Japanese artist Maeda Baku turns tape into origami present toppers. Such a cute idea and perfect for that added touch to make your gift special! This would be so fun to try with all the pretty new tapes that are coming out lately too!

Found via The Trendy Girl

Teacher Appreciation Soap Gift by Design Mom

I hold a very special place in my heart for teachers. They are unsung heroes and key to our children’s development and achievement. At the end of each school year, I like to give my kids’ teachers a sweet “thank you” gift as a token of my appreciation.  I am constantly on the look out for new and inexpensive ideas, and I just came across a great one on Design Mom’s blog. Check it out! What teacher doesn’t appreciate being germ free? The label design is so sweet and is available as a downloadable template. For step by step instructions on how to make the gift, click here.

Fabric Tape by Annekata

I just stumbled upon another fabulous crafting blog by German artisan Annekata. Through traditional sewing and fabric arts, Annekata shares her interpretation of “slow design.”  While her craft may take love and patience, she recently posted this fantastic fabric tape tutorial that actually looks quite quick and easy. What a great idea for transforming those pesky left over fabric scraps into a punchy decorative accessory! For the full tutorial, click here.

Giant Paper Poppies via MarthaStewart.com

I just came across this fabulous giant paper poppies decoration project at MarthaStewart.com. They would make a beautiful table accent for Mother’s Day brunch. Of course, I would also suggest using them as a fanciful gift topper as well.  Grab the kids and let them join in on the fun! These poppies are super easy to make. However, the project does require using a hot glue gun, a good task to assign to the big kids in your house. Click here for the full tutorial.

Paper Mache Tutorial via The Red Thread

Last week’s Of The Hand exhibition inspired me to create and find new crafting projects, especially ones  that are kid friendly. I came across this paper mache project on The Red Thread (love her ideas!). In my house, there are certain sections of the newspaper that instantly get tossed into the recycling bin. Imagine turning next week’s  classifieds section into a gorgeous new work of art! Again, this why I love love love working with paper…what is old can become new and beautiful again and again and again!

Click here to see the full tutorial at The Red Thread. I would take this project up a notch by embellishing the paper with some natural elements, such as some fresh pressed flowers.

My first book, The Art of Gift Wrapping was released on April 6th and I’m celebrating with a book signing and cocktail reception this Saturday, April 17th at Soolip in West Hollywood, CA. Please join me! This evening event will be preceded with an afternoon exhibition, “Of the Hand” – an artisinal exhibition, featuring artisans who create beauty with their hands, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Come experience the etheral craft movement of felting by Rebecca Varon. Rebecca’s work transforms ordinary fabrics into whimsical works of art.

Let’s toast to our amazing hands and the power in each of us to create and transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. I hope to see you there!

]]> http://mothering.com/wandawen/uncategorized/celebrate-with-me-this-saturday-april-17th/feed 0 http://mothering.com/wandawen/uncategorized/tiny-blooms-big-impact http://mothering.com/wandawen/uncategorized/tiny-blooms-big-impact#comments Wed, 07 Apr 2010 06:55:46 +0000 Wanda Wen http://mothering.com/wandawen/?p=238

Untitled by Katie Helmer

Ahh Spring! I love this photo by Katie Helmer that I found on Creature Comforts blog. These tiny blooms are just bursting with color.  If you take a closer look you’ll notice that not one blossom is the same, but rather perfectly different. They would make a great gift topper.

Take look around for some Spring blooms of your own. Tie them together with some twine or waxed string, and voila! In no time you’ll have a fresh and fanciful gift topper of your own!

We’re celebrating the release of my new book, “The Art of Gift Wrapping” with a launch event at my West Hollywood store on Saturday, April 17th. There will be an exhibition of artists, “Of the Hand” from 1 to 4pm followed by a cocktail reception and book signing from 5-8pm. Please come join us! More details can be found here.

Paper lace and flowers wrap by Wanda Wen. Photograph by Jules Bianchi.

I had the most delightful trip to the farmer’s market yesterday morning. Every stall was bursting with color, especially the flower vendors. The first day of Spring brought such beautiful blooms along with it!

Naturally, the gorgeous blossoms made me think of a peony gift topper that I thought up for my book, The Art of Gift Wrapping (out April 6th!!). A sumptuous flower bouquet gift topper is always a delight to receive, as it transitions from gift to vase with ease. What beautiful blossom would you like to top your next gift with?

Fun fabric postcards by The Creative Place

Here’s a great tutorial on how to make a fabric stitched postcard quite simply. Nothing is better than being the recipient of an interesting and tactile note that you can tell took some time and thought from the sender!