The Gift Package

DIY Advent Calendars

2013-11-08T08:21:00.001+11:00

Well it's getting close to Christmas so time to start thinking about making some Christmas craft. I have come across some great Advent calendars which look so much better than store bought ones and you can put your own little surpise in each day.

Some easy ideas from bunting, pegs, boxes and a shoe organiser.

Advent Bunting via Mousehouse

Shoe Organiser Advent Calendar via eighteen25

Peg Advent via Home Ideas Mag

Hanging Advent Calendar via Small fry & Co

Box Advent Calendar via Ideas Mag

DIY Gift Bags

2013-10-22T08:22:00.000+11:00

Here are a few gift bag ideas using old book pages or sheet music. Simply by sewing up the sides or using glue you have a quick handmade gift bag which looks nicer than a store bought one.

Bird gift bag via Vintage with Laces

Music sheet gift bag via The other side of me

Book page gift bags via Sally Ann

Party Bags

2013-10-07T07:46:00.000+11:00

For your next party why not grab some kraft bags or paper and make your own cute party or gift bags. I love the first one which you can use different coloured ink to stamp on and then different coloured cotton to sew around the edges, then your guests just need to rip it to find their treats.

Thanks party bags via Make It & Love It

Treat bags via A Little Sweetness

Printed bags via Perfectly Imperfect

Doily Bag via Hostess with the Mostess

DIY Gift Ideas

2013-09-23T07:50:00.000+10:00

There is nothing like a gift that has been handmade, so here are some easy ideas you can whip up to give for gifts. The main ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, all you then need are some pretty bottles and jars to put them in.

Body Scrub via Martha Stewart

Flavoured Sugar via Country Living

Bath Fizzies via Martha Stewart

Infused Olive Oils via Just Putzing

Gift Packaging Ideas No. 6

2013-09-16T08:04:00.002+10:00

Some more lovely gift wrapping ideas using brown paper or boxes. Just add some washi tape, twine, stamps, buttons and ribbon and you have a beautiful gift to give.

So simple but so cute!

Box with Washi Tape via En casa de tia Gretel

Stamped paper with button via Craft and Creativity

Brown paper & twine via French Kissed

Mason Jars

2013-09-09T08:11:00.003+10:00

I recently came across some mason jars in my local supermarket so set about finding what could be done with them, here's a few ideas.

Soap dispenser, vase and adding a door knob on the jar for decoration all make for some easy DIY.

Soap Dispenser via A Pretty Life

Mason Jar Vase via Cupcakes & Couture

Decorative Jars via That's What We Said

Washi Tape Ideas No. 2

2013-09-02T07:51:00.000+10:00

Here are some more clever things to do with washi tape. Cute bird house key hooks, easy gift wrap, tags, bows and some easy no sew bunting to make.

Bird house key hooks via Torie Jayne

Washi tape wrapping paper & gift tag via Poppytalk

Washi tape bows via I am Doe

Washi tape and Fabric Bunting via Tatertots & Jello

Ribbon and Twine Storage

2013-08-26T08:07:00.000+10:00

Some great storage ideas for your twine and ribbon. Using old picture frames, funnels and plate rack, you can transform these into fantastic looking ribbon and twine holders.

Click on links for instructions on how to make.

Baker's Twine Storage via 32 Turns

Ribbon Holder via Scrapbooks etc.

Ribbon Storage via Scissors and Spatulas

Twine Dispenser via Martha Stewart

Bows

2013-08-19T09:49:00.002+10:00

Nothing tops off a gift like a pretty bow. Here are some lovely bows you can make with paper and fabric.

Paper bow via The Elli Blog

Couture paper bow ties via Bloomize

Vintage style bow via Live Laugh Rowe

Gift Toppers No. 2

2013-08-12T08:19:00.000+10:00

More gift topper ideas for decorating your gift. These will definitely finish your gift off and are suitable for various ages.

Below are links to the paper feather template, a cool idea using a sponge cut into letters and a simple topper tying balloons together.

DIY Letter Gift Toppers via Creme de la craft

Paper Feathers via Lia Griffith

Balloon Bow via My Insanity

Printables

2013-08-05T08:02:00.000+10:00

A few lovely printables I came across. Gorgeous gift tags and gift wrap, print on paper bags and put some yummy sweet things in and some cute Monogram labels.

