Pretty Wrapping Paper

I've been a fan of Korean-based O-Check Design Graphics for a little while now, but I've never been able to find their products locally. I was super excited to randomly come across a book of their wrapping papers at the Crate and Barrel Outlet, of all places. and for 60% off of the original price! (In case this isn't obvious, the book contains folded sheets of removable patterned wrapping paper, tissue paper, and gift tags.)

The book is filled to the brim with prettiness: mostly floral or botanical designs and sweet animal prints on pastel or neutral backgrounds. There's something nostalgic about these designs that I can't quite place, possibly some association I have with childhood and storybooks...I don't know.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share this little gem, which appears to be available on the website as well, in case, like me, you can't resist a sweet patterned paper anything.

Things I liked lately

This little cowboy has been making me smile since he came to live with me. Whenever I have a frustrating work/life moment, I just look at him and he instantly cheers me up. Thanks, Mr. Cowboy! :)

He came in this awesome packaging too. Incidentally, Kim Welling is a genius and you should buy something from her, or several somethings.

I already mentioned these Sharpie paint pens in this diy post, and I also used them on this notebook in the shop, but I haven't mentioned that since I got these, no surface is safe from me. I'm in love with their pastel opaqueness, and they write/draw really smoothly once you get the right ink flow going. I'm using them all over the place. The only slightly annoying thing is that you have to shake them up for literally like half an hour to get the ink flowing the first time. But I think all paint pens are like that. And I'm counting it as exercise.

The scottie dog has been keeping my headphones from getting completely jumbled in my bag, which is much appreciated, and the cute little stripey envelopes came in a set from Martha Stewart. I think I got these at A.C. Moore, but they're probably available everywhere her products are sold, which is everywhere. The envelopes are just the right size for the thank you notes I send with orders and remind me of fruit stripe gum, which everyone knows is the best tasting gum on the planet...for about 30 seconds...then turns into a wad of silly putty in your mouth. I haven't actually had any since high school, so for all I know science has fixed that whole flavor-vanishing problem by now. It's not like they have anything more important to do.

Other things:

DIY - This IKEA hack via Poppytalk is simple and perfect.

Travel - This list of the most charming places in the world. I think I've only been to one or two of these places...must do something about that. Also, I would probably add a few cities to this list, but you know, we all have our favorites.

History - Actually an old article that I came upon randomly last week when I was searching for something totally unrelated...the internet is magical sometimes and shows you just the thing you didn't even know you were looking for...anyway, it's an article about a dollhouse that was decorated by Charlotte Bronte while she was a governess (before she wrote Jane Eyre). She mentions in a letter to her sister sewing the dolls' clothes, though she wasn't terribly happy about it. I love finding out random things about authors whose work I'm so familiar with, or for that matter, artists too. Anyway, the dollhouse was up at auction several years ago. Can you imagine owning something like that?

Wrap it!

In the past, I have made my own gift wrap and tags, but this year I don't have a lot of time for that. I do, however, still want to be as eco-friendly as I can and also come up with something cute (the packaging is half the fun, after all). There are lots of shops selling upcycled or eco-friendly bows and handmade gift wrap. And there are also lots of free printables on the web. Here are a few things I've found that might make your life easier if, like me, you are swamped at the moment, and no matter how appealing it might sound to carve your own stamps, there just isn't time for that.

Clockwise from top: 5 eco-craft gift boxes from green bug; wrap it in a tote, like this one from Louise Wright; use paper grocery bags or kraft paper and these snowflake stamps from Sweet Spot Stamp Shop to create your own gift wrap; and top it with these reusable wool felt bows from A Market Collection.

Now that the wrapping's done, you'll need gift tags, like these free printables from Oana Befort. I've already printed mine. (psst: also check out Oana's shop for gorgeous illustrations.)

Or if you're giving a gift card instead of a present and need a card to put it in, these free printable cards sure are pretty.

I hope that helps! You can still have pretty handmade packages (eco-friendly too!) without spending tons of time to do everything from scratch yourself. And you get to help spread the word about other awesome artisans just by using their products/printables.

I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping; I just have a couple more things to get. And I'm waiting on a couple of Etsy things that have shipped from overseas. How about you? Are you an early bird or do you wait till Christmas Eve to run out and do last minute shopping?