Gift Wrapping With Friends

Easter eggs - A time to get creative

2009-04-07T05:15:00.000-07:00

Easter snuck up on us, so before it gets any later I want to show you some Easter egg decorating ideas we came up with last year that resulted in a fantastic pre-teen party and our discovery that you can even use Easter eggs to decorate gift wrapping.

Decorating Easter eggs is an annual event at our house but we've had to make some changes as our children get older. Last year we turned it into a pre-teen Easter Egg Decorating Party and it was such a success we’re doing it again this year. The idea was to have a fun time decorating with craft products. If you have the materials, you can do the same.

The results were much “splashier” than previous years since we decided to forego the usual dip-it-in-the-food-coloring-dye. After seeing the colorful results, we decided the eggs might make fun package decorations as well. Since we were using plastic eggs, it seems that these could be used with bows or even as replacements for bows on a wrapped gift.

We all had so much fun that we want to share these ideas with you and we'll start with how it all came about, from the original teen "can we have a party?" pleading down to the final decorating of packages with our finished eggs. We hope you'll try it, too, because the best part is that you'll have a great time with your children and their friends. I’ve included some pictures of a few of their finished eggs just for some ideas. Just remember that saying about beauty being in the eye of the beholder!

Our daughters (ages 10 and 13) wanted to have an Easter egg dying party similar to the cookie decorating party we have for them and their friends at Christmas. After negotiating attendee numbers, we decided to go for it and it was a huge success! Using plastic eggs, the girls had a great time gluing, glittering and decorating to create fabulous Easter eggs.

Even though you might have visions of gorgeous Martha Stewart-type decorated eggs, the reality is that these girls are into Hannah Montana style decorated Easter eggs. Most pre-teen girls are into the whole glitter, feather boas, purple, pink and black color scheme. You just gotta go with the flow, Mom!

It was a super-easy party to arrange and this was our supply list, some of which we already had on hand or other moms donated from previous craft projects:
· bags of colored plastic eggs – 18 to a bag, 99 cents each at Michaels Crafts and you only need about 6 eggs per girl
· a couple of bags of eggs in various shades of tan and cream, also from Michaels – these are optional as the colored plastic or metallic painted eggs were more popular
· 2 cans of Krylon metallic paint: shiny silver and gold
· embellishments – stuff to glue on the eggs including feathery ribbon (like miniature feather boas), colored tissue paper, small fabric flowers, tiny mirror pieces, rhinestones and sequins, glitter, metallic braids and ribbons, fancy yarns, beads, etc.
· 1 bottle of fast drying craft glue, several bottles of silver and gold glitter glue, scissors and one adult had a glue gun for special applications.
· jar lids or small plastic cups to hold glue
· lots of cheap watercolor brushes to apply glue – they come about 12 to a package and you need a minimum of 3 per girl but have some extras on hand

We used the plastic colored eggs because dying real eggs just doesn’t take very long and only requires the attention span of an average pre-schooler. Besides, we always seem to run out of appetite before we run out of hard boiled eggs at Easter time. As for blowing out raw eggs and using those – don’t even go there! We didn't want to make chocolate eggs, either, for various reasons.

It took a little prep work but with the daughters helping, it went quickly. We wanted to paint some of the eggs silver or gold and found it was much easier to do it when the eggs were open. The plastic eggs have a little dab of extra plastic acting as a hinge to keep the halves together.

We carefully opened the eggs so as not to break the hinge, placed the open edges flat on newspaper, sprayed just the outsides and then carefully slid them to clean newspaper so they wouldn’t stick while drying. The gold paint actually dried almost instantly; the silver usually took two applications.

Whole eggs have to sprayed in stages so it’s easier – and less time consuming - to spray them when opened. We left the pink, purple and blue eggs unpainted. We could’ve done lots more with paint but the idea was to give the girls an opportunity to express their creativity with the decorating.

On party day we covered the table with lots of newspaper and topped that with a sheet of brown paper. We set out bowls and baskets with all the embellishments plus small plastic cups – similar to the ones for catsup at McDonalds – for craft glue, along with watercolor brushes and a few pair of scissors. You can use jar lids for the glue if you don’t have any small cups.

