I got my Studio Calico kit on Friday. Along with the kit, I had ordered some American Crafts binders. So the kit came in a big box with some packing paper. A few pieces of crumpled newsprint. Well, I couldn't let that newsprint go to waste! I decided to pretty it up and turn it into wrapping paper.
This is what the newsprint looks like when you pull it out of the box:
Uncrumple the paper and grab a permanent marker. Something that won't run when you add water on top of it.
I used a Permapaque by Sakura.
Now, go ahead and draw a design all over the paper. I chose to do flowers.
You can see how big that piece of newsprint is in the first picture. It's about 2'x3', so lots of room to doodle!
After I was satisfied with my flowers, I added three colors of Adirondack Color Wash (Butterscotch, Red Pepper, and Stream).
Then I used a large wet paintbrush (just wet with water) to blend all the color together. Adirondack Color Wash is water-reactive, so it blends beautifully.
(All the water actually flattens out your paper too, which is a nice side benefit.) While the paper was still wet, I picked out a few flowers to decorate with gesso.
I love the way the white stands out against that colorful background!
To finish it off, I flicked my paintbrush (loaded with water and gesso) to get great big white splats everywhere.
If flowers aren't your thing, here's one on which I drew a random pattern.
And I used watercolor paints for a bit more control in the coloring phase.
I skipped the gesso and sprayed this one with red and then black watercolor splats.
Here's another look at the scale of these doodly paintings:
It takes up a lot of desk space!
Once your pretty doodles dry, you can roll up the paper and save it to wrap a gift later, or you can use it right away. Wouldn't you like to get a pretty gift like this?
It's for my Dad (yes, you can put a flower on a package for a man), whose birthday is coming up soon! The flower, by the way, is from Nat Kalbach's line of paper called eMotions. Pretty, right?
So, the next time you get a package don't just throw away the stuffing! Make it into something lovely!
Thanks for stopping by!
you’re just too awesome for words, Julie.
you’re just too awesome for words, Julie.
you’re just too awesome for words, Julie.
you’re just too awesome for words, Julie.
This is totally awesome. I can see how someone who gets a gift wrapped up in this happy paper absentmindedly throw away the gift and keep the wrapping paper…
This is totally awesome. I can see how someone who gets a gift wrapped up in this happy paper absentmindedly throw away the gift and keep the wrapping paper…
This is totally awesome. I can see how someone who gets a gift wrapped up in this happy paper absentmindedly throw away the gift and keep the wrapping paper…
This is totally awesome. I can see how someone who gets a gift wrapped up in this happy paper absentmindedly throw away the gift and keep the wrapping paper…
Thanks! this is absolutely amazing!!! So simple and so beautiful! I would just wrap the whole thing around a board, and hang it up!!
Thanks! this is absolutely amazing!!! So simple and so beautiful! I would just wrap the whole thing around a board, and hang it up!!
Thanks! this is absolutely amazing!!! So simple and so beautiful! I would just wrap the whole thing around a board, and hang it up!!
Thanks! this is absolutely amazing!!! So simple and so beautiful! I would just wrap the whole thing around a board, and hang it up!!
WOW, stunning use of the paper. And a beautiful result.
I have to give it a try.
Thank you so much.
WOW, stunning use of the paper. And a beautiful result.
I have to give it a try.
Thank you so much.
WOW, stunning use of the paper. And a beautiful result.
I have to give it a try.
Thank you so much.
WOW, stunning use of the paper. And a beautiful result.
I have to give it a try.
Thank you so much.
That is awesome!!!!!!!
That is awesome!!!!!!!
That is awesome!!!!!!!
That is awesome!!!!!!!
I knew I followed you for a reason! Now I know what that paper is the I save from all my packages (I thought it was just ‘paper’, lol) and now I also know what to do with it all! Thanks!
I knew I followed you for a reason! Now I know what that paper is the I save from all my packages (I thought it was just ‘paper’, lol) and now I also know what to do with it all! Thanks!
I knew I followed you for a reason! Now I know what that paper is the I save from all my packages (I thought it was just ‘paper’, lol) and now I also know what to do with it all! Thanks!
I knew I followed you for a reason! Now I know what that paper is the I save from all my packages (I thought it was just ‘paper’, lol) and now I also know what to do with it all! Thanks!
Wow, that is a fabulous way to make wrapping paper, and with trash seemingly!?!? Thanks for sharing!
Wow, that is a fabulous way to make wrapping paper, and with trash seemingly!?!? Thanks for sharing!
Wow, that is a fabulous way to make wrapping paper, and with trash seemingly!?!? Thanks for sharing!
Wow, that is a fabulous way to make wrapping paper, and with trash seemingly!?!? Thanks for sharing!
I so love this- awesome idea !!!!
I so love this- awesome idea !!!!
I so love this- awesome idea !!!!
