Moving away from paper for a moment, fabric also makes a great wrap - especially for crafty friends who can add it to their stash later.
The fabric was a large swatch from an interior design shop where they sell off remnants in a scraps basket. Folded along the 'closing' edge and secured with double sided tape (the secret is pulling tightly to get it quite tight and not bulgy), it was then tied with some webbing tape I had in my stash. The xmassy buttons make an extra small gift and add that layering effect mentioned in earlier posts.
As I'm sure most bloggers reading this will already have their own stash, just go through and pull out bits that could be xmassy and maybe co-ordinate with each other. Kind of like designing a quilt, it's good fun putting it all together.
The label was standard WH Smiths, repunched to take a thicker baker's twine and an individual message stamped with alphabet stamps - which give a personalised and homemade feel.
This is the last gift in the series. I'm going to try and continue my daily advent posting with a few more items in the same vein - perhaps a couple more wrapping ideas I didn't get round to, so hope you've enjoyed it so far and have found some inspiration for your own gifts.
You have some lovely ideas - I've posted a link on my blog so more people can admire your handiwork!
Posted by: Jayne | December 07, 2008 at 02:12 PM
now that's the kind of parcel i would like to recieve ... never mind if the box is empty inside.. i would just enjoy using the fabric, webbing and buttons. (the buttons that don't look really like buttons, which i asume is why you seem to be ok with being near them!?)
have a good sunday.xx
Posted by: ginny | December 07, 2008 at 02:47 PM
Every one of your ideas is a winner. It is fun to think of various materials in new ways, let your imagination wander a bit. Also great to amass a crazy bunch of materials. If some bit of paper, string, cord, ribbon, a particular colored ink pad, strikes you, take it under your wing.
And then, some day, you will combine those disparate bits into a composition that will surprise and delight.
Thanks for the inspiration. Cheers!
Posted by: frances | December 07, 2008 at 03:11 PM
An inspirational start to Advent and the Christmas countdown Caireen, now in order to do your ideas justice I really musn't leave the wrapping until Christmas Eve!
Posted by: carolyn | December 07, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Some great ideas- thanks for the inpiration!
Posted by: Jessicah | December 07, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Hi. Thanks for helping me to acquire some Bakers Twine. This week I was awarded a blog award, my first, and asked to pass it on. May be this isn't the sort of thing you like, but I wanted you to know that I was sincere in choosing your blog to be a recipient.
Posted by: liZZie | December 08, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Thank you for sharing this great ideas, very inspiring.
Posted by: Frances | December 08, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Sorry about the bad typing, should have said the great ideas. I should not watch telly and read blogs at the same time.
Posted by: Frances | December 08, 2008 at 06:27 AM
Beautiful Caireen, and such a good idea as a gift - I would be happy with an empty box too!
See you next weekend.
Lx
Posted by: my baboo | December 08, 2008 at 08:14 AM