Each girl only needs a tiny bit of glue at a time; just replenish as needed. Glitter glue was a real hit because it added glitz to the egg at the same time acting as glue for beads, etc. We also had a few pair of tweezers handy to help with picking up and placing beads but they’re optional.

Helpful hint: I put sand in large plastic cups – one cup for each girl – and they used these to stick their brushes in, handle first, while not in use. This way their gluey brushes didn’t stick to the paper or get glue on anything else, including their sleeves.

When they were little, the girls decorated eggs with cotton balls and construction paper ears to look like bunnies. Now that they’re older, we went with dazzle and glitz and to help get them started, we showed them pictures of jeweled eggs. While these were probably a little too sedate for them, they loved the idea of decorating eggs like the famous Faberge eggs.

Faberge Eggs Imperial Russian Fantasies Poster Book

We provided bottles of water and cupcakes for snacking. The whole party was inexpensive, took up most of the afternoon and the clean up was negligible. The girls had so much fun making their beautiful creations to take home and those eggs (and remembering the fun they had making them) will last for years. The other moms thought it was a great party, too, particularly since we all know there won’t be many more opportunities like these as our children get older and have more activities on their calendars.

At the end of the day - and after the girls left - we were about out of steam but still had lots of creative ideas running around in our brains. So, we decided to take our ideas one step further by adding the decorated eggs to Easter gift wrapping. It's always exciting to explore alternatives to traditional gift wrapping, so this was an unexpected post-party bonus.
If you're interested in having an Easter egg decorating party like this for your daughter/friends and want a little more info or suggestions, just e-mail me at MissDiezella@yahoo.com. and I’ll answer any questions from our personal experience, which is somewhat limited but maybe helpful.

Illustrating Easter with a look at Chinese cut paper

2009-04-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Imagine walking through a doorway to the sight of an elaborate red paper cutout. In traditional Chinese culture it was common to place these papers over doorways and in windows where the contrast of sunlight would have a dramatic effect. These were handmade decorations that performed as beautification for the modest home. They also served as an aid to home schooling; used as a teaching aid for the young.

Mothers would instill important messages of character and morality with these cut papers. The idea is strong in symbolism; embedded in these artistic embellishments are familiar images to most Chinese. In a culture that mixes folklore and symbolism; paper cut into fanciful designs became the perfect medium to tell a story. Children grew up recognizing that flowers, fruit and animals had symbolic meaning in addition to their common status.

In addition to that there were mythical characters and beasts woven into folk tales that had a moral to be learned. In spite of Chairman Mau’s cultural revolution this culture survives and now the art of paper cutting, both in the old tradition and innovative new ways, lives on.

The Chinese have many visual symbols for birth, believing that the calendar has a strong influence on a person’s future.

As Easter approaches why not take a try at using this age-old paper-cutting technique for crafting a hand made card or gift-wrap. I think that it would be nice to blend the Chinese style of paper cutting with images that are familiar to Western culture. We too rely on symbols for our holiday traditions, and these can be easily applied to Easter decorations.

Western/Easter symbols
Easter - from Eastre, the Saxon Goddess of Spring
White lily - Purity, Virgin Mary
Lamb - symbol of sacrifice, symbol of Jewish Passover (escape from Egypt)
Candles - Jesus
Rabbits and eggs - pagan symbols of birth
Carnivals - time of gaiety before the fast of Lent
Colors - white, purple, green, red

You can find out more about this:
http://www.annieshomepage.com/symbols.html

Working with cut paper also has a place in Western culture, with, of course, a much shorter history. Before there was photography there was the popular practice of cutting paper silhouettes of loved ones to be framed or carried in a locket with a clip of hair.

Of course not all these very popular oval frames contained cut paper likenesses but it was one of the techniques employed by the talented to record the memory of someone dear. As art became freer and more diverse artists began to explore new ways of expression, like the technique of collage, where layers of paper and ephemera were add to the composition to make a modern look.

The idea of making a collage is a good fit in today’s culture. It’s relatively fast, it’s expression, it’s the opportunity to say something in your own unique way. So I hope you will use my invitation to explore this creative avenue the next time you feel the need to express yourself, or have want to make a creative gift-wrap or personalized gift card for someone special. There are many possibilities for you discover that go beyond the usual ribbon and bow.

Greeting card software

2009-03-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

If you are ready for something with a lot more punch, here is a program that is like tooth paste, you will want to use it every day. It’s not quite as easy as Jackson Pollock but you can pick up the basics pretty quick and do a card like this in about 15 minutes.

It’s Elements by Photoshop. I bought my copy at Target for $50, you may not find a bargain like that but even at the regular price it’s a great deal.

This card didn’t take much longer to do, but it was one of those where I just started pushing buttons and there it was. The nice thing about Elements is that everything can be on separate layers. Any layer can be changed or moved to another project.

Exercise a different part of your brain today, try art.

Greeting cards as a fun family project

2009-03-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

How would you like to have a one-of-a-kind card to go with that gift you are wrapping? In addition to updating our wrap ideas we are also adding a new feature, it’s greeting cards for those who are looking for something different. These fresh ideas are free to use and easy to print out. Using photo paper or heavy weight brochure paper will give excellent results.

I hope too that these will give you some ideas for making your own greeting cards, and perhaps used as an opportunity to reconnect with someone. Making a handmade card and sending it out of the blue is a nice way to let someone know they are still in your thoughts.

Then there is the rare possibility that someone will return the gesture with a card of his or her own. Most unlikely, I suspect, as hurried as most people are. But just the same it‘s the thought that counts.

Use card making as a family project. Plan it as an activity that you can share with your children. It’s so much easier to do if you already have box of tools and materials ready to pull out.

The art of collage is still a popular craft activity with the younger set and perfect for greeting cards. The wonder of collage is that it takes little more than the desire to express a feeling or idea - perfect for young minds (and older.) So if you can pull them away from the TV for an hour why not challenge them to make a birthday card or a simple “I love you” for someone close.

This is an easy to do card that can be done with a pc and printer. Just go to jacksonpollock.com and sketch out your masterpiece. Kids love this simple to use painter program. Print it and add your message with cut out letters.

Everyone I’ve shown this site to has gotten a big kick out of it.

A starting point

2009-03-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

Finding a great gift for someone can be very satisfying but why stop there? If you have been saving some silk flowers or a sheet of handmade paper now could be the time. Any number of possibilities can be turned into the perfect wrap. It’s fun and easy and can make your gift extra special just by putting a few more minutes into the wrapping.

No matter what you’re giving, putting your own creative twist to the gift wrapping is guaranteed to put a smile on someone’s face!

Think you can’t do this? We haven’t yet met anyone who doesn’t possess even a smidgen of creativity although it may be well hidden. So why not let it shine? We’re going to give you lots of ideas to put fun into your gifts with special creative wrap ideas.

Even if you’re someone who has always thought wrapping a gift meant either slapping a pre-made bow on a box or putting the gift into a gift bag, we hope that Gift-Wrapping-Ideas will give you some new ideas or at least help you explore your hidden talents.

It really doesn’t take much, not if you are tired of your gift wrapping looking like everyone else’s. A little well spent effort can go a long way toward setting the stage. Not that it needs to be extravagant but a little decorator touch should be all it takes to enhance the mood of the occasion and make you the wizard of wrap.

Now there are cards too

2007-02-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

If you haven’t visited the section called Sweetheart, take a look, there are ideas for creating your own Valentine theme gift wrapping. Even so, it’s not all about ribbons and bows. Sometimes we get the urge to spin off a little. So here are a few hand picked Valentines. These cards are a little different, with a sort of an arty look, not what you would usually find in a card store.

They are easy to download and print out. Try using something like HP’s 48lb brochure paper for a professional look. If you are into making your own gift cards try matte finish paper, the results are much better for graphics.

