Ruby Star Wrapping - New Book

A book I ordered from the "Book Depository" arrived today. Ruby Star Wrapping, creating packaging to reuse, re-give and re-love

I am so excited to try some of the projects and with 45 degrees forecast for Saturday that will be a good day to stay inside and craft.  No, I have forgotten, it is my Nephew's 21st luncheon, so I will be out socialising instead of crafting.

Maybe I can make the Gift Card Truck Softie for him??
This project uses a discarded button down shirt, and it is even better if it has a pocket that you can use for the gift card pouch.

Or maybe a gift card wallet - using scrap fabric or paper from a book or magazine or "anything"

 

Honestly there are SO many projects in this book that are practical and easy, using resources you already have within the home.

Another one that caught my eye was "Little Snack Sack" - made from scrap fabric, pop your gift in and then the sack can be reused as a snack sack 

Check out these links to see what other bloggers have been making from the book

The Boy Trifecta

A Quilters Table

Diary of A Quilter

Go ahead, buy this book for yourself, or as a gift for a friend, you will not be disappointed

Update on weather conditions - lots and lots of fire within the state ... we received a Emergency Alert text message from the RFS for a fire that was in the location of where I work.  Luckily it was contained before it reached us, but it was terribly scary for awhile.

The fire threat will not pass for a number of days, with high wind gusts hampering the fire fighters.

Take care, heed the warnings, even if it turns out to be a false alarm, lives are more important than property.  I will be thinking of everyone throughout the country as all states are affected

Judy

Gift Wrapping - Neighbours

I usually put together a little gift for my neigbours.  Nothing expensive, mostly little hand made gifts.

This year, continuing with the theme, I used the brown paper carry bag.

 

A little handmade snowman ornament was curled around the handle, instead of a tag

 

Inside were the following:

Christmas tissues

Santa-tiser

Wrapped mini chocolates

Wooden Sign

 

Just a little gift to show that you care ...

Judy

Gift Wrapping - Santa Suit

I saw this idea on Pinterest and wanted to try it ...

 

Now my paper was not as cute, and my buckle not as neat, but the outcome was the same

 

 

I wrapped each gift in bubble wrap so that it would give the nice soft appearance of Santa's tummy.

 

Another cute and simple gift wrapping idea

 

Judy

Gift Wrapping - Candy Canes

Another easy gift wrapping technique is to use a brown carry bag

 

Here I have used a portion of the wrapping paper as a border along the bottom of the bag and used a plastic candy cane as an accent on the top of the bag.  I like the simplicity of this bag.

 

 

This technique could be used for any gift, not just for Christmas.  Replace the candy cane with something else applicable to the occasion.

 

Judy

Gift Wrapping - Gift Cards

Most of the men in my family received Gift Cards as their gift this Christmas.  I decided to transform a brown paper lunch bag into the gift card holder.

 

I folded the lunch bag up to approximately 2" from the top to form a pocket.  Then glued some Christmas scrapbook paper on the pocket section.  Sewed around the three sides to secure the pocket and popped the gift card inside.

 

I then selected a miniature which reflected their interests, in this case a motor bike and secured it to the outside of the holder with a red brad.

 

To keep everything closed, I made a slider from more Christmas paper onto which I had sewn a Christmas button.

 

 

Bright and cheery, and an inexpensive way to give a gift card.

 

Judy

 

Fabric Twist Ties

As I am going through my list of quick and easy craft ideas to try, I found this post from Sew Many Ways - Fabric Twist Ties

Most of us have a lot of scrap fabric, and this is a great way to use them up.  I followed the instructions in the blog, with the exception of sewing the fabric together.  I left the pipe cleaner (chenille stick) in, and sewed close to it. and sewed it closed, all in the one step.

I am loving the idea of recycling, making my own bags, ties etc... so I have started the year off well.

I like the idea of matching the tie with the handmade gift inside.  Will need to try some with Christmas fabric, ready for next year, he he

Have you started crafting yet this year?

Judy