Make something beautiful in 2011

Now that you've opened all of your beautifully wrapped prezzies and enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing Christmas day, let's talk projects for the new year. I'm not really into making hard and fast New Year's resolutions. I prefer choosing a theme around which I'll try to live. There's a lot less pressure that way, and resolutions are so limiting. That said, consider doing something special this year, maybe you can have a year of...

- Re-connection: Send 12 letters this year. That's just one letter a month! Write to someone you care about, or send a letter to a different person each time. I'm talking hand-written letters. With an envelope and a stamp, not e-mail. Who wouldn't love to get a little note in their mailbox along with the bills and junk mail? I get so few letters or cards in the mail these days, it's really a treat when I do. And don't even get me started on penmanship; that subject will fill its own entry and then some.

- Sharing: pack a lunch for a few of your work friends and invite them over to your office/cubicle/desk for lunch. Like a picnic. In the height of winter, wouldn't an indoor picnic be lovely? Maybe a nice, comforting soup and a crusty bread for 2 or 3 or 4 and some lovely healthy fruit? Better yet, plan a potluck lunch. It's less expensive than eating out, and more fun than web-browsing and leftovers.

- Spontaneous beautiful gifts: This origami wreath took about a month to make, but it came out beautifully. I gave it to my mom, as a way to give her flowers that would last forever (or close). I bought a styrofoam wreath and got to work folding paper. I used a gluegun to stick the flowers to it (about 200). Send a little gift out of the blue and brighten someone's day.

Whatever you choose to do, make it special and inspired. The result will be beautiful! And send me pictures, I'd love to see: carol@joliecolis.com.

Happy 2011!

Holiday giftwrapping tip 8: rob your Christmas tree

It's almost go-time, and if you're like me, you're probably frantically getting those last few gifts on your list. That means you've got less time to lovingly wrap them. Here's a clever way to dress up a gift that's quick and green, in a way. Your recipient will take home your gift and hang the little ornaments on their own tree.


Cute, right? This prezzie has mini-ornaments and a jingle bell, secured with a simple, slim ribbon. The pleated paper band is optional, of course. And if you don't know how to do the pleat, a regular band of paper, or a wide grosgrain ribbon will do.

For larger gifts, use larger ornaments. Just make sure you take them from the back. :)

Happy holidays!

Holiday engagement giftwrapping, part 2

My last post on wrapping engagement rings had quite a response, so I'm posting another idea.  This one is really simple, and it's incredibly romantic.

I printed two versions of a love poem, in a large and small font size. Skew the angle of the lines so it's visually interesting. And don't worry about it not being readable; this is as much for the graphic effect as it is about the sentiment.

Cover the top and bottom of a box with the printed text, and add a simple ribbon. It's a lovely way to make the moment extra special, especially if you're not great with words. Use a poem, or song lyrics. Heck, you can use lines from the first movie you saw together, if that's meaningful to you.

This project would work nicely for any other occasion, like Mother's Day, Father's Day, or even a version with words of wisdom for a graduation gift.

Holiday giftwrapping tip 7: play dress up

One of my favorite things to do with gift wrap (regardless of the occasion) is to dress it up like the person getting the gift. I think it's an extra thoughtful way to show you were thinking about the recipient. In this case, the recipient is a colleague who is fashionable and really into pink. This chandelier paper has been in my shop for a while, waiting for the right occasion, and here it is.

Don't you just love the girly-girl bow and little spray of pearls? Something like this can easily be modified for a beautiful presentation of an engagement ring or bridesmaids gifts.

I admit, I do a lot of girly giftwraps, because I'm quite girly myself. But I promise to show a masculine gift soon.

Until then, give (extra) pretty!

Holiday giftwrapping tip 6: work with what you've got

For those trying to keep the holidays sustainable, here's a way to dress up the classic brown paper package tied up with string.

