Making Unique Wrapping Paper Virginia

Making your own holiday wrapping paper is a fun way to save money during any season. If you want to save money while having fun with a craft project, consider making unique wrapping paper. Follow these steps and infuse them with your own creativity and you can make wrapping paper.

Materials:

• Roll blank newsprint
• Scissors
• Decorating supplies

1. Design your wrapping paper. Before getting started create a design of what you want the wrapping paper to look like. The easiest way to make wrapping paper is to begin with a simple pattern or design, then repeat it for the length and width of the paper. Keep the design simple with one statement and one or two images at most. Consider "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Holidays" combined with a balloon or cake image for the birthday and a holly leaf or wreath for the holidays. Experiment and get creative with your gifts.
2. Gather the materials you need. These materials will depend upon the design you choose. You may create your text with stencils or write freehand with markers. You may paint your designs freehand, use stamps or cut out shapes in construction paper and glue them to the paper. The choice is yours.
3. Prepare the surface. Place a sheet of blank newsprint flat on a table or workbench. Find the center of the sheet so you can begin the pattern at that point. Cut the sheet to the size needed to wrap you gift.
4. Place the letter stencils. Start in the center of the newsprint page. Place the stencil against the paper then use the paint to fill in the stencil. Let the paint dry for a few minutes then lightly lift the stencil. Then place it at the next point and repeat the process.
5. Repeat the text throughout the page. Create the wrapping paper's repeated patter with the stenciled text first. This will help you create a balanced page with the single color before you add any graphics or complementary design.
6. Let the page dry. When using tempera paints you will need to let the paint dry before you move on to another step in the process. Let the paint dry fully.
7. Add the graphics. Use your stamps or paints to create whatever graphic you have chosen for your wrapping paper. Position them so that they repeat at the same distance as the letters. This creates one complete pattern (the text and graphics) that together repeat through out your design.
8. Sprinkle glitter or confetti. Use a little clear glue to apply to the glitter then attach them to the wrapping paper. This step can get a little tricky. You might consider mixing a mild clear coat of paint with the glitter or confetti then roll the paint over the entire page. This may create a stiff page that is difficult to wrap so only use if necessary.
9. Let the page dry then wrap your package. Don't try to wrap packages as soon as you finish your design because the paint, ink or glue may streak or smudge. Let the page dry overnight just to be sure you won't harm your design. Then wrap the package and prepare to give a gift with unique style.

Making unique wrapping paper can be a fun project for you and your family. Spend an afternoon creating unique papers to use for any holiday or stock up for gift wrap you can use anytime.

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