I so love this- awesome idea !!!!
Smartie!!! I luv it!!!
Deb♥
Smartie!!! I luv it!!!
Deb♥
Smartie!!! I luv it!!!
Deb♥
Smartie!!! I luv it!!!
Deb♥
you are awesome, Julie! i love your ideas!
you are awesome, Julie! i love your ideas!
you are awesome, Julie! i love your ideas!
you are awesome, Julie! i love your ideas!
A+ FOR CREATIVITY AND RECYCLING, THEY LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL, TFS
A+ FOR CREATIVITY AND RECYCLING, THEY LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL, TFS
A+ FOR CREATIVITY AND RECYCLING, THEY LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL, TFS
A+ FOR CREATIVITY AND RECYCLING, THEY LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL, TFS
Aren’t you a smartie! Very creative and visually interesting. Thanks!
Aren’t you a smartie! Very creative and visually interesting. Thanks!
Aren’t you a smartie! Very creative and visually interesting. Thanks!
Aren’t you a smartie! Very creative and visually interesting. Thanks!
Cool recycled project!
Cool recycled project!
Cool recycled project!
Cool recycled project!
I could just kick myself! I had TONS of this paper from packing when I moved last year. I knew there was a reason to keep it. Wish I had. Such a very good idea!
I could just kick myself! I had TONS of this paper from packing when I moved last year. I knew there was a reason to keep it. Wish I had. Such a very good idea!
I could just kick myself! I had TONS of this paper from packing when I moved last year. I knew there was a reason to keep it. Wish I had. Such a very good idea!
I could just kick myself! I had TONS of this paper from packing when I moved last year. I knew there was a reason to keep it. Wish I had. Such a very good idea!
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. If anyone wants some of this paper, here on the west coast they call them end rolls, may be that same name everywhere. It is the end of the rolls from the newspaper runs that they cannot use. They sell it for about $1.00 a roll and there are usually 50-150 feet on it. I have purchased them many times for moving, as well as everything else but making such beautiful paper. Julie, WOW is all I can say, you just keep amazing me.
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. If anyone wants some of this paper, here on the west coast they call them end rolls, may be that same name everywhere. It is the end of the rolls from the newspaper runs that they cannot use. They sell it for about $1.00 a roll and there are usually 50-150 feet on it. I have purchased them many times for moving, as well as everything else but making such beautiful paper. Julie, WOW is all I can say, you just keep amazing me.
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. If anyone wants some of this paper, here on the west coast they call them end rolls, may be that same name everywhere. It is the end of the rolls from the newspaper runs that they cannot use. They sell it for about $1.00 a roll and there are usually 50-150 feet on it. I have purchased them many times for moving, as well as everything else but making such beautiful paper. Julie, WOW is all I can say, you just keep amazing me.
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. If anyone wants some of this paper, here on the west coast they call them end rolls, may be that same name everywhere. It is the end of the rolls from the newspaper runs that they cannot use. They sell it for about $1.00 a roll and there are usually 50-150 feet on it. I have purchased them many times for moving, as well as everything else but making such beautiful paper. Julie, WOW is all I can say, you just keep amazing me.
Sweet way to recycle and wrap a present at the same time! Good plug for Nat’s beautiful new line of paper.
Sweet way to recycle and wrap a present at the same time! Good plug for Nat’s beautiful new line of paper.
Sweet way to recycle and wrap a present at the same time! Good plug for Nat’s beautiful new line of paper.
Sweet way to recycle and wrap a present at the same time! Good plug for Nat’s beautiful new line of paper.
omg!! that is just stunning. thanks for sharing :0)
omg!! that is just stunning. thanks for sharing :0)
omg!! that is just stunning. thanks for sharing :0)
omg!! that is just stunning. thanks for sharing :0)
so creative Julie !
so creative Julie !
so creative Julie !
so creative Julie !
fab julie!
fab julie!
fab julie!
fab julie!
I’ve proclaimed you officially awesome before, and it’s time to renew that proclamation!
I’ve proclaimed you officially awesome before, and it’s time to renew that proclamation!
I’ve proclaimed you officially awesome before, and it’s time to renew that proclamation!
I’ve proclaimed you officially awesome before, and it’s time to renew that proclamation!
You are so very creative! Awesome idea and artwork! I would love to get a package wrapped in that!
You are so very creative! Awesome idea and artwork! I would love to get a package wrapped in that!
You are so very creative! Awesome idea and artwork! I would love to get a package wrapped in that!
You are so very creative! Awesome idea and artwork! I would love to get a package wrapped in that!
Awesome! Now I know exactly WHAT to do with all that newsprint I’ve been hoarding! Thanks for the inspiration!
Awesome! Now I know exactly WHAT to do with all that newsprint I’ve been hoarding! Thanks for the inspiration!
Awesome! Now I know exactly WHAT to do with all that newsprint I’ve been hoarding! Thanks for the inspiration!