Supplies:
- brown paper bag
- string or twine
- a little sprig of pine. This one is artificial, but in a bind, you can cut a bit of the tree when nobody's looking.
- a bit of ribbon
- a little ornament (in this case, a jingle bell)
- double-sided tape
- super-sharp scissors

How-to:
- Wrap your gift (use a box!) using the brown paper. Don't worry about the wrinkles or folds.
- Wind the string around the box several times, criss-crossing, if you like.
- Tie your pine sprig and ornament to the string in the middle.
- Finish with ribbon

That's it! Happy (sustainable) holidays!

Steampunk gift machine!

Sorry it's been a while, I haven't been feeling well, and this latest project took quite a bit of planning. My husband is a real fan of steampunk, so for one of his Christmas gifts, I've built him a funky gift machine, complete with little gears and moving pieces.

No how-to on this one, it's really just experimentation. I just got a bunch of materials together and winged it. If you're interested in doing one yourself, here are the colors, textures, and materials to use:

- metal gears and (if you're really ambitious) watch movement parts
- woodgrain paper (I used cherry wood Con-Tact paper)
- metallic cardstock
- little brass stick-on buttons
- jeweler's wire (for the tiny coil)
- faux leather (I didn't use it, but it would look awesome)

Once again, for complex gift wraps like this, I prefer a box with a top and bottom, so you don't have to tear any paper. And you can use it for other things post-gifting.

I'll be back tomorrow with a holiday how-to. Stay tuned...

Holiday giftwrapping tip 5: pop the question with style!

Besides the general happiness of the season, I always look forward to hearing news of holiday engagements. Here's an idea for anyone planning to give a HUGE gift this year. You know, the kind measured in carats.

This wrap, called "Say Yes", is one of my favorites. It's totally romantic, and the little "clues" (sheer veil and tiny bouquet of real flowers) are sure to make your sweetie go weak in the knees. This is one of the biggest gifts you'll ever give, so do it right!

Holiday giftwrapping how-to: monogram gift boxes

The long-awaited how-to video is here! This is my first time shooting and editing video, so bear with me; I'll get better at it. The captions look pretty small in window, so click here to see it on YouTube.

My 5 favorite papers: stylish bargains and splurges

I know I should be focused on buying holiday gifts, but I can't stay away from the many beautiful papers you can buy online this time of year. Some of you might be surprise to hear that a $6.50/sheet paper is a bargain. Compared to something that's $18/sheet, it is!

Anyway, here they are, in no particular order:

Bargain #1: White squares on silver, Papersource $4.95/sheet

I actually used this cool paper on a corporate job I had last year, and it held up great. The silver is really bright, and it has this nice weight and linen texture. I just wish I knew I could get it through Papersource. I bought it locally and paid almost twice that. Ugh.

Bargain #2: Paisley batik, Elum $3.75/sheet

Elum makes gorgeous letterpress stationery and chic giftwrap. A subtle pattern like this is beautiful with a wide ribbon in a deep chocolate brown or gold.





Bargain #3: #1741 Winterberry, Snow & Graham, $6.50/sheet

Like Elum, Snow & Graham makes incredibly cute letterpress and paper products. I love this one because it's wintry and evocative of the holidays, but it's not so literal (see Holiday Giftwrapping tip #4). It's pretty on its own, but would look sweet with a wide red ribbon.


Bargain #4: Joyeux noel, Cavallini, Luxe Paperie, $3.50/sheet

I'm a huge fan of Cavallini's charming, vintage-inspired paper products. In fact, I have several sheets of Cavallini paper waiting for frames to grace my home. It's hard to believe how this paper can be so affordable. You get gorgeous prints on really nice, heavy, textured paper. Almost too beautiful to cut!

Bargain #5: Thai marble paper, gold/black, Kate's Paperie, $5.50/sheet

Of course, I have to give Kate's Paperie a shoutout, since that's where I first discovered my love for paper and wrapping gifts. This is another incredible buy. I love the contrast and drama of this paper. This stuff is interesting because it's very thin, very sturdy, and feels like fabric.




