In keeping with this week's theme of ohmygodistillhavesomuchtodohowdidthishappen, I'm going right into today's post. There will be no funny. None. This here is a bare, bones post with pretty pictures. And hopefully some inspiration. And intrigue. And maybe even a MURDER!
But probably not.
I have a great story about a bag of potato chips, an eye patch and a fainting goat but that's gonna have to wait until I have more time to do it justice.
Because today is about brown paper packages tied up with string. And you know what? They really are one of my favourite things.
A month or so ago, when I realized I'd be using pinecones as bows, I contacted the place that makes my chicken feed. Homestead Organics makes ... as you may have guessed unless you're really stupid ... organic feed. And their bags are beautiful. I knew I wanted to use them as my wrapping paper this year, but never in a million years were my chickens going to go through that amount of feed in a month. So the kind folks at Homestead Organics sent me a box of their unused feed bags to do my wrapping with.
It'd be a bit much if I wrapped every present in the feed bags, so I rounded things out with a buttery yellow paper and plain brown paper packages Which of course I had to tie up with string. Twine if we're being brutally honest here. Twine from the Dollar Store. Brown paper ... Dollar Store.
You probably recognize the Pinecone Bows I made last week. I added those to the presents along with the twine as ribbon and a long, fresh piece of white pine.
The tags are thin pieces of wood slices, which I just drilled a hole into and wrote on with pencil. 'Cause Laura Ingalls would have used pencil. It's all in the detail. And yes. I got the slices of wood at the Dollar Store. It was one of my great finds from last year. I had no idea what I'd use them for at the time but knew they'd make an appearance in my life at some point. If you don't happen to have slices of wood around the house I'll let you know what else you can use that you can buy just about anywhere. In a moment. But first ... the obligatory cat shot.
I think it's really important to match your wrapping to your pets. Just imagine how hideous this picture would be if I had a plaid cat. Always match to your animals.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
If you don't have the time or inclination to track down feed bags, can't find slices of wood and can't be bothered to hot glue pine cones together ... I'm not sure what the hell you're doing here. But I do have another option for you. Just wrap your presents in brown paper with twine, attach a single pinecone, and use these buff paper price tags. Beautifulllllllll. And it matches most breeds of cat and dog.
And horses.
So there you have it. Just about the cheapest wrapping job you can get and if I do say so myself, probably the prettiest. To wrap with the feedbags, I literally just stuffed the present inside and wrapped it up with tape, so whoever gets a present in a feed bag, gets to recycle the feedbag themselves as a garbage bag, table runner or pillow sham. Yay! Or ... maybe I'm the only one who thinks that's Yay!
So to recap ..
To Get this Look ...
Wrap with brown paper (Dollar Store)
Tie up with string (Dollar Store)
Adorn with Pinecone (Dollar Store or the ground)
Tag it with a manilla price tag
Shove in a piece of long greenery (whatever your neighbours happen to have growing on their front lawn)
How's that for a nice little wrapping job? I murdered it. Heh.
Catherine
Can I just say, I don't subscribe to many crafty blogs but you just crack me up. Love your writing. :)
Karen
Thanks Catherine - That's my goal. If you don't like the crafty I should at least provide you a good spit take. ~ karen
Laura
I haven't glued a pinecone to a present since about 1992 when I had a lot of free time on my hands.(There was also brown paper & plaid ribbon involved) I am going to find the time this year. Thanks for the reminder about how nice simple stuff can be, Merry Christmas! p.s. I have 2 1/2 black cats, they match everything! :)
Karen
Yes. I have to ask. 2 1/2 cats? ~ karen
Laura
haha, sorry, the third is half black & half white. Faster than saying "two black cats & a black & white cat." Makes sense to me.
Gayla T
I just love what you are doing for the economy! Since we are all spending our gift wrap money on gas and milk at double what they cost a year ago, it's now cool to use brown paper and string. However, since I now have to run out and buy a small chain saw to cut my wood tags and have chicken feed sacks overnighted from Canada by Federal Express, this might not be the saving I first thought. This close to Christmas I throw cost to the wind every year due to my stress level, I'll be using your idea, cost be damned! Have I told you lately that I love you? Hank Williams sang it long ago so I'll just have to say it. Too late to have it professionally recorded to send to you as per earlier comment, cost be damned.
Karen
Gayla T - Thank you! I love you too. Well ... we don't actually know each other. So i'm probably more fond of you than anything. Feel free send the song in the New Year when things calm down. ~ karen
kelliblue
LURVE! simple really is best, innit? and your packages prove that...they're beeyootiful.
but your kitty cat made me go 'awwwwwwwww' right out loud--those EYES! i have a gray cat, and you'd better believe 3/4 of everything i own is gray: sweaters, pants, linens, towels...i might have an inch of gray fur everywhere but hey, if i can't see it, it doesn't exist, right? :)
Aimee
Happily, it also matches pretty much everything rodenty - chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats, bunnies. You've got 'em covered. Not that there are any rodents in MY house, but if I had them, I'd be relieved to have matching gift wrap for them.
