The “IT” Christmas Paper For This Year!!

After reading comments on my last post about wrapping paper for Christmas, and also from my observation while doing a little Christmas research it appears that Kraft paper is going to be the “It!” paper this year!! 

People seem to be using it in white, or the natural brown that we are all familiar with.

For some this is a new paper, and for others we have seen it come in and out of vogue a couple of times.
I know it was used in the mid 70's and the early 80’s.
To be honest it was used even earlier than that when packages were wrapped like parcels with brown parcel paper and twine in the pioneer days.(Remember Juilie Andrew's seeing, brown paper packages tied up with string?♫♪♫♪ these are a few of my favorite things♪♫♪♫♪.)

I have a cute story about Kraft paper…….. When my oldest,(now 39) was two years old, we would wrap all the gifts in various red, green, silver foils.

As new parents we would rearrange the gifts and put out a few unwrapped toys to make it look like Santa had been there. Well……. my oldest is pretty sharp and notices his environment and the details around him.

Little did I know how observant he actually was until he says to me, “ Look Mommy Santa has the same wrapping paper as us!” What?!! That is when I started using brown Kraft paper for Santa’s gifts. Whew!!!!

Now back to Kraft paper in 2011! As with any type of DIY projects it seems as if people become more creative and sophisticated as time goes by.

2011 Kraft paper wrapping does not disappoint.  In looking around I found some fun ways to use Kraft paper and I thought if you all are deciding on how to change things up this year you might be interested so without further ado…….

I love this first idea, simple and clever, using corrugated paper, and actual twigs for the tree trunks. Stencils for the snowflakes and Voila!!

 

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Decide on a certain theme or motif and match package embellishments to the stencil used on the kraft paper!! Darling idea!

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I thought this package was a bit elegant! I really like its understated charm.

From elegant to a touch of rustic……..

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I love this concept. I might tweak it a bit and make the wood grain paper a bit more narrow.


How about mixing it up a little………..

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This is a great way to incorporate pattern and using your left over wrapping paper that is not quite big enough for a gift. Just make the paper curls by wrapping tightly around a pencil!!! Very cute indeed.

Source: theshabbychiccottage.net via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Talk about being green and using what you have!! What a cute idea to make a ruffle out of newspaper. I think I would add a fun thin ribbon down the middle in a color or better yet something sparkly!!



Everyone seems to love using chalkboard paint how about this cute embellishment…….

Source: etsy.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

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Simple but clever! Just put Merry Christmas instead of Thank you, and you are set!

Source: unstitchedblog.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I don’t know why, but the top image is one of my favorite ideas to use with kraft paper. I can just see the sparkly confetti in Christmas colors. Easy to do, cover in glue and dip away!!



If you like a little color with your kraft paper how about this…..

Source: countryliving.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

What I have been noticing is more people seem to be going in the direction of using a white and natural color scheme for this year so if that is more you inclination you might like some of these……….

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

This is from my friends at Nashville Wraps.

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Fun takeout box and a white pen to add whatever you would like. Here they did a kitchen theme, darling!

 

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Simple lunch bags with a scalloped trim and a hole punch to make it look like eyelet!! I think it would be cute to paint just the edge white!! Ooooh!! How about the whole bag with white stripes, Yes!! I like that idea even better!

Source: hviturlakkris.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

A little fluff-n-puff for you packages!

For you handy people that know how to embroider, try this one…….

Source: frecklednest.typepad.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

A simple, “JOY!” using the button for the, “O” would be adorable.

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

 Get busy with your stamps and custom design your own personal wrapping paper.

Source: images.google.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

 So whether kraft paper is a new, or an old idea too you, as you can see when using kraft paper you're only limitations would be your own imagination!!!!!

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Being Crafty with Kraft paper for

your Christmas packages

Kathysue

Let The Thanksgiving Table Center Piece Begin!!

Happy One Week Until Thanksgiving Day!!!! I am sure you all are busy planning, shopping and arranging your homes for this wonderful upcoming celebration with family and friends.

I don’t know about you all, but I am really looking forward to a wonderful meal, and a good visit with my family.We will be missing part of our family this year, but they will be in our hearts.

I am one lucky girl, I get to spend next week preparing for Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom. She is a wonderful hostess and fabulous cook.

She is a master pie baker so my home will be smelling wonderful with her pies baking in the oven!!!

I am busy making my menu and getting the elements pulled together for my centerpiece.

Here is a picture I saved from last year as my inspiration…….

