A Gift wrap source................by request

More than a few of you emailed after the post on using wrapping paper to gussy up a bouquet of flowers for my son in this Black Cloverleaf is a striking graphic and as luck and timing would have it, Midori  the trade ribbon source now has a retail website. Their gift wrap is sold in packages of ten so pick your favorite and stock up on that pattern. 

Cloverleaf is handamde, more of a fiber paper so it does hold it's shape and can be ironed and reused. And you know how I feel about that..........bonus.

While I was there I noticed this new rose embellished gift wrap paper which might be a new stock item for me. Next week I will share a few of my favorite Midori ribbons............actually there is more than a few.

Happy Weekend and thank you to readers and 

new followers that left such lovely comments this week. 

Photos from Midori Ribbon

Other things.................to embellish

 

It's a free form necklace, no a belt. We weren't too sure but I guess it should be either but as you know I tend to see everything as a gift wrapping embellishment, in this case something braided with flowers to wrap around a bottle of gift wine. It is no wonder my husband thinks I have the most expensive shellac manicures in the world, my salon happens to have a lovely array of very affordable accessories which easily make their way into my invoice/purse on a bi-weekly basis, whether they be to wear or wrap in today's case. Anyways, back to the wine. Is it just me or is there a lack of cool wrapping choices for when a nice bottle of wine is your gift of choice? What if I wanted to give a bottle along with a gift of money to a bride and groom? A bottle that would perfect to open on the night of their first anniversary? How would I wrap it? I think I would use that romantic braided belt/necklace just as I have shown and there we are.........a special presentation.

Photo by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life 

Florals in Gift Wrap..........my backwards approach

One day I tell you to wrap gifts in floral boxes and the next I tell you to wrap florals in gift wrap..............am I all backwards or what? My son always has me embellish cellophane wrapped floral bouquets, he thinks this extra level of presentation scores him thoughful guy points with the ladies and maybe it does.

I do think over wrapping the cellophane does bump up the wow factor a bit so I am happy to do my motherly duty, being that he is still single. I do what I can to help him along. This paper wrapped bouquet does work best with a thicker paper so it stays stiff when adding all the ribbons. This paper is one of those fiber papers that holds it rolled shape. I wanted to keep the ribbon selection simpler but my son wanted the wanted the full nine yards literally. 

Thank you to readers who left such lovely comments this week

and a gift wrapped thank you to new followers.

Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Sugar & Sweetness ............for Valentines Day

I haven't done a frou frou type of gift wrapping since the holidays............a presentation way over the top in sugar & sweetness. I spent part of my  weekend printing out mararon style papers, hunting down my hidden stash of pastel Ladurée ribbon, and my aim was to go high on the sweetness scale for a friend's group birthday gift, one of those significant birthdays that require major spoiling. As it turned out, I think it's level of sweetness is perfect for Valentine's Day. 

Now to get these lovelies in a box that doesn't squeeze the sugar out of the paper macarons.......so to speak. I lined up the 6 wrapped gifts in 2 long white floral boxes, 3 gifts in each box. These simple boxes are the perfect way to arrange multiple gifts, no crushing of ribbons and quite the gift wrapped effect when the lid is removed and pleated tissue opened. When the event is special, I look to give the party girl a bit of oooh and ahhh, that's what makes the effort worthwhile. 

Of course, the recipient will anticipate long stemmed flowers but so far I have never had anyone mind that the box was filled with gifts instead and I use this long, slim box quite often. Though I order these in quantity online you could ask your friendly florist to sell you a few when needed for this type of presentation. Or don't forget to save them if you happen to receive some long-stemmed romance today. 

A monochromatic handwritten paper as my printer was running out of ink fast with printing out all these colourful macarons. 

I even tried a pleated ribbon medallion with a leftover piece of hand-dyed silk ribbon...........and as you know I am not a crafty gal but it worked. I have been asked if it is a bit crazy to put this much effort into wrapping gifts in this manner............it would only be crazy if it didn't make the recipient feel so indulged and all the ribbons can be ironed and re-used. If it enhances someones special day, I am all for being the crazy one. But that's not the bad kind of crazy, is it?

Bring out the pastels, satin and silk ribbons, pearl ribbon, faux fur ribbon, paper flowers, soft tissue and crystal hearts. In other words, bring out the pink.....and girly attitude, no matter the age. 

The bright orange was my macaron paper favorite and I used it as a lid cover so the bottom box colour became part of the packaging. I think it added a nice saucy jolt to all the pastel tones. 

