All Wrapped Up & Ready To Go!

I love giving presents but I really love wrapping them!  I have always wanted my own gift wrapping business because it's so much fun making the outside look as good as what's inside the box!  I've always said, I don't care what's in the package, the wrapping is what's so much fun.  Here is a simple gift wrapping idea that I think will be great for the holidays even though the gifts pictured are wrapped in all occasion wrapping paper.  For those of you who have to mail packages and want them to arrive festive, this is the way to go!  No bows to worry about smashing and if you have to travel to your Christmas destination these packages stack wonderfully in your car.  I love monograms!  Everyone loves a personalized gift so why not package it personalized as well.  You begin by wrapping the package as you normally would but instead of sticking one of those pre-made bows on the box that will fall off a hundred times before you give the gift, print the recipient's monogram on a nice cardstock and cut it to the desired size.  Cut another piece of contrasting cardstock for your backing or "mat".  I used a corner punch on the first package to give it a feminine touch.  If you don't have a corner punch that's okay, cut the mat 1/2 inch larger than the monogram sheet.  That will give you a 1/4 inch border and using double sided tape mount the monogram onto the mat.  Wrap your ribbon around the package and then using the same double-sided tape, stick the monogram over the ribbon...and there you have it!  A simple, elegantly wrapped gift.  This is a great idea for wrapping gifts for men...they don't like bows anyway!  The one I have pictured here I didn't even put a mat on the back of the monogram.  I have used this idea to wrap wedding gifts and I use the last initial of the groom in the middle, the left the first initial of the bride and on the right the first initial of the groom.  You can use any font on your computer. These are "monogram fonts" that I purchased at http://www.fontbros.com/ and they are very reasonably priced! They are in the "Harold's Fonts" collection.  Another great thing about this is you don't have to use gift cards.  I usually enclose a card stating who the gift is from but you can also tape a calling card to the back.  Now have fun wrapping those Christmas gifts early and just stack them in your closet until the tree goes up!  If you have any questions, just email me at sweetteaandpearlsblog@gmail.com.  More gift wrapping ideas to come!!  ~Becky

                                                                                                                             

I've Jumped On The Band Wagon!

I have finally decided it's time to start a blog! Not that what I have to say is all that important but, I love to share. I love to share decorating ideas, craft ideas, foods I love to cook and special memories that I hope others will enjoy reading. I'm not really sure what all I will include on this blog so it will be a surprise from day to day to see what will pop up. I love the south and all that it holds, therefore a lot of what I will share will have a southern twist. For a long time I have memories from my childhood that keep popping up in my mind. Obviously these memories must have a special meaning or I wouldn't keep thinking about them, so from time to time I will share them with you and maybe you have some of the same memories and just need someone to stir the cobwebs in your brain.

First I would like to share a little about myself. I am a Christian and I give God credit for everything. Yes, the good and the bad. I don't believe God causes bad things to happen, but I do believe He allows it to help me be a better person. I truly believe there is good in everything. More on that later. I love to be creative! I sew, cook, craft, garden, decorate, monogram and entertain and I go on very little sleep. Every once in a while it does catch up with me and I crash! All of these things are fun and wonderful but there is one pitfall . . . I have a hard time just buying something already made! I will see it in the store, turn it over in my hand, turn it over in my brain and then say, "I think I can make this!" Another late night figuring out how it's made and then trying it out! A few months ago I gave a bridal shower to a friend of my daughter and I had made several of the items I gave as a gift. The bride to be was very grateful for her gifts and commented on how pretty the wrapping paper was and asked where I got it. Another young lady piped up and said, "She probably made it!" That's how bad I am. I am addicted to fabric stores, obsess over ribbon and can never have enough cook books! But that's just me! I do, however, enjoy just sitting down with a good book on my screened porch.

I hope you enjoy this blog, I have lots to share with you! So pull up a chair and sit a spell, there's no telling what I will come up with to talk about! I thought this graphic would best describe me and the things that make me happy! If you would like to create one you can go to http://www.wordle.net/. Until later . . . ~Becky

A special thank you to my sweet daughter Brooke over at Shrimp and Glitz for creating my beautiful header!