Splurge #1: Handmade open geo, black, Kate's Paperie, $24.50/sheet 

So, so cool. I'd layer this on a contrasting color, or over a subtle pattern. It's so artful, I'd consider framing this, too. It reminds me of Jackson Pollock.








Splurge #2: Orange stitch on pink paper, Papersource, $9/sheet

Hooray for an affordable splurge! This paper comes from India, and is sewn with contrasting thread. The thread and little holes in the paper add graphic and textural interest, too.



Splurge #3: Personalized gift wrap, Neiman Marcus, $90 
This is a super-cute, super-splurge, and I'm not even sure how much you get for the $90. Maybe if you have to ask, you can't afford it. Various colors and patterns are available, and you can personalize it with your initials or a limited amount of text.





Splurge #4: Pine cones, Heidi, $21.99/set
Heidi sells stylish gift wrap sets in pre-coordinating colors and patterns. Very convenient. You get enough to wrap about 2 shirtboxes, complete with paper, ribbon, gift cards, and note cards. It's like the Garanimals of giftwrapping!





Splurge #5: Richard de Bas floral paper, Paper Arts, $18/sheet
I love this paper because it reminds me of pressing a flower in the pages of a book. And because I'm a total romantic. 




Well, that's all for now, friends. Tune in tomorrow; I'm finally going to post my video on how to make the monogrammed prezzie from last week.

Holiday giftwrapping tip 4: be festive, be subtle

Happy Hanukkah, friends! Today's tip is something you can use year-round, but is especially appropriate for the holidays.

This time of year, stores are chock-full of seasonally-themed holiday gift wrap. While I understand the convenience of picking up a three-pack of holiday themed paper and some curly ribbon, it's a bit pedestrian, isn't it? (*Besides, you wouldn't be reading this if themed paper and curly ribbon were good enough for your prezzies anyway!)

Last words on the three-pack stuff: skip it. It looks cheap and your gifts deserve better. Santa-and snowmen-themed papers are the giftwrapping equivalent of holiday sweaters with little jingle bell applique. You know the ones I'm talking about.

Take this little number, for example. This wrap has enough of the traditional colors to associate it with Hannukah, but it doesn't hit you over the head with Menorahs, dreidels, and stars. The result is sophisticated and elegant.

The key to getting this very pulled-together look takes a page from one of my favorite shows, What Not to Wear. Whether you're dressing yourself or your gift, any fabulous ensemble incorporates color, texture, pattern, and shine. (More on those important elements in a future post.)

Since this is a somewhat technical project, I'll post a how-to video soon. Until then, give pretty!

Holiday giftwrapping tip 3: get sentimental

One of the simplest, most charming ways to add a personal touch to gifts is to use a special photo in your design. This example isn't a holiday gift; it for my friends Greg and Carolyn's wedding. All the same, it's easy to see how a well-chosen photo can make a gift come to life.

The happy couple shared their engagement portraits with friends, and I just downloaded an image, printed it and added it as the feature focus of the wrap. With photo sharing sites like Snapfish, Picassa, and Flickr, it's easier than ever to do the same.

This idea is especially fun for young kids, because there are no gift tags to read. I made this one for my niece when she was two.

Supplies:
- a beautiful photo
- solid and/or patterned paper (keep patterns subtle)
- cardstock
- ribbons of varying colors and widths
- vellum sheets
- stick-on gems and other prezzie-bling
- double-sided tape
- Glue Dots
- super-sharp scissors
- decorative edge scissors

How-to:
- Wrap your gift (use a box!). I like 2-piece, top-and-bottom boxes because you don't have to tear the paper to open it, and something like this makes a sweet keepsake.

- Apply your ribbons in a pattern of your liking. I've used a basic criss-cross here, but you could easily use the woven plaid pattern from holiday gift wrapping tip #1. *Secure your ribbons using glue dots; double sided tape is too wide for most ribbon, and regular glue is not strong enough. It will also make a big mess.