The bevy of gorgeous gifts for the beautiful birthday girl is a group effort, the gifts selected by the "best shopper" in our group, the "baker" bakes the sinfully rich chocolate iced cake, another makes the reservations, and I do the wrapping even though I am far from the best wrapper in the group. All of our good wishes are ready to be covered with layers of pink pleated tissue and closed up. Yes, believe it or not..........one more wrapping step. 

When you use a floral box, you can fuss up the outside as little or as much as you want............either way these slim boxes works really well for a presentation method. You can even get alway with just layering your gifts unwrapped in the tissue (clothing, books, diamonds). This is an older photo of the box as I didn't get a finish shot and no logo label on a birthday gift but you get the idea. 

Have the sweetest Valentine's Day!

I am all for sugar & sweetness......any day of the year. 

Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Gift Wrapping...............with 18th century romance

When this gorgeous 18th century French engraving print was given as a gift to readers of French Essence, many of us went over and eagerly followed the instructions to download our own printable size file copy. The personal engraving was generously shared by David Terry, a most amicable reader of French Essence and has a wonderful history and story attached which you can read here on his website. It will be absolutely gorgeous when printed out on high-quality paper and framed to enhance it's lovely nature. The pampered pet subject certainly fits in this household and it really does look like Daisy with her little hair pouf and all. I have the perfect spot for it. But in the meantime............I just couldn't help but see it as a most fabulous gift wrap. Do you agree? 

While I was at the printers with my handy flash drive and romantic gift wrapped notions in my head, I had them print out quick working copies of some of my favorite images strictly for personal blog and wrapping use as I am immersed in developing a few gift wrapped "notions" which I hope to share soon. The base paper is a aged image of antique letters which I printed on a larger 11" x 17" sheet, a perfect base for the smaller top image of a faded but most beautiful dress trimmed in the style of the last century, it appears to be on a wooden mannequin. Unfortunately, I do not have the source for this image so if anyone does please pass it along so proper credit can be linked. Isn't it lovely?

Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

St Tropez...................gone gift wrapping

This makes me want to head where the sun shines bright and hot.....somewhere where you wear scarf turbans and cool cotton caftans. St. Tropez perhaps. When I received my Jo Malone refill order a few weeks ago there was a nice supply of gray and white stripe tissue that made me want to explore a more summery gift wrap presentation. Pinstripes always make me think of summer Once the tissue wrinkles were ironed out so easy I got going and by chance came across this fashionable Leggiadro illustration from a 2009 copy of Town & Country. Bonus.

If I have said it once, I have said it at least a hundred times..............there is gift wrapping ideas in those old magazines. I am always on the hunt for fun and fashionable images that will give gifts a more unique and personable appearance. I will match this one up to a friend who loves the sun and wearing designer shades. 

My gift wrapping dose of Vitamin D. 

Thank you to readers who commented this past week and a sunny and

warm welcome to new followers. 

Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza ..............The Metallics

Warm metallics and simple white-on-white wrapping. 

Strings of pearl and glass make for embellished strands here.

Though this is a popular photo I wanted to remind you of the beauty of pleated tissue. Never underestimate tissue in gift wrapping, it makes for a softer gift presentation and with the addition of vintage broaches and soft ribbon it becomes truly glamourous..........as seen in the blog This is Glamorous.

The gifted Vicki Archer of the blog French Essence wrapped up last year's gifts in neutral sparkle for a popular post on my blog here. I am patiently waiting to see what she does this year as I know she is wrapping in a more colourful palette this year. A little birdie told me so. 

Gorgeous, gorgeous and more gorgeous from Victoria magazine and the Atlanta based King of Ribbon Nicholas Kniel who I think I need to visit/meet to master new ribbon tricks. Note the one with the vintage photo. All those glitter papers and ribbons add such sparkle to festive presentations. See his ribbon technique book here. 

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza

(click on title to view that category)

Humble Kraft Paper

The Sweet Ones

The Romantics

The Subdued

The Brights

Merry Red

The Moderns

Bright Pinks

Photos linked at source/Photo 1 source unknown

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza................Bright Pinks

Andrea of the blog French Basketeer sent me a photo of a lavender and pink cadeau that is on it's way to me just because I am a lucky girl.........how lovely to cushion this cadeaux in bright pink tulle. A stylish way to cushion your shipped gifts but Andrea always surprises me with her atterntion to detail. She even includes a Bouquet Garni to fragrance the gift experience. I love her authentic French baskets and totes and always enjoy reading her blog where she entertains in great style. It arrived this morning and the pink tulle is a fabulous idea. There is alot to be said for unexpected and surprise gifts. 

