Don’t Buy New Gift Wrap This Year! Ideas for Alternative Wrapping.

Gift wrap. One of those things birthday candles and a Starbucks cup that hold excitement for just a little while then 5 minutes later, it’s gone and wasted. Yay… That was fun. So why spend the money this year on wrapping when you are already spending money on the gift? You can make your own wrapping with just a little creativity that will cost you less than one of those fancy glitter covered gift bags.

How about stamping old tissue paper? You can also get a large pack of tissue paper at the craft store for $1. Not too bad! Plus I bet you already have some laying around the house somewhere.

While we are on the subject of stamping, how about using the insides of paper bags? You can use a ball of twine or jute you get at the hardware store for tying your gift for under $2. I know you’re thinking, “Roxanne, stamps aren’t cheap you know. You need ink, and the stamp, and that will add up.” You’re right. It does add up. Not if you use a coupon to your local craft store you get online for 40% (in most cases) or look at the dollar store or shop when there’s a sale. I know Michael’s craft store has dollar bins in the front of the store with stamps. Look there. OR: Try making some.

Link via Say Yes to Hoboken.

Check out this post from Ellinée about creative gift wrap ideas.

More Ideas to wrap with:

• Road Maps
• Table clothes and linens
• Old Cookbook pages from a thrift shop. Just the recipes you would never cook… Or ones you want to share.
• Fabric Scraps- stitch the edges and tie around the present

• Paper from Christmas past. Why not re-use? I tend to keep old tissue paper, I like to use that inside of a clear plastic bag tied with ribbon.
• Newspaper. Find a funny headline and circle it. Or circle words to create a sentence.
• Comic Books from a re-sale store.
• Use strips of tule as ribbon, it’s very easy to tie.
• Shoeboxes- use some acrylic to paint them.
• Wallpaper samples from a paint store. I went in one year and got old wallpaper books and used the large squares to wrap all of my gifts. The paper is so thick you can make boxes out of them Click here for a template.
• Coffee Filters. Why not lay them all out, tape some together from the inside, and wrap a gift in it, finished with some nice ribbon?

How about using wrapping from a thrift store?

These thrift store finds are some great creative and cheap solutions. And low on the carbon footprint.

And speaking of Jars:

Why not use some Elmer’s or Mod Podge and make your lids personalized?

Use some lunch bags for gift wrap and make them pretty.

How about an old lunchbox? Check out this site for ideas for gifts under $5.

I LOVE this idea with the tissue paper:

So cheap, and cute. You can even keep it and re-use it again. Or decorate with it.

So, save some time, money, and trees and think about making your own gift wrap. After all, it’s what’s inside that counts. Happy Holidays!

How to Make an Infinity Scarf

I saw this idea on Pinterest (let’s be honest, this is now where I get most of my great ideas now a days…) and wanted to try it.

These awesome wrap around scarves are called infinity scarfs.  I have enough fabric laying around, and wanted to make one for myself.

Start with a light weight fabric, something like Jersey or a light linen would work best. The tutorial for the one shown above said to make sure your fabric was 60-74″ in length. I used about 72″ and think it was just a hair too long. You can maybe go with 68″ for the perfect length. Also, make sure you use a stretchy fabric if you are going shorter, so it fits on your head easily.

I used a lightweight cotton/ linen I got at a garage sale for $1. It’s white with little nautical black stripes in it.

Just throwing this out there now, cats love crafts. A LOT. And any activity that takes place on the floor. This fabric measures to about 74″ long x 4′ wide. I only wanted to use half of the width, because I didn’t want a giant bulky scarf. The other tutorial said to sew just the top to the bottom, and if you are using Jersey, it will roll itself over, omitting the need for a hem. Well, i’m not using Jersey.

It was easy to cut the fabric (about 2′ in width) because the fold mark was there. Otherwise I recommend marking the fabric in from the edge every foot or so.

I decided to sew the entire sides up, making a long tube shape. That way, I still had the bulk, but no fraying. You can do a tube, or you can just sew the ends to itself. It depends on what you want, and the fabric you are using.

I then folded the fabric right side out, (sewn part on the inside.) Face the ends towards eachother and grab the two matching seams, right sides touching. See below:

Carefully sew the rim into itself, with the right sides facing each other, all but about 8″ of it.

Start sewing! Of course you can’t do that the whole way around. You’ll notice that you will get stopped with about 8″ left.

You’ll notice you get stopped when the fabric starts folding in on itself.

You’re now left with a little hole, easy to fix. There will be a small part with a seam showing, but once you sew it shut and put the scarf on, you can hide that.

Fold the fabric slightly in on itself in the opening, and stitch just what’s open with a very small seam allowance, maybe 1/8″.

You should be left with a small, barely noticable spot where you sewed shut the opening. You can hide that by wearing that part in the back.

Here it is again. You can barely see it.

The finished product! I’m pleased with it. and since it’s black and white, it will go with a multitude of outfits. This is the full length 74″ verion. I thought it was a little long, so I took out about 14″, and now it fits much better.

Here’s the newer, shorter version. Happy sewing!

