Wrap It Up

18 March 2009

Author: Beverly Terry

Turn your plain paper into unique wrapping papers for your special occasions. Start with a roll of white or craft paper, a few stamps, some markers, inks and/or paints and your imagination. There are no rules here, well actually one. Just have fun!

Here are a few tips to help you transform your plain paper into unique works of art.

• Work on a protected surface. Cover your work space with an extra layer of paper larger than the paper for your finished project. That way, you can stamp over the edges of your paper and not create a mess.
• If you’re using paper that’s on a roll, secure the corners with removable tape. This tape won’t tear your finished project when it’s removed.
• Use medium and large stamps for your larger pieces of paper. Small stamps can be used if your paper is small.
• You can’t make a mistake if you randomly stamp your image(s).
• You might want to create a specific pattern, such as rows of the images or a checkerboard effect. Simply mask off areas of your paper with Post-It Notes or painter’s tape. Just be sure that whatever you use for your mask doesn’t tea r your paper when it’s removed.
• Start in the middle of your paper and work towards the outside edges. Be sure to stamp off the paper at the edges.
• If you’re using dye based inks, they will dry quickly. Pigment inks should be set with a heat gun to avoid smudging your images.

Let your creative juices flow. Experiment with some of the stamping techniques listed below:

• Use a direct-to-paper technique and add some color to your background. Simply tap the ink pad(s) on your paper, use a stipple brush or sponge until you get the desired color.
• Use shadow stamps for the background and then stamp your main image(s) in a darker color.
• Over stamp your images to make your background. No one would ever guess that you used this tree stamp to make this paper.
• Add stickers, eyelets, brads, beads, ribbons, glitter, stones, and other embellishments. A little bling always adds some pizzazz to a project.
• If you start with glossy paper, you can use markers or alcohol inks to create your background.
• Start with colored and/or patterned paper.

Now that you have created your wrapping papers for holidays and special occasions, take it a step or two further. Make a card and/or a gift tag to match your paper. Stamp on cardstock and make a gift bag or box. You’re limited only by your imagination!