Signature Wrap

I heard Colin Cowie talk about how he has a signature gift wrap and that everyone should have their own signature wrap. His is a shiny dark chocolate brown. It looks like a bowlful of melted chocolate, just yummy. He even takes it so far as to leave personal stationery and cards at his favorite florist and confections store in case he needs a gift delivered. Now this man is beyond organized. I saw the Oprah special where they showed his apartment. Oh! My!! If I was not already married I would ask him to marry me. You should see his closets and even his refrigerator. He is always planning and thinking ahead. He is uber organized. Now back to the signature wrap. The other day while perusing blog land I went to Chinoiserie Chic blog which is one of my favorites. She does an amazing job with color in her home and it is all based around her love for color and Chinoiserie. She did a post on this wonderful wrapping paper sold  at Caspari.

If you have the time definitely take a look at their website they have some amazing gift wrap and who knows maybe you will find your own signature wrap.

I loved the idea of a signature wrap so I thought about it for about one second and I knew exactly what mine should be. I think you all know what the answer is going to be!! My signature wrap is??????

You guessed it! Black and white striped paper. Now, I just knew I could find this paper. Well after a lot of looking and I do mean a lot. I finally found a web-site called Nashville wraps that sold the perfect paper for me. They sell it in bolts to stores so you can buy a lot of paper if you think you will need it. I got a bolt of 24”x 85ft for $18.75. That is an amazing price and so handy in its box that has a cutter on it. I can use my paper for just about any occasion by changing the ornamentation on the gift. Here is a gift I wrapped as a Birthday gift for someone very close to me that loves turquoise……

I made a band out of tissue paper and then made tissue flower and cut striped leaves. I think it turned out pretty cute . It could be altered by changing the color of the tissue paper. Very simple to do and a fun package to give someone.

I love to wrap gifts. I think the wrapping is part of the gift. I think the most unusual gift I ever wrapped was when I covered an entire box with moss . I used rafia to tie it together and embellished it with twigs and shells. It really turned out cool. I wish I had a picture to show you but I did that about 10 yrs ago.

Do you love to wrap your gifts in a special way? What is the most spectacular gift wrap you ever have done?

For those of you who love beautifully wrapped gifts for presentation you must go and look at The Gift Wrapped Life blog. Sande is the author and the talented lady behind wonderful gift wrapping and gift ideas. She talks about life, design and gifts. She is so articulate and makes all things in her surroundings lovely. She is truly an elegant lady.

Tell me what you think you would like your signature wrap to look like. What color and what design would be on it?

Happy Wrapping!

“Enjoy the Process” Of: Beautiful Presentation!

Kathysue

Lampshade Love!!

I thought I would share a quick little makeover on a lampshade that I did for my porch. I purchased this lamp shade at Tarjay on clearance for only $13.88. It is a reverse print so during the day it looks white and at night it looks so elegant and kind of mysterious and glowing. Love it!! I also bought the black chain trim on clearance for $1.49 a yd. I used approximately 2 yards. With a little fabric glue and about 15 minutes- Voila!  I now have my own custom lamp shade. Averill at Odi et Amo recently did a great post on some quick make over's that she did. It goes to show you with a little ingenuity you can make quick easy changes. Be sure and visit her blog to see some of her transformations,here.

See the reverse print, isn’t it fun!! I am really pleased with the way it turned out.

This has been requested by one of my wonderful and loyal reader's, Julienne. Here is a night time picture so you can see how it looks with the glowing reverse print. This one is for you Julienne...........

“Enjoy the Process” Of: Making an ordinary lampshade look a little more special!

Kathysue

BTW: The porch is done!! I am waiting for the rain to stop so I can take pictures to share with you. I love, love it!!

Seven things About ME!

I played the game what is the sixth photo in your picture file. Marija also tagged me on another game- Seven things you do not know about me. I had been tagged before and did not play however, I could resist no more.  Now I am going to play!
 What are seven things that you don’t know about me? This is a hard one for me to play. I tend to be a pretty private gal about my personal life and family in a public forum. It is hard to talk about ME without talking about the most important thing in my life and that is…….

1. Marriage: The love of my life- my Hubby. It is funny, but I get tears in my eyes every time I think of him and how much I love him. I have known this man since I  was 13 years old. My first date was when I was 16. I married him two years out of high school at 19.  And, 40 years later, I still adore him.  He is still my sweetheart and can make my heart pound a little harder when I see him. (Yes, if you did the math I am 59, but I am a really cool 59!.)
2. Family: I have three gorgeous grown sons for whom I would do anything. My youngest son has gone back to school to get his degree. The two older boys are married to the most incredible women who are amazing Mothers to my three  perfect and gorgeous grandchildren.  They are my heart , they are my JOY!!
3. Friends:  Oh what can I say about my friends?!  I am so fortunate to have a wonderful circle of lady friends that feel like family to me. I take pride in being a loyal friend. I do not take friendships lightly. They are precious to me
4. Togetherness: Nothing gives me greater joy than to have all my kids and kiddo’s here and a good meal on the table. It really is the simple things in life that give me the most pleasure and it always involves people I love.
5. Home: My home has to have open windows, lots of light, fresh flowers, music, lovely fragrance, candles. It is more important to me that my home “FEEL” a certain way than "LOOK" perfect. I like it to feel, relaxing, welcoming and peaceful
6.  Work: I have been a decorating consultant for over 30 yrs and I just recently retired. Well, at least physically I have retired- no more house calls. Let’s face it, we creative types never quit. The mind keeps turning and turning. I am enjoying helping family and friends with their decorating projects.
7.  Love of color:  I am fascinated with color and love to choose colors for people’s homes.  It is the one thing that I feel very confident in doing.

The one thing that oversees all of the above and is at the core of my being is my relationship with God. I could not live without Him in my life. As that song says, "Without him I am Nothing." I am very blessed in my life and I do not take it for granted. Though not perfect, I have learned that OKAY is  good enough for me. I have learned to “Enjoy the Process.”

Kathysue