Wrapping with Burlap

I reused this awesome box that I got from Anthropologie. No need to wrap this beauty, it could stand alone. But, I thought I'd just add a little to take it to the next level. In comes the burlap.

I roughly cut some burlap and used the frayed strings to to tie it together. After weaving the burlap strings through to hold it, I weaved some red silk tread to add a little contrast and color.

Next, I topped it with a wisteria pod. I am enchanted with these pods at the moment! They are so cool. They look & actually feel like velvet.

I love to add a little nature whenever I can. Now I'm off to see what else I can create with these pods!

Biodegradable Ribbon

I am very excited to report that on a recent trip to The Container Store I found Biodegradable ribbons. I originally went with the intention of checking-out what recycled wrapping paper they had, but was delighted to find these ribbons. The company, Charles Clay & Sons unfortunately is in England & only takes wholesale orders, but if your in the neighborhood of a Container Store, you can pick them up there.

This is the first time I've seen a biodegradable ribbon that actually looks and feels like a thick satin ribbon. I'll be testing it out soon so check back to see how it looks in action. Plus, I will test how it irons-out. A good way to re-use ribbons is to iron them first, they often look brand-new.

Re-Purposed "wrapped-up"

My daughter was invited to a birthday party for one of the boys in her class who is turning 11. I knew I wanted to wrap his gift (gift certificate to local book store, Inquiring Minds) with Re-Purposed materials, but I wanted it to look a little less "green" and a little more edgy. I got my inspiration from a bag my husband brought home from the liquor store (he should know better!).

I then headed to the garage and poked around and came across some gray plastic netting I found. The color was a perfect match to the gray stripes on the bag.

I wanted a contrast in color, so I headed to my daughters crafting materials and found blue duct tape. The result was quick and simple, but I think it will stand-out.

Almost FREE EcoWrapping

My daughter inspired me when she brought me this beautiful bouquet she collected from the yard. Pussy Willows, a sure sign that Spring is around the corner! (yes, that is snow holding the bouquet together).

So, for my next "wrapping" I will Reuse a brown paper grocery bag. This bag from Stop and Shop actually has a nice printed graphic, it has a "hand-stamped" texture in person. The cloth bag is from a set of organic cotton pillowcases I purchased from Target. I've Reused the bag to hold the hand-made artist book I purchased as the gift.

Now going back to the Pussy Willows. I put the cloth bag in a recycled box and wrapped it with the brown paper bag. Then, I used jewelry wire to connected the pussy willow twigs and wrapped them around the wrapped box. 

The brown twigs and the brown paper needed a little color for contrast, so I added-in some green moss. Once this is dissembled, the pussy willows and moss can make a nice natural accent on a book shelf, table, or framed in a shadow box.