Karen
Aimee - Of course. Can't forget the rodents. ~ karen!
Angela in Spokane
Beautiful, Karen! :) I just love all the upcycling you do.
Melanie
What the hell am I doing here?...I am living vicariously through you, of course! Like I'd think to wrap my presents in feed bags and use pine cones and wood slices as tags...yeah, about as much as I'd think to grow my own wheat, harvest it, mill it, and make my own bread. Let's just say - umm - that you are quite a bit more talented and creative than I am.
My wrapping will consist of finding the appropriate sized gift bags and stuffing the present in there with some tissue paper.
I think if I ever received a gift wrapped as cool as yours, I wouldn't even want to open it. I'd just sit and stare at it for a long time.
Cheers & Blessings,
Melanie
Nancy
Well Karen..I hate to tell a sad story among all this fun..but you brought up the subject of matching your decor to your cat and I just have to tell you this sad story..when ever I pass the nearest SPCA animal shelter..I often stop to visit the animals and give them some love and attention..I was talking with a staff member one day about a certain beautiful Siamese that was there..she told me that the owners brought her there because they had remolded..changed the decor of their home to country style and she no longer matched..unbelievable huh..that kitty got some extra hugs that day..Your kitty is so lucky to have you..
Karen
Nancy - It doesn't surprise me. People are idiots and a lot of people get pets for ... well, I have no idea why. They certainly aren't pet people. Or they buy dogs that clearly don't fit their lifestyle and then end up getting rid of them because the dog is "bad". The dog isn't bad, the dog just wasn't right for them and they didn't do their research. ~ karen!
Angela in Spokane
Cats are people too!! :(
DianneT
Yah! to this post. I just found your blog recently and have been reading lots of the older posts as well. You absolutely crack me up! And Karen, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE LOVE your foyer!!! Can't see enough of it in your posts.
Meg
Fail, Karen, fail. You were totally amusing, if not funny, in that post. I want my money back!
Or something...
Brie
I take brown paper from my dollar store and stamp it with a snowflake stamp and white ink. I wrap it up with twine or a nice fabric ribbon. Seriously Karen, your pinecone bows took it to a whole new level this year! I will totally give you credit when everyone ooh's and ahh's while unwrapping. Thanks!
Cheryl K
Karen, You. Are. Awesome! And I know Awesome. My sister is Awesome. I'm Awesome in training. Love the tree, the presents, the cat, the picture, the tree skirt...and the chickens. Yes, I know there isn't a chicken in this post, but without the chickens there wouldn't be feed...no feed, no feed bags. No bags, no gift wrap... And as we say in my family...you just ain't right, not even close. (that's a compliment, BTW.)
Rurh
haha! not funny. not at all. :) I close my eyes and pretend I'm on your porch with the chicken and then by your tree. Perfectly Christmas!
Sue
Karen, how do you keep your feline out of the tree?
Seriously.
Karen
Sue - The only time this particular cat ever showed any interest in climbing up the tree was when she was a kitten. Now she's more interested in sleeping under it. ~ karen
Sherri
Just so you know...I'm waiting for that "great story about a bag of potato chips, an eye patch and a fainting goat." And I will bug you mercilessly until you deliver. Do not make empty promises to your readers because they never forget. Bwa-ha-ha!
Jules
Love this look Karen! - I have been using Brown paper for years and bc its so plain- its easy to dress up! I love the pine cones you did but not sure I can get to that this year..I use old video tape ribbon too (Danny Tseo I think I got that idea from)..everyone has an old vcr tape..and it gives it some shine..but keeps it plain. LOVE THE FEED BAGS!!! thanks as always :)
Liz S.
Love a Country Christmas. It's how Christmas is meant to be. We used nothing but Dollar General wrapping paper, but it all looks more country and traditional. I hate wrapping paper full of silly cartoon characters.
Annabelle
Oh Karen! You ARE funny.
And you are the first to make me smile after my horrible horrible week.
YAY! to the gift wrap idea.
Simple yet lovely.
Love!
Karen
Thanks Annabelle. Hope your week gets better. ~ k
Annabelle
Yeap it did! Must be the Christmas magic!
Jennifer
What I am wondering is WHERE are the blown-out egg ornaments on your tree?
I have cut down spaghetti boxes (oh, that's right...you use bagged spaghetti...but still...) for little jewelry and stocking gifts in need of a little box...also washing out a potato chip bag, turn it inside out...poof! Shiny wrapping bag...and stong enough for a mailing package.
But then you would have to eat the chips first. Painful, I know.
You need an egg ornament on that tree. Just sayin.
Margaret
all i can say is...........AWESOME!!!!!