Rescuing wrecked roses and celery stamped gift wrap....

 

I saw the pin on Pinterest a couple of years ago.

 

I kept meaning to try it, but didn't really think it would work. A rose shape from the cut end of a bunch of celery?

 

You're kidding me.

 

So yesterday the planets aligned, and not only did I have a bunch of celery, but I had a freshly inked black stamp pad, and some butchers paper, all ready to go.

 

So I stamped away.

 

Some came out darker than others, but with a practiced hand, I think you could get them nicely faded or dark and bold, depending upon your preference. I actually quite like the effect of a bit of both. You could also get really pernickety (yes that's a word...I think), and do rows of roses or just one on top or whatever you like.

 

What looks like rustic twine, isn't. It's a sliver of latte` coloured stretch knit from some leftover yardage used for Wolf costumes for my daughters Dance Troupe. I just cut a thin sliver, ensuring I was getting the stretch along the length, and tied the ends together so it was like a gigantic elastic band, which I then wrapped around the gift randomly. I added a bit of ballet pink glitter along one strand because life's not right around here without a bit of glitter says The Diva and I. I think I'll skip the glitter next time though. I like the rustic look of it without.

 

 

The rose, which I think is a perfect match, came from feather.com.au when they were having a sale. I was buying 15 silk flowers (no choices...just get what you're given) for $2. That's not 'each'. That's $2 for 15. Many were squashed flat, so I employed a method my Mum taught me back in the 70's.

 

You put a saucepan full of water on the stove, and let it boil, then hold each flower upside down over the steam, until the petals unfold. You then smooth them back into shape. It works a treat. Don't ever pass up squashed silk flowers! These are full sized accessory style roses, with both a hairclip and a brooch pin on the back for -13c each! They all still had the retail tags on them and they were between $7.95 and $12.95. A great buy. I think that sale is still on if you want to check it out, but you'll have to be quick :)

 

Here's a satin and lace one that I did as well...different style altogether, but it still worked.

 

Before steaming...

 

 

...after steaming...

 

This one will look lush with the same paper and black satin ribbon I think.

 

Remember these are full sized accessory style roses, with the pin and hairclip attached, so at -13c for a gift as a topper on a gift, they were an absolute steal!

 

I'm gifting 'present wrapping packs' of hand scribed or stamped paper, the stretchy twine, and some silk roses, to friends as a pre-Christmas pressie so they can create their own pretty gifts. I've done it before and found it was received with enthusiasm. It's something nobody thinks of, but if you have friends who are busy and lacking the time to be creative, it's a great idea.

 

Check out the feathers.com.au website. They ship internationally and they have some great bargains. No they're not paying me....lol!

 

...Mimi...