Valentine wrap

2007-01-31T18:52:00.000-08:00

We couldn’t let the occasion go by without a few wrapping suggestions. Hope you like em. White paper is a natural for Valentine wrap but has a bad feature of being a little transparent. One simply fix for this is just cut an extra square the same size as the top, this way you have opacity without doing a double wrap.

Beyond the red and white wrapping papers there are other possibilities as well as embellishments. Before you start, lay out your wrapping materials and get a feel for what goes together. Pink and light blue work together. So does metallic silver and purple. Even dark metallic green and silver. The trick is to work with three, perhaps four colors. That way you avoid the stark contrast and create a warmer, more “friendly” look. There are many possibilities and once you take up the scissors chances you will create a wrap that expresses your sentiments exactly.

Valentine's Day just around the corner

2007-01-23T17:14:00.000-08:00

Where does the time go? Here we are rushing headlong into Valentine’s Day. So much for good intentions. It’s not an occasion we can let pass unnoticed, so it’s time to get moving on this gift wrapping stuff. Time for red and white wrapping paper and pink and red bows, if you are into tradition. There are other color possibilities like purple and gold that can work very nicely. If you want push the envelope a bit you could use black paper with gold stamping and ribbon. Or you could save it for a surprise and use black tissue paper inside. Sprinkle in some brightly colored confetti and a few little red hearts. before you close the box.

Those little candy hearts with the “I love you” on them can be fun also. They would work well for a wrapping decoration. Either white or dark colored wrapping paper will work. Glue the hearts on an overall pattern or arrange them to make a larger heart shape. Here’s another idea that will make a splash: Make a large red crepe paper flower. Glue these little candy hearts on short lengths of wire and insert into the center of the flower.

Gift bags revisited

2007-01-21T18:20:00.000-08:00

Well, a quick look back, since we talked about the growing trend in gift bags - a development in gift wrapping, it seems like a good idea to revisit this. Yes, it was hard not to notice the display of gift bags near the checkout at many retailers. Either they subscribe to the same newsletter or they were being very optimistic. Since we are a convenience searching society there may be something to it, but personally I didn’t see much evidence of it except in the usual ways.

For bottles and other hard-to-wrap gifts, bags are an easy way to go. For other types of gift wraps the fact that you made the effort says a lot about what your feeling are for the other person. But just as important, I think, it’s a wonderful opportunity to indulge in a little creative fun. It’s an easy way to be expressive and bring a little extra something to a gift giving occasion.

For those of you who are interested in personalizing your own bags we will add some samples that may inspire you to create your own ideas.

What's with gift bags?

2006-12-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

There is a new kid on the block, according to what I’ve read. Retailers are reporting that the sales of gift bags are steadily growing. People who track this sort of thing say that gift bag sales will top 400 million this year, and that doesn’t count Santa’s special year end order - heck, he probably makes his own. The growing popularity is attributed to changing lifestyle. It’s quick and easy and many people just don’t feel they have the time or skill to wrap a gift. Many retailers are geared up at this time of year to make it as easy as possible for shoppers. Free boxes for the asking and wrapping while you wait. But, dropping it in a bag is sure easy.

The gift bag boom may bring about some changes. Will it replace wrapping paper? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. The ballpoint sure did send the fountain pen to the retirement home. But they said radio was dead when TV came along. One thing is for sure, we all know that wrapping paper costs too much. Is it possible that a little competition will change this? Let’s hope so.

Statistics show that gift bags already surpass wrapping paper for some occasions. Bags for birthdays and wedding showers are the leader in our dash from store to store culture. Perhaps, Tom Cruise would have gotten a my wedding gift if I’d gone that route instead of procrastinating.

Convenience sure has it’s place, but pulling a gift out of a bag isn’t near as thrilling as unwrapping a box that’s been embellished with a personal touch. One pleasant thought though - as you go about your merry shopping way - paper products are recyclable, or at least biodegradable. Happy wrapping.