- Prepare your photo. You can simply crop it or make an overlay frame with the vellum, as I have here. To cut a window out of the vellum, center your vellum sheet over a ruled cutting mat, and use a ruler and X-acto knife to carefully trace the window. *Use an extra sharp blade, too. Dull blades will fray up what you're cutting, and they force you to press harder than you need to, which is dangerous if you slip.

Next, Apply a glue dot to each corner of the photo, and carefully align your vellum window layer over it. Since the glue dots will show through the sheer vellum at the corners, cover them with a ribbon. Cut a short width of ribbon, and wrap it diagonally around the corners and secure them on the back with another glue dot. This creates a ribbon photo corner that will attach to your cardstock frame to add color and dimension.

- Make a frame. Using the decorative edge scissors or punch, add texture to the edges of a sheet of cardstock. I've used a scalloped-edge scissor here, but there are tons of choices in craft stores. I love the zigzag of pinking shears, too. Super cute. This example has two layers, but you can do as few or as many as you like.

- Put it all together. Attach the photo to the frame, and dress it up with your favorite prezzie-bling. I used little rhinestones, pearls and a tiny bow for this gift. Then attach it to the box, over the ribbon.

That's it - a picture perfect gift. And be sure to take lots of photos this holiday - you can use them for next year's gifts!

Fine Giving on Fine Living

Years ago, I worked for Kate's Paperie in New York City. Fine Living asked me to share tips on gift wrapping. Check out this how-to video on making your gifts personalized and special.

Holiday giftwrapping tip 2: get inspired by fashion

Is it just me, or is this a downright somber period of fashion? Everything I see lately is unstructured, slouchy, and distressed. What’s with all the grey, tan, beige, and um, grey? What I wouldn’t do for a gorgeous, tailored, vibrant ensemble in a luxe fabric! Like a modern kimono!

Alas, you may not be able to dress yourself like a geisha princess, but you can dress your gift like one. This prezzie is a bit fancier than the last post, but still totally doable.

Supplies:
- Japanese yuzen paper (available in craft stores or online) This stuff is a bit pricey, impossibly beautiful, and may actually break your heart to cut it. But trust me, it’s worth it. Yuzen and chiyogami papers are used to make washi eggs, an exquisite artform that warrants its own post.
- Satin ribbon (coordinate color with paper)
- Satin cord (coordinate with paper, but contrast with ribbon)
- Glue Dots
- Double-sided tape
- Super-sharp scissors

How-to:
- Wrap your gift (use a box!) with the yuzen paper. *Always use double sided tape. Regular tape is just plain tacky. Think of it this way: if your gift were an outfit, visible tape would be like visible pantylines.*

-  Cut a length of the satin ribbon to go around the box, with a half-inch extra. Secure it with a Glue Dot on the bottom.

-  Cut a length of satin cord to go around your box twice, with 2 inches extra. Wrap it around the box twice, so when you look at the bottom, the cord appears as two parallel rows. Then join them on the top in an x-shape and secure them in a tight knot. A tight knot is important because the cord can be slippery and can undo itself easily.

The mini-geisha pictured here contained a gift-card. I found the boxes at Michaels in the baking and treat-package aisle. This wrap looks especially sweet on small packages, which is also good because small gifts require less precious yuzen paper. But don’t hold back if you have a shirt box-sized gift; yuzen sheets come in sizes as large as 2 feet by 3 feet, so if you wish to splurge, by all means, splurge away!

That’s my prezzie for today, friends. Now you try. Give pretty!

Holiday giftwrapping tip 1: basic wow

Now that we're done giving thanks, let's get down to business. If you braved the Black Friday madness, chances are you have some lovely gifts. Here's a simple way to dress them up with very basic items.

