Garden Craft: Making Wrapping Paper Using Nature's Trimmings

I enjoy giving presents that have been decorated with unique wrapping paper. My favorite resources for unusual wrapping paper and their trimmings often comes from my garden.

Using wax paper to create leaf gift wrap

We all remember melting crayons between sheets of wax paper back in grade school. This cheerful wrapping paper, is made in pretty much the same method. For supplies, all you need is some sheets of large waxed paper, some leaves, and an iron. I prefer using the extra wide wax paper, which is available in all grocery store.

Step one: Place the wax paper on an ironing board or other surface.

Step two: Arrange clean leaves in a pattern on the wax paper.

Step three: Place a second wax sheet over the leaves and press with an iron. Continue ironing until the wax has fused together.

Step four: Set aside and let cool.

Variations: instead of leaves, try seed pods, dried flowers, or interesting grasses.

Since the wax paper is opaque, it is best used as an outer wrap. Plain white looks elegant, but for pizazz, try layering it over a sheet of colored construction paper. A word of warning; waxed wrapping paper made with leaves has a fairly short life span.

Creating printed wrapping paper from found objects

We all know how to use a rubber stamp. You dip it in ink, press it on the paper, and presto, you have a stamped image. Instead of using a commercial stamp, try making your own using items found in your back yard or on a nature walk. Supplies needed for this craft are white craft paper or white shelf paper, water color paints or acrylics, a tray to make up your paint, a household sponge, and items from the garden. I've used things like large flowers, pine cones, seed pods, fern leaves, and dried moss.

Step one: Unroll your paper on the work surface, holding down the curled ends with a heavy object.

Step two: Pour the paint into the tray. Set aside while you moisten the sponge. Be sure to squeeze out all the excess water out of the sponger or your paint will be too runny.

Step three: Using your sponge, apply paint to one side of the object. Be spartan with the paint, adding just enough to cover the object without overdoing it.

Step four: Gently apply the painted side of the object to the paper to create your stamp.

You can cover your paper with a motif of the same print, or mix it up with different prints in different colors. Be sure you let the paint dry thoroughly before rolling the wrapping paper to store.

Create tracings

One of my favorite quick and easy wrapping paper crafts is by creating a rubