One of my favorite things to do is wrap presents. I am a fanatic. Picking out the wrap and ribbons is actually more fun for me than choosing the gift itself. Presentation is key and there are a million different ways to do so. All those beautiful options. My head is spinning just thinking about it.
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I find that creative expression through wrapping has a very positive effect on my artistic expression in work. It is a simple way to recharge my batteries, to look at my paintings and the subjects I chose from different perspectives. I'm really not sure how, but I know it works. Sometimes, when I don't even have a gift to wrap, I open the cedar chest I have filled with rolls and ribbons, pull out all my goodies and arrange them in new ways, imagining how I'd pair them up. I see themes, color combinations, textures, patterns, all the visuals needed to revitalize me. Wrap and ribbon is truly my crack. Don't believe me? Here, let me show you just a small sample of what I have on hand at any given time.
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This is about 1/3 of the rolls in my collection. That mint green polka-dotted one? The little brown dots are felted. Thank you, Martha Stewart! The pink floral on white has glittered petals. Not just random smatterings of glitter, but little strokes of glitter that follow the direction each petal takes. I nearly dropped an ovary when I found it.
*Then there's the ribbon.
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Again, only about 1/3 of the total spools stuffed into that cedar chest. The little green one that says "Jardins" on it. See it? If you pair it up with the felted polka dot paper, the colors are a perfect match. Then you add a second border of the dark brown ribbon and tie the "Jardins" ribbon over top of that with some fresh rosemary and lavender buds in the bow. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect. Last person whose gift I wrapped that way didn't open their package for over an hour until they got a camera and took a picture in remembrance. They were visibly saddened to see the arrangement come apart. I know how they feel, being an addict myself.
