First I found a scrap block of wood...wrapped it with string...dipped it in paint...and pressed it onto a sheet of kraft paper...not so good...the string absorbed too much paint and created one big blob.
Found another scrap block of wood...this time used a rubber band to wrap around...since the rubber did not absorb the paint but just stayed on the surface, I got a cleaner print...I also brushed the paint onto the block instead of dipping the block into the paint...much easier to control an even coverage of paint...
after a little practice, I was on a roll! I also played around with drywall tape, laying a strip down on the paper, painting over it and then pulling up the tape before it was dry...
Since I was in the groove, I got out the chalkboard paint and a big roll of pre-pasted mailing tape...like how I use coffee cups to hold the strips of tape flat while I paint?! Also got out my rubber stamps and tore up some strips of muslin...
After everything was dry, it was time to put it all together...
The chalkboard tape wrapped around the present with ease...and makes it easy to add any salutation...
the "r" monogram tag gets a background of chalkboard tape to make it stand out...another long strip of muslin wraps up the gift with a bow...
With my large piece of printed paper, I decided to make a gift bag...learned this technique years ago and it is easy to do...and any sturdy paper will work...
1. Lay out your paper and find a book the size you want your completed gift bag to be...essentially, you are going to wrap up the book like a present - but leave one end open...
2. Fold over the edge where the paper meets - this will give you a more finished look.
3. Using double-side tape will secure the paper with no tape to see...
4. Fold the bottom of the bag just like wrapping a present...
5. Finish folding the bottom, securing with a length of double-side tape along the inside edge.
6. Fold over the top of the bag and tuck to the inside...my fold was about 1-1/2" deep.
7. Punch 4 holes in the top of bag - 2 on each side; each set of holes the same distance apart. The twine will thread through these holes for the handle. I glued a fiber reinforcement around each hole for additional strength. Two equal lengths of jute twine were used for the handle, simply tied in a knot after threaded through each hole.
8. A piece of cardboard, cut a tad smaller than the bottom length and width of your bag will add additional strength once you place it in the bottom of the bag...I didn't see a need to tape it in place since it fit fairly snug.
And voilà!
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I filled the interior of the gift bag with paper shred made from old books...the paper shredders that cut up paper in long strips (not the cross-cut shredders) are great for this...and can easily be found at the thrift stores...
Linking up to Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special...I know its down to the wire for Christmas, but there is plenty of inspiration to be found...and maybe a few ideas to be "pinned" as a reminder for next year's holiday projects...
And you have until midnight, Sunday, December 23 to enter my Holiday Cheer Giveaway #3...find all the details here...
