Sunday, 25 October 2015

Inexpensive Christmas Part 4. Wrapping.

Thank you to the ladies who posted such helpful comments to Marie on Friday. I am sure these will also be helpful to anyone having the same issues of getting ahead with the pantry when money is tight. We have all been there. Thank you. I am going to make this a subject on Wednesday.

This week I am adding wrappings to our ways to save money and still have a gorgeous Christmas.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to spend $10 on cards and gift wrap? Here, at least, if you went to the news agent to buy a gift wrap, a ribbon and a card you would be already up to about $15. Holy cow, that is more than the present!
Don't mention what it would cost to buy a gift box or gift bag or anything extra!

Please never do this! I have covered lots of ways to make cards and tags. I won't repeat much of that here. These are so easy and to me a lovely card can be 50c or so and gift tags more like 10c. But gift wraps are a worthy subject as I haven't mentioned them much recently.  They can be much cheaper than the main stores but I also love everything to look beautiful. To me making a gift look lovely is part of giving. It builds excitement and it makes the gift more special. So I am a big wrapper!  And if there are several items in a parcel I wrap each one individuality. I think it makes it more special and we are no different to children... it is fun to have lots of things to unwrap!  The trouble you went to says something.

I love Christmas and presents under the tree. And I love being able to give gifts to people I think might not have any or many... so something is under their tree. With making things yourself and keeping costs way down you can do that.

I really love good old brown paper and string. It is a classic. It looks lovely. Rolls of brown paper can be very inexpensive. I have added gum leaves, pine cones, stamped images and all sorts of things. This is lovely stuff.

As always I am very big on using what you have. If you have a Holly bush or one nearby pick Holly! I have access to gum nuts, pine cones and deer antlers. I have used them all time and time again, plain, spray painted, glittered ... all as Christmas decoration, table centre pieces and parcel decorations.

If you love lace the cheapest is buying a lace curtain from the op shop. Wash it up and cut it into strips. I once counted that this got me over 100 meters of lace "ribbon" for less than $4.

As I crochet I use that. I crochet flowers in glittery threads and left over yarn. These must work out a few cents each at the most.



If you can buy tulle by the meter this is usually really cheap. BUT it is still cheaper if you buy net curtains and cut them up (from the op shop) or from IKEA where huge panels of lovely soft tulle (sold as curtains) are about $6. This, cut up, makes the most heavenly bows and wrap. It softly gathers and is gorgeous. I love it. It makes the purchase of expensive ribbons seem crazy! Don't get me wrong I love ribbons, especially velvet ribbon... but this will get you hundreds of ribbons for the price of a meter of velvet.
Cut it generously. I might cut it 30cm/12 inches wide to get a soft bow like this...


Imagine this on a wedding gift... or in pale pink for a little girl... but I am getting away from Christmas!
One year I used black tulle and white parcels. I really liked it. However it is more economical to use white as this is how you are most likely to get large quantities cheaply.

If you buy tulle curtains you will have miles to use up. It makes the most sensational garlands...


The easiest way to cut it into strips is cut it while folded neatly and then you are cutting through layers and not great lengths. Speed stitch down the middle... if you adjust the tension on the sewing machine it will self gather. This looks gorgeous! I did this in palest blue for Chloe one year.  I love this stuff. You could also do this with lace curtains.


Another is to rip up pretty fabrics into "shabby chic" style ribbons. Here I added a stamp and then dots of glitter. These looked really pretty around parcels and cost a few cents each. Pretty old sheets are great. I love anything that looks vintage and floral but even calico will look great like this.



Thinner strips of fabric make lovely ties for your gift tags. Sometimes I have run a glitter glue edging along the raw edges. Other times I just embrace the frayed look...



I love tissue paper. It is usually inexpensive and comes in such lovely colours. It looks soft and heavenly to me. So that is a basic I use a lot. When I have lots of small things to wrap I find that really good. And pretty.


As far as paper goes keep your eye out for things that would make good wraps. I love old sheet music and at times have bought great amounts for $1 or so. I have even found Christmas carols! This means you can wrap a gift with lovely words like Joy to the World across it (with some careful placement!)



Other ideas are things suitable for someone ie posters for teenagers, cross word puzzles for enthusiasts  and so on. I have found free movie posters and used those.

