The questions in bold below are mine, and the answers are from Leslie.

Why are you interested in unique gift wrapping?

Gifts are an extension of our creative selves. Wrapping a gift in a unique or stylish way adds to the celebration, the festivity and excitement. It brings a message to the recipient that you have taken time to think about the recipient and the occasion. It’s a creative expression and outlet. And it’s fun! I love dimension, and a stylish package is a piece of dimensional art.

What adornments and other supplies do you enjoy using?

Lots. I love flowers. I use fresh flowers whenever I can, and silk or other artificial flowers otherwise. Also leaves, twigs, pine cones, shells, pebbles, Christmas tree ornaments, even old stamps for the stamp lover. Rubber stamped images, stickers, simple drawings, punched or drawn and cut shapes, ribbons.

Could you tell us about one of your favorite projects from your new book?

I have a lot of favorites, but each time I draw up a list there are a few that always appear! One of my favorites is the Victorian style “dressed” package on page 48. I found that gorgeous French ribbon as I was on my way out of a lovely shop (Kate’s Paperie) and it reminded me of my grandmother. The colors (black, white, and mauve) were colors she wore often. I had the blind-embossed black paper on hand, and couldn’t resist dressing the package with a deep “V” neckline and a tidy pearl necklace. And then I scattered the pearls on a mauve tag to create an individual gift tag. Sometimes I don’t put a name on a package, just a design or embellishment that reminds me of that person. (If I am someplace where presents are all heaped together and doled out by another person, of course, I put a name on the tag.) The wrapped package is whimsical and elegant at the same time. And it makes me smile and remember my grandmother and mother warmly. I think it would make both of them smile.

Another favorite is the ice-cream cone candle package on page 22. I bought the candles with friends on a snowy day in Vermont. They reminded me of sunny summer days. Why cover them up? So I cut the top off a small cube box, wrapped the topless box with fuchsia tissue paper, tucking it carefully into the corners of the box. I tied a pistachio and raspberry ribbon (a double-sided ribbon) around the box and tied a simple bow. We stuck the candles into a dry block of floral foam cut to fit inside the box, cradled the foam in soft violet tissue paper, and inserted the whole ensemble into the wrapped box.

What special skills are required to enjoy the gift wrapping projects in Wrapped with Style?

Sometimes the skills needed are nothing more than simple paper; other projects need paper and ribbon, or a bag and some stickers, or a handmade tag. What is always needed is imagination and a sense of fun and creativity. Be willing to take a chance. Take some time to think of color, shape, and texture. What would be fun for you to try and then try it.

It seems that you believe that the gift package should also be part of the gift. Is that so? When did you first start wrapping gifts this way?

I do think that often the gift can be part of the packaging. And it is something special when that is the case. I think a thoughtful creative package sets the scene, making the gift special by its presentation. The wrapping celebrates the individual and the occasion. The presentation pleases even before the gift is revealed. I started putting special embellishments on tags or wrapped gifts. The response was so pleasant that I continued doing it. I love adding a small Christmas tree ornament on a package. It can be added to the Christmas tree immediately or saved for the next year.

What do your gift recipients say when you hand them a gift “wrapped with style”?

I love the “Oh, I hate to disturb it,”  or “I hate to open it!” That means the wrapping worked!

Do you have anything to add?

Although I save and reuse many craft objects I also purchase new materials to use. It’s sometimes fun to see where the embellishments wander. On whose package will you see them next? I love craft stores, stationery stores, gift stores, any store devoted to paper, and I buy things all year to save for the “right occasion.” I sometimes use pieces of fabric or pieces of wrapping paper for ribbon. I can stretch a great sheet of paper to many projects by using the paper as an embellishment—in strips to form layers of ribbon, as part of a tag, or as a decorative embellishment.

When wrapping a gift, think about design—in a simple way—color, shape, and texture. Play with these elements and have fun. Remember that a balance of contrast and similarity in color, shape, and texture keep it interesting.

Image via Universe.

Post from: Blisstree

Interview with Wrapped with Style Author

Some of the projects in this book will be easier if you know how to sew : ), but Cynthia also takes great care to explain techniques in the back of the book. My favorite projects include:

Coat sleeve bag – Cut off a discarded men’s coat sleeve about 10 1/2 inches from the cuff edge. Stitch and add strap, then you have an adorable purse. Of course, get the book for full directions.

Tie pouch — Very sweet use of an old tie. The pointed end of the tie folds over to form the closing flap.

Both of those projects fall under the “Less-Than-One-Hour Gifts” section. The book also includes projects that take from one to two hours and projects that take more than three hours. The tea-dyed shawl is an example of a project that takes more than three hours. The reversible hooded towel/blanket falls in the two to three hour section.

If you don’t think it would be odd to give a book about making gifts as a gift, then — well, this would be a good gift if you know someone who likes to work with fabric.

I’ll end with a little bit from the author’s Introduction:

“Although the fast pace of our lives can make it hard to find time for handcrafting, I find that taking time to make a gift for a friend or family member is a gift for me as well — just an hour or two of creating with fabric can feel like a small vacation. Rather than spending hours hunting for something in a store, wouldn’t you rather spend your time creating at home?”

Image via Powell’s Books.

Post from: Blisstree

Junk Book Review: Last-Minute Fabric Gifts

I’ve never seen a gourd purse in real life, but this book tells you how to make one. Other items you can learn to make from gourds include bowls, baskets, sculptures, birdhouses, clocks, luminaries, vessels, boxes, ornament trees and centerpieces. Pretty amazing. I never realized our gourd friends were that versatile.

Glorious Gourd Decorating also explains how to grow, choose, dry, clean and cut your gourds. There’s not much it doesn’t cover. Many patterns are included. You just bring your gourds and tools to the party.

Have you ever tried gourd decorating?

Image via Powell’s Books.

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Glorious Gourd Decorating

Creative Scarecrows: 35 Fun Figures for Your Yard & Garden by Marcianne Miller with Merry Miller isn’t a new book (published in 2004), but it’s still very much available. I found a copy at my local library.

There’s so much to adore in this book. One of my favorites is the Fence-Post Peekers (pictured below). The scarecrow on the cover is the Stovepipe Hat Rocking Man. The titles are very descriptive, so I’ll throw out a few more: Wild Triangle Woman, Hubcap-Retro Trellis Man, Waterfall Woman, Aluminum Mermaid, Moss Angel and Copper-Pipe Man & Poodle.

Many of the scarecrow plans allow you to reuse items you may have on hand, but I look at the instructions and photos as more of a source for inspiration. You can adapt the yard people to fit your needs and available materials.

And don’t let the name of the book fool you. This isn’t a simple publication of 35 scarecrow recipes. You also get numerous images from scarecrow festivals around the world.

Don’t forget when you’re cleaning your closet this spring — save worn pants, long-sleeved shirts and dresses for your yard folks. Even if you want a traditional scarecrow that pops up in the fall, it’s not too early to start planning now.

Let me know if you buy this book or check it out from the library. I’d also love to see any yard people you’ve made.

Book images taken by Peggy Rowland.

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Junk Book Review: Creative Scarecrows