Be Affordably Chic

In all my years as a thrift store scavenger, and bargain hunter, i’ve come across some really cool places to shop. Now, I know that everyone has their own shopping style. Some like brand new, some like vintage, some also like old and retro. I’m the kind of shopper that likes a combination of all three. I also know that as a more, shall we say, curvy kinda girl that it can be hard to find clothing that fits, looks great, and keeps looking great after it’s been washed. And if I find a pair of jeans that fits my many criteria, I swear that the clouds parted and a beam of angel light shown down on me that day. (Let’s say, it’s rare…)  So here are some of my shopping tips and tricks to be affordably chic.

Thrift Shopping!

Thrift- Goodwill is an amazing store. Let’s suck in our pride and don’t be stingy, if you’re someone that won’t shop at thrift stores, you’re missing out! They have so many things, and i’m someone that likes to layer my cloths, and this is a great place to layer. I check their kids t-shirts for funny little gems, their lady’s sweaters for comfy cardigans, and their coats for rocking blazers.  http://www.goodwill.org/

St. Vincent De Paul’s- Very similar to Goodwill in the wide variety of second hand clothing, and they have an awesome “Retro” section. They have some great old band t-shirts, leather jackets, and really cool accessories. (Not to mention they are the king of Halloween Costumes) I scour there for shoes and t-shirts. http://www.svdpmadison.org/

Savers is another awesome place to shop here in Madison. They have a huge selection of clothing, shoes, accessories, vintage jewelry, and when applicable, costumes. http://www.savers.com/

The Salvation Army was a staple of my childhood. Not only did they have food there (Yep. Morning pastries.) But I used to make a job out of hunting their racks one by one for awesome deals and vintage pieces. http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf

The Hospice Care Thrift Store on Junction Road is a great little place to shop for unique pieces. They have really inexpensive jewelry, and tons of sweaters and shoes, amongst other things. http://www.hospicecareinc.com/hospicecare-thrift-store.html

Another Collection from Polyvore.com

Second Hand/ Gently Used- Re-Threads is an awesome new store on State St. with some really cool second hand cloths, a bunch of retro goods, and accessories. http://rethreadsclothing.com/

Platlo’s Closet is hands down, one of my favorite places to shop. They have gently used name brand clothing, and I LOVE to shop there for jeans. They have what fits me for a fraction of the price, and they are broken in already.  http://www.platoscloset.com/

The Pink Poodle is a good place for designer and upscale fashionable re-sale clothing and other goods. Check them out! http://www.thepinkpoodleonline.net/

Ragstock on State St is a great place to go for funky new and used items. They have a ton of cool used items in great condition, a bargain basement, and low priced new items. http://www.ragstock.com/

Boomerang Resale Shop at 1133 N. Sherman Ave in Madison sounds like a great resale shop, but to tell you the truth, I haven’t been there myself. I will definitely check it out, since I read great reviews about it.

A great example of thrifty layering- Nichole Richie

Vintage/ Retro: June 3 is a little yellow place right off of state street on Johnson street, (rightfully called an “eclectic emporium” )and they have some really unique vintage and unique finds. From hats, to Cowboy boots, to hundreds of vintage tees, costumes, and  you won’t be disappointed by coming here. Just be careful if you park out front, there is a tow away zone! http://www.yelp.com/biz/june-3rd-an-eclectic-emporium-madison

The Good Style Shop on 402 E. Washington here in Madison Wi has a great selection of Vintage Clothing. http://www.goodstyleshop.com/

Circa Vintage on 825 E. Johnson Street has a modern, and urban-y vibe. Here you’ll find vintage dresses, bags, shoes, and other accessories.

Aura is a clothing store for men and women at 449 State St. The clothes are all used or vintage. They have large collections from the 40′s to the 80′s. You can find a lot of interesting items to add to your wardrobe and the prices are great.

If you are ever in LaCrosse, you MUST visit a little shop downtown called Vintage Vogue. I remember going here when I was a teen, and buying most of my wardrobe here. It’s cheap, has totally unique pieces, and separates their cloths by era. That’s right. ERA. They also have old wedding dresses, suits, embroidered hankies, and veiled 1930′s hats. It’s awesome.

Vintage and Classy!

New- Although it doesn’t always fit in my budget, i’m a huge fan of the fashion and style at Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and Bop, all located on or off of State Street here in Madison. If you make it down to State Street the third weekend in July, you’ll hit a little outdoor shopping festival called “Maxwell Street Days”. You’ll be able to find all your favorite store’s goodies for super cheep deals during this large sidewalk sale that goes all weekend.

You guessed it… The Mall. The mall has a ton of clothing stores. But where to start? I love to shop at Charlotte Rousse, they have a ton of really cool urban style clothing for low prices. The best jeans for me are found at Maurices ($30 or less) and American Eagle ($40 or less). I love shopping at H&M (cheap, and meets a ton of different styles) and Forever 21 (so cheap, and tons of styles and accessories).

I hope I hit all the good ones, and if you have any suggestions, I’m open to hear them! Happy shopping!