Wrapping as Red as Rudolph's Nose + Link Up!

As you may know, I am addicted to packaging ideas. 

Gabe and I get really excited to pick out what will be St. Nicks wrapping paper to the kids, and what will be the rest. I found all my supplies at Hobby Lobby this year. Their wrapping paper is thick + it has a grid on the back to help cut straight lines. Double plus. Here are a few that are sitting under our tree...

Would LOVE to see your wrapping ideas! 

Link up below if you have a wrapping and packaging related post. It can be from whenever, and doesn't require a link back. You only need to leave a title and the link to the post! That way, everyone else can see your post as well:) If you create the post in the next week, definately link back so more people can join the fun!

Counting down the days till the big birthday of the King of Kings on the 25th!!

St. Nicholas Surprise Bags

My family celebrates the feast of St. Nicholas, where the tradition is to put out your shoes or stockings for him to fill. This comes from the story that St. Nicholas placed gold coins in a poor families' stockings that were hanging to try to help them get out of financial debt and slavery. (You can read the story here.)

Well yesterday, I wanted to create little packages to give to my 1st grade students and children (for their stockings) in honor of his celebration day:) You can easily create a version yourself...

I used the following:

Chocolate Gold Coins

Mini Paper Bags. 

(These Chevron bags are from Monograham. You can also find them here.)

Washi Tape (Mine is from Urban Scarlet)

 

Imagine the possibilities:) So many fun surprises you could place in these little packages.

They would make a fantastic advent calendar as well!

Do you celebrate St. Nicholas?? I loved hearing some of your traditions on facebook!

P.S. Thanks to all of you who have entered the giveaway so far!

Take 3: Pretty Packaging worth Note...

This will not be the last post you see on brilliant packaging before the holidays:) Hope this provides some creative inspiration for gift giving!

(West Elm via Wit + Delight)

(Minimega via Inspired to Share)

(Felt envelopes - Martha Stewart via Pinterest)

You all know I am crazy about packaging ideas:) Feel free to share some good finds!

I am excited to share some fun shop finds daily on the fan page to help you with gift hunting this year! (In addition to the Gift Guide) So keep checking back!

Also, LAST CALL so submit your shop for an ad spot in the Holiday Gift Guide. Just a few spots left, and very affordable price for some great exposure for your business! Check here to download rates.

Packages tied up in fabric.

(Wedfully via Pinterest)

There are lots of birthdays, births, and weddings going on lately which I love....it means its spring time. Since I am always looking for creative ways to package and gift, this idea immediately had my attention! Aren't they lovely? Such a simple way to take your gift to the next level:)

*Closed* Ultimate Valentine Party Package Giveaway

Because I love you readers so much (really you all are the best!), I wanted to hold the 2nd annual Valentine Party Package Giveaway! I gathered up some of my favorite items and shop owners to offer only some of the BEST party details to make someone's Valentine's Day one big happy party:D Can you tell I am excited about this??! So whether you are a fan of the day of love or not, this party package has to make you smile:)

TO ENTER (must be a follower or subscriber of IHOD) - up to 6 Entries! :

1) IMPORTANT: Party hop! Visit at least two of the shops below and leave a comment for each of your favorite items from the shops you visit. The more shops you visit, the greater your chances! They are being super generous to host, so show them some love!

1) Just Bitten Set of Three Poms - PomTree

2) Choice of TWO spools of Divine Twine (your cholor choice) - Whisker Graphics

3) LOVE Valentine Banner - BekahJennings (Also, she is offering a 20% discount this week only to IHOD readers! Enter IHOD20 at checkout!)

4) Be Mine Cupcake Toppers - ThePrettyPaperie (Be sure and check her blog for a budget friendly Valentine Party this week!)

5) Set of 12 Stir Sticks - LemonandLavender

6) 10 Valentine Design Gift Tags - InspireLovely

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

2) Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about the giveaway and let me know you did so!

example tweet: Just entered the #giveaway for a Valentine Party Package from @inhonorofdesign!

*Giveaway will run from now through Sunday night the 30th. Open to international readers.

Okay and finally, the lucky lucky winner of the Sienna Bag Giveaway .... #63 - AZ!! Will be emailing you for details on your new handbag! Thank you all who entered!

*CLosed* Handmade Holiday Giveaway - The Gilded Bee

My crafty little heart went crazy when I found the Gilded Bee Shop. This one is for all you ladies who love to gift wrap, scrapbook, or make pretty presents:) Eat your heart out! This shop is loaded with goodies, and Sasha has offered a huge bundle to giveaway to an IHOD reader!

Here is a list of the kit goodies:

* 6 asst. trifle boxes

* Roll of scarlet ruffled crepe trim

* 15 ft. thick white cotton twine

* 15 ft. thick strawberry striped cotton twine

* 1 bouquet Cream petite millinery daisy flowers

* 1 bouquet Shell Pink petite millinery daisy flowers

* 6 ft. Silver sequin trim

* 6 ft. Gold sequin trim

* 3 ft. Silver tinsel trim

* 12 Golden yellow wallpaper medallions

* 12 red mod seals

* 12 chocolate bows

* 12 Scarlet tags

* 12 Aqua/ cream label tags

How to Enter (must be a subscriber or follower of IHOD):

1) Visit the Gilded Bee and leave a comment with your favorite items from her shop.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

2) Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about the giveaway (separate comment for each).

example tweet: Just entered the @inhonorofdesign handmade holiday #giveaway from the Gilded Bee!