Source: theheartoftheseahome.typepad.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

My color scheme will be different than the inspiration photo, since I don’t do orange in my house. Sorry!! to all of your orange lovers!!

I will be using dark lime, umber brown and cream.

Yesterday my hubby brought in a plank of wood to measure how long I wanted the box. At first I thought I would want it to be 5 ft. long on my 8ft table. Once the plank was placed on the table I could tell it needed to be just a smidge shorter. 4’6” seems to be the perfect length. I want to allow enough space for my place settings to fit.

We wound up going to Lowes and buying the most beat up fence boards they had,since I wanted a rustic looking box. We were lucky to have a very helpful clerk that allowed us to try out some stains.

The pine boards are very  porous so I knew the stain would really soak in. I am so glad that hubby is taking over  that job!! Whew!!!

We decided on a dark walnut stain. I did not want it to have any red in the base. The walnut stain seemed to do the trick.......

He put the box together and brought it in to see if the size was right before he finished staining the inside of the box.

 

The size was just right!! He finished staining the interior and the ends of the box. Now the box is doing a little sunbathing  on our deck so the smell of the stain will dissipate. I don’t think the fragrance of stain will mix well with turkey and stuffing, do you?!!

While the box is sunbathing I taped a template of the box on top of my tablecloth. By doing this I can see exactly where the box is to be placed and also I can work on figuring out the elements I will be using and how many of each element I will need.

You will have to use your imagination here. This is not exactly how it will look, but it gives me a very good idea of what I need to purchase to complete my look.

All the items will be elevated so they will vary in heights. I am not sure if I will include the birch wrapped candle holders or not. I am not sure I will need any more wood texture with the wood box. We shall see??

So far I am really pleased with the direction this is going.

Next on the agenda is to go foraging out in the park for some curly willow and various natural elements that can work with my scheme. Why buy what nature has to offer for free!!!

I will keep you all posted as I progress!! Wish me luck!!!

Kathysue is:

“ Enjoying the Process!” Of:

Pulling together my

Thanksgiving day

centerpiece!

Do You Coordinate Your Christmas Wrapping Paper?

When I give a gift to someone I try to make the wrapping part of the present. I think the wrapping should be so pretty that they almost don’t want to open it!!(well, almost!)

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I have always coordinated my wrapping papers and ribbons since I had my very first Christmas celebration(42 years ago), in my home with my new hubby!!

Source: morestylethancash.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Back then I used all foil papers with pretty wide velvet ribbon that I just tied in a simple bow. It always looks so elegant, and I love the way the foil papers shimmered under the tree.

Source: designspongeonline.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

As years went by I added some patterns, usually in gingham checks, stripes and polka dots. All in reds and greens.

Source: azcentral.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I went from reds and Christmas greens to reds and lime greens. When my boys were young I liked the tree, and all of its packages to look like a children’s wonderland, full of bright colors!

Source: notonthehighstreet.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

In the last ten years, or so I have added my signature black and white color scheme added to the lime green and red.

Source: azcentral.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Several years ago I was on the hunt for a black and white awning striped paper that I wanted to become my signature wrap.( I figured I needed a signature wrap after reading Colin Cowey’s ideas on wrapping gifts. His signature wrap is chocolate brown paper.) I was having the hardest time finding anything until I came upon Nashville wraps!!

Source: nashvillewraps.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Source: nashvillewraps.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

Score!!! I found it!!! I just ordered another large roll of the black and white stripes. I also added a fun black with white polka dot paper to add to the mix.

This years wrappings will be black and white with touches of lime green!!!!

Source: elhernandez.tumblr.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I love to wrap a pretty package!! I am excited to get the paper I have ordered from Nashville wraps.  I re-ordered another roll of the stripe. It is called Domino Alley Stripe.

It comes in a cut-box for easy unrolling and cutting. You can get it in different lengths. I order the 85 ft. roll for $19.95.

Source: nashvillewraps.com via Kathy Sue on Pinterest

I also ordered black with white polka dots. I will be mixing it with white paper and another paper that looks like lime green glitter. I am so excited!! I have a few more tricks up my sleeve!!!

I think choosing my wrapping paper is like choosing fabrics or wallpaper. I love to co-ordinate prints.Once a decorator always a decorator!

What colors and patterns do you all choose for your Christmas packages?

“Enjoy the Process!” Of:

Choosing beautiful wrappings to make your packages special for the special people in your life!!

Kathysue