christmas ‘chalkboard’ packaging
December 11, 2012
as i mentioned earlier, one of my favorite things to do each year is choose a gift wrapping theme. one year it was recycled newspaper, the next was huge glittered initials for each package. last year i used kraft paper and made pretty bows, and this year i’m making ‘chalkboard’ packages! with a little black kraft paper and a few white paint markers, i think they’ve turned out to be really cute. here’s how i did it:
the first thing you’ll need is some black craft paper. i got mine right here and though i’m super happy with it, you should be warned: it’s a HUGE roll! i was so surprised when it came in the mail, i guess i didn’t take care to check out the dimensions! so anyways, we might be doing this next year, too. ;)
next you’ll need a white paint marker that will show up well on black paper. after some trial and error and visiting my local scrapbooking store, this is what i came home with:
1. tim holtz distress marker in ‘picket fence’. this one looks very ‘chalky’. it goes on clear, but quickly dries in white.
2. sakura pen-touch white. this is the one i used for almost all of the packages. it’s easy to work with and still hasn’t run dry, so one is probably plenty!
3. crayola white colored pencil. not the greatest option, but it does show up if it’s all you have.
4. painters opaque paint marker. this is another good option. the point is a bit finer than what i wanted, but would work great for detail work!
the next thing you’ll need is some good ideas! i took some time to sit down and jot down a few ideas before i got started so that i would have something to reference. really anything goes! just in case you would like to use some of the same motifs, i’ve made this a download for you to reference. just click on the image above and print!
so there you have it. my ‘chalkboard’ packages that have been so fun to make! they are simple, affordable and really cute all bundled together.
what are your packaging plans this year?
wrap up: {chalkboard} {christmas} {holiday} {packages} {paint} {paper} {pen} {white} {wrapping}
Maureen Cracknell Handmade | December 11, 2012
I adore this idea!! Hopefully I still have time to pull this off! :) Thanks!!
Kristen | December 11, 2012
This is just the cutest! Love your little inspiration drawings to download too. What a great idea, Bonnie!
Emily | December 11, 2012
Such a great idea! These are beautiful Bonnie! Thanks for the tutorial!
Christina @ Homemade Ocean | December 11, 2012
So cute! I wish I could draw as well as you do :)
Yuri | December 11, 2012
Oh man! This is sooo cute!!! I already bought all my wrapping paper stuff, but definatly be doing this next yeat!
Lisa Jacobs | December 11, 2012
SO CUTE, Bonnie! Those are some lucky gift recipients!!!!
Valerie McKeehan | December 11, 2012
In LOVE with this idea!!
thanks everyone! so glad you like them! i hope you can tell, i’m having so much fun making them. :) you definitely don’t have to be an artist, just little *’s make them cute!
Lynna | December 11, 2012
No one else I know does themes! They just buy paper at Wal-Mart or whatever! Picking the theme is one of my favorite parts of giving! I’ve done brown craft paper many different ways…one year I used red and green ribbon and real holly leaves and a gold paint pen for tags. I’ve done craft paper with orange and turquoise bows, I’ve done Chinese newspapers with red ribbon (my husband travels to China a good bit and brings back paper for me. I’ve done owl paper from Container Store (best paper ever for my taste) and made mitten-shaped tags from red paper. Last year we did brown craft paper with pink and green ribbon. This year I’m doing brown craft paper with cream and burlap ribbon and vintage Christmas scenes I’ve printed on to vellum paper. Love your black “chalkboard” paper idea. I might borrow that for next year!
Heather Carroll | December 11, 2012
Love this! So easy and so cute. I’ve never done theme wrapping paper but I just may be inspired!
Jes - oh, buckets | December 11, 2012
absolutely adorable!
Summer | December 11, 2012
Oh this is SOOOO adorable on SOOOO many levels!!! =D Love love love your little idea sheet! Totally gonna print one out :)
xo summer
lathelize | December 12, 2012
kraft paper & homemade stamps!
Maxine | December 12, 2012
I’m so glad MY name is on your list!!!
Lauren {Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up} | December 12, 2012
These are darling. AND if I were the recipient of one of these packages, I would totally reuse the wrapping because its so cute!
Robin Plemmons | December 12, 2012
Freaking adorable. Love this idea. Well done!
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline | December 12, 2012
love them Bonnie! turned out so cute.
Lolo | December 12, 2012
I just absolutely adore this….thanks a ton for sharing Bonnie! I think I might just have to practice ALL of next year to hopefully pull anything remotely cute off for next Christmas!! Kraft paper is THE BEST, and I had no idea they had black….LOVE.
carriealease | December 13, 2012
Love the theme idea. I used craft paper and gingham ribbon when we first married…could not afford to buy “real” wrapping paper! Over the years I’ve discovered some of those ideas I came up with out of necessity are some I’ve loved the best. The black craft paper is a great idea…thanks for sharing!
Lynn in DG | December 13, 2012
Ok. Stand up. Take a bow. Seriously. This is the coolest idea I’ve run across in a while. And I read more blogs than it would be considered sane to admit! Merry Christmas!
lynn, you’re so cute! thank you very much, that means a lot! xo
SheilaG @ Plum Doodles | December 14, 2012
This is a fantastic idea! I didn’t even know you could buy black craft paper!
Linda | December 14, 2012
This is too wonderful! Thanks. I pinned this also. Blessings at Christmastime. Linda
http://twosucculentsisters.blogspot.com/
Amanda | December 14, 2012
*Love* this idea! I’m not into ribbons and bows (because, really, people just toss most/all of it after they rip into the presents anyway) and this is the perfect way to glam up presents!! All of mine are wrapped for this year, but I’m totally pinning this for next year!
Brad @ Mr. Write Away | December 14, 2012
Genius! All of our presents are wrapped for this year… but this almost makes me want to unwrap them and start over.
Miss Charming | December 14, 2012
Super cute idea! (You had me at “chalkboard.”)