London-based blogger Carole of the blog Mademoiselle Poirot wraps the most charming gifts. Precious presents or pressies as they call them in the UK. You can go here to see all her wrapping this week. 

This fashionable and impressive purse gift is easier than it looks and so worth the time. You can see the tutorial here. 

Gold tinsel and pink tissue is wrapped together in bright style here.

I am beginning to think I need to learn knitting so I can do all these clever yarn adorned gifts. This popular gift wrapped technique can be found at Crafty Minx. Isn't it delightful?

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza

(click on title to view that category)

Humble Kraft Paper

The Sweet Ones

The Romantics

The Subdued

The Brights

Merry Red

The Moderns

Photos linked at source.

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza .................the Moderns

With our family holiday dinner behind me and some packing ahead, I am keen on finishing up the last few days of The Gift Wrap Extravaganza so I will double post on a few of the days. So much gift wrapping talent! And as the posts were published it seemed to me a good time to sort them all together so at any time you could easily back reference all this gift wrapping talent and inspiration at any time of year. I will add this gift wrap category of talent from everywhere to my header before I leave this week. I have added a few more to some of the categories as I find them so be sure to take a peek. This brings me to one of my favorite categories which was the most unusual, what I refer to as the "moderns". As much as I love ribbon, there is something to be said for materials and method of a more modern nature in gift wrapping styles. The "Moderns" clearly demonstrate that a novel approach and artistic interpetation make for a unique and thoughful gift presentation.

Adore this lavender and chocolate colour scheme and the clever idea of using trendy feathers as a "tassel" embellishment. From Canadian House & Home 

I was more than intrigued with this modern approach to gift wrapping from the Finland based stylist and blogger Age of the Aquarius. The creative execution with tape and string grid patterns in the three photos above shows that holiday wrapping can be simple and sophisticated.

Something's Hiding In Here  took a collection of vintage portrait paintings and had 11" x 17' colour copies made for a brilliant gift wrap solution. Ties with simple twine, this highly visual idea was one of the blogger finalists in The Martha Stewart Gift Wrap Challenge.

Along with using imprinted clay tags as modern embellishments, the layering of paper and a modern palette gives these gift presentations a clean and classic demeanor, perfect for the men in your life. Found at the blog Creature Comforts here

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza

(click on title to view that category)

Humble Kraft Paper

The Sweet Ones
The Romantics

The Subdued
The Brights

Merry Red

Photos linked to source.

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza............. the Brights

Those Aussie girls love their colour and use it so beautifully. Designer Anna Spiro of Absolutely Beautiful Things did what designers love to do when it comes to gift wrapping.........tie strips of fabric into beautful bows. You wouldn't miss these under the tree. 

The fabric BoBo Wraps  have been on my must-blog-about list for a bit and don't they make gift wrapping sense? Love the colours and the idea.............gift wrap that keeps on giving. They come complete with the tie-ups and in different sizes, patterns, and solid colours. May I mention that they are a stylish godsend to the gift wrapped impaired?

Those fun baubles to tie up the fabric wraps are called Bungees.

Better Homes & Gardens just goes to show how much fun gift wrapping can be when you take your time and play around with bits of this and that. 

Source found and it is the uber-talented ribbon master Nicholas Kniel from a Traditional Home feature.........but will be back to add the direct link. 

It would't be a bright Christmas without at least this popular gift wrapped image from Carolyne Roehm. Don't you miss her gift wrapped splendor? I do. 

here

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza

Click on title to view that category

Humble Kraft Paper

The Romantics

The Sweet Ones

The Subdued

The Brights

To view all of the Extravaganza styles quickly click here to view in Snapshot.

Photos linked at source

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza............. the Subdued

Subdued and elegant palette from Better Homes & Gardens. What a ribbon display! 

Artistic application in method and unique embellishments make for a striking presentation from Shimtokk. Love the sequined tulle in gold. 

This might not actually be holiday but it could but it sure works well with this elegant palette. Perhaps a sprig of mistletoe or a pretty fresh flower. BHG. 

More vintage lovely from Heather Bullard. 

The Gift Wrap Extravaganza

(just click on title to view)

 Humble Kraft Paper

 The Romantics

The Sweet Ones

 Subdued

Photos linked at source.