Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Let the Wrapping Begin!

I have been playing with my Vagabond again (LOVE that little machine!) and came up with a simple way to embellishment your Christmas wrapping.

Chalkboard "gift labels"

I started with these Tim Holtz Alteration dies:
I love to figure out multiple uses for the dies and use them in ways that they weren't originally designed.  For this project many shapes could work.

I wanted these little "gift labels" to be thicker than cardstock so I chose to cut them out of Grunge board.  It's easy to cut and bendable, which allows tying the labels around a jar or something rounded.
Once I got them cut out, I placed them in a box close together and sprayed them with chalkboard paint.  I gave them several thin coats making sure all the edges were covered.
The directions recommend that you wait 24 hours to let the paint thoroughly dry.  Once dry then "break in" the surface for writing by rubbing the entire surface with side of chalk then wipe away.

Apply eyelets, using sizes proportioned to the label size and wrap gifts with heavy kraft paper.

You can use regular chalk to write your message, or a chalk pen which is great for a more stylish writing.  The best part is the ink from this pen is erasable with a damp cloth making your "gift labels" reusable!


Tie "gift labels" on with paper twine, jute or hemp.

Add a few emblishments like jingle bells....


 Sprigs of fresh greenery and pinecones...

....more bells

 ....and details

All done...the hardest part is waiting for the paint to dry!

 Tips:
1. Find the heavy kraft wrapping paper in stores shipping section, not with gift wrapping.
2. You can pick up the chalk pens at the fabulous store DESIGN LAB ....my good friend Jen Linton manages the store and does all their amazing lettering and artwork around the store.  I have to confess... Jen did my lettering....THANKS JEN!

And don't put those dies away yet....I'll be back later this week with round 2 using these dies.

See you then,
deb


73 comments:

  1. This is AWESOME!!! I love the look and who knew they made chalk pens!!! Cause I could just see the names being easily wiped off and all under my tree. Great idea!!

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  2. OMG Deb! What a wonderful idea! The gifts look so special and they show you care. I love them. Thanks for sharing with us.

    Elaine Allen

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  3. These are so cute and festive! I need some of those dies!! I secretly know I am getting the Big Shot for Christmas. Can't wait!!

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  4. Wow what beautiful ideas! Would be a great way to wrap all my guys presents--not too frilly. Wish I had those handwriting skills! My penmanship tanked way back when I started using the computer so much :)

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  5. Too cute. I have all of these in my stash. I think I'll get right on that. Thanks for the idea.

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  6. Great idea! Love it! I may need to make the drive over to use your tools....and to visit Jen for supplies!!

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  7. Fabulous - love your handwriting! Thanks for the step by step instructions.

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    1. Connie,
      I must confess, Jen wrote the labels for me....she has awesome handwriting skills!

      deb

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  8. What a fabulous idea, Deb. Thanks for the heads up on the chalk pens! I always wrap gifts in brown paper bags or newsprint and am always looking for new ways to decorate them each year. Can't wait to get out my Timmy dies and start making some! Thanks for sharing! (Looking forward to round 2!)

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  9. This is by far my favorite wrapping I have found all season. I will be pinning it just to brag on you. :) Love it!

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  10. This is such a fantastic idea for decorating Christmas parcels, I love them! Hugs, Anne x

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  11. One of the best ideas this season! Love it!!!

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  12. I love this Deb!! This is such a great idea...and of course you added eyelets!
    paula

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  13. Thanks for the inspiration. I have black kraft paper so I will try this idea in reverse using the natural tags, black paper and tie it all up with bakers twine. woot woot! <3

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  14. Deb: This is a wonderful idea and great tutorial from the 'Gift Wrapping Queen'. Off to by Chalkboard paint.... I had no idea they made chalk pens...gotta shop for them, too.
    Merry, merry.

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  15. Oh my goodness ... this is wonderful. I have everything but the spray and chalk pen. I'm off to the store! Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Oh, what a great idea and your handwriting - I love it!!!

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  17. Love this idea, Deb! Bet it would work for To and From tags too.

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  18. Genius idea... I've wrapped in brown kraft for years, embellishing differently each year - this'll really freshen things up! Thanks so much for sharing the idea!
    Alison x

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  19. What eyelet setter do you use? I want to get one, but I was afraid it would only work on thin paper instead of thicker grungeboard or even leather.

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    1. Susan,
      I LOVE adding eyelets to everything, I think is one of those finishing details that makes a difference. I have used probably every eyelet setter around and the one I probably use the most is the crop-a-dile...for larger eyelets or when I need a long reach I use the American Tag HomePro eyelet setter. Both are great tools for different needs.

      deb

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    2. Thanks for the info! Sounds like I need to add on to my Christmas list! :)

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  20. Your tutorial is bookmarked - these are the most ingenious labels Ive ever seen. FABULOUS stuff - also super for lining up all the diecuts like that - Im only starting out on a die collection and its great to see sizing relative to each other. Thank-you so much for all the deets. Nicola x

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  21. Great looking packaging, love the look with the chalkboard labels. Could use this look all year long! Bummer, Design Labs web-site is down, never knew a chalk pen even existed. Thanks Deb for the ideas, look forward to round #2!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. peggy, you may be able to find a chalk markers at Michaels in the paint and art supply section...at least that is what came up in google search. Might not hurt to try.
      paula

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  22. How fabulously awesome are these! Love the idea and with the pen and spray paint that has to make them easy right?!

