pretty gift wrap tutorial

this tutorial is in 2 separate posts, keep scrolling to get the rest.

last year i had so many compliments on my nicely wrapped gifts that i decided to do my first ever tutorial. how to wrap a pretty package.

start out by measuring out how much paper you need. i normally err on the side of caution and cut a LITTLE extra not too much extra though.

the next step is to use one of the factory straight edges and match it up to the straight edge of the box, use one piece of tape to secure the middle. too much tape starts to look messy.
bring the other side around, pull it taut, but not too tight and fold the end of the wrapping paper under, this creates a nice clean edge.
use one piece of tape in the middle.
heres where it tends to get messy, nothing a little practice wont cure. trim off any excess paper from the ends, the paper should extend no further than the edge of the box or a little less.

fold in the side that has the seam of the paper on it, secure it in the middle.

fold it down nice and sharp over the edges of the box and pull the corners into these cute little triangles.
fold them in and secure each one with one small piece of tape. crease the bottom flap so that it looks like this.
ok, this is key to making it pretty, fold the edge, like so...
then using one piece of tape in the middle and one small piece on each of the little floppy angles secure the last flap.
viola! i like to put the gift tag up in one of the corners just to make it look tidy but if you like slapping them any old place and at an angle you go for it.

update

everyone seems on board with LIKE so i will officially start using *like* as a comment.

Liz earned a *like* on yesterday's post.

LIKE

heres one of the things i really love about facebook

the LIKE

i love the like, it says i read your status updates and i validate what you have to say, but i dont have a real comment other than "thumbs up".

can i get a LIKE to use on my friends' blogs

would you mind if i LIKE you in the comments section without giving you a comment or would you be offended deeply and unforgivably? (tricia, if you say yes you would be deeply offended then i apologize in advance).

sneak peek #1`

the first 2 gifts are made!!! these fun crayon rolls are great for travel. the blue one has 8 big crayons in it for my 2 year old nephew, the flower patterned on has 16 regular crayons for my 6 year old neice. but shhhhh, dont tell them.

smile!

look what i found in my jello cup!

fall break

today and tomorrow are fall break for the boy. in his mind, this means you stay in your pajamas ALL day (i know, great idea!) he was a little disappointed when, at 2:30, i made him get dressed so we could go to Team Kids.

tomorrow, we plan on hitting the movie theater or bowling. you can do either of those things in pajamas, right?

bring on the crafting

i made a little trip to hobby lobby, the closest one is an hour away, but i got a good stock of the stuff im going to need to kick off the 2nd annual buy-nothing-christmas. a couple of vintagey fabrics, a few skeins of embroidery floss, some felt squares, etc theres at LEAST 4 gifts in this load of stuff, probably more, all i need now is to stay on the look out for vintage trim, buttons and stuff.

stay tuned for buy-nothing-christmas tips, tricks and links.

T leaves

yes, i laughed out loud at my own wit when i finally came up with this title, it took me a good long time (about 5 minutes of nonstop thinking) to weed out the cheesy, corny or obscure titles but finally it came to me. heres where you tell me how clever i am.

My good friend Tricia at clifty falls state park last thursday, we hiked a little (i dont really hike) and we picked up leaves with the plan to dip them in parrafin wax and preserve them as hanging ornaments, that didnt happen.

but i did get this fun picture.