Wrap it up Thursday - Last Minute Valentine Round-up

 Sweet - Valentine Pouches.  I simply love The Purl Bee.  I was in my glory when I went to their shop in SoHo and I have made many of their projects that they share on line.  I think this is one of the sweetest ones yet and although it is one of the more ambitious projects in this valentine round-up, it is still very doable.  The project is laid out with beautiful simplicity and even if you make just a couple for your sweeties (instead enough for a whole classroom!) it is sure to bring a smile.

A gumball necklace. I made this last year for my girls.    It is the presentation that makes it work. So simple and so charming.  This project is from One Charming Party.

 If all you do is cut up a simple banner like this and hang it up - it's a party.  This is from Rebecca Cooper Photography.

Here is a simple re-wrap - how easy is that.  Very, very clever - and I think so realistic from Living Lucurto.

I also did this last year.  Another rewrap.  This is from Eat, Drink, Chic. Just a simple way to dress up a favourite local coffee shop take out.

This is my favourite this year.  From Sweet Muffin Suite, another simple download.  I have another idea of what to put in, instead of the pencil but we'll just have to wait.  I don't want to spoil the surprise.

I think it is so wonderful that all these artists and crafters share their artwork.  It makes last-minute gift giving  easier ...but still special.

Plug in your printer, fire up your sewing needle and get out the scissors.  This valentine's day can be all wrapped up in no time.

Knit up some Love

Felted Heart Knitting Needles are a sweet gift for a mom, sister, aunt or teacher - really anyone that LOVES knitting.

Take a small amount of roving and needle-felt into a heart shape (1)  Make slits at the bottom of the heart for the needle and take the clipped ends of two knitting needles (2)  gluing the needle ends into the pouch you created at the bottom of each heart and (3)  your needles are ready for gifting (4)

Felting the Hearts -

1. Create a loose heart shape with roving - about twice the final size you want, as it will reduce in size as the fibers firm up with friction.  (It is not necessary to used a felting pad but I found it useful)
2.  I needle-felted around the entire heart in order to keep it full, not flat, in shape.
3.  Needle-felt another heart from approximately the same amount of roving.  They don't have to be exact - it's the imperfections that make them sweeter.

This step is not necessary but I like to put the hearts in a laundry bag and run them in a short, hot wash cycle in my washing machine.  They come out denser and plumper.

I took bamboo needles in the needle size I use most and clipped the ends.  With small, sharp scissors I snipped the pointed ends of the heart and added fabric glue.  I held it in place to secure and now they're ready to give to someone special.

These are so cute ... I might just have to gift them to myself!

Happy almost Valentine's Day.

Wrap it up Thursday - Love in a Cup

The images from today's post are from Think Garnish.  At this site you can view their blog, shop and see how other people use their products.  I love the rippled craft cup , as a sweet little gift.  It seems to make everything - even your morning coffee special.  It helps to add those sweet spoons - a simple little teacher gift for Valentine's Day.

These containers were for Christmas but can you imagine if you show up with doughnut holes in these cute containers with the additions of a simple heart on top.  You would be a hit at the office.  Some gourmet (or maybe not so gourmet) take out food packaged simply like this  (on the right) makes a great housewarming gift.

Some may see an empty cup but I see a world of crafting and gifting possibilities.

Wrap it up Thursday - Nest of Yarn - Gift Topper

You may remember my tutorial on making felt flower rings.  Well I have been busy crafting a whole group of them to give to friends as gifts.  My friend Shelley appreciates thoughtful wrapping so I decided to get creative.

I found some gorgeous turquoise velvet ribbon and thick cream wool, on spools at Anthropologie.  I knew I wanted to use them for something special.

I took a circle of card stock and began adding a strand of cream and a strand of taupe yarn, anchored with a glue gun.  I build the nest up with circles of yarn, continuing to glue,  and finally added a few strands in the center for my eggs.  The eggs are from a collection including store bought and hand felted.  Once I added the eggs I finished up the nest by building up yarn around the eggs.

I took three of the felt rings that I thought Shelley would like and added them to some thick kraft paper to fit in the box.  I made an x-acto knife cut, to fit them into the paper.  I used that same paper to make a tag and added a grommet to finish off the tag.

 Okay ... one present finished.  I better get cracking :)

Wrap it up Thursday - Newsprint

Happy Thursday!  Each Thursday I'm going to focus on gift giving, wrapping, packaging and in general the unique way people wrap up their goods.  And Thursday is kind of leading into wrapping up the week ... sort of ... give or take 24 hours.

My best friend's little guy had his fifth birthday on Monday.  He is a huge super hero fan.  When they are driving in the car he always says to his dad, "Tell me another story about Batman, Daddy." How cute is that!  Now with a small family of mostly girls I must admit the super hero thing is a little out of my  "league"  but I decided to just go for it.

I found one retro looking hardcover book and then found some early reader comics.  I thought it might encourage him to start to read on his own (and that maybe they wouldn't be too violent!)

Then I found some extras that fit the theme. Striped straws, striped twine, lego superheroes, comic strips and best of all - a pdf of comic pows and zaps from one charming party.

I wrapped it up with parchment paper so he could see inside.  I thought that would make it more exciting.  The phrases I printed out looked so cute peeking through the paper.  And his mom told me that was his favorite part of the gift.  So I'm glad I went to all the trouble.

Here are some other newsprint/comic strip wrappings.

My friend Tiffany, of Glitter Pie, wraps a mean package.  Newsprint looks great with the right topper.

You can even top your newsprint, comic strip etc with another newsprint bow.  There is a tutorial at How About Orange for this.

I guess that wraps it up (sorry)

Look for another wrap up next Thursday!