    Hmmm - I think I'll pin this as a wrapping idea for next year!

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  23. Deb, great idea. I love chalkboard paint and am always looking for new ways to use the Alteration label shapes.

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  24. Great idea! How fun and stylish. Jen you do a fabulous job on the lettering. Thanks for the inspiration ladies!

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  25. such talent!!! love these, ok so I have a question, I hardly ever use my machine, if I buy some of the 'movers and shakers' how do I cut with them? THey just seem to be floating dies???

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    1. Robyn,
      You need the "Movers & Shapers Accessory Base Tray" to go with the "movers and shakers dies. They go in the tray and then you use like the other dies....love them!

      deb

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    2. Thank you! off to find supplies today!

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  26. Oh my gosh...these are vintage Christmas in a brown paper package nutshell! Coolest idea ever using chalk board paint to create over and over again! So pinning this!

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  27. Holy smokes!!!! seriously amazing!!!

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  28. Paula, This is the BEST wrapping of the year! I am off to find a chalk pen! But I don't dare tell my grandchildren that the tags are erasable or the gift exchange could get interesting! Thanks for your wonderful inspiration and Happy Holidays!

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  29. So fabulous! I may never buy Christmas wrapping paper again.

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  30. This is beautiful! Love. I am seriously in love with this idea, and have to try it. Thanks for all your fabulous inspiration!

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  31. Terrific! I had no idea there are chalk pens!

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  32. I've never seen chalk pens either... I love your elegant parcels. Want to do mine too? (course, it would help if I had bought the presents first...!)

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  33. What a fantastic idea! I love this! Thanks Deb.

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  34. What a fun way to wrap up gifts. Love the chalk paint.

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  35. Awesome idea- love it thank you for sharing.

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  36. I love these tags, they are wonderful. To be able to reuse them is great.

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  37. Totally inspiring as always Paula a huge WOW from me for these clever, clever little tags. Same as you I love finding other ways to use my dies, this is a cracker :D!! Hugs, Chris

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  38. Another WOW!! I just adore your style. Fantastic idea and beautiful packaging.

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  39. Just Pinterested these to my boards...love these such a great idea...next year....

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  40. I love the elegance and simplicity of the labels. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  41. love this, looks great and it's reusable, thanks for sharing.

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  42. Absolutely fantastic! I love the idea!! I need more dies!

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  44. Well, now - aren't those just the cutest lil' things I ever did see? :)

    Thanks for the inspiration,
    denise :D

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  45. You've just solved my entire gift-wrap dilemma for this holiday season. What gorgeous ideas! Thanks for the awesome tutorial and ingenious art!

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  46. TIS the most AMAZING labels I have EVER seen

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  47. Holy cuteness!!! What a fabulous idea!!! Thanks for sharing and inspiring us!!!

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  48. What great ideas for using dies! ....Fantastic! another reason to 'play' today!

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  49. Loving the look. I have use butcher paper for years but your decorations make it look so elegant.

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  50. Thank you for sharing! I love the way you turned the dies into chalkboards. I have never seen the spray chalkboard paint (only the regular one) and those pens...swoon...

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  51. I love this look and also the fact that I can use things I mostly have on hand. I will have to substitute dies, but there in lies the creativity. My family and friends will flip over these pkgs.....thank you for sharing and inspiring me. I am now looking forward to finishing my present wrapping!!!
    Barb

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  52. Great idea! I have been wanting to try the chalkboard technique.

    Sue

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  53. These are great! Love the look of the chalkboard writing and all of the added details. Another inspiring idea!!

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  54. Love this natural simple look! Fabulous ideas. thank you!

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  55. Oh my gosh! I just love this packaging! Far better than store bought and gives Christmas that vintage feel!! Great job!

    Blessings,
    Melitta

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  56. How clever! Love the making do aspect of this gift wrap! :)

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  57. Chalk pens!!!! I'm putting this on my list for Santa. Thanks so very much for sharing, amazing!!

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  58. Tim sent me over to take a look see :) I'm definitely going to do this because I just won a can of the chalk spray, just need to get me some of those chalk pens. Thanks for sharing!

    Hugs,

    Carmen L

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  59. Fantastic idea love the idea of them being reusable they look so stylish x

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  60. I just love the composition on the Tis the Season tag. Fabulous.

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  61. Thank you so much, love this idea and it is reusable! Can't beat that!

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  62. Wow! Your labels and packages are awesome! Thank you for sharing!

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  63. This is so cool. I love that because they are chalkboards, they are totally reusable. It's like getting little mini gifts. Awesome! For great Gift Experiences across Australia and New Zealand visit FreemanX

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