French Inspired Gift Tags and Gift Wrap via Lia Griffith

Bags for Sweets via The Pretty Blog

Monogram Labels via Martha Stewart Weddings

Brown Paper Bags

2013-07-29T07:51:00.000+10:00

Some clever uses of Brown Paper Bags. 5 cute flowers you can make to use as gift toppers and easy ways to decorate your bags for gifts and favors.

DIY 5 Paper Bag Flowers via JoJo & Eloise

Thank You bags via Lovely Little Parties

Paper Bag Favors via Michaels

Bags with Fabric via Martha Stewart Weddings

Candy Jars

2013-07-22T07:56:00.000+10:00

I love these candy jars which are easy and quick to make. All you need is some candlesticks, jars, paint and glue or pots and knobs.

They would be great to give as a gift or if you are planning a candy buffet party would look fantastic painted in whatever your colour theme is. They would also look great just to add to the decor in your home, though I think we would be having to refill quite often in our house!

For instructions on how to make, click on the links below photos.

Candle Stick Apothecary Jars via This Old Chair

Mason Jar Candy Pedestals via Living Well Spending Less

DIY Candy Jar via It's a Gandech Life

DIY Apothecary Jar via Pinterest and the Pauper

Chocolate Packaging

2013-07-15T07:49:00.000+10:00

So I thought I would combine 2 of my favourite things - chocolate and packaging. Some really cool chocolate packaging I came across, would be a shame to open - but then again, it is chocolate.

Mast Brothers Chocolate

Liberty Chocolate

Amelia Rope Chocolate

Olive and SInclair

Theo Chocolate

Curious Chocolate

Gift Packaging Ideas No. 5

2013-07-08T08:20:00.000+10:00

A few more cute wrapping ideas using brown kraft paper, including a tutorial for making the pennant stamp and then you can write your own message on it. There is also a quick and easy idea using confetti and a bow made out of washi tape.

Brown paper has never looked so good, so pull out your roll and start decorating and wrapping!

Confetti wrapping via 3@12

Pennant Rubber Stamp wrapping via Just Something I Made

Washi Tape Bow via Easy Living

Gift Toppers

2013-07-01T09:59:00.001+10:00

Instead of using only ribbon with a bow to decorate your gift, why not make a cute gift topper. Fun and easy to make and they can be kept or reused by the recipient of your gift.

Here are a few ideas I have come across. The origami dress in this tutorial was actually used to hang on a tree but I think it would look great on a gift.

Felt Fringe Flowers via Mrs Priss

Mini Tissue Flower Gift Toppers via Lia Griffith

Pinwheel Gift Topper via Confetti Style

Origami Dress via Dreadlock Girl

Gift Packaging Ideas No. 4

2013-06-24T07:41:00.000+10:00

Some more ideas for wrapping your gifts. The first 2 images give a vintage look to your gifts using simple brown kraft paper, torn sheet music and string or lace ribbon.

Then there is a great tutorial for making rolled paper and felt flowers to use as toppers on your gifts. Lastly a tutorial on cutting out shapes in your paper so you can bend half up and see a different colour underneath.

These look so much more effective than store bought wrapping paper and cheaper. So it's a good idea to always keep a roll of brown kraft paper in the house as there are so many ways to jazz it up.

Torn Sheet Music Wrapping via How Do It

Vintage Look gifts via Gypsy Purple Home

Book Pages and Felt Flower Gift Toppers via By Stephanie Lynn

Heart Cut Out Gift Wrapping via The House That Lars Built

Bakers Twine

2013-06-17T08:04:00.002+10:00

Bakers Twine is a great replacement for ribbon when it comes to decorating gifts, packages and other craft. It's soft and comes in the most wonderful colours so you can easily match your packaging and gifts with it.

We sell 5 colours in our store at present: blue, yellow, orange, green and red. There is approximately 100 metres per spool so you will get plenty of gifts wrapped with one spool.

The Gift Package

Here are some other ideas using Bakers Twine:

Bakers Twine Tassel by Mumtastic

Bakers Twine Cupcakes by Oh Craft!

Twine wrapped bags by The Paper Art Studio

Twine Votive by Mod Podge Rocks

DIY Gift Bags

2013-06-11T08:00:00.000+10:00

Instead of buying a gift bag, why not make one. Here are a couple of ideas for creating your own gift bag. With supplies you would already have at home: paper, tape, ribbon and any other embellishments you want to personalise your bag, you will be soon making gift bags for every occasion.

