this precious life.

For me, wrapping Christmas gifts is almost as much fun as making them or going shopping for them so I wanted to share a few ideas I've put to use this year.  Sometimes I do use regular wrapping paper but more often than not, I love the opportunity to get creative & use things I have laying around. Paper shopping bags {Trader Joe's are great & they usually have fun holiday prints this time of year!}, twine, lace, embroidery floss or baker's twine, scraps of fabric, book & catalogue pages, stamps & cutouts... the possibilities are endless:) I hope this gives you a little inspiration in your wrapping this year! {see past ideas HERE or learn how to make your own wrapping paper for small packages HERE }  bottom package: brown paper, lace & embroidery floss upper package: wooden tube with brown paper bag cutouts as embellishments below: recycled brown paper bag, image created with paint & a pencil eraser  clockwise from top left: 1) ...

Inspired by THIS image, I took to an old dictionary in my project bin & created a set of cards for a friend. Materials: Cardstock {for both cards & envelopes} Envelope template sheets from old books/newsprint scissors & hole punch glue

I had several composition books and a binder sitting around looking bla and plain so last weekend I spruced them up in my spare time:)  Decoupaging is so simple but can totally transform so much!   Here's how to try your hand at it: Supplies: Elmer's glue | an old craft paint brush | some form of paper {I've used newspaper, wrapping paper, cut-outs from magazines and scrapbook paper. I also want to try using maps. So get creative... there's lots you can use!} | something to decoupage! {notebook, small box, something wooden... there's all sorts of possibilities. My next step is to try it on glass and see how that works} 1) Prepare your space by laying down newsprint:)  2) Dilute your glue {roughly a tablespoon of water to a 1/4 cup of glue. You don't want it too runny so add a small about of water at a time} and be sure you have your paper or cut-outs prepared (torn, cut, etc.). 3)Brush a coat of glue onto the item you are decoupaging then place your paper on,...