Ticker Tape Gift Basket | Gift Wrap Everywhere

Gift Wrap Everywhere highlights items I've run across in daily life that are perfect for unconventional gift wrapping. Seriously, gift wrap is everywhere!

Let's see what we can do with an empty berry basket...

and a small hoard of ribbon bits, shall we?

After an unfruitful (no pun intended) attempt at weaving, I decided to try a confetti approach. I tied bits of ribbon around the edge of the gift basket.

Festive! And a fun way to use up bits of ribbon.

I added some new glitter ribbon to add brightness and sparkle.

What would you put in this? I loved the result but had a hard time thinking about what kind of gift this might house. Let me know in the comments!

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Imaginary Tweets: Procrastination Edition

Oh boy. Instead of blogging, I've been reading...

This delicious collaboration between Whimsy & Spice and West Elm.

A book by Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO. Can lessons from this shoe czar help our little business?

About the imperfect makeup trend.

This sad memoir (recommended on Cup of Jo).

This totally not sad memoir.

Read anything good lately? (As if I needed more to read!)

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{Image via West Elm}

Coconut Milk Can | Gift Wrap Everywhere

Gift Wrap Everywhere highlights items I've run across in daily life that are perfect for unconventional gift wrapping. Seriously, gift wrap is everywhere!



I've always enjoyed this type of coconut milk can. It probably hasn't had a redesign since the '80s, and the graphics are printed right onto the smooth sides of the can.

Add gauzy tissue to make an unconventional gift 'box'...

or finish it off with a ribbon to add a bit of polish to this otherwise quirky gift wrapping!

Don't cook with coconut milk? Try a nod to Andy Warhol with a classic red-and-white Campbell's soup can. Feeling impish? Take the bottom off the can and fill it from the underside!

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A Year Ago on The Gifted Blog

2010
How to Wrap Five More Eggs, part 1: Highlights from the classic book on Japanese packaging.

Letterpress Baby: Gift wrapping idea using a card from one of my favorite letterpress companies.

The Best of the Gifted Blog: In which I look back on my first 6 months(!) of blogging.

2011
Common Thread Studio: Sharing the good news - I got a job!

First Day on the Job: Looking back, I only posted 3 times this month! Here I share what I've been up to away from the blog.

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Imaginary Tweets: Date Night Edition

Favorite hot chocolate: 1 T cocoa powder + 1 T sugar + pinch salt in mug. Microwave 1 c. milk. Pour a very little in and stir well before adding the rest. YUM.

I got to meet the lovely Lucy of Paper Tiger Shanghai! Lucy, so glad you could drop by the shop.

For my fellow Californians: $5 date night?

Moms of young kids, how do you fit date nights in? Or do you? It's tough!

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{Image via Bon Appetit}

Sewers' Gift Wrapping Roundup

Some of you know I work at Common Thread Studio, a sewing studio in South Pasadena, CA. It's so rewarding to have another outlet for encouraging people towards everyday creativity. I've collected some ideas for sewing-related gift wrapping of many kinds. Sewers, this one's for you!

Old patterns as tissue paper at The White Bench
Cardboard embroidered gift tags by Family Chic
Measuring tape as ribbon at Molly and the Princess (2nd gift down)
Sewn gift box by ISLY
Scribbled stitches gift wrap by Alisa Burke (shown above)

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{Image via Alisa Burke}

Imaginary Tweets: Ooh, Pretty Edition

Hi readers! Didn't mean to take quite so long a blogging break, but our family's been on the road to recovery after some nasty colds. Here of some of the week's thoughts...share yours in the comments!

Mildly obsessed with Sora Designs jewelry after seeing it here.

Made these and recommend. Note to future self: don't forget the parchment!

G borrowed a Kindle from school and I devoured this in two days. (Fun fact: the wait list is 61 people deep at the city library.)

N found me looking at this after his nap and was fascinated.

Went to the Pasadena Whole Foods on a whim for dinner. Anyone else try this?

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{Image via Sora Designs}