If you love fabric, origami and clever ideas then you’re going to love Wrapagami: The Art of Fabric Gift Wraps by Jennifer Playford. This delightful book provides step-by-step illustrated instructions to wrap just about anything using fabric.

At the heart of this book is the furoshiki, a traditional Japanese  square cloth used for wrapping a carrying items, a practice which dates back to the 17th century. Along with easy-to-follow instructions that will inspire a whole new approach to gift presentation, Wrapagami includes a brief overview of the history of the furoshiki, directions for creating your own furoshiki, ideas for reusing furoshiki and resources for purchasing furoshiki.

Not only is fabric gift wrap a creative and eco-friendly way to present a gift (no paper, tape or scissors required) — the fabric is a gift in itself, especially for those of us who love fabric.

I recently tried my hand at creating my own furoshiki and wrapping a few handcrafted treasures for a friend — a set of crocheted trivets (more about that in a future post), a recycled gift card mini notepad and a duct tape wallet.

Wrapagami is going to be a treasured item on my bookshelf that will get repeated use. I may even buy a few copies and wrap them wrapagami style to give as gifts.

Check out Jennifer Playford’s website for how-to videos or to purchase furoshiki with her original designs.

By the way, here is a close-up of the duct tape wallet for those who are curious. Crafted by Us has an amazing duct tape video podcast/tutorial if you’d like to make one.

Wrap on! 

watch out wine charm...there's a new kid in town

Wine charms, while fun to make and often a delightful little adornment on one’s wine (or martini) glass, are so…yesterday.

Alas, wine charms do serve a tremendously useful purpose — keeping your beverage from getting lost in the crowd.

But, what if your cocktail-container doesn’t have a stem?

Use your handy lime zester to engrave each guest’s initial into their drink’s lime. For the truly talented, try engraving a mini portrait or drawing (daisy, cat’s face, heart, sun, bumble bee…you get the idea). Thanks Better Homes & Gardens for this clever, creative tip just in time for all those Cinco de Mayo margaritas.

Of course, the wine charm still has its place. Who would want a glass of wine with a lime in it?! Rubber Romance Stamps (creator of very lovely stamps) has a clever wine charm tutorial using stamps and shrink plastic.

Cheers!

Yes, another card sketch challenge. This one is from Sweet Stop.

Here is the sketch…

Another card sketch challenge…this one at Friday Sketchers. Not my best photos, need some more practice working with (or without) a flash.

Credit goes to the fabulous work of Paulo over at SCAL e-files. He makes the most amazing and gorgeous SVGs that can be used with Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) and your Cricut. I used his baroque label on this card.

Here is the sketch that inspired it all…

This is my first time participating in the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge over at the sweetest thing… (and my second ever sketch challenge). A lot of fun…could become addicting!