and speaking of sparkle...

You've got to check out this gift wrap inspiration over on Grey Likes Weddings today.  I only wish it would have been posted sooner since all my wrapping is done and now I want to re-wrap my gifts using all sparkles!  Bonus:  MaeMae printable gift tags! 

P.S.  Grey's gift wrap inspiration last year was fab.  See all the goodness here and here.

today I love...

...all these little fox goodies made by Oh My Cavalier! 

(via Paper Crave)

d.i.y. "mixed tape" favors

Remember those cute "mixed CD" favors I made for the bridal shower last weekend?  Well, today, I thought I'd share how I made them!  These were such a hit and would be a perfect favor for a wedding, bridal shower or party without breaking the bank.

Here's what you'll need:
* Scrapbook paper (I used an Amy Butler 12x12 scrap pack from Michael's)
* Ruler and X-acto blade (or paper cutter)
* Colored thread
* 1" circle punch (mine is a Martha Stewart one also available at Michael's)
* Blank, writable CDs (CD-R or CD-RW)
* Twine or thread
* Cute tag (optional)
* Sewing machine

First, cut out two equal pieces of paper from your larger piece of patterned paper.  I made my pieces 6-1/2" x 6-1/2".

Align your pieces of paper so that they are laying right on top of one another.  Using your sewing machine, thread your colored thread and pick your style of stitch.  I chose a zig-zag stitch.  Sew three sides of your paper, about 1/4" in from the edge.  Make sure to back stitch when you begin and end for extra strength.

Using your paper punch, line the punch up so that the paper is halfway inside the punch (like a half moon) and punch out your shape on the edge of the sleeve that is not stitched.

Burn a CD of your and your husband-to-be's favorite songs.  Insert the CD into the sleeve.  Tie the whole thing with twine and attach a tag thanking guests for coming and instructing them to take some tunes for the ride home.  You could also forgo the tag and put them all in a cute basket with a handmade sign in front with the same instructions.

Extra credit:  Print out labels for your cd's with graphics from your wedding or event along with all the track names on the CDs.  Stick them onto the CD before inserting into the sleeve.

New in the shop!

Mini bunting for packaging.  Available in the shop.

Letterhead Love

Can I just say that I am completely smitten with this website?!  Rachel is a writer and editor for The Dieline, so it is only obvious that this blog should be equally delicious.

From the designer:
Letterhead Love was born out of my desire to have an online repository of the best letterhead, stationery and collateral materials. As printed matter is increasingly shunned in favor of digitized PDFs or, God help you, Word templates, this site might indeed become an homage to a lost art, a veritable museum of the tangible communiqué. And that's just fine with me. Like Lady Liberty, I will take in your lovely letterheads, yearning to breathe free and give them a safe haven from the digital storm.

I am taken with this collateral for Chop Shop.

Click here to see more.

New item in the shop!

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome....Burlap Present Topper Kits!

This kit is the perfect way to give your packages some "oomph"! All you need to supply is your own box, and this kit will take care of the rest!

Kit includes:

(1) Ribbon/fabric/paper pouf tied with 15" of hemp twine*
(1) 23"x2" length of light burlap fabric
(1) kraft paper tag strung with creamy cotton twine

*pouf is made of metallic ribbon, cotton fabric, recycled cotton sweater fabric, and recycled newspaper. It is tied with hemp twine and a cream button on top.

To achieve the look above, just wrap the burlap around your package and secure it on the bottom with tape/hot glue/super glue. Using the twine attached to the puof, tie the pouf around your box and secure it to the bottom. Add a handwritten message to your kraft tag and add it to the package. Voila! Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Burlap present topper kits are available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Win It!

Hello Friends!

Today I am giving one lucky reader the chance to win a complete Limited Edition {inspired by} Palm Springs Packaging Kit!  Yes, you heard me.  One of you lovelies will win EVERYTHING shown below!