Breakfast basket idea

2006-12-07T19:50:00.000-08:00

What an interesting idea - giving a breakfast gift basket to a friend. I’ve been thinking about it but haven’t put the idea completely together. There is, after all, some very pleasing things that could be done. Starting with coffee, there are many places known for their quality product. Coffee with well known names like Colombia, Jamaican, Viennese and Kona. Some come in miniature packages - enough for at least a couple of cups of tasty brew. And lets not forget exotic teas and gourmet cocoa drinks - all delightful ways to start the day. Certainly some special fruits would be a good addition. And if it was a hand delivered basket, I could make a stop at the German bakery and pick up some scones and croissants. And that would call for a jar of raspberry jam. A little offbeat but I like this idea.

Free holiday card

2006-12-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

Looking for something special in the way of a holiday card? What about a do-it-yourself version? Something new - just in time for the holidays. These are 3-D pieces made from paper. All it takes is scissors and glue stick. If you want to cut them out and send them unassembled they could be a holiday card. Fits in a A7 envelope (template ready for download, if needed.) Just write a note and let it be a do-it-yourself holiday card. These were designed with children in mind - sort of a craft project - but anyone can have fun with this easy-to-do project.

Here is another from the 3-D series of gift cards. These are not really cards in the true sense but they can be mailed, unassembled, with a message. They are free standing - put them anywhere you want: On the mantle, window sill or dashboard. Kids can make them, along with snow flakes for tree decorations.

Wrapping Rescue

2006-12-01T11:29:00.000-08:00

If you hear a little voice asking for help when you move into your gift giving mode, your not alone - it can be a stressful time, especially during the holidays. If you’re wondering how you can make the gift giving a little more fun and exciting, it’s time to think outside the box. Here’s an idea: Have you ever thought of gift giving with a theme? Take a trip to the party store and look for things that can be adapted to the theme. Drop by the dollar store for small, wacky items and be sure to look for a bargain in wrapping paper.

A theme can work off the gift itself. Music, for instance, offers easy solutions. Grab a couple of old magazines and start cutting out parts of faces. Reassemble on a blank piece of paper. Eyes looking in different directions, mouth off center, who cares? The crazier the better. To make the theme add musical notes for eyes, ears or hair. If there is more than one package just carry this through. If you are bored with faces try cats, dogs or fish. A wrapping job like this will certainly take the blahs out of gift giving. Have fun.

Technorati link

2006-11-29T15:38:00.000-08:00

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Holiday Gift Baskets - Siimply Great

2006-11-27T18:19:00.000-08:00

A gift basket is great way to say ”You are special.” Because if you know the person you are making it for you can select those perfect little treasures that delight the senses. And what better way to go about it than with the ever popular gourmet theme? The first decisions are probably whether to buy a ready-made or make your own. Of course, if you wait too long the first option will be out the window. Make it yourself and a trip to a couple of gourmet food stores will give you plenty of ideas for that holiday gift basket. There may even be baskets available there. Another approach is to add a few items to a commercial basket for a more personal touch.

That old holiday favorite - gift baskets offers a quick solution to gift giving. And because it offers an abundance of items it's likely to hit the mark. Holiday gift baskets have the power to delight the senses with their bountiful offering. Most commercial baskets offer a variety of themes to choose from. Just choose your price range and cross your fingers that it will arrive on time. The alternative is to make your own. Take a tip from the pros, start with a theme. A hand made gift basket with a theme sends a personal message as well as delightful holiday gift.

For something extra there are items like movie tickets, subway pass, coffee shop gift card and small stuffed animals. Other ways to add a little fun could be to include some Belgian chocolates, CDs, toys, and crossword puzzles.For an offbeat treat there are sock puppets and voodoo dolls for the active imagination, or a how-to juggle kit.

To be successful, not everything in a food themed holiday gift basket has to be peeled or sliced. The same goes for any other theme you choose. This could mean a bunch of artificial grapes or other items that could be used in a table arrangement. Even a few artificial flowers, this is a time to think creatively and with your thinking cap on you should be able to come up with a variety of items that will do.

Got the theme all wrapped up but still looking for something different? A sample of vanilla bean or saffron would really delight the cook.

Still looking for something special? Local craft fairs hold lots of possibilities. Jewelry, pottery and sun catchers being a few favorites. Mini pet portraits would definitely tickle someone’s fancy.