For small gifts the luxurious pages of lovely magazines make great wrap! Again pick your subjects. I once wrapped a small gift in a page of gorgeous designer shoes for a friend who loves beautiful shoes. She loved it!  This wrap makes me think of Mimi...



I also recycle paper, ribbons, bows, gift bags that come my way. Sometimes after Christmas in the sales I have bought rolls of luxury wrap for 50c a roll. THEN I will use normal wrap!

Last week I showed my latest gift bags. I just save the gift bags from stores... usually they have the store logo across the front. But sometimes the bags are really good. Also all sizes. I use a card or image of some kind to glue over the logo. Then add a ribbon or glitter or something... and they become free gift bags. You can ask people to save these for you as people throw them away (horror!)



All year I save boxes and collect nice tins and baskets. For a small basket my price limit is around 50c. Really ugly tins can be spray painted! And I usually paint baskets also. Sometimes I have used spray paint and had a mass painting session...  in silver or white... other times like this year I have used up left over paint with a brush. It works but it is much more time consuming! These are really good for little hamper type gifts and food gifts. I really love having nice little baskets on hand.



Alternatives for a basket might be a pretty tray or even a bowl or planter.

It is really amazing if you look in stores or online at the prices of hamper gifts. Just incredible. We can do these things ourselves for a fraction of the price. They are great to look at though as you get a lot of really good ideas!

One year I used brown paper for parcels and brown paper bags for food gifts. I used wooden pegs to hold the paper bags shut. I added little birds to them and glitter... I still have some of these that I use to hold all kinds of packets shut...



Sometimes I have a theme and do all my parcels the same. Other times I have a use it up year and truly use up my supplies and do every parcel differently! I think this year will be one of those years as I have lots of ribbons and trims and different papers.

 Wrapping and presentation are important to me but this is an area you can save a huge amount in. Use what you have! Look around at what you can make the most of. If you have a massive fabric stash maybe sew drawstring bags instead of using gift wrap.

What are some ways you have saved on wraps and presentation? 

I hope this will help you to find some really inexpensive ways to make things look special. I hope it saves you a fortune over the next few years! xxx







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53 comments:

  1. Mimi25 October 2015 at 16:55

    Dear Annabel, I cannot tell you how many times I've saved $10-$20 on card and gift wrap by being a bit creative. I always love your ideas and tulle is the best thing for wrapping oddly shaped things, isn't it? Those gift 'ribbons' made from old sheets are just the most gorgeous things and I agree that calico is perfect for that, or any remnant for that matter. Who needs gift ribbon? I've also made gift toppers from glittered cardboard, crepe paper, or magazine pages by folding or cutting them into interesting shapes or making folded rosettes from them. Lots of fun. Even wrapping in newspaper with huge, lavish calico bows with pine cones or huge swathes of ivy attached is fun. Iron the newspaper first to set the ink. Sheeting is another inexpensive option. Half a metre of sheeting from the haberdashery (which is about 250cm wide) gives you the most insane amount of fabric for under $10. That would be literally hundreds of metres of gift ribbon. Imagine that glittered and stamped. So pretty! Thankyou for all the inspiration! Love, Mimi xxx

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    1. Annabel26 October 2015 at 19:19

      Dear Mimi, All those times you didn't spend $20 probably adds up to a ridiculous amount of money. It just is amazing.
      I keep seeing stylish black and white colour schemes and think of you each time they look so French and Chanel! Very classic.
      As the weekend it becomes NOVEMBER I get to get out all the things I've stashed and made. This iis a self imposed rule I follow! But it is really exciting seeing a years worth of making things all together and allocations who gets what. Also wrapping takes me so long I start weeks early.
      Now I'm excited! I hope you are having a good week! With love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Mimi26 October 2015 at 20:34

      Lol....yes black and white is a firm favourite of mine. Wait till you see what I have planned ;-)

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  2. patsi @ a working pantry25 October 2015 at 18:18

    Annabel, such good ideas! I really like the peg pens with the birds, they are so cute! After Christmas last year I stitched up several cloth gift bags using Christmas fabric that had been given to me. They turned out really cute and I plan to use them in my gift giving this year. I agree, the presentation of the gift is important. Who doesn't want to receive a festive wrapped gift!