Supplies:
- vibrant giftwrapping paper (I like foil.)
- ribbons in varying colors and widths. (Try satin or grograin. Save your organza or wire-edged ribbon for another project. If you're in New York City, try Kate's Paperie. If not, Michaels or A.C. Moore will do just fine.
- Glue Dots.
- really sharp scissors (NEVER use them to cut tape. You'll gum up the blades and they won't cut cleanly.)

How-to:
- Wrap your gift (use a box!) in the paper or foil.

- Make a band using one ribbon around the box, and secure it with a glue dot on the bottom.

- Make another band going around the box, criss-crossing the first, and secure it the same way.

- Repeat several times, weaving over and under the existing bands to get the plaid effect. I like skewing the nexus of the ribbons off-center because I find it more interesting. But do your own thing. It will be beautiful.

* Advanced tip: plan your pattern before you apply the ribbon. To get the true plaid-pattern look, vary your colors and widths in both directions so you can have contrast of color and size. And don't feel like you have to stick with the traditional red/green or blue/silver palettes. Bright citrus tones or pastel/dark neutrals (like pink with dark grey or black) are super chic! Just make sure you manage the contrast, so the color pops.

That's all for now. Stay tuned for another tip soon. Until then, give pretty!

Every artist needs a studio

Hi friends,
Sorry it's been so long since my last post. My dayjob has been pretty demanding. But I've still been a busy little bee making prezzies and doing other fun stuff. The most delightful of which is my new craft station, which is totally sweet! I got tired of hauling stuff up from the basement, to the dining room table, and back to the basement, so I cleared out a closet in our guest room and built this shop. Doesn't it make you want to roll up your sleeves and make something beautiful?

I had been wanting a gift wrap station for some time, and my research got me very inspired. Check these out:
At Home with Kim Vallee
Lowe's
And the mother of all awesome craftiness

There are some very beautiful pre-fab gift wrapping/craft stations out there, but I didn't want to shell out the cash for them, and frankly, I like the flexibility of a modular system. My favorite thing about my station is you just have to close the door to clean up!

All together, I paid $144 for this setup:
$20 for the table top at IKEA
$60 for the table legs at IKEA
$34 for the pegboard at Lowe's
$30 for the hooks at Lowe's

You could probably do it for less, especially if you choose a different table. I chose this one because the legs are adjustable, and I prefer to work standing up - it's much easier on your neck and back. Whether your station is splurge worthy or budget conscious, I recommend them highly. It makes working on your projects a real pleasure! Happy crafting!

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

I'm back with the valentine of the week, inspired by Chanel. I've never been a real girly girl, and I've only recently gotten into pink, so be prepared to see a lot of it in my prezzies this year. Pink and black are so beautiful together. For this gift, I combined some really cute black and white quilted paper with a bit of double faced satin ribbon (1/2 inch pink and 1/8 inch black) and some prezzie bling (pink rhinestones and mini pearls). It reminds me of a Parisian lingerie shop. Ooh la la!

The bow on the top was really easy, it's just two closed loops on top of each other, secured by a glue dot. The big pearl on the top almost didn't happen, because I was thinking of Chanel's advice: before leaving the house, look in the mirror, and take off an accessory. I generally follow this less-is-more philosophy, but it looked so darn cute on the bow.

That's it for me this week, friends. Until the next time, give pretty!

Isn't it romantic?

I know, it's a little early, but I'm a romantic, and I love Valentine's Day. While I don't love the overly commercialized, ready-made corner cutting method of celebrating your sweetheart, I like the idea of giving something inspired and sweet to someone you love.

This little gift box starts with a simple paper jewelry box, the kind you get at the department store. I dressed it up with some lace ribbon, 2 layers of satin ribbon and some little adhesive gems. The little key was something I had around. You can find these little embellishments at craft stores everywhere. Antique buttons or beads could work just as well. Experiment and look for things that speak to you. Little personalized touches like this are what make people feel special.

Well, that's it for now -- stay tuned for another Valentine next week. I'll be uploading more soon.