Holiday Wrapping DIYs

I'm teaming up with Candice Hackett of Ivy and Tweed to bring you lots of holiday DIYs this season. Candice graciously offered to photography a variety of projects I'm completing. See previous post on DIY embossing here.

Gift giving is one of my love languages, and wrapping up the gift is just as fun for me as thinking of the perfect item. These three DIY gift wrappings are sure to get you started on some creative ways to wrap your presents this holiday.

BLACK PAPER + CALLIGRAPHY TAG

Supplies needed: hole punch, paper cutter, scissors, tape, edge rounder (optional for corners), baker's twine, gift tag or other calligraphy/lettered art in a holiday saying.

Step 1: Wrap gift in black paper.

Step 2: Cut out lettered phrase (this Christmas card of "JOY" is hand-calligraphed by me and available in my etsy shop)

Step 3: Hole punch photo and string baker's twine through. 

Step 4: Tie around gift.

Step 5: round corners if desired.

Simple but elegant!

HOLIDAY STAMP WRAP

Supplies needed: holiday stamp (available here), scissors, tape, kraft wrapping paper, baker's twine, baby's breath (not pictured, I added it in later)

Step 1: Stamp in an "non-perfect" pattern all over your paper. Re-ink your stamp periodically to get the "ombre" effect. 

Step 2: wrap with twine and add baby's breath! So simple.

PHOTO ON KRAFT

Supplies needed: photo, paper cutter, tape, baker's twine, hole punch, paper

Step 1: wrap with paper

Step 2: wrap a grosgrain ribbon around the box and tape in place. 

Step 3: round corners of photo and tape on.

Another amazingly simple, yet thoughtful and well-designed, holiday wrap!

Proof that simple is beautiful, and that it doesn't have to be red and green to be merry and bright.

Happy holidays! 

DIY Embossing

There are a few ways to emboss, some involve metal plates similar to letterpress, and some involve ink, heat, and embossing powder, but the results are essentially the same: adding a raised touch to paper goods, instantly upgrading them from standard to luxurious. 

In this DIY, I'm using a heat embosser to dress up the envelopes for my holiday cards. Read on for details.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

-paper or envelope

-stamp (this monogramed one is available in my shop here)

-pigment ink pad (I like Color Box, also it's very important that your stamp pad is PIGMENTED ink, it won't work with other types of ink)

-embossing powder (similar here)

-heat embosser (mine is Paper Source, similar for less here)

STEP 1: Press your stamp into your ink pad. These pigments inks are loaded with ink, and the sponge is soft, so start with a light touch.

(paper makes me happy)

STEP 2: Press your stamp firmly onto your paper or envelope.

STEP 3: Working quickly, while the ink is still wet, place your envelope over another piece of scratch paper, and shake your embossing powder all over it. Use a generous coat of powder to ensure you've covered your entire stamp, and don't worry about wasting embossing powder, you'll eventually pour the unused portion back into the container.

STEP 4: The powder will have clung to the wet ink, and the rest can be shaken off. Do this while you sing along with Taylor Swift. Make sure you SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE really well :)

STEP 5: Turn on your heat embosser, wait a few seconds for it to warm up, and hold a few inches away from your paper while you melt the embossing powder to the ink. Move the embosser around your design slowly, and you can see the color start to change where it's melted. This gold ink and powder is fabulous that it has a slight sheen to it, almost like a foiling effect, perfect for holiday cards. 

Another tip here: place two heavy books on either side of your paper or envelope to keep the sides from folding up due to heat exposure. 

It's finished! Embossing is the most stunning in person, because you can run your finger over the design and feel the difference in textures. I love this technique and am excited to incorporate it on my Christmas envelopes this year.

Have you tried this technique before? Would love to hear your experience!

Photography in this post by Candice Hackett

Some links are affiliate. 

One Simple Trick for Dressing Up Your Holiday Cards

This is the first of many posts to come in a new holiday series here on the blog! I've teamed up with photographer Candice Hackett to bring you all things holiday that I'll be sharing throughout the rest of November and December. I'm so excited to reveal more of what's in store.

I'm starting things off with this simple DIY. I am a big fan of DIY (see exhibit A: our wedding) So naturally, if it's possible to DIY it, chances are I've tried it. I've enjoyed designing our Christmas cards each year, and I print them myself for the most cost-effective method. One trick I've found to making my DIY cards look more professional is with this simple tool:

A corner rounder! (sneak peek at last year's card!)

Paper makes a statement in the details, and I love that this is a quick, simple and easy way to make a big impact. 

I have this corner rounder by Fiskars, and I simply place each of the edges into the slot and press. It cuts my 110 lb heavyweight cardstock easily, and my cards are instantly upgraded.

Do you send holiday cards? If so, do you DIY your cards or order pre-made? Would love to hear about your process!  

photography in this post by Candice Hackett