that's a wrap

This week the wrapping paper is on the wall!  I found this adorable sheet of wrapping paper on my last trip to Ireland.  I wasn't sure what I was going to use it for until recently I decided it might look really cute in a frame.  I hung the one pictured above on the wall in the kids play room.  I also framed another one with different cakes on it for my studio.  I was telling someone about this project when they were visiting recently and she told me that she collects vintage scraps of wrapping paper.    I thought she should frame them and hang them all on the same wall for a wonderful display.   I may have to start keeping my eyes open for vintage wrapping paper now too!

that's a wrap

The photo above was taken on my son's birthday last week.  I didn't get to fancy since I knew he would rip them open quickly and because I had quite a few to wrap!  I choose this picture becuase it goes with one of my wrapping tips which is to stock up on patterened wrapping paper in a color that you love.  Red is my favorite color of choice.  It works for any occasion especially on Christmas and Valentine's day and it is the perfect color for a girl or a boy.   I have red/white paper with stripes, polka dots, stars and even hearts.  It works for everything!  If you can buy the paper in bulk- even better!  I got this particular paper from BJ's wholesale club and it has lasted for a very long time.  If you have a fun wrapping tip let me know.  I would love to hear about it.  More on wrapping next Wednesday.

that's a wrap wednesday

I LOVE to wrap presents.  In fact, I think it might just be one of my favorite things to do!  I wrote a post with some tips for buying gifts for children that you can read about here.  I thought it would be fun to post pictures of gifts that I have wrapped along with occasional gift ideas and/or wrapping tips on Wednesday's.  The gift pictured above was for a "rock" star!  It had a CD of music and a rock star t-shirt inside. 

baby girls christening

We were invited to a christening last weekend.  I offered to make some sugar cookies and decided to use a cross cookie cutter.  I decorated them simply with some white icing and some lavender flowers that I found at our local cake decorating shop.  I continued the lavender and white theme with my wrapping paper too.  I attached a small white frame that I found at Michael's and tucked an Irish blessing inside.  The frame would also be cute as a gift tag, with a picture of someone special or even a gift certificate tucked inside.  For only $1 it is an inexpensive way to make a gift more unique and personal. 

i ♥ candy canes

I found these pink and green mini candy canes at Target. Aren't they adorable? Then I remembered an idea I saw in a Real Simple article that turned mini candy canes into hearts. They suggested using them to top cupcakes for Valentine's Day. I thought they would make cute additions to my holiday packages. The directions can be found here. They are really easy to make and only take a few minutes. They would also make a great gift if you bundled them in a cellophane bag with some mini marshmallows and cocoa.