December 2nd, 2009
Alton DuLaney, Scotch® Brand Most Gifted Wrapper for 2008
Do what you love with all your heart and you’ll find yourself in the most fun and exciting places! Today I’m following my bliss to NYC to judge the Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper Contest. Think Top Chef, but for gift wrapping. Yes, the competition is that intense! Each year, eight of our nation’s most talented gift wrappers race against the clock and each other as they attempt to perfectly wrap the ultimate odd shaped gifts – like golf clubs, tiered candy dishes, and even a baby grand piano!
The contest will take place this Friday, December 4, 8:30 a.m. at Rockefeller Center, NYC . If you’re in NYC, be sure to stop by and say hello!
This is my third year judging the contest, and every year I’ve had such a ball. Watching the contestants is thrilling! I empathize with their initial moments of frustration over the unforgiving packages, then the sudden bursts of creativity, and finally, the adding of the finishing touches-crisp creases and perfectly tied bows-with such gusto! By the end of the competition I always want to give each contestant first place for their effort. But, only one person can be crowned the Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper and take home a $10,000 cash prize. That’s right, $10k!
What can I say, it pays to follow your bliss, in more ways than one. I encourage all of you to follow your passion, no matter what it might be. Let love be your guide and the adventure will surely be a thrilling and fulfilling one.
Tags: art of gift wrapping, bliss, contest, gift topper, gift wrap, Gift Wrapping, gifts, love, new york city, NYC, paper, passion, Rockerfeller Center, Scotch Brand, Scotch Brand Most Gifted Wrapper, Soolip, Soolip Blog, Top Chef, Wanda Wen
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October 20th, 2009
Nature's Inspiration
The holidays are upon us and I naturally start thinking of gift wrapping. I have forever been inspired by nature. Somehow, a touch of Mother Nature is all it takes for one to feel centered and at peace inside. I encourage you to scour your immediate environment for uncommon wrapping materials – your closets, your kitchen cabinets, your stashes of fabric, your garden, your office supply room at work. In this photo, I have used a green bark paper for the bottom gift, and a tea-stained piece of cheesecloth surrounds to gift at top. A sprig from a peppercorn tree graces the top secured by multiple wraps of a skinny gold twine (available at beading or sewing shops). Take a walk around your neighborhood and you are bound to find a great assortment of nature’s treasures.
For all you gift wrap lovers, stay tuned for my first book, The Art of Gift Wrapping, debuting April 2010, published and distributed by PotterCraft/Random House. This book is a visually stunning and tantalizing, inspiring, resourceful how-to on the art of gift wrapping. The photography was done by my dear friend Jules Bianchi, www.julesbianchi.com, and who also is available to shoot cool family portraits!
I welcome you to visit me at www.soolip.com and www.soolip.blogspot.com.
And remember ……. live each day with beauty and inspiration.
Tags: bark paper, bead, beading, cheesecloth, fabric, gift topper, gift wrap, Gift Wrapping, gifts, holiday, holidays, Jules Bianchi, materials, Mother Nature, Nature, paper, peace, peppercorn, PotterCraft, Random House, Soolip, Soolip Blog, soul, The Art of Gift Wrapping, twine, Wanda Wen
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October 11th, 2009
I wanted to share this photo I took on a recent nature hike with my kids in Jacksonville, Oregon. I stopped dead in my tracks when I caught sight of this tree and its peeling bark that so simulated paper. Mother Nature produces such stunning beauty, doesn’t she?
Tags: art of gift wrapping, bark, hike, I wanted to share this photo of peeling bark of a tree I stumble upon during a beautiful nature walk with my kids in Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Mother Nature, Nature, Oregon., paper, peeling bark, Soolip, tree, wanda, Wanda Wen, zen
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