now that the biggest shopping days are over and we’ve shopped ourselves silly, it’s time to start thinking about how to wrap all of those presents! (or did you only buy for yourself?) here to help is the lovely, paper and present- a shop full of  the most adorable wrapping supplies! as a super special surprise, melissa is offering ghtr readers 25% off through december 15th, just enter the coupon code ‘GHTR25′ during checkout, and may all of your gifts be beautiful!

wrap up: {25% off} {coupon code} {gifts} {paper} {presents} {supplies}

i’m pretty sure you all know our fab contributor ashley pahl, but did you know she was an amazing paper craftster as well? over at her shop, you’ll find just the cutest handcrafted papercuts and block printed stationery sets. i especially love this one!

ashley pahl elsewhere: {blog} {etsy} {facebook} {twitter}

wrap up: {ashley pahl} {card} {goods} {holiday} {paper} {papercuts}

i think it’s safe to say that wit & whistle is my new favorite paper shop. these cards, jotters and prints are stylish, quirky, fun and most of all simply beautiful. i love them!

wit and whistle: {shop} {facebook} {twitter}

wrap up: {cards} {jotters} {paper} {prints} {stylish} {wit & whistle}

One of the easiest ways to decorate on a budget and turn trash into treasure is by decoupaging. Vases in particular are a great thing to make because they look great and they’re functional. In this DIY, I take a used glass bottle, and turn it into a charming bud vase that matches my home decor.

materials

glass or plastic container

mod podge

paint brush or sponge

scissors

colored or patterned paper

directions

Wash and dry the container you will be repurposing. Take your favorite paper (the thinner, the better), and cut it into 1/2 inch to one inch strips or squares.

Place the paper face down on a place mat or other surface that you don’t mind getting glue on. Use your paint brush or sponge to cover the back of the paper with Mod Podge.

Apply each strip, one-by-one, to the container. It helps to start at the bottom and work your way up, and smooth out creases and bubbles as you go.

After the entire container is covered with paper, you may choose to do another layer, or if it is opaque enough, begin the outer coating process. With your paint brush, apply a top coat of Mod Podge to seal and protect the paper. Let dry.

And that is it! If you want to get really creative, You could also: tie off the finished vase with a ribbon; apply another color of paper to add trim; cut out letters to create a monogram silhouette; or, use acrylic paint to add additional details.

Have you ever decoupaged before? What interesting objects have you created?

Out to find ways to make life simpler, Ashley is tackling life one DIY project at a time. Learning as she goes, she also spends her days writing Indie Pretty Projects and creating for her Etsy shop.

wrap up: {ashley pahl} {craft} {decoupage} {diy} {paper} {project} {vase}

i’ve always loved pretty paper goods. we used to cut out paper snowflakes as a kid and draw our own cards for special occasions. i think having art supplies and paper on hand growing up really instilled in me a love for cards, stickers and stamps. present and correct brings out the kid in me and gets me all giddy-for-paper-goodies, from their wood grains to graphing lines! i think you’ll especially like these rubber stamps and this paper weaving card.

wrap up: {cards} {goods} {paper} {present and correct} {stamps} {stickers}

 
#1: wish i could buy 100 sheets of this vintage paper

#2. circle circle dot dot! 100 kraft paper tags

#3. santa clause and stag deco tape? yes, please!

#4. i love this pretty kraft tissue paper, to go with the natural/woodsy theme

#5. does this candy cane gift bag resemble chevron?? i think so

#6. i’m using this tape bundle to wrap this year- as i still love bold contrasts

#7. i’ll wrap things up in red baker’s twine till i can’t wrap no more

#8. cute cute cute idea – sewing ruffled crepe trim

#9. so affordable and so easy to spruce up: brown kraft paper

this year, i’m wrapping with #1, 6, 7 & 9. plus, using these gift tags.
 

what are you wrapping with?

wrap up: {christmas} {gift} {paper} {supplies} {tags} {tissue} {twine} {wrapping}

for summer parties, birthdays, craft booths or decor- i thought this tutorial for printed paper garlands would be perfect for sprucing up a room or get together. with a couple of old books and some ordinary supplies, you’ll have dainty, vintage library feel in no time!

wrap up: {craft} {decor} {dy} {garland} {paper} {project} {special occasion} {tutorial}

i’m not sure about you, but at my house the flies have arrived and i see them going nowhere soon!  i try to be so careful when closing doors but the little critters never cease to find their way in still.  instead of using harmful chemicals or pricey fly traps, i made my very own fly paper at home with household ingredients and materials, and it was so easy!

what you’ll need:

• a paper grocery sack
• small pot
• scissors
• hole punch
• string
• 1/4 cup each of honey, sugar and water

first, cut your paper bag in to 4″ strips and punch a hole in the end of each of them.  cut a piece of string for each paper strip and loop it around the hole.

combine the honey, sugar and water in your pot over med high heat and cook until the mixture is well dissolved, then turn off the heat.

dip each of your paper strips into the mixture, making sure to coat it really well.

hang your strips up ‘to dry’ on an other string.  you’ll want to put something underneath them to catch the sticky drips that are sure to fall, like newspaper or a baking sheet.  leave them here until they’ve stopped dripping- about 30 minutes.

now you’re ready to hang your fly strip!  these guys are unbelievably sticky, so be careful to hang them out of the way (especially for youngsters or people with long hair!)

wrap up: {bugs} {flies} {fly catcher} {paper} {simple living} {sticky} {strip} {summer}