Working, working, working

Well, the fun kind of working, working on stuff for etsy.  This is what my workspace looks like (this is my dining table, by the way):

I'm putting together gift embellishment kits, using vintage buttons, ribbon, twine, yarn.  I love to use a simple wrap, like, brown kraft paper, you know, the kind for shipping parcels?  Use that as the wrap and then gussy up the package with the buttons and ribbons, even doilies.

This is another goody my grandmother left me that I use all the time.  An old Crocker Bank yard stick; so useful.  If you want to try using vintage or any other pretty buttons for embellishing gifts, I recommend using a ribbon or even cotton lace first and then go in with a thin embroidery thread or baker's twine to attach your buttons.  The holes are generally pretty small so the twine or thread works perfectly.

Pickle jars or any jars can be used for gift wrapping.  Just take the item, wrap it in tissue paper, and tuck it inside.  If there is an image on the lid that you want to cover up, just cut out a circle or use a scalloped paper punch like I did and glue or tape it to the top.  Then proceed with your ribbons.  I used double stick tape to affix the doily and then wrapped it a few times with purple baker's twine, then I tied the satin ribbon from bottom to top in a bow and then layered it with jute twine, which also held the vintage flower button to the top.  The result is quite charming, I think.
For the peach colored ribbon one, I affixed the button to the center of the bow with matching embroidery thread, because the ribbon was too thick to go through the hole on the back of the button.  Then I just tied a knot, and snipped the ends close.
The one at the bottom has a yarn pom pom that I made, on top.  I used the same yarn that I made the pom pom with, to tie it on.  I love these as gift toppers, so cheerful in my opinion.

Pom poms are so cute!

I snapped a few shots of my gift wrapped brood outside because the sun was shining, not the best background I suppose, just ignore it.

I think going that extra mile when you are wrapping a gift really means a lot.  It lets the excitement begin even before the gift itself is actually revealed.  You can take ideas like these and run with them.  Know the recipient's favorite colors?  Use those when you choose the ribbons!  Valentine's day is coming up, you could go all out pink and red and use heart shaped doilies on your love's gift.  Well, more "working" for me, goodbye for now...

PS:  I use The Twinery's baker's twine exclusively, they have soooo many lovely colors, check them out here. Try the sample pack!