dryer location, tear down drywall, rip off baseboards, remove all soggy material and inventory, set up 6 loud fans to dry wet studio, then leave for weekend. Plumber starts repair but will finish Monday, in the meantime no water over weekend as problem is not resolved. We both sleep all weekend with one eye and ear open. Overloaded breaker system fails and security alarm beeps non-stop for 2 days, repeated breaker failures zap and fry computer screen.................are you telling me I don't have a computer? Husband concerned, non-showered, shingles- recovering wife looks like she is going to lose it. Lets edgy wife make non-disputed executive decisions, buys one new Mac laptop and books 2 flights to Oklahoma to see son at Christmas. My plan this upcoming week? Wrap and blog while ignoring non-stop workers and repairs in other part of basement (can't leave house), wrap and ship orders, forget holiday decorating (out of town), find Tulsa restaurant that serves full Christmas dinner on Christmas day, nap at whim, and go with the flow. I just tell you everything, don't I?


While I get settled in my temporary work space and get on with holiday wrapping ideas that should have started weeks ago, I did come across a Christmas Crafts section on the Country Living website that reminded me of what I think is a great holiday gift. Baking, pure and simple. I know you already know this, but if you think it is a tired, worn out, magazine kind of idea, it isn't to anyone rushing through the busy holiday season. Especially when it is that delicious signature item everyone just loves. Make the best apple pie? Give them one fresh, warm one and a few unbaked for the freezer. Wrap them up in white bakery boxes with baking instructions and pretty ribbon and your gift is as good as the latest Coach bag. I probably have too many purses as it is, but a freezer with homemade apple pies.........what a treat since my pie-baking weekend is pretty well shot. If you want to put it along with a lovely linen monogrammed apron (instructions online- click here) and some baking accessories, all the better, but really it's the home baked pie (or that specialty) that they really want this year. Pure and simple. It's that kind of year.





Both photos via Country Life