Have you ever picked up a book or magazine that made you feel totally inadequate?? I was in the library recently & saw this new book on the shelf, Presentations: A Passion for Gift Wrapping by Carolyn Roehm. I love looking at pretty pictures, so thought I’d bring it home & browse through it. And wow, at the pretty pics inside! The packages that I wrap & give to friends have no resemblance to anything in this book, but it was fun to look at. Please tell me yours don’t either! I have to tell you that my passion for gift wrapping is missing in action. My first inclination when I have to wrap a gift is to throw it in the nearest bag that fits the present & is the right theme bag for what I need. I’d love to take the time to wrap pretty packages, but sadly, I just do not do that. These are so, so pretty & I thought y’all might like to see them too. Will it change our lives & make us turn over a new gift wrapping leaf…turning out prettily wrapped packages with unique & frilly bows that are just too gorgeous to take apart? I doubt it, but we can dream, right?!
(click to enlarge all the pics, you don’t want to miss these details!)
Weren’t those just fabulous packages & tablescapes? If you do this already, I don’t think I want to hear about it. I’m feeling terribly inept all of a sudden…the wrapping fairy did not visit my house.
Oooh, what gorgeous pictures. I’ll have to look for that book. I try to wrap my gifts with a little bit of flourish, but those pictured would really take a bit of time don’t you think. I don’t do all that. I like the idea of doing it though! Love that one with the doggy print paper!
Manuela
Hi Rhoda,
I have this same book and had the same response when I opened it up too! Just beautiful!
Hugs 🙂
Carol
I’ve checked this one out from the library before. I love a beautifully wrapped gift. I admit I only go all out on a gift-wrap if the recipient is one who appreciates the effort. My step Mom, my Sister in law always love a pretty gift!
Oh my, I WANT to have presents that are wrapped as beautifully…sometimes I even try…but sadly it is most often a pretty bag and tissue.
Can anyone else possibly have better taste than Carolyne Roehm? The photographs are a feast for the eyes.
Hi Rhoda
I love Carolyn Rhoem! This book is fabulous…might have to see if I can find it. I used to do up a package more than I do now. I feel inspired, just looking at these photos!
Pat
Gorgeous photos…I go to some effort with gifts, but mostly at Christmas when the gifts themselves can be considered decorations for a few weeks!
Wow!!!
I love all of those pictures, especially the Fall.
I am one of those people who have to wrap a pretty package, but I’m not that good.
Amazing,
Rosemary
I used to be much better about wrapping…and then sort of fell into the any ol’ giftbag lyin’ about thing…but I’m recovering from that slump 🙂
nothing as great as these! the one I love best? the yellow with the butterflies…who wouldn’t be just in a panic to open that box?!
and I meant to e-mail you…the package arrived, every thing wonderful & safe 🙂
thanks
I LOVE to wrap presents! I have to get this book. There were a few times where I spent more money on wrapping a gift than I spent of the gift intself! I’m so competitive with some things in my life and this is one of them…I always want to have the most beautifully wrapped gift at a party. It’s sound so horrible now that I’m actually writing about this! oh well…
Love the ideas! I am a wrapping fanatic (yes, at Christmas I make a special trip just for paper and bows that all coordinate!). I love real ribbon and real, hand tied bows…presentation…it’s in the details!
I absolutely adore Carolyn Roehm’s creativity! I have several of her books. You should see her gardens!
What beautiful wrapping and table scapes. I am lucky if I don’t have two huge lumps on the ends ~ cause I’m too lazy sometimes to cut off the excess! How shameful.
Gonna have to nab some of those ideas for future wrappings.
Thanks for sharing.
Blessings
Those are so beautiful…the boxes could be empty and the gift would be the pretty package itself!
Love the ones with the black and white checked ribbon…and the blue and white made me think of Sue (Susie Q)@ Rabbit Run Cottage! I may have to get this book! Thanks for sharing.
Wow Rhoda, they’re just to beautiful to open.
Hugs,
Judy (in McDonough)
Rhoda, I love her designs, and the photos today were especially lovely!
Hi again, Rhoda 🙂 I’m so glad that you enjoyed the photos. Since that sod is new (and my sons worked so hard putting it in for me—DS1 was thrilled to get me free golf course sod), we’ve watered like crazy this year. The crape myrtle misses most of that, though, because of where it is planted…it’s such a good shrub around here, isn’t it?
Yes, I use Picasa for those effects. I’m known in our family as a bad photographer, and my son can’t believe that those are my photos on my blog. 🙂 Thank goodness for digital, and Picasa!… even *I* can be a photographer! 😉
I use the “soft focus” in the “effects” part of the program. It has two sliding control buttons that let you control the amount (area) and depth of the soft focus part, so I just play with those two controls until I get the effect I’m wanting. If you can’t find it, let me know and I’ll try to give better instructions! 🙂
It seems to me that the paper doesn’t have to be fancy at all as long as you invest some time and money in the bow and some extra “flair”.
After all the time and energy I put into finding the gifts, I don’t think I have much left to be creative about the wrapping. At least I am neat and crease corners, which my new family makes fun of! Hey, I learned it from my dad.
http://sunnypondhome.blogspot.com
Oh, My! Those are beautiful! But, I’m like you…I usually just look for a bag. Except at Christmas. I do get a little more into it then.. I love to wrap in brown craft paper and use pretty ribbons. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
My first job was working in the gift wrap department~ We didn’t do anything as precious as this!
Great ideas!