Free Printable Easter Goodies | Free Printable Friday

Easter gift tags and stickers by Sarah of sarah hearts.
Free printable HERE

Modern Easter card by Meg of Olliegraphic.
Free printable HERE

Easter gift tags in 3 colors by Sam of Elephant Shoe.
Free printable HERE

A year ago: Printable Easter Gift Tags
Two years ago: Inspired By: Paper Play (egg wrapping!)

Do you celebrate Easter? I've been meeting with an amazing team of ladies to share, laugh, pray, and plan the children's program at our church, including Easter activites. It's been such a rich and fun time so far. If you are celebrating, hope these printables help you to add some festivity to the day!

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Vanilla Milk & Butterflies | Wrap Story

Maybe like me, you have loved ones who live far away. This is a simple gift wrapping idea for mailing a flat gift.

After seeing these magic milk straws on Oh Joy!, I filed them away as a future birthday gift for my little niece.

Love the idea of a simple, consumable gift for toddlers. When we got our packs from Amazon I was happy to see that they don't use artificial sweeteners. I wrapped them in hand-stamped tissue and added a homemade card.

To add to the fun, I decorated the bubble mailing envelope with scrapbook paper and butterflies from an Anthropologie catalog.

Actually, in hindsight, this is pretty much the birthday version of these Christmas tree mailers! So there you have it, a gift wrapping idea suitable for any occasion. I actually used old mailers we'd received to make all of these, and it's a great way to upcycle something that might otherwise be trashed.

This Wrap Story is part of a series documenting every present I’ve wrapped since the launch of The Gifted Blog. Click here to see them all!

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Best Tapes for Gift Wrapping

Have you ever wondered what the best tape is for gift wrapping?

Corrina's run the tests for you and gives her recommendations on Corinna Wraps. Thanks, Corinna!

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Free Printable Mason Jar Labels | Free Printable Friday

Ooh, I have a fun one for you today! These free printable mason jar labels were made by Kiersten of Fancy House Road for her child's lunches. But wouldn't they be fun for gifts of granola, snack mix, or chocolate-covered pretzels? (I'm not so sure about how to use the 'Slurp' one. Maybe a smoothie?)

You could make homemade treats or even just repackage store-bought goodies. Thanks for sharing, Kiersten!

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{Images via Fancy House Road}

It's not too late...

to become a sponsor! Spread the word about your blog or business and reach a smart, creative audience that is growing steadily. For more info, email me at giftedmailbox[at]gmail.com. I'd love to talk!

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{Painting and image by Ashley Goldberg}

Shop Class as Soulcraft | Why We Make

I write The Gifted Blog because I love to create. I've been reflecting on what it means to love making things. I hope this series will be a jumping-off point for thoughtful discussion among us. For the whole series, click here.

Today I've chosen some quotes to share from Shop Class as Soulcraft, the essay that Matthew B. Crawford  expanded into a book. Crawford is an academic with an interesting side business: he runs a motorcycle repair shop. He writes about the importance of working with your hands and its marginalized place in American culture.

"...craftsmanship might be defined simply as the desire to do something well, for its own sake. If the primary satisfaction is intrinsic and private in this way, there is nonetheless a sort of self-disclosing that takes place. As Alexandre Kojève writes:

 The man who works recognizes his own product in the World that has actually been transformed by his work: he recognizes himself in it, he sees in it his own human reality, in it he discovers and reveals to others the objective reality of his humanity, of the originally abstract and purely subjective idea he has of himself.

The satisfactions of manifesting oneself concretely in the world through manual competence have been known to make a man quiet and easy. They seem to relieve him of the felt need to offer chattering interpretations of himself to vindicate his worth. He can simply point: the building stands, the car now runs, the lights are on. Boasting is what a boy does, who has no real effect in the world. But craftsmanship must reckon with the infallible judgment of reality, where one’s failures or shortcomings cannot be interpreted away."

"The craftsman is proud of what he has made, and cherishes it, while the consumer discards things that are perfectly serviceable in his restless pursuit of the new."

Isn't that fascinating? I found this book especially interesting because Crawford is more likely to analyze an electrician's work than an artist's, but I could relate to many of the ways he describes "living concretely in an ever more abstract world" (source). What part stands out to you?

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{Images by Christine Berrie: 1, 2}

Imaginary Tweets: Lip Scrub Edition

Dare you to make this lip scrub and not lick it!

G: "I can't believe you took a picture of burned almonds." I didn't, but was grateful for the blogger who did! Perfectly legitimate photo op.

Ah, yes. Mothers are more than mothers.

No longer receiving emails when people unsubscribe from my RSS. (Thanks Michele!)

Whoa.

Rocking out to Brian Waite every day, two times a day, thanks to N.

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{Image via Petit Elefant}

Bows on Bags | 5 Minute Upgrade

This series was born when a friend requested quick ways to make a gift look nice before running out the door. Find more fast gift wrapping ideas here.

Could it get any simpler? Add a bow to a plain gift bag for a striking embellishment.

I asked Erica of The Polka Dot Umbrella if she uses tape to secure the ribbons, and she said no. She just ties the bows tightly enough so they stay put. I love this idea for adding a personal touch to the convenient (yet ubiquitous) gift bag.

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{Image via The Polka-Dot Umbrella}

A Year Ago on The Gifted Blog

2010
"Individually Gift Wrapped!": One of the best gifts I've received.

Double Ruffle Gift Topper: My most popular tutorial.

