Music Paper Gift Wrapping

Wrapping paper is boring and expensive.  Shouldn't the first impression of your gift be just as special as what's inside?  I think so.  With that said, I've come up with some ideas to give your Christmas gifts the presentation they deserve!

First of all, I can't find a reason to buy boxes when all they're going to be good for is either hoarder's fodder or a test to see if your friend/family member has jumped on the recycling bandwagon.  I have a ton of useless hardcovers I inherited from a pretentious ex-boyfriend, and have discovered a delightful way to make them work for me in my crafting endeavors.

Have you ever wanted to be a mysterious person?  Better yet, have you ever wanted your friends to be mysterious people?  Sure, why not?  Give them a double wammy gift of goodies and mysteriousness with this two-for-one pressie of blue-bloodedesque secrecy.

It's a no-brainer.  Just use an eaxact-o knife to cut a shape in the book and VOILA!  You're friend is now officially a member of the mysteriousness society.  Are they an alcoholic?  Fantastic.  Give them a flask in a book entitled something that starts with the letter "D" for "Drunky".  They will appreciate your kindness in looking out for their public dignity.  Just make sure they own books lest it be too obvious.

Get yourself some music paper.  Again, absolutely cheap and accessible through thrift store channels, or just print some out from the internets.  With your handy dandy yellow/brown flavored acrylic paint, thin it out a bit with some water and do a wash over the music paper for an antique finish.

Microwave or bake the paper for quick drying and a more aged appearance.  This book of mine took two sheets. Wrap the sucker.

For the embellishments, I cut 3 flower shapes out of a page from the book itself.

With the same washing technique used for the music paper, select colors for the three individual flower shapes.  I cut and glued the edge of of brown coffee filters for the "garter" around the book.  Experiment with other things - magazine paper, fabric, anything you can cut up. Wrap some ribbon or twine where the filter pieces meet to cover the edges.  This ribbon was from my recent Anthropologie purchase - strait from the gift wrap, baby, on to the next.

Crumple up those flower cut-outs - it gives it more texture.  Glue them on top of one another and secure the center with a button or something similar.  

 Finish it off with a paper cut-out linked to twine and another button.  Beautimous :)