Virginia Johnson & Kate Spade

You had to know I would love this illustration by Canadian illustrator Virginia Johnson. This is me and my life right here in one drawing! I have had this in my photo file for a few months and meant to add it into my Kate Spade regift post last week. A Canadian artist who did artwork for Kate Spade... I couldn't be more proud! I have admired her illustrations for quite some time and had bought the Kate Spade style book series a few years back as gifts but never put the two together until recently.

You may remember the KS three-books series Manners, Style, and Occasions in Red, Green, and Blue covers. I must have gifted the other two, but I still have my copy of Manners. Lucky thing, I just spoke to them and the charming books are now discontinued which makes me happy that I kept one copy at least. The illustrations by Virginia Johnson were a good part of the charm of these unpretentious quides to social graces in this modern time. I had to pass on this quote from Andy Spade in the Gifts, Gifting, Re-Gifting section of Manners.

"Re-Gifting is an artform. But beware: If you re-gift to others, they may re-gift unto you"

I plan to talk about the delicate artform of re-gifting in an upcoming post. You had to know I was going to talk about this sooner or later, didn't you?

So beautifully and simply rendered.

As captioned in Manners ~ In a Museum Solo Viewing is Bliss
I love how this is illustrated with her head turned just slightly.

Elements of delicate style.

Even from the neck down, you can still
imagine the conversation.
("Darn.....she wore the same shoe colour")

According to her website, the Canadian Toronto-based designer still does illustrations but is better known as being a textile designer who now sells to stores such as Kate Spade and Barneys. She has the most fabulous shawls on her website {click here}.

All illustrations from Virginia Johnson/Photo 2 by Sande Chase

Annechovie.....regifted

I wrapped up one of my Jo Malone boxes {click here to go to original post on regifting logo boxes) for someone lovely and special. A heartfelt and virtual thank you to Anne Harwell at Annechovie for the lovely mention on my Oooh la la Cadeau website in her blog post yesterday {click here to read }. Just so you know, I won't put just anything on a Jo Malone box (to cover the logo and re-use) but I love the idea of using Anne's chair card on the front, it certainly is Jo Malone worthy and it's striking image can carry this gift all by itself. I simply glued the card right to the box and wrote my thank you inside. I placed my bows and ribbon "tails" off to the top so they wouldn't interfere with the classic Annechovie chair image. I folded a bit of stitch ribbon to make a little bolster cushion (just for fun Anne, it really doesn't need it). Sometimes the cards are so wonderful that it's a shame not to show them off a bit from the get-go and make them part of the presentation. Certainly the case with any of the gorgeous cards from Annechovie. If you haven't taken a peek, you must do so, you'll be inspired. If you missed my post last month, click here to read about Anne's generous style and talent. I know, lots of links today, but if you want to get up to speed on her story.......off you go.

You can see the card flap open a bit and it doesn't bother me a bit. The more I think about it, the more I like this variation......see her artwork has inspired me to look at this recyling-boxes in a whole new way. The card becomes part of the gift in a way that isn't possible when it's off to the side in an envelope. When the card is this fabulous then let it help you along in your gift wrapping palette. I do like to have long ribbon "tails" on some presentations, makes it a bit decadent but not wasteful, they will hopefully get re-used when you are generous with your ribbon lengths.

Here I took the same box, centered the card and used a stitch cotton ribbon on top and bottom for a simpler version of the same idea. I do this because I know what you are thinking when I use lots of ribbon. And yes, I like both versions.

Thank you Anne, again. You really are the best.

All photo images by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life/Oooh la la Cadeau

Pouf Wrap

There is a corner in my store room with remnants of my former life as an interior designer. It's not that I have been ignoring these pieces of low yardage fabric, I've just been waiting to experiment with them a bit. I don't sew and this is a disadvantage for my next little project....fabric gift wrapping. This isn't a new idea......it's just people feel a bit strange doing it I think. Maybe afraid you'll look like cheap Aunt Minnie......you know what I mean. Of course it may mean you just want to save these remnants, a clever idea will come along and you'll be sewing them up like crazy, gorgeous sachets for everyone next holiday. It won't happen, here anyways so gift wrap makes sense to use these up. Figuring out the right size that makes sense for general gift wrapping is a bit of a challenge..........then I had a duh... moment, I'll make three sizes. So this photo is just my experimenting, take the fabric, gather, twist, then pull out the top to pouf and quickly secure with ribbon. I haven't sew the edges yet so I have a voluminous amount of "pouf" but I like it, gives it a faux-couture look. I know......the silk ribbon doesn't hurt either. And yes, I know you can do this look with a scarf as well and I might just try it coming up.

I think the Aunt Minnie look everyone fears is possible if the fabric is too cute (unless that's the gift theme). If the fabric is opulent like this embroidered floral silk, I think your gift just got upgraded. Fabric gift wrap makes sense these days, it can be re-used, recycled, and regifted many, many times over. I can see this look twisting in many directions, Pucci, gorgeous chiffon, lots of possibilities. You can use pinking shears if the fabric is casual and fun, anything more elegant will need edges sewn. Watch for clear-out pricing on fabric remnants, especially raw silk as it has the stiffness needed for a good "pouf". Anything slinky is going to fall more than pouf, though not a bad idea either. You're going to feel positively "green" with your regift wrap. As soon as I confirm the sizes I will post again on this idea.

Little Side Tip: If you can't quite work fast enough to tie the ribbon while holding the pouf, then use an elastic band, then tie the ribbon bow. If careful, you can then go back under and carefully snip the elastic.

Both photos by Sande Chase - Oooh la la Cadeau

Have a Grand Weekend

Put on a pretty dress, some fancy shoes, and dance around the living room.

A round shape always presents a wrapping challenge. The paper doesn't fold as well and my policy is "if it's not working, then change direction". Tissue isn't just for filing up a bag, when creased into tuxedo-pleated style it can be quite elegant as a gift wrap. The two ribbons are held in place with the fabulous gift label, no tape required. In order to fit multiple gifts into our gift boxes, I have been experimenting with simpler presentations. It's a great way to use up smaller lengths of ribbon and leftover tissue, something we all seem to have. Do you do know you can iron both tissue and ribbon? Re-use and re-gift your gift wrap supplies, when all neatly pressed, no one will know.

Top Photo-source not known, Bottom Photo by Sande Chase-OoohlalaCadeau