Paper Gift Bag Tutorial by Hello Sandwich

DIY Gift Bag Tutorial by The elli Blog

Coconut Oil

2013-06-07T07:51:00.001+10:00

Recently I came across the many benefits of using coconut oil, I never realised just how good coconut oil was for you either consuming it, using it in beauty products and oil pulling which I have just begun.

So I have bought a couple of great books which I have listed below and I have been searching for other things to do with this wonderful product.

There is a wonderful body butter , with only 3 ingredients, how easy is that. It's nice to start using natural products on our skin instead of all the chemicals which seem to be in just about everything. Click on the link below to see how to make it.

Mint Chocolate Whipped Body Butter by The Nourished Life

Oil Pulling Therapy: Detoxifying and Healing the Body Through Oral Cleansing

The Coconut Oil Miracle

Printable Gift Tags

2013-06-02T14:06:00.000+10:00

Here are some cute free printables I came across on the web, there are so many out there so I have chosen a few that you can use to put on your gifts.

Click on the link below the photo which will take you to the website to download.

Made with Love tag by eighteen25

Tag for gift bags by my sister's suitcase

Hello gift tag by anna and blue paperie

Chocolate Macaroons

2013-05-27T08:32:00.001+10:00

Here is my easy recipe for chocolate macaroons that I made on the weekend. I used cacao and lowered the amount of sugar to try and make them a little healthier.

Chocolate Macaroons

Ingredients:

2 eggs, separated
½ cup caster sugar
3 cups desiccated coconut
2 tablespoons cacao (or cocoa)

Method:

Beat egg whites in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
Gradually beat in caster sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until the sugar is dissolved between each addition.
Beat in egg yolks and cacao and then fold in coconut until well combined.
Spoon tablespoons of the coconut mixture on to baking paper lined oven trays.
Cook in a moderately low oven (about 160C) for 20-25 minutes or until macaroons are golden brown.
Cool on a tray before serving or storing in an airtight container.

Note: Cooking times may vary depending on oven, my macaroons cooked in less time.

Washi Tape Stamps

2013-05-22T07:59:00.000+10:00

The discovery of Washi Tape Stamps has led me to search for some fun ideas for using them. The stamps come in a 2 pack with various designs available or if you are clever enough, you may be able to make them yourself.

Stamps can be used to decorate gift bags, cards, envelopes, decorate scrapbooks and many other items. Take a look below at ideas for using the stamps and also a link to a tutorial for making your own.

Washi Fabric Bag Project by Stampington & Company/Vanessa Spencer

Washi Tape Bag by Ishtar Olivera/Rike

Washi Tape Envelope by Ishtar Olivera/Rike

Handmade Washi Tape Stamps by Memi The Rainbow

DIY Washi Tape Stamp by Girl Town

Vision Boards

2013-05-17T09:50:00.001+10:00

Last year I decided to make a Vision Board by buying a cheap cork noticeboard and attaching some nice fabric with tacks in each corner as a background, then I began the fun part of cutting out pictures in magazines, typing up words and phrases that I hoped to manifest into my life.

Vision Boards have become popular since appearing in The Secret and also on Oprah. By having these pictures and words where you can see them everyday, it will keep you focused on your goals and the direction you want your life to take.

I have listed some great books below which go through making vision boards. I only have one vision board at the moment with everything on it but some people choose to make a separate board for each area they wish to focus on.

Here are also a couple of cool ideas if you want to be a bit more creative with making your vision board.

The first tutorial is for a pin board but I think it could be turned into a fantastic vision board also.

Pin Board by Fabric Paper Glue

Inspiration Boards by Creature Comforts/Papier Valise

The Complete Vision Board Kit

Vision Board

Creative Books for Gifts and Home

2013-05-13T10:50:00.000+10:00

A couple of lovely books I have with some great ideas for making gifts and papercraft.

Homemade Gifts Vintage Style will inspire you to make gifts using items like old jumpers, blankets, buttons, wallpaper, cups and give them a new lease in life by turning them into gifts like stuffed toys, teacup candles, cards and much more.

Papercrafting in No Time shows you how to make 50 projects making use of letters, labels and more. Mobiles, gift boxes, notebooks, wreath, paper bowls, cards, tags, cupcake toppers and decoupage eggs to name but a few are featured in this book. Clear step-by-step instructions and templates are provided.

To find out more about these books click on the links below.

Homemade Gifts Vintage Style

Papercrafting In No Time: 50 Inspirational Projects Crafted from Paper