8 Gift Wrap Ideas for Gift Wrapping Haters: Ooh, it would be fun to do a part 2 of this post! Any ideas to add?

2011
Working Woman Update: Notes on my job at Common Thread Studio.

Uncharted Territory: Solving problems and wrapping gifts (pictured above).

Furoshiki in India: A lovely example of Japanese-style gift wrapping in India!*

Vintage Scarves as Furoshiki: In which the magical thrift stores of Iowa turn up prime materials for gift wrapping.

*For those of you inspired to try something similar, may I recommend LuLu Wraps? They sponsor The Gifted Blog and have a gorgeous set of furoshiki made from Indian sari.

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Compliment Wrap

Isn't this gift wrap dreamy?

Tisha Fleming, a fellow gift wrapping enthusiast, is creating a collection of handmade gift wrap sets called Compliment Wrap. She sent me a sample pack and it's lovely - hand stamped paper, tissue paper, two coordinating ribbons, twine, and a kraft gift tag. (It's actually the set pictured above, gauzy ribbon and all.)

I appreciate the fact that she's taken the time to combine elements that work well together but aren't too matchy-matchy. I've had readers tell me they aren't confident in knowing what 'goes together', and I think this gift wrapping idea is a great antidote to that!

You can support the launch of this beautiful collection on the crowdfunding website Pozible. Pledge anything from $1 on up and become eligible for a number of rewards for supporters (including, of course, a pack or more of these gift wrapping sets!).

The pledge amounts are listed in AUD but I found it simple to pledge money from the States. Similar to Kickstarter, your pledge will only be processed if Tisha reaches her $1,000 goal. I've been trying to be more intentional in supporting creative causes and this was a good way to put my money where my mouth is!

I'm sure Tisha would appreciate any feedback on her gift wrap sets and fund drive. What do you think?

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{Images by Tisha Fleming of Compliment Wrap}

Free Printable Doily Gift Wrap | Free Printable Friday

I've had the link to this delicate doilies and kraft gift wrap squirreled away for you for ages. So pretty, and the styling of this shot is charming! Find this free printable wrapping paper by Suze at daily suze (via PaperCrave).

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{Image via daily suze}

Imaginary Tweets: Burned Almonds Edition

Hooked on toasted almonds (thanks to these!) but I burned, then dropped, the last 2 batches.

Thank you for all the quinoa and blogging tips! It's like having personal advisory board.

Making-of videos of the washi tape vehicles we saw in Japan.

5 reasons to join a CSA.

Justina's guide to dressing curves.

Music to write by.

Something sad/funny: I get an email from Feedburner every time a reader unsubscribes. But I like to think it's a good kind of humbling experience.

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{Image via Cate's World Kitchen}

Wow.

I don't want to spoil these delicious images with too many words. Gifts wrapped in "art papers" designed by Kyoto-based artist Natsuko Kozue. See all of her lovely designs at the Uguisu store.

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{Images via Uguisu: 1, 2}

Blogging for a Small Business: Your Input Appreciated

Readers, I'm writing today not to talk about my own blog, but to ask for advice for the Common Thread Studio blog. Do you read the blogs of any small (or large) businesses? Why? What keeps you coming back and interested?

I've been working at this local sewing studio for over a year, and I'm still figuring out the best way to blog for the store. I went into this job responsibility a little cockily. With a year and a half of blogging under my belt, this should be easy, I thought.

Then I actually started blogging. A few challenges emerged:

- I was unfamiliar with Squarespace and would often mangle/erase my posts in the process of writing them (darn you, Squarespace!). 

- I had to blog while multitasking - if a customer had a question, if the phone rang, or if merchandise needed to be rung up, I would stop blogging to attend to these priorities. 

- I had never blogged to promote a small business before. Of course, here on The Gifted Blog, I hope to build my readership and earn money. But I didn't have any experience blogging for a business that sold merchandise and offered classes.

I found that my blog posts started to sound an awful lot like, "Hey! Check out this cool thing you should buy!" or, "Hey! Look at this new class you should take!" When I read this excellent post on Craftypod, I realized I had been practicing "push" vs. "pull" marketing.

So, I have some new things I'm practicing on the Common Thread blog now, but I would really love to hear from you. Again, do you read the blogs of any businesses? Why? What keeps you coming back and interested? Your thoughts are very much appreciated.

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{All photos by me via Common Thread Studio}

Be My Sponsor?

I'm excited to announce I'm accepting new sponsors for The Gifted Blog!

Sponsoring The Gifted Blog is a great way to introduce your blog or shop to a creative niche audience. I write for people who want to practice everyday creativity, recycle materials into something new, and - of course - give beautifully wrapped gifts!

My blog is gaining new readers by the week and has seen tremendous growth in the past year (a highlight was being interviewed by the L.A. Times). For more info on sponsorship and rates, just send an email to giftedmailbox[at]gmail.com.

Never advertised before? No worries - I'd love to talk. And I bet it's more affordable than you think!

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Imaginary Tweets: Quinoa Edition

Bought first box of quinoa. And now what?? Recipes/suggestions appreciated!

Thanks to this, ordered an In-n-Out burger split in half and well done fries.

Enjoyed the intro to this article as a Pacific NW transplant to So-Cal. Would need all the tips I could get if we relocated north!

Updated post on books for mixed race kids with a link to this gem of a guide. (Thanks, J!)

Had a great visit with my parents last week.

N declined to help with this but enthusiastically mixed ingredients for homemade playdough today.

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{Image via 101 Cookbooks}