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    1. Annabel25 October 2015 at 22:49

      Dear Patsy,
      Little fabric bags are lovely and have all sorts of uses afterwards. When we have cold meat in the fridge I wrap it in a fabric bag, like ham.. only I do it for smaller bits of meat as well.
      Have a really good week. I see you are very busy! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  3. KR25 October 2015 at 18:24

    Hi Annabel, thanks for another great post full of lovely ideas to help us all save over the expensive Christmas period. Your parcels look beautiful! You mentioned that you find brown paper rolls and tissue paper quite cheaply. I wonder if you can share where you tend to buy these, as the last time I remember looking for some tissue paper, it was quite expensive - so I'm probably not looking in the right shops!! Although I'm in QLD, and may not have the exact same shops as you down in SA, it will still give me a guide in the right direction I think. Thanks again for your help with fabric gift ideas the other day. I have decided to make personalised pillow cases for all the kids, and placemat sets for our parents. Now I have the plan in place, it will be quicker to get started when I can grab some sewing time. Have a lovely week, Kelly

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    1. Annabel25 October 2015 at 22:55

      Dear Kelly,
      I am glad you found some useful ideas and now you are on a plan with the presents! I love personal pillowcases. These are a lovely thing... I hope everyone loves them!
      I find news agencies here at least very expensive. Divine but expensive! Our Woolworths supermarket has brown paper on rolls at an ok price... it is in stationary section. Also our cheap shops have lovely tissue paper that is less than a quarter the price of the news agents and in so many colours! They have big rolls of brown paper, on and off though but has been $2 a roll. Spotlight have had brown paper, not sure lately though. So watch your cheap shops. It is usually a fraction of the price and lovely.
      The ultimate is if you have a friend with a shop you can order brown paper on a big roll ie 50 meters or tissue in a huge stack from suppliers... a nice friend might do that for you! this is really cheap but you are committed to A LOT of one colour! That would work for me in white or silver though, I would not get tired of it.
      Our cheap shops are The Reject shop, Neds, Cheap as Chips, Browse and Save but I think they all get stuff from the same suppliers... so in QLD I am sure you might get the same as me. We do not have Aldi but I would look there also. Hope this helps.
      Would love to see a pic of how your sewing gifts turn out (hint hint!) Love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Anonymous26 October 2015 at 22:30

      Kelly I am also in QLD and my go to place for all things to do with wrapping and craft use to be Sams (Crazy Clark's) which has shut down.

      I haven't gone looking for anything this year but am going to be looking at the back to school sales in January for brown paper as that is generally when you find it the easiest.

      ALDI will also have it then too from memory.

      Depending on where you are living you could try anything that sells direct to the public, there is a cleaning place that sells direct to the public that I know also had large rolls of baking paper and cling wrap so just may have brown paper - you just never know.

      I haven't been into the Reject shop in ages so do not know what they have, might have to make a visit in the next couple of weeks before it gets too busy.

      Florists use tissue paper so perhaps you may be able to buy some from them.

      My curling ribbon is still in storage but I know when I purchased it many years ago I was able to get large spools of it for $2-, probably not that price now though.

      I have found over the years that sometimes the least obvious place is the place to get great packaging.

      Lynette

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    3. Annabel27 October 2015 at 07:07

      Dear Lynette, Thanks for this info for Kelly, especially since you are also in QLD. Great ideas, thank you.
      I must explore online options too... that is next. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  4. Leslie McKinley25 October 2015 at 19:24

    What marvelous ideas! I especially love your little birds on the clothespins (pegs). I too, have had themes some years with my wrapping and other years I have used whatever I've had available. I usually used curling ribbon but your satin ribbons look so lovely and luxurious.
    Have a great week!
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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    1. Annabel26 October 2015 at 01:13

      Dear Leslie,
      Thank you! Yes, I have been looking more today at what I have. I will be using a lot of stuff up. Nothing to buy anyway! Thanks Leslie, Love Annabel.xxx

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  5. Anonymous25 October 2015 at 20:16

    Dear Annabel, I love all of your ideas and I agree that presentation is part of the gift! I think the wrapping is half of the fun, and it makes the gift feel more special and thought out. Yours look so luxurious, you would never guess they were inexpensive. My usual wrapping is brown paper and, depending on the gift and recipient, I'll add lace ribbon, stamps, or decorative paper. I love the idea of cutting up thrifted lace curtains, and I've already started saving pretty magazine pages/pictures based on another of your posts. Our local library had a book sale recently, and I bought four gardening books filled with lovely pictures at five cents each for card making and gift wrapping. Thanks for the great ideas! And your little bird clips are too cute ;) -- Kelsey

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    1. Annabel26 October 2015 at 04:38

      Dear Kelsey,
      That is the way to get lovely images for cards! So cheap and amazing what you canuse. I am watching for Beatrix Potter books and Winnie the Pooh just now and they will turn up!
      I love the combination of brown paper, white lace and or white paper doileys. It looks very Nordic or something.. I saw this first a couple of years ago and it's beautfiul.
      Thank you so much for your encouragement, with love, Annabel.xxx

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  6. Anonymous25 October 2015 at 20:30

    Annabel,
    So lovely as always! Your packages are so pretty! A few years ago I bought Christmas dishtowels, potholders and oven mitts on clearance after Christmas and for the ladies I wrapped a gift in a dishtowel and a potholder and used the oven mitt for small items like a stocking. Another year if we had to buy for a family and someone in the family canned we put each family member a gift card in a pint canning jar with sparkly cellophane and the jars they could reuse for canning. I love different wrappings and containers for gifts. Mama loves looking at all of your creativeness and ooh's and aah's like I do so thank you!
    XOXO
    Vicky

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    1. Annabel26 October 2015 at 04:40

      Dear Vicky,
      I think it's a gorgeous idea to use the pocket I the oven mitt to pop little gifts. I'm pinching that idea! I can add that to my pantry gifts/kitchen gifts ideas... Thank you! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  7. Anonymous26 October 2015 at 00:22

    Those bird pegs Annabel!!! I'd have been happy to just receive a sparrow on a peg!

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    1. Annabel26 October 2015 at 01:12

      Thank you! This comment really made me laugh. Maybe I better make some more of these. They are sweet to clasp shut the grated cheese and things! Thanks, anyway.xxxx

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  8. KayeB26 October 2015 at 02:12

    Beautiful ideas here, Annabel. I really love the glittery bird pegs and the tulle garlands.

    I have a massive amount of gift wrapping paper. A lot was given free to me after Christmas last year, they begged me to take rolls and rolls of it from a local op shop. Target and Big W gave them their surplus! It is not all thick quality, so I am going to shred some and use it to line out boxes for hampers etc. i might just put some glittery thread in amongst it! ;-) our local greengrocer have some nice boxes there for free I can use and cover also. Free (or very inexpensive) gift wrapping, you have to love it! It is crazy that the card and wrap can cost more than the gift!

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 07:10

      Dear Kaye, You sound set for ages! And you did well here! I like the idea of shredding paper for basket filling, like Easter baskets kind of!
      Many thanks, love Annabel.xxx

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  9. Anonymous26 October 2015 at 04:13

    Thank you for mentioning all the ladies that offered their advice for me in the comments of your last post. I would not have thought to look back and check. Obviously I didn't realize what kind and thoughtful ladies they are! What a great place to "meet" and share ideas and encouragement.

    By the way, sometimes Amazon includes yards and yards of brown paper in one long strip in their packaging. I carefully smooth it out and flatten it, then fold it up to use at Christmas time, or my children cut some off to make a banner.

    Thanks Annabelle!
    Marie

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    1. Annabel26 October 2015 at 04:28

      Dear Marie, I was hoping you would see and so glad you did. Also some ladies replied to your question and a couple were further down... and they were wonderful comments useful to all of us. I am going to make this a topic on Wednesday so thank you, you inspired a lot of ideas.
      They are all wonderful ladies who will go out of their way to help and have some hard times experiences under their belt.
      Teri said about ironing brown paper, how fantastic! It is great and getting it free is awesome! Anyone who knows someone who shops much on Amazon could also have them saving the paper for their supplies... like me and the carry bags I re use.
      Have a great week, with love, Annabel.xxx

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  10. JES26 October 2015 at 05:20

    Wow, you have given some great ideas Annabel! I absolutely love your style too! Thank you for sharing this :)

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 07:11

      Thanks Jes! xxx

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    2. JES28 October 2015 at 17:54

      FYI ~ I loved this post and added a link to it in my "autumn gift tag and hostess gift" post. Thank you for sharing this inspiration :)

      http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com.uy/2015/10/autumn-inspired-gift-tags-make-your-own.html

      Love,
      JES

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    3. Annabel28 October 2015 at 19:04

      Thank you Jes I am quite thrilled about this! xxx

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  11. Lana26 October 2015 at 05:21

    Annabel, I love the birds on the clothes pins! They are a gift in themselves! I am going to look through what I have and make some of those. Thank you :)

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 07:13

      Dear Lana, Finding a bird book with little pictures gave me stacks of birds for these and ornaments. I need to make some more. Thank you! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  12. Helene26 October 2015 at 06:18

    Although I am neither crafty nor creative, these are really lovely ideas! I really need to think on the brown paper and twine...

