Gift Wrapped 3 ways

One of my very favourite things about buying gifts, especially at this time of year is getting to wrap them up. I love paper-crafts and for me wrapping presents is just an extension of my favourite hobby. You may remember last year we even held a gift wrapping workshop! Getting to play with embellishments and glitter is just the best part of the gift buying process for me. It can make even the most mundane gift voucher that little bit more exciting to open. 

Most of my family have asked either for money or vouchers this year so for a bit of fun I have taken some kraft gift boxes and decorated them up to put their vouchers and money in, to make them a little more exciting than just a card. I got a little carried away and whilst I was at it I thought I would make some extras to share with you all.  I went with three themes to help inspire you to have a go at some different wrapping ideas this Christmas. 

All That Glitters

Use mini Christmas decorations to embellish, I also love wooden decals often sold for card making and sequins sprinkled like glitter. Copper and rose gold make a luxury statement, I used copper flakes on double sided tape and copper tape. Use even the smallest scraps of expensive gift wrap to make tags or add strips to basic papers to give a splash of glitz. 

Merry and Bright
Why not make your gifts stand out from the crowd by using a neon theme. By using simple tools like paper punches, fine liner pens and washi tape you can create simple but stunning wrapping that will have your family and friends reaching for the sunglasses. Hand write little phrases onto scraps of card or stickers to create funky gift tags. These star ones were 'sale' price tags from Ryman.

Trendy Traditional
A classic colour combination with a twist, red and white paired with aqua blue freshens up the traditional colour pallet. Use playful motifs like reindeer, penguins and gingerbread men to add a touch cuteness for kiddos or adults. Doilies look lovely as a classic pairing with good old bakers twine. Use fun fabrics to wrap gifts, it doubles as part of the gift if you are giving them to a crafty friend.

Do you like wrapping gifts or are you a last minute bung it in a bag kind of person? I have a last minute stash of tissue paper and gift bags at the ready just in case too! Which theme do you like the best? Which wrapping idea's will you be using this year?

Sammy xxx

This post is not sponsored.
Supplies from Hobbycraft, Marks and Spencer, Card Department, Sew Crafty, Amazon, Papercutz, Sainsbury's, Studio Calico, Ryman, Paperchase and Fox and Star.


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Autumn Wishlist Home Edition

Lamp / Throw / Clock / Cushion / Mug / Basket / Cushion / Fox / Lamp

I love changing up my wardrobe for the Autumn but I also love making our home cosy and comfy for snugly evenings in. I have been making notes of some little bits that I have found to make our living space more autumnal. For me H&M are rocking it in the home department right now! They have some really affordable pieces that make an easy finishing touch to any room. What pieces have you bought lately to get your home ready for the colder weather?

Sammy x

 Live, Love, Make, Like, Share, Follow, Tweet, Pin, Add, Enjoy. 

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Breakthrough Breast Cancer AW13 Fashion, Accessories and Homewears collections

Next Tuesday, the 1st of October marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month here in the UK so its a great time to show your support for the great work that this and other Breast Cancer charities do to help us have a Future Free from Breast Cancer, a World Free from Breast Cancer.  

You may remember our recent post about our trip to the Breakthrough Breast Cancer HQ and the Great Pink Bake Off? Well, the other reason we were invited up to BtBC HQ was to view their Autumn/Winter Fashion and home accessories lines. Breakthrough are always working hard to get the best brands on board to donate a percentage of the retail price of these products to their charity and this season was no exception. From brands they had worked with before like Ghd and Debenhams to newer homeware lines from Sainsbury's and Laura Ashley, to accessories from Stella and Dot, it was a sea of pink glamour. 

We were treated to lunch of wraps and yummy sandwiches from Tossed, the healthy sandwich company.

After a healthy snack we got to view the vintage/shabby chic homewares from Sainsbury's and Laura Ashley which were some of our favourites, I loved these trio of white baskets from Sainsbury's...

and the floral bird wall paper by Laura Ashley.

These pretty mugs would be perfect for those late night cosy hot chocolates. 

A new addition to the group is the U.S. based Galmglow who have produced a special edition mud mask, which smelled lovely, can't wait to get my hands on some of that and have a pamper day. Long time partners Avon have produced a Viva Pink nail colour and the Avon crusade pink pin.

Ghd have been working with Breakthrough for a few years now and every year they donate money from their sales of their limited edition Pink styling wands to the charity. This years metallic magenta pink paired with a paddle brush may mean that I am purchasing a new pair! There is also £20 off if you use the code 'GHD20' £10 still goes to BtBC.

Another long time partner of Breakthrough is Debenhams who have chosen some of their top designers to design pieces for this years collection, including Preen, Ben De Lisi and Betty Jackson. I also had my eye on this cosy coral jumper by Warehouse.

I am in love with this Rose Gold Stella and Dot rose gold cuff! They are currently one of my favourite brands for accessories, I am saving for one of their purses at the moment, this cuff may have to be added to the shopping basket at the same time...

Stella and Dot have also designed a scarf, earrings, a necklace and a bracelet for this collection, they are all so pretty.

I loved the cute sketchy perfume bottle and bow design on the M&S lingerie line, it is a shame that the bra does't go up to my size, but I found the satin wrap dressing gown in the same fabric does, so that is on my wish list.

H was loving the Ben Di Lisi sequin dress from Debenhams.

There are also pieces from Adidas, Pandora, and My-wardrobe.com . If you want to check out the full collection head over to the Lookbook you can also find out more about the Great Pink Bake Off.

All the companies we saw do such an amazing job at producing a stunning line of products that donate at least 10% of the price to this brilliant charity. It is really nice to see a charity always looking forward with such a modern approach to fundraising.  For instance if you are a fan of the game Candy Crush Saga, during the month of October there is a special candy to purchase that all the money from that goes to Breakthrough Breast cancer, so make sure you have look out for that one in October. 

Thanks again to the team at Breakthrough Breast Cancer for having us to visit. We had such a lovely, informative morning, it is always such a pleasure.

Sammy and H

xxx