Welcome to Day 1 of the Waltzingmouse Twelve Days of Christmas!

Normally at this time, we'd be previewing new stamp sets for release. However, there will be no release this month in order to allow Claire time to focus on a few "behind the scenes" plans that will take us to the next level in the new year.

It's all very exciting, so we ask that you bear with us! It will be worth it! Instead, we're coming together to bring you some ideas and inspiration for holiday crafting (and beyond) which we are calling 12 Days of Christmas Waltzingmouse Style! Each day will showcase a different design team member, so be sure to check back daily through December 17th for the links... and enjoy!

Welcome to the 1st day of the Waltzingmouse 12 Days of Christmas!

Today - I'm sharing some really easy wrapping ideas!

Please note: you can see the supply list and links for all projects at the end of my post.

My first project is OH SO simple! I just printed out a sheet of Claire's Celtic Squares Digital Patterned Paper (I printed it on a sheet of off white stationary that is slightly heavier than plain computer paper - I got a package of it at Staples some time ago) When you print it there is a small border all around so I just cut that off. This is a 4"x4"x1" jewelrey box and it fit perfectly on this sheet with a little to spare. (If your box is bigger - you can just tape pieces of the DP together - I'd use Scor tape to be sure it's a good hold and overlap the edges)

I just wrapped the box and tied this lovely wide striped ribbon around with a knot.

Then I stamped my tag and cut it out with a Circle Nestability. Above you can see what I stamped on the back of the tag. And below is the front (Nutcracker Sweet set)

Thought I'd share how I attach a tag to a ribbon as I'd often have trouble having it 'sit' straight and found that this method works well. I took my twine and folded it in half - put the loop through the hole from back to front - then pulled the open ends through the loop and pulled up to close the loop. Then I tied the ends around the ribbon. I left long ends on my twine but you can also cut them close if you don't want it to show as much.

Next up is a masculine wrapping idea! Keeping it plain and simple, I used some brown packing paper that came in one of my 'ordered way to much craft stuff' packages - I always save the paper and finally had a reason to use it!! First I ironed the paper quickly to smooth out some of the bigger creases in it. Then I wrapped up my package.

I wanted to make a belly band - so I measured around the box. Again I'm using another color of Claire's Celtic Squares Digital Patterned paper. I printed out a sheet and cut 2 panels each 3" wide. (ok so these panels are the same size below even though the bottom one looks bigger! - it's like one of those 'optical' puzzles!?!)

I taped the panels together so it would be long enough to go around my package. Then I stamped my images (with the Celtic Square pattern it's SO easy to line up your stamping!) These stamps are from Nutcracker Sweet.

To be sure the panel would stay on the package - I used ScorTape to adhere it - placing a strip a little in from both top and bottom edges. I lined up approximately the center of the panel to the center front of the package being sure the design was where I wanted it - then pressed it on around each side - overlapping at the back.

Instead of fancy ribbon - I just wrapped some twine around 3 times and knotted it - leaving long tails.

To give a nice finished look to the top I cut a square of the digital paper and stamped my 'tag' right on it! No extra fluff for the guys!

A nice, no fuss, masculine gift wrapping don't you think??

For my final gift wrapping idea I used Claire's Freebie 3 Kings template. Maybe some of your friends do not celebrate Christmas and a New Year's gift is more appropriate? This could be used as a gift card holder or as a treat holder at a party.

I printed Claire's template on white card stock, scored all the dotted lines and cut out the two diamond shapes with my xacto knife.

This time I used Claire's Victorian Digitial Patterned paper - cutting 3 panels 2"x3 1/2". I then made a pattern for the 'crown' panels - tracing one piece of the crown template -then drawing a line 1/8" inside each edge (so it's smaller than the template) - cutting it out on that inside edge then tracing that 3 times on my digital paper.

I stamped the snowflake from Very Vintage Christmas randomly on my cut out panels and adhered them onto the template. Then I folded up the template and adhered the edges using ScorTape to ensure a good hold. The bottom opens up so you can tuck a gift inside!

I tied a luscious piece of black silk ribbon round the 'neck'. I die cut the biggest Nestie snowflake out of white cardstock and sponged the edges. Then I die cut the next size snowflake out of the digital paper and over layed the sentiment. The sentiment stamp, from Asian Garden Additions, is all on one line - so I just inked the 'happy' and stamped it - then inked the 'new year' and stamped it underneath - punched it and sponged the edges

Does my treat box look 'big' from the back?? LOL!!

Tomorrow, Anya will hosting the 2nd Day of the Waltzingmouse Twelve Days of Christmas. On any day you can click on the icon at the top of my right sidebar to find out who's hosting - you won't want to miss one day! I hope you are inspired by my wrapping ideas today!

The Green Box

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Nutcracker Sweet

Paper: Vintage Cream - PTI, Digital Patterned Paper/Celtic Squares - Waltzingmouse

Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves

Accessories: Twine - PTI, striped ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Shop, Circle Nestabilities

The Brown Paper Box

Stamps: Waltzingmouse -Nutcracker Sweet

Paper: Brown packing paper, Digital Patterned Paper/Celtic Squares - Waltzingmouse

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Twine, scortape

Three Kings Box

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Snowflake - Very Vintage Christmas, Happy New Year - Asian Garden Additions

Paper: White - PTI, Digital Patterned Paper/Victorian - Waltzingmouse

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Weathered Wood

Accessories: xacto knife, Create a Snow Flake - Spellbinders, small oval punch - SU, Satin Ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Shop, foam dimensionals, Scortape, 3 Kings Template - Waltzingmouse