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 07:15

      Dear Helene, Thank you! I love brown paper and twine. Either rustic or with lace. Very nice!
      You will be surprised how crafty you are... just pick up ideas you like and soon you will be vpcreating, it brings great joy and fun. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  13. Anonymous26 October 2015 at 06:51

    Good morning, Annabel,
    This is off the subject of gift wrap but I just recently found the archives of Laine's Letters from one of your earlier posts. I love her letters and "In My Home" series.
    Do you think she will be coming back with more posts at some time? I would so love to have her posts in a book so I could just sit and read--I love books better than computers.
    Enjoy all your helpful teaching and encouragement. I love having things neat and beautiful. Blessings to you, Sharon D.

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    1. Annabel26 October 2015 at 16:59

      Dear Sharon,
      As you know I love Laines Letters too! Helen printed them all from the website and made them into books. This way we have them if that website goes down or anything... Also it is lovely as you say to have them in books.
      I dont think anything is happening just now with her own blogging, as far as I know... but I have asked her if she would like to contribute to my Pantry series. So pray she does as I am! I would love to hear her words on this. Actually I might reprint her old post on the subject as well.
      Thank you so much! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  14. Glenda26 October 2015 at 10:11

    Dear Annabel,

    This is a wonderful series and I am gathering so many great ideas to use that you are sharing with us. Thank you!!

    Love and hugs,
    Glenda

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    1. Annabel26 October 2015 at 17:01

      Dear Glenda, Thank you! Christmas is really getting closer. As soon as its November (on the weekend!) I know THIS IS IT! Lots to do!
      With love, Annabel.xxxx

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  15. Anonymous26 October 2015 at 16:30

    Lovely ideas as always, Annabel. I did a brown paper and twine Christmas the year I was expecting my daughter. My then three-year-old son and I stamped some of the paper and bags and left some plain. I was also able to get an end roll of newsprint from our local newspaper office. That roll of paper provided yards and yards of blank paper for gift wrapping and coloring projects and banners.

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 23:20

      This is a good point, spare paper makes great art paper for children and all kinds of other projects as well!
      Some kids artwork can also become wrapping paper. If they approve of course! Thank you!xxx

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  16. Cath Armstrong26 October 2015 at 16:37

    Oh Annabel your wrapping is so beautiful!

    I have some absolutely lovely brown paper printed like sheet music that came on a bouquet of flowers - I was more excited about the paper and the possibilities than I was about the flowers. I've been saving it for Christmas, to team with some tartan ribbons I have in the craft drawer. It will wrap a couple of the hamper boxes for the men in the family. I've been making curly ribbon bows this last week (in my spare time!), tutorial on the blog next Monday. So easy, and so much prettier than bought ribbons (cheaper too). Such a lovely post, thank you for sharing :)

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 23:22

      Dear Cath, I really like the sound of that paper. I have also taken apart the paper on flowers and arrangements and recycled florists boxes etc. Sometimes they are really good ones!
      I am thinking... if we could cut brown paper into A4 then run it through the photocopies... we could print music onto it. I think I will give this a go. Thanks for the idea!
      I look forward to the ribbon tutorial. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  17. tealady26 October 2015 at 17:25

    I admit I have been lazy some times and used bags but I have never bought them my family members save them for me as well as the tissue paper. When I do use a bag I like to wrap the gifts in tissue paper and a bow.I am head over heals in awe of your crochet flowers, I do not crochet but I found out that our local senior center offers classes and you don't have to be a senior. I picked up a flyer with their class list.I hope that I learn how to make them.