3) Add The Gilded Bee to Favorites on Etsy

4) Become a fan of IHOD on facebook 


Don't want to wait? She's having a Holiday Sale! You can stock up on supplies now:)

We have a lucky winner of the Lemon and Lavender Holiday Card Giveaway! #26 - Laure!!

Will be contacting you shortly! Thanks to all who entered!

DIY: Up-cycled Wallpaper Wrap

Grace from Grace Hester Designs asked me to help her with a fun task and create a DIY Wrapping idea that is kid-friendly.She is a new contributer over at Oh-My! Handmade. 

As an art teacher, I learned fast how to use the resources you have on hand to turn them into something fun and creative for the kids. If you have any old wallpaper samples, they actually make great gift wrap! You can also head to  a local interior design store and ask if they have any wallpaper books they are getting rid of. (That's how I got mine;) Relatives and friends love when there is a personal touch to their holiday gift. You can get your kids involved by asking them to trace the insides of their favorite cookie cutters on the back of the paper or embellish the front side. Coloring in and around designs with red, silver, or gold is a fun way to turn standard wallpaper into personalized Christmas wrap:) 

Here's to making the season merry and bright with your children on board!

Holiday Packaging - Sweet Paul Magazine

After eating up every page of the current issue of Sweet Paul Mag, I was motivated to make every gift I give more personal this year-whether it be handmade wrapping paper, handmade card, etc.

These were a few of my favorite examples of the perfect Christmas packaging. I think everything is better with kraft paper:) If you have ordered from my shop, you probably noticed how your item came in kraft tissue and kraft bag:) Hope these examples inspire you to avoid the standard gift bag this year!

Also, lots of great things going on here on IHOD right now so here is the round up!:

1). The Handmade Holiday Gift Guide will launch next week (to help you avoid Black Friday madness;)  So if you had an item from your shop to submit, now is the time to do so!

2.) A few more fabulous Handmade Giveaways will be taking place in the next few weeks. Don't miss out on the current Stocking Giveaway from RikRak Studio!

3.) I have just a few spots left for December Advertising! Email me if you would like the info packet.

And that's a WRAP! ;) :) :D

DIY Feature: Candy Pouches & Sweets Box

I was completely smitten by this DIY from Melissa Esplin found via Nice Package.

Two blogs, you should not live without! :) Another fave....

Sweets Box Template! You can download over at ISLY

*If you have a holiday DIY you would like to submit for a feature, please email me: anna@inhonorofdesign.com


SO THANKFUL today for those men and women who have sacrificed much in service for our country, and fighting to protect those who do not have the freedoms we are privileged to have. I think of them today and their families. We are heading to a parade this morning to celebrate and honor them! :)

Product Packaging: Hanger Tea + Illusion Tape

(via Yankodesign)

(Mmiinn via Design Mom)

I was always fascinated with product packaging when I studied Graphic Design. It really is an art form. These are two examples I was crazy about! Brilliant, right?!

As we get closer to the holidays I will also start to share some beautiful gift packaging ideas:) Stay tuned!

*THANKYOU to all of you who have left feedback so far as to what you would like to see more of this year on IHOD! I so greatly appreciate it. If you missed the post. Please read!

Paperie DIY's

I came across some noteworthy DIY's this week....both using paper leaves! These projects are simple to make, require few supplies, and make fantastic decor!

Paper wreath DIY - Sassy Smolak via Avie Designs

(Book Flowers via Room Polish)

These are fantastic blogs by the way- you can find the full instructions there!

I finished Radiant magazine:) Thank you for the well wishes! Can't wait for the launch! 

Embellish Your Gift Wrap!

I use Creature Comforts Blog as a fantastic resource for DIY's. Here is just one example....

Who would have thought....the base of celery stalks makes the perfect flower?! Brilliant!

I love any form of DIY packaging...For the detailed instructions, visit here!

  

Don't forget to head over to Style Your Life to enter the giveaway for any item in my shop:)

Wednesday Artistry Feature: Tara Anderson

Hoping to participate in this year's lovely package exchange....in the process of looking through last years examples, I came across Tara's work and was in awe! Every photo in her Flickr stream is loaded with inspiration and artistry!

Find Tara Here:

Blog | Flickr 

          

Monday Inspiration: Product Packaging Part 2

I can't get enough! I had so many fun product packaging inspiration pictures that I had to do round two! Also wanted to show you a little taste of how I package my items:) Thanks to Hooray for supplying me! I also get my tags from her which you see in my shop pics:)

Clockwise from top left:

In Honor Of Design 

Moyou 

Tessaann 

Clothkits via Samyii 

If you have any fun product pics to share - email me! anna.liesemeyer (at) gmail.com Will surely be doing another post on packaging soon:)

Can't wait to announce the winner of the giveway tomorrow!! Thanks to all who participated!

     

Monday Inspiration: Product Packaging Part 1

Since I started my etsy shop in September, I have been tweaking my product packaging as I go along. I pretty much have it where I want it to be...just working on labels. Along the way I have found some packaging examples that are inspiring to me for their originality, professionalism, and consistency with their shop design. Have a look! Which do you like best? Don't these want to make you order something from them? :D

1) MafeMaria 

2) OhHelloFriend 

3) EstaSketch 

4 & 5) Nice Package 

Stay tuned this week for an exciting giveaway!!! Happy Monday!