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Thursday, December 15, 2011

DIY Wrapping Paper

I promised last week when I shared our family Christmas tree that I would give a little tutorial on my DIY wrapping paper.  For years I've wrapped presents in brown and white Kraft paper and dressed them up with satin bows, raffia, burlap, tiny pinecones, and ornaments, but this year I was inspired to dress them up a bit more after purchasing several different stencils online. 


There are so many great stencils out there these days and the number of uses for them is endless, including making custom wrapping paper.  One of my favorite stencils I have is a brocade stencil that I purchased through Overstock for under $10.


I also purchased a book of stencils for furniture and walls through Amazon last year.  It was only $16 for 10 quality stencils.  I love the birds, Moroccan petals, butterflies, polka dot, and houndstooth stencils that are included. 

After you've selected the stencil(s) you'd like to use on your gifts, gather some basic supplies, and you're set:
Kraft Paper in either brown or white (Note: the thinner version of the brown Kraft paper works a little better for wrapping gifts)
Paint in any color: I used both acrylic and a $1 bottle of clearance Martha Stewart tester bottle.  The latex does take longer to dry. Scissors
Stencil brush
and/or
Sponge roller and tray
Blue painter's tape (or other low-tack tape)

Next: Roll out your paper for the desired size on a large flat space.  It also helps if you pre-cut your paper for the specific box that you are wrapping before stenciling. 
I taped the edges of the paper and stencil down to help hold the paper in place as I moved the stencil around and minimize any paint leaking under the stencil.
For a non-repeating stencil design, I used the sponge stencil brush and just dabbed the paint on without overloading the brush.
 Repeat by moving the stencil around in a desired pattern and size...
After you've stenciled the amount of paper you need, just set it aside for a few minutes. The acrylic paint dries very quickly and I was able to wrap a gift within 10-15 minutes.  The paint does make the paper look a little wrinkly (especially thinner paper), but this disappears as it dries.
A quicker way to achieve results is to pour some paint in small roller tray and roll it out with a sponge roller...


Butterflies for Christmas?  Well, it fits with my nature-themed decor...

Stencils are only the beginning of the options you can use to personalize gifts...
Document paper and vintage sheet music...
Stamps and feathers...
and even decorative wallpaper...
This was a chocolate box but is now re-purposed as a gift box with some of my favorite wallpaper!

The possibilities, colors, and variations are endless!


Linking up to:
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground


13 comments:

  1. it looks Terrific~!!!
    I cant manage to get 1 pillow done and you did all this. wow

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  2. What beautiful wrapping paper! Your designs are so pretty. You could sell this!!!! I'd love for you to share your creativity at my Show & Tell party. It starts on Wednesdays at mrshinesclass.wordpress.com

    Sharon

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  3. Your gift-wrapping looks amazing. This is definately my favourite post off my blog roll today !
    Simply gorgeous.

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  4. I didn't know Overstock sold stencils! What a great idea! All of the packages look wonderful under your tree!

    blessings,
    karianne

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  5. Much prettier than any store bought paper I have seen this year. I am using up what I have this year and will do this sort of thing for next year. Thanks for sharing.
    tammy

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  6. Pretty, pretty papers!

    Merry Christmas Week!

    : )

    Julie M.

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  7. beautiful! what a great idea!

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  8. Wow what a wonderful post thanks for sharing love your Christmas tree. So nice to meet you just found your lovely blog and so happy I did so nice to link up. I have enjoyed looking around and I'm now following you, if you find a spare minute hope you visit me sometime and follow back if you like. Sending you special wishes for a very Merry Christmas Day and look forward to keeping in touch in 2012

    Always Wendy

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  9. The paper is beautiful!

    Thank you for linking to Potpourri Friday! May you have a Merry Christmas and the Happiest of Holidays!

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  10. Everything looks absolutely gorgeous. Great idea with the wrapping paper. I saw you featured over at At The Picket Fence and had to stop by. Your blog is absolutely gorgeous. I am your latest follower. I would love for you to stop by and say hi and consider following me back as well. Thanks so much. Merry Christmas.

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  11. I just love your creativity! I have featured your post on my blog! Happy Holidays;)
    http://domesticsweetheart.blogspot.com/2011/12/presents-for-everyone-including-myself_22.html

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  12. Wow, what a simple idea with absolutely beautiful results! I am going to order stencils today, and I don't think I will ever use regular wrapping paper again! I agree with Sharon, you should sell this stuff! Besides us bloggers, I bet antique stores and places like that would buy it in a heartbeat!

    It's not common for one post to make me a follower, but in this case I will make an exception! Looking forward to hearing more from you. :)

    xoxo

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