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 05:14

      Dear Tealady,
      I really hope you go to the classes! Crochet is so much fun! There are just so many things you can make. It's sets you up for a lifetime of joy!
      Once you learn chain, single crochet and double crochet practice these. Just about everything including the roses is just those stitches. Am additional way to make yarn roses is a flower loom. You wind yarn on in patterns and it makes flowers. Our craft stores sell them... you would find them online I'm sure. But crochet as well, I hope you love it! With love,Annabel.xxx

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  18. Wendy Gower26 October 2015 at 19:26

    As usual, everything you do looks beautiful Annabel. I love the peg idea. I'm sure I have some stashed away somewhere from the days when I'd paint little teddy bears on them.

    I have a few store bags that need prettying up. I'll get to this task very shortly. Thankyou for the reminder xoxo

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 06:22

      Dear Wendy,
      I really like pegs! I think I will do some more as they are useful for holding packets shut and all kinds of things. Apart from holding clothes on the line!
      Card making supplies end up being useful for si much more, gift bags is one thing.
      I hope you are having a good week! I had a really good day today. I got $40 of free groceries! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  19. Kathy26 October 2015 at 22:41

    So there I was on vacation with my mom on the coast of California in the little 'shop' on the beach and I thought of you! They were selling brown paper bags with jute handles, a square of lace glued on the front and then a square of calico at an angle! They were for gift bags and they were going for $5 per bag - I had to show my mom your blog after that! You may need to up your estimates of how much money you save!! Keep up the good work!

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 04:10

      Dear Kathy,
      I feel rather honoured that someone would think of me on the other side of the world in that way! I have been to California too so I can picture that and the coast.
      I am loving the sound of those bags! I think I need to do a version of this...
      Thank you so much! Love Annabel.xxx

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  20. Aloha Lori27 October 2015 at 01:30

    Annabel I just want to say how much I enjoy your posts. I've gotten several ideas these past few weeks since I've found you! I love your ideas on wrapping that you've shared here. I have an idea to add to your list. I have several rubber stamps and different colored inks. I like to stamp on the tissue paper and plain brown paper bags to dress them up. Add a touch of ribbon and a pretty tag and the gift looks lovely.
    Thank you for your inspiration!
    Lori

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    1. Annabel27 October 2015 at 05:09

      Dear Lori,
      Firstly, welcome!
      I love your idea. Tissue paper stamped would be so pretty and delicate. I will be doing this!
      I'm so glad you found some ideas as well. Thank you for sharing this. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  21. Laura Jeanne28 October 2015 at 06:17

    Hello Annabel,
    I just found your blog today through Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth, and I must say you are amazingly creative and very inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful ideas. Some of us aren't quite so creative and need a little help in areas like this. :)

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    1. Annabel28 October 2015 at 13:50

      Dear Laura, Welcome! I love Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth. What a nice place and so encouraging. Thank you so much for commenting! Love Annabel.xxx

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  22. Cheryl28 October 2015 at 15:50

    Oh, my word! What a lovely, helpful blog you have! I just found you by being referred from Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth's mention of you today. So very thankful to "meet" you and to be able to peruse over the wealth of wonderful ideas and loveliness you share here!!!! I am your newest follower! God bless you. :)

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    1. Annabel28 October 2015 at 17:43

      Dear Cheryl,
      Thank you so much. Welcome! I am so glad to have you here.
      I love Strangers and Pilgrims so much. It gives me a lot of joy and inspiration and I have had great kindness from Jes.
      Thanks so much for commenting and being a new follower of Bluebirds. Love Annabel.xxx

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  23. terricheney30 October 2015 at 18:50

    I still laugh over my late father in law's wife's reaction to a gift we carried her. I made the wrap from a brown paper bag, that I sprayed lightly with white spray paint. Took the root end of a bunch of celery and dipped in red paint to make 'roses' on the paper and hand drew leaves with a paint brush dipped in green paint. Rosie (that was the inspiration!) loved the paper. When told that I'd made it, she took it right up and ran to her next door's to show it off, leaving the gift behind! lol

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    1. Annabel30 October 2015 at 22:17

      Dear Terri, That is so funny! At least you know she loved the wrapping!
      I have seen the celery roses but not tired it. I think I better now! Thanks for sharing this! Love Annabel.xxx

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  24. JES2 November 2015 at 02:01

    Good morning! Just a little note to let you know that this post was FEATURED today on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! Have a lovely week! :) And thank you for joining us!

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    1. Annabel2 November 2015 at 04:48

      Thank you Jes for your kindness and support. I appreciate it so much! And Im excited! With love, Annabel.xxx

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