A little refresher...the kit includes:

(5) small white paper bags
(1) medium white box
(1) small white box
(2) yards ribbon, white
(2) yards ribbon, green
(2) yards ribbon, yellow
(5) yards cotton twine, yellow
(5) yards cotton twine, turquoise
(5) yards cotton twine, white
(5) buttons
(2) tiny white merchandise tags
(2) 1.5" round flamingo tags
(2) 1.5" round metallic turquoise tags
(2) 1" x 5" barrel cactus tags

To enter you must be a follower of the Inkling Paper blog.
After that, you can enter up to 3 times.  Here's how:

1. Visit my Etsy shop, come back here, and post a comment about what your favorite item is in the shop.
2. Blog or tweet this giveaway!  Come back here and post a link to your post or tweet in the comments.
3. Become a fan on Facebook!  Come back here and let me know you became a fan and your facebook profile name.

Make sure you leave a valid e-mail address in you comment so I can contact you if you win (This is really important!  The last giveaway I did, the winner never came back to claim their prize.  So sad.)

Giveaway is open to US and international residents.  Winner will be chosen at random on Sunday, March 21st and announced here on Monday, March 22nd.

Bonne Chance!

{inspired by} palm springs: a packaging kit

So, remember a while back when I told you I was so inspired by Palm Springs color and design?  Well, I couldn't wait until summer to start designing a collection, so without further ado, I present to you a packaging kit inspired by Palm Springs!

For a refresher, below are the images that inspired the kit:

And here is the final package!

 

I love me a good packaging kit!  It's all there and there are endless possibilities of things that can be created using the contents of the kit.  Add your own stamp, or some stickers, you are only limited by your imagination.  This would also be perfect for anyone participating in the {oh hello friend} lovely package exchange (ahem...hint hint).

The kit includes:

(5) small white paper bags
(1) medium white box
(1) small white box
(2) yards ribbon, white
(2) yards ribbon, green
(2) yards ribbon, yellow
(5) yards cotton twine, yellow
(5) yards cotton twine, turquoise
(5) yards cotton twine, white
(5) buttons
(2) tiny white merchandise tags
(2) 1.5" round flamingo tags
(2) 1.5" round metallic turquoise tags
(2) 1" x 5" barrel cactus tags 

The kit can be purchased over in my Etsy shop.  Happy packaging!

{Oh, and stay tuned tomorrow for a little giveaway.....}

New Items in the shop!

Hello friends!

Spring is upon us (well, in California at least)!  I've added lots of fun new spring-y cards to the shop as well as a (growing!) line of packaging items for all your crafting and pretty package wrapping needs.  Below are a few images, but you can see the entire selection over at the shop.

I'm also offering FREE SHIPPING on everything in my Etsy shop through March 15th!  Sign up for my newsletter (sent once a month, no spam, I promise!) to snag the promo code.

{On a side note, yesterday marked my 100th blog post!  It almost slipped right by me!  In celebration, I am going to be hosting a little giveaway at the end of the week.  More details to come soon!}

 

  

  

  

  

 

Lovely Package Exchange

I'm so excited that Danni of {oh hello friend} announced yesterday the 2010 lovely package exchange!  Danni is such an inspiration in the art of packaging that I can't wait for this exchange to begin!  Check out some images below of Danni's gorgeous packaging.

 

  

  

 

 all images copyright and courtesy of danni hong.  ohhellofriend.com

I know I will have so much fun picking just the right gift, wrapping it up with TLC, and sending it off to its new home.  

Want to get in on the action?  Click here for more details.

Today in the studio:

These wedding invitations are off to their new home in Canada!

Simple Trimmings

I took a few cues from the Grey Likes Weddings feature on Style Me Pretty and had some fun with the gift wrap this year.  Included in the materials were recycled newsprint, yarn, old sweaters rescued from Goodwill, Trader Joe grocery bags, and lots of paper scraps.  Below are some of the results.