Awesome! Now I know exactly WHAT to do with all that newsprint I’ve been hoarding! Thanks for the inspiration!
Julie, you have to be the most creative person I have ever met! That is awesome!
Julie, you have to be the most creative person I have ever met! That is awesome!
Julie, you have to be the most creative person I have ever met! That is awesome!
Julie, you have to be the most creative person I have ever met! That is awesome!
You come up with the most fabulous ideas! Love this!!!
You come up with the most fabulous ideas! Love this!!!
You come up with the most fabulous ideas! Love this!!!
You come up with the most fabulous ideas! Love this!!!
fan-freakin-tastic!!! you miss are the epitome of mixed media art! you never cease to amaze me!
fan-freakin-tastic!!! you miss are the epitome of mixed media art! you never cease to amaze me!
fan-freakin-tastic!!! you miss are the epitome of mixed media art! you never cease to amaze me!
fan-freakin-tastic!!! you miss are the epitome of mixed media art! you never cease to amaze me!
Julie, I showed this to my 7 (nearly 8) year old daughter, who is now absolutely in love with this idea (she has been an artist since the day she was born). Thank-goodness I purchased some rolls of paper last time I was at IKEA. Guess what we’ll be doing this weekend. (-: You are one very clever duckie!!!Cheers, Jules.
Julie, I showed this to my 7 (nearly 8) year old daughter, who is now absolutely in love with this idea (she has been an artist since the day she was born). Thank-goodness I purchased some rolls of paper last time I was at IKEA. Guess what we’ll be doing this weekend. (-: You are one very clever duckie!!!Cheers, Jules.
Julie, I showed this to my 7 (nearly 8) year old daughter, who is now absolutely in love with this idea (she has been an artist since the day she was born). Thank-goodness I purchased some rolls of paper last time I was at IKEA. Guess what we’ll be doing this weekend. (-: You are one very clever duckie!!!Cheers, Jules.
Julie, I showed this to my 7 (nearly 8) year old daughter, who is now absolutely in love with this idea (she has been an artist since the day she was born). Thank-goodness I purchased some rolls of paper last time I was at IKEA. Guess what we’ll be doing this weekend. (-: You are one very clever duckie!!!Cheers, Jules.
very cool stuff!!
very cool stuff!!
very cool stuff!!
very cool stuff!!
This is a great use for packing paper. I have a box of it in my basement… I’ve been slowly using it up making flowers and such. This is something I’ve got to try!
This is a great use for packing paper. I have a box of it in my basement… I’ve been slowly using it up making flowers and such. This is something I’ve got to try!
This is a great use for packing paper. I have a box of it in my basement… I’ve been slowly using it up making flowers and such. This is something I’ve got to try!
This is a great use for packing paper. I have a box of it in my basement… I’ve been slowly using it up making flowers and such. This is something I’ve got to try!
These are beautiful! Gift wrap? I would hang that right on the wall! Thanks for being such an inspiration!!
These are beautiful! Gift wrap? I would hang that right on the wall! Thanks for being such an inspiration!!
These are beautiful! Gift wrap? I would hang that right on the wall! Thanks for being such an inspiration!!
These are beautiful! Gift wrap? I would hang that right on the wall! Thanks for being such an inspiration!!
Oh, cool use for newsprint! 🙂 I love that stuff, and it’s so easy on the pocketbook and/or free! Rad. 🙂
Oh, cool use for newsprint! 🙂 I love that stuff, and it’s so easy on the pocketbook and/or free! Rad. 🙂
Oh, cool use for newsprint! 🙂 I love that stuff, and it’s so easy on the pocketbook and/or free! Rad. 🙂
Oh, cool use for newsprint! 🙂 I love that stuff, and it’s so easy on the pocketbook and/or free! Rad. 🙂
Wow – I have no other word for it – WOW!!!!!
Wow – I have no other word for it – WOW!!!!!
Wow – I have no other word for it – WOW!!!!!
Wow – I have no other word for it – WOW!!!!!
absolutely genius. you never cease to amaze me.
absolutely genius. you never cease to amaze me.
absolutely genius. you never cease to amaze me.
absolutely genius. you never cease to amaze me.
I´m speechless. Awesome!
I´m speechless. Awesome!
I´m speechless. Awesome!
I´m speechless. Awesome!
Your first picture looked like a crocodile to me. With a little work, it could have been a great paper mache piece.
Your first picture looked like a crocodile to me. With a little work, it could have been a great paper mache piece.
Your first picture looked like a crocodile to me. With a little work, it could have been a great paper mache piece.
Your first picture looked like a crocodile to me. With a little work, it could have been a great paper mache piece.
What an amazing creative mind you have. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
What an amazing creative mind you have. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
What an amazing creative mind you have. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
What an amazing creative mind you have. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!