getting crafty: wrapping christmas presents

I'm on a roll with all these crafty posts huh? Well, today I will be showing you how I am wrapping my Christmas presents this year. You'll be sitting there thinking that it is such a silly post. Wrapping Christmas presents?! What's so special about that? Well...as special as you want to make it!

 You will need:
A Christmas present
Parcel Paper
Washi Tape (regular sellotape would also work)
Christmas stamps of your choice
Scissors
Ribbon
Gift tags (if using)
Cup of tea

One exhausted Vanessa later, you should get a wrapped box of dreams! I'm all about being a bit unique and different and no-one else in the country will have the same wrapped present as you! I see shops selling lovely wrapping paper and ribbons but I love the personal touch of a present if it comes uniquely wrapped.

Do you like customising your Christmas presents?

Vanessa

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up-cycling - candle jars storage

I have to apologise for all these lifestyle posts that are popping up on your reading list but I've been planning this one for a while and I've finally managed to start writing it!

I always get that sense of 'oh I don't want to throw away the empty candle jar when I've finished' feeling. Seems a bit of a waste if it goes in the rubbish. I believe I was reading Vivianna Does Makeup's blog and saw that she re-used her old candle votives to store some odd bits and pieces. 

I put the finished candle in the freezer for a few hours to freeze the remaining wax. Once I've taken it out, I use a sharp implement such as a knife or a pair of scissors to pop the wax out. Please be careful doing this, I don't want any injuries on my conscience! Clean out the votive with warm water and a cotton pad to get all the waxy bits out.

I use the votives to store cotton buds, lip products and those spare buttons you get with clothing that you don't know where to put!

Have you ever tried up-cycling items before and give them a new purpose in life?

Vanessa

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getting crafty: christmas cards

This year, I decided to get my craft on and make my own Christmas cards. Yes, they're a little bit more fiddly and time consuming but you'd be giving a very unique card to someone and hopefully you will see the look of joy on the recipient's face when they see how much time and effort you've put into the card. 

Below, are a few cards I've already made.

Fancy your hand at getting a bit creative this year? All you will need is:

Card (you can get the pre-folded ones with envelopes in your local crafty store)
Glue (craft and pritt)
Ribbon
Pencil
Ruler
Coloured Pens
Scissors
Various craft materials for decorating (this includes glitter and such like)
A little imagination
A cup of tea (optional but highly recommended!)

I went for simple designs and even utilised the little circles from the hole punch as falling snow! This is the first year I've decided to do this and I'm so glad I have. I've always loved thinking up new designs and being a bit more thoughtful with my gift giving this year which is making me very happy indeed!

Will you be getting your craft on this Christmas and being a bit more creative?

P.S...look out for how I'm wrapping my Christmas presents post as well if you are stuck for ideas!

Vanessa

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washi tape.

'What on earth is washi tape?' I hear ya ask! Well, it's essentially masking tape that originated from Japan. But this isn't just ordinary masking tape that you can pick up from your local B&Q...they have a wide array of prints and colours to match your mood or use. They can be used for crafts, scrap booking, book marking, decoration or adding a simple touch to wrapping a present.

If you know me by now, you'll know that I am all about the crafts! I've decided to put a bit more thought into the smaller details of my life, whether it be giving gifts to others, learning new skills or creating something unique. Washi tape come in about a gazillion different patterns and colours so you can understand that it would take me a while to decide which ones I wanted.

I headed over to ebay and found this seller that sold some really pretty patterns. I picked out a blue one with hearts and clouds, an antique-y clock type one and my favourite one of them all...blue with SNOWFLAKES! I'm intending on using this to tape up my Christmas presents this year rather than boring old sellotape. It'll be great for presents too because it is masking tape, it won't rip the wrapping paper so if you're a bit thrifty like me...you can save the pretty wrapping paper to admire for later!

The washi tape is fairly inexpensive and I got them at £1.74 each plus £0.70 P&P from the ebay seller but you can do your own research to find different patterns that you would like.

Have you ever used washi tape before? Do you love being a bit creative, especially around this time of year?

Vanessa

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