Thursday, December 22, 2011

Last Minute Gift Wrapping Ideas

I love gift wrapping and I wanted to share a few (last minute, I supposed) wrapping ideas and inspiration photos. Hopefully it'll make it look like you spend a lot of time on wrapping your gifts ^o^

Firstly, here are a few things I did this year. I always wrap my stuff in kraft paper (unless it's impossible to wrap, then that's what gift bags are for). A more muted paper base makes it easily for decorations like berry sprigs or rich satin bows to stand out. Plus it gives gifts that nostalgic "brown paper packages" feel. 

For name tags, I cut out rounded rectangles from paper shopping bags (so they wouldn't curl) and stamped a pine cone spring in white ink, then wrote names on top with a thin ink pen. The string was twisted red and white thread that I got this a box of vintage ribbon and lace. If you're lucky, you may be able to find Christmas themed doilies (the ones I used have poinsettias printed on them)

Decoration ideas:
  • Satin ribbons
  • Lace
  • Ric-rac
  • Velvet ribbon
  • Yarn
  • Stamps on kraft paper 
  • Tiny bells
  • Sheet music
  • Red gingham paper or fabric
  • Draw designs with paint pen or ink pen 
  • Vintage photographs or illustrations
  • Fake berry, pine cone or evergreen (or even real evergreen) sprigs
  • Red & white "candy cane" twine
  • Paper doilies
  • Deco/washi tape 
  • Tiny paper triangle garlands
  • Small glittery ornaments
  • Search online for free printable gift tags 
  • Package tags

I'm sure this smells wonderful
The designs were made with sharpie and white-out


Drawn with pain pens

Fruit and veggie mesh!
 I hope this was helpful. Happy wrapping!

Deer Muffs

Hehe, my "Deer Muffs" are complete! 
Well, I thought that was a clever name >.>
Anyways, they started off as a cheap pair of Forever 21 ear muffs

And were stripped down to the plastic base, where I glued ribbon and lace to the head band part. 
Next, I used the ear parts as a base to measure the deer fabric and sewed the two slips. I filled them with fluff and sewed them up ♥ The headband length is adjustable, which is really nice.
After that, I went a little overboard and added pompom bows ^_^; 
I can always take them off if I don;t like them later, but I like them for now. 





They're nice and warm. I think I'll wear them when I go shopping with my Dad (our annual tradition) tomorrow night ♥

My Secret Santa Gifts ♥

I am so happy ^o^ My Mori Girl Secret Santa gifts arrived today! I cannot express how much I absolutely love everything!! The organizer of the exchange helped provide our partner information about our interests/likes/dislikes but it's as if she knew me personally ♪

Even the box was adorable

 I though this was so sweet - I want to start doing this too!

There were four individual packages and an adorable bear letter set. Each package had a "theme".
Also, I love kraft paper *A*

So cute ♥♥♥

 This was a cute letter-themed envelope. I love her handwriting (and mail themes!)

It contained an adorable card, tiny clothes pin and handmade pouch. I think I'll use it for coins or tissues at school~

"For the cold winter days"

Super soft pastel room socks (that should fit me, yay!) and an adorable earmuff/headband thing ♥
(I've been recently interested in room wear, but she didn't know that ;)

"For the mori girl at home" 

I love the over mitten! How did she know I'm afraid of my oven? XD Or that I (recently) love gingham! The bunny duster is also precious. It's going to be very useful since my room gets so dusty so fast!

"For the crafty mori girl"

I love embroidery, and oh my gosh, those colors!! And the sewing tin is so perfect ♥

I am completely overjoyed with my gifts, I could have not asked for anything more perfect! (I secretly feel like the luckiest Secret Santa recipient hehe c; )
Thank you so much Tiffany!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas Gifts Part 1

I won't lie, I love getting gifts c; & I just can't help but share a few of my favorites I've received so far for Christmas ♫

Cute pearl earrings and stickers from a Lolita"White Elephant" (stealing) gift exchange

A cute owl hair pin from my Lolita Secret Santa ♥ (She knew I liked Mori also)



Adorable illustration cards/envelopes
I suggest YouTube searching this cutie ♥

Lovely rat vertebrae (?) necklace. My friend knows what I like XP She also gave me a Hello Kitty poster!
More soon!

New Milk Thistle

I'm crafting again (big surprise) and I decided to test out a few future Milk Thistle items. Currently, these are not for sale (only because I don't have enough supplies to make additional ones). I'm also planning on covering the earmuffs with fawn fur and adding fur pompoms/ribbon/embellishments etc. 

Triple Berry brooch

Different version of my Sweet Strawberry brooch (I think I can make more currently)

Slightly different version of the original Sweet Strawberry brooch to replace the one I sold.

New cute Mint Chocolate double pin♥
Soon to be fawn-ified~

Mori Girl Secret Santa Part 1

This year, the Mori Girl LJ Comm hosted an international "Secret Santa" gift exchange! Although I haven't gotten my gift yet, I wanted to share what I got for my partner (since she already got hers). Here is the link to the master post of gifts so far.
I sent her a card, handmade deer fur puff, violet flavored mints, plaid scarf, gold feather necklace and far isle mittens ♥


I can't wait till mine comes! >.<

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Monthly Challenge Theme: Evergreen

Theme: Evergreen 

This month's challenge theme is obviously winter themed ^_^. By "evergreen" I mean the color, the scent, texture, motifs, anything that has to do with beautiful evergreen trees. Perhaps try a photo shoot in an evergreen forest, a trip to a Christmas tree farm, bring home a tiny tree or create an illustration study on needles and pine cones. The rest is up to you, don't forget to post your results!





Images from We ♥ It