Putting it all together - the thing that creates the magic. It should be visually pleasing but have balance. Bigger, heavier items in the center, tall bottles like wine and olive oil reclining and lots of small things to fill in the spaces. Feel free to rewrap items that you think can be made more attractive. Esthetics are important for success, the finished look should be bountiful but not cluttered.

It all comes together when you give it that final wrap of clear plastic. The nice thing is it doesn’t hide the effect you have worked hard to create and conforms well to irregular shapes. It also helps hold everything in place and preserve freshness. You see all those gifts lying there in a bed of raffia - your holiday gift basket has become a cornucopia of delight. It’s a very exciting effect. For an added touch, at this final stage, you can try your hand at doing a double wrap of clear plastic and sprinkling confetti between the layers. And top it all off with a fancy bow and a few streamers of curly ribbon. Be sure to include a gift card that expresses your holiday best wishes. Make it even more heartfelt with a handmade card for your personal message.

Holiday gift baskets

2006-11-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

A gift basket is a festive gift that will certainly delight the senses. Put on your thinking cap before you start shopping. First take a look around,the holiday season offers many possibilities fot a theme. A theme gives you something to build on, a jumping off point for collecting a variety of items to create that fun basket. There are many ways to go, keeping in mind the occasion and who it is for. Setting the mood of your gift selections could be considered a sub-theme. Here you have the opportunity to be playful, completely wacky or formal, to name a few of the possibilities. Keep in mind the visual presentation as you go along.

To get the ball rolling try to imagine the excitement you can create by gathering together a few unusual gift items that will enhance the effect. A fruit basket, for instance, doesn’t just have to be about island mangos an Fiji apples - although they are very nice. A set of hand carved wooden spoons from a craft fair or a couple of fortune cookies - if you can replace the fortunes, even better.

To be successful, not everything in a food themed basker has to be peeled or sliced. The same goes for any other theme you choose. This could mean a bunch of artificial grapes or other items that could be used in a table arrangement. Even a few artificial flowers, this is a time to think creativitly. Bath products, gourmet foods, wine and cheese and craft supplies are a few of the populr ones. You should be able to come up with a variety of items that will make your theme perfect.

Once you’ve got all your bottles, boxes and oddities in hand it’s time to do some arranging. Putting it all together - the presentation, is thing that creates the magic. It’s good to start with a bed of raffia or some similar material. Darker colors usually work best for this. To ensure success, put heavier items in the center, tall bottles like wine and olive oil reclining and lots of small things to fill in the spaces. If you would like to specially wrap a few items, feel free - it will add to the mystery and visual excitement. Use your good judgment - the finished look should be bountiful but not cluttered.

Time to wrap it up - the finishing touches will give your gift basket that professional look. Wrapping gift baskets in in clear or tinted plastic is the usual way to secure things, as you probably have noticed. The reason is simple, it doesn’t hide the effect you have worked hard to create and conforms well to irregular shapes. So add a few special touches, like a bow and gift and happing gift giving.

A couple of cards

2006-11-20T12:58:00.000-08:00

These greeting cards use a couple of different techniques but took very little effort to make, once I was shown how. The maroon and purple one uses regular stamping with a wash overlay. Several layers of torn paper are a nice touch.

The blue and green card uses a short flap that slips through hotdog shaped hole to keep the cover closed. The dusting of color around the ellipse is a subtle effect. Both cards use an emboss technique which is created with metallic powder sprinkled on a special ink.

First gift cards with stamping

2006-11-14T06:52:00.000-08:00

We just went to a stamping party - first ever, for one of these types of get-togethers. A group of people invited together, most meeting each other for the first time, to learn some of the possibilities of rubber stamping. Of course this technique has lived in the mundane world of commerce for ever. Familiar bold gothic words in red with messages like cancelled, past due and top secret. Their message projecting an urgent call to action.

If you’ve visited an art store you know there is a shelf of these little pink gems, but now they are mostly images with a different meaning. That is what this party was all about. Our host was a perfect pilot into this world, a fun teacher with a huge collection of samples to give us the possibilities for our own creations. After a few simple demonstrations she has us making our own greeting cards. The tools are much more refined than I had imagined, which proved a very important point: If you are organized you can be so much more productive. In no time each of us had made a couple of professional looking cards. And it was very easy, with the tools at hand for scoring, embossing and coloring.

We learned that stamping has a lot to offer. It is probably the most overlooked art technique, perhaps because it is so simple to use. As Tami showed us, it’s how you use it that makes it a versatile art tool. Try for yourself the simple technique of hand painting a stamp with water based markers. See what you think of your multicolored image. Another thing to try is stamping with the usual oil-based ink pad but then coloring in the negative areas with water colors. It looks like there are a lot of possibilities for exploration, and for those that don’t feel comfortable drawing stamping can be a very creative tool. I’m ready to try out a couple of gift wrapping ideas.

Pop-up card

2006-11-03T22:14:00.000-08:00

If you’ve ever had the experience of walking through an old, abandoned barn or house you know that feeling, your imagination was probably working overtime. Recently I walked through a long-closed amusement park. It wasn’t abandoned, parts of it were refurbished and being used for other things. Even so, it was quit an experience. Old amusement parks, and especially road carnivals, have such wonderful graphics. The faded art for the bumper cars at this park was the inspiration for this card.

By attaching small coil springs, made from floral wire, these two bumper car figures jiggle nicely with the slightest motion. With the right inscription I’ve been able to use this for several occasions. My favorite being a wedding anniversary, which didn’t seem to need any explanation. But with a funny play on words it could probably work for other occasions. .

2006-11-03T22:02:00.000-08:00

2006-11-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

Public records like the National Archives have libraries of these images, from the great depression, when out of work artists and others were working for the WPA documenting Americana. If you have the patience there are treasures there to be unearthed - if you can find them. Unfortunately a computer crash lost all except a few. Have been unable to find the location again. Images are probably from the National Archives or National Park Service.

Pop-up card

2006-11-01T11:23:00.000-08:00

In addition to our regular gift wrapping stuff, greeting cards seem like a natural way to have a little fun with scissors and paper, So while we have our tools handy, it’s off to see what we can come up with. Handmade cards are such fun projects and a treat to receive. It’s sort of like getting a little surprise gift in an envelope. In fact a friend of mine sends some of his creations in clear envelopes. There no mistaking these for junk mail. So with pop-up cards on the brain I am posting the first of a series handmade cards that do more than just sleep like a cat. If you take pleasure in fold, spindle and mutilate, join us as we go - we know not where.

This a first attempt. The hand raises up off the card about ½” The card which is held in place by two simple cuts in the hand, entitles someone to a free hug.

This a first attempt at a 3-D card. The hand raises up off the card about ½” The card which is held in place by two simple cuts in the hand, entitles someone to a free hug.

The gift wrapping season

2006-10-29T10:11:00.000-08:00

So many postings these days about holiday gift ideas. The big season introduces itself even before the first frost, here in Virginia. But it'a all for the good. Starting early means a better chance of finding the right gift and maybe a little less stress, or from my point of view, a little more time to spend with friends and family. And more time to spend on a family tradition - gift wrapping. This is a family thing that has evolved quite naturally. So that now, when the big day arrives and all the family is gathtered, the fun of seeing these gift wrapping creations is a delight in itself. It certainly is a fun time, admiring all the wrapping creations and getting all the details of where a ribbon was found or where the special paper came from.

Arts on Foot

2006-10-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

She paints like she is very comfortable with color and how it's best used - moving back and forth between traditional and something more modern. I especially liked the animal portraits which are a bit edgy in their treatment of space. Seeing animals portrayed in unusual settings casts a new way of treating pet portraits. This is the nice thing about art. Whaterver your tools or subject matter there are always new ways to make an idea look fresh.

Working with gift baskets

2006-10-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Gift baskets fall into the category of unusual shapes. Wrapping shapes, other than boxes, can pose a challenge. There are special considerations for wrapping gift baskets, especially for those professionally wrapped but what about others? What are some options for those who want to create their own or personalize a commercial basket?