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:

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cedar Hill Ranch - Homespun Holidays