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Simple and Rustic Gift Wrap Idea!

So... I unfortunately can't share all the things I've been working on lately. Because I've been busy working on Christmas presents for some family members. And I know the fam reads the blog. So! I'll just have to wait until after the holidays to share my recent work with y'all.

I can, however, share my favorite gift wrapping idea for this season... kraft paper cut-outs!

 

 

I got this idea by perusing MS's website for creative gift wrap ideas.

Want to make your own little creations?

It's uber simple... 

MATERIALS

Colorful or patterned tissue paper

Plain white or kraft packaging paper

Xacto knife

Pencil and eraser

DIRECTIONS

First, wrap your gift in your choice of tissue paper.

Then, wrap your gift in your packaging paper WITHOUT taping it... just crease along the edges so you know where the paper will sit when it finally covers the gift.

Select a symmetrical shape - trees are a great choice! Decide where you would like your cutout.

Trace half the design on your packaging paper in pencil.

Use your knife to cut out this design and then remove the pencil marks with your eraser.

Wrap your gift in the packaging paper, taking care not to rip the cutout.

The final touch is creasing the cutout so it flaps up.

Ta Daaaaa!! You can use the flap as a "to/from" label or just leave it blank. 

I really loved this look this year... and I even made a cutout especially for one of my brothers-in-law who is a big UT fan...

 

If you are afraid of coming up with your designs freehand, you can use a stencil - maybe even a cookie cutter - to trace your initial design idea onto your paper. :)

 

Happy gift wrapping to all you elves out there!

Being an elf

Just checking in briefly... I've been busy being an elf this week - seeking out gifts, buying gifts, wrapping gifts... yay!

I'm hoping to be finished with all this holiday craziness by this weekend. And then I can focus all my efforts on crafting the rest of the holidays away!

:)

xxoo!

-h-

Snow Day?

I was watching my favorite weather man, Sam Champion, this morning... and when he walked us through the national forecast du jour, I saw a giant white blob over the Houston area.

SNOW?!

Wow! So uber jealous.

Those of you who may be getting some early snow this season, enjoy it! And send me pics! 

xxoo!

-h-

New Reindeer Look...

I sported a new look last week when my sister and I started decorating the house...

 

At some point I forgot I had them on and almost wore my antlers out to our sushi dinner that night! Woopsie! Thank goodness I realized before we left the house! :)

-h-

Tipsy Wednesday - Three Tips for Looking Picture Perfect!

Want to look fabulous in your holiday portraits and pics this year? Here are a few tips a photographer once told me - and I've tried to remember them each time someone snaps a candid shot... because no one wants to look bigger than they are... or get caught with their "bad side" towards the shutter!

Always shift your body weight to your "back" leg - or the leg that is furthest from the camera.

Never lift your chin up. Always keep your head level or pull your chin slightly down.

Always place one of your hands on your hip - believe it or not, this quick move helps to make the body look slimmer!

Finally... if you feel intimidated by cameras, it will show in your pictures. Just relax and smile!

And if you're going to be taking black & white portraits, wear reds and greens - not whites or blacks - and avoid patterns. 

Have fun recording all your special holiday memories this year! If you want to apply any of these tips while making your own digital photo holiday cards, check out this great site from Martha Stewart that has some creative ideas for your family's holiday photo-cards!

xxoo!

The Feast

As promised, here are pics of our Thanksgiving Spread... everything was delish!

 

On the menu:

Fried Turkey (thanks to my hunny)

Pineapple-Mustard Glazed Ham

Herbed Roasted New Potatoes

Roasted Carrots, Parsnips and Onion with Thyme

Steamed Brussel Sprouts

Lemony Green Beans

Candied Yams (YUM!)

Cranberry Jelly

Assorted Rolls

 

Aaaaand... for dessert...

 

Our dessert spread included:

Jessica's Homemade-from-scratch Pumpkin Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie

Pumpkin Loaf

Buttered Sweet Potato Pierogies

British Mini Mince Pies

 Coffee and Lattes made to order

Seriously? It was AWESOME. Everyone pitched in and it was a real team effort. Here are the guys "manning the turkey fryer" (aka chit-chatting). :)

 

To set the table, I ran a wide cut of brown kraft paper down the center and topped it with a bamboo runner. I picked up some inexpensive red chargers from Target and a set of fake fall leaves from World Market. To make the napkin rings, I twisted together the wire stems of two faux leaves and then simply bent the leaves around our red napkins.

Our colorful fiesta-ware topped the chargers and we served most of the dishes in my colored mixing/serving bowls. The whole thing ended up looking quite festive!

The one thing I realized when we were about to dive in is we REALLY need to put something on the walls in our dining room. They looked absolutely BARREN, particular in comparison to the table-top!

 

And... there you have it! A successful, relaxing Thanksgiving Day with friends and family. I'll probably share some of the recipes with you this week.

xxoo!