make it meaningful

i'm talking about gift packaging.

i always feel dirty when i give someone a gift in a gift bag.  it just says "i put absolutely no effort into this gift, hopefully you like it, if not here's your gift receipt."  i try to consider who the gift is going to and try to tailor my packaging to the recipient.  this here is one of my favorite inexpensive wrappings, vintage pattern instructions.  i wouldn't give this to everyone though.  some of my friends would be disgusted by the musty smell.  i love this smell though, like old books.

dress your package like you dress yourself.  add layers and texture.  in this case i took a large kraft paper envelope and ironed on a giant "G", using heat n' bond (one of my most absolutely, favorite things, in the whole wide crafting world!) and vintage fabric.

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to add additional layers, i bound the package wrapped in vintage pattern instructions to the kraft paper envelope with bakers twine.  i finished it off with a handmade note and gift tag, using simple graph paper and an inexpensive hang tag, which seems to becoming my signature.  i'm finding my way people :)

the gift above is a baby shower gift.  sometimes i forget to do this but i try to get the older sibling a little something so they don't feel left out, especially if it the sibling is currently an only child.  for this little gift i tailored the gift and packaging and the recipient.  make it meaningful! 

this little boy's mama loves green and his name begins with "h" and the book is about an imaginary crown we all wear.  i first wrapped the book in pattern instructions, no cutting required.  the size of the paper was perfect for this size book.  then i cut out a crown from kraft paper.  on top of that i layered a green stripe "h" out of fabric using heat n' bond once again.

i simply wrapped the package in twine and added my little note for the big brother to be.  fun right?!

smiles,

amber