Card of the week: Handmade string card

I’ve often been attracted to the lovely vibrant colours of this string/twine sold in hardware stores. It’s great to see a creative way of using it that doesn’t involve staking tomatoes…

Image from www.nobiggie.net

Why we love it:
  • The blocks of colour give an attractive “rainbow” effect. You could just use all one colour (blue for a guy, pink for a female), alternate colours: blue/yellow/blue/yellow or use tonal colours like red and pink. 
  • We love the 3 dimensional effect of the text on the string and the string on the card base. 
  • The glittery text adds another lovely texture. 
  • You could apply the string to any coloured base for a different effect. The white base is fresh, but black or red would also be striking. 
  • You could experiment with wool, embroidery thread, ribbon – anything you can wrap around a card to create this look. 
  • This is a very versatile look – apply this idea to any sized/shape card, gift tags, occasion, etc. 
  • It’s simple – you don’t need to be “crafty” to nail this projects:-)
What occasion would you use a card like this for? 
We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

Gift wrapping idea of the week: Stars, spots and wool

This gift wrapping style uses very simple materials for maximum impact…

Images from www.pinkfrilly.com

Why we love it:
  • All you need to create this look is a bit of kraft paper or plain white paper and a strip of contrasting paper (ideally with a pattern), some wool and card to to cut out a star shape. 
  • This would be a magical wrapping style of a child’s birthday present – you could even make sure the wand is durable enough for the child to use as a toy afterwards. 
  • These neutral colours work well for girls or boys, but you could play around with tonal variations of pink and blue if you wanted to make your wrapping more gender specific. 
  • You could also add some glitter to the stars to make them stand out even more. 
  • Play around with other shapes such as hearts instead of stars to personalise for different recipients/occasions. 
What colour combination would you choose for this wrapping style? We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: Cognac Gift Set

If you know someone who loves their Cognac, we have the perfect gift for them…

Cognac gift set – finally a gift for cognac enthusiasts!

Why we love this set:
  • It’s great value as it includes lots of lovely accessories: 2 Cognac glasses (3.5 oz glass), 2 leatherette coasters, 1 flask (10 oz stainless steel), 1 stainless steel funnel
  • All pieces are beautifully presented in a leather-look case
  • Whilst wine and beer lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to gifts, it’s refreshing to see a gift for cognac lovers too
  • You could also use this set for whisky, as well as cognac
  • Great for travelling – simply take a flask of your favourite cognac with you. 

Handmade gift of the week: Light bulb Terrariums

This is one handmade gift idea that’s made it to the top of my ‘wish list’ – who wouldn’t love receiving one of these little bulbs of joy?

Image from www.coco29.com 
Why we love it:
  • They look simple to make, and inexpensive with limited materials: bulb, plant, growing medium and string. A word of caution though, choose your bulb carefully. You want a good quality one that doesn’t look like it’s going to crumble in your hand as you’re working with it. We would also recommend wearing a pair of gloves to protect your hand when handling the glass, in case it shatters. 
  • Who doesn’t love plants? This would be a great gift for anyone – men, women, children. You can select your plant and growing medium to suit your recipient. Plain white Perlite or little rocks would be suitable for an adult, but maybe brightly coloured stones and the inclusion of a little toy, like a fairy would make this magic for a child. 
  • You could make a few and cluster them together, like a living mobile in your home or children’s bedroom. This takes the concept of hanging plants to the next level!
  • Terrariums have made a revival lately, so this is a very ‘on trend’ gift and home decorating idea. 

Where would you hang one of these in your home? 
We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: Kinuya Japan Blue Leather

There are wallets, and then there are wallets. This selection of handmade leather accessories from Japanese brand, Kinuya have a special story behind them…
Kinuya Japan Blue Leather accessories
Why we love Kinuya:
  • The unique blue colour of the leather used for these high-quality accessories is created by dying it with the leaves from the indigo plant (indigofera polygonum). 
  • This dying process, known as “Ai-zome” has been used in Japan since the 5th century.
  • This natural dying process eliminates the need for the use of many chemicals used in leather dying and finishing processes. 
  • Each piece in the Kinuya range is handmade in Japan from high quality leather. 
  • Kinuya’s products can be easily identified by their embossed family crest – a small rabbit.
  • Mr Gift is the exclusive retailer of the Kinuya brand in Australia. 
Kinuya products are:
  • Great gifts for men (or women) who have discerning taste and appreciate high-quality leather accessories
  • Great gifts for the person with everything 
  • Great birthday/anniversary gift

Card of the week: Envelopes on a string

Many people shudder when they think of making a card by hand, but this cute little card is an excellent example of how easy it can be…especially since you can now buy packs of pre-made plain cards from craft shops and discount stores…
You could replace the envelopes with any shapes or letters on the string of this handmade card…
Image from www.nobiggie.net
Why we love it:
These little envelopes look so cute suspended from the twine, but you could use any shape – hearts, or letters to spell a message or someone’s name
The plain kraft card really sets of the colours used on this card. 
The handwritten text, “A little note” gives the card a personalised feel – especially when so many things are printed these days. 


What was the last handmade card you received? We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…

Gift wrapping idea of the week: Toys + gift wrap = FUN!

People often say that little kids have more fun with the box and the wrapping paper that their gift came in, than the gift itself. That would definitely be the case if they received a gift wrapped like this…

Colourful and creative – just the way gift wrapping should be

Why we love this:
  • You’re limited only by your imagination of what you could use here. Check out the toy section of your local variety store for ideas and remember the toys don’t have to be expensive. 
  • The best type of wrapping paper to use here is the plain, inexpensive stuff – that way the toys stand out. 
  • Any dodgy wrapping techniques will be quickly overlooked when you add your “toy”. 
  • This idea can be extended to adults too – why not use some funky drink coasters for a men’s gift, or hair accessories for a female gift.  

What “toys” or accessories would you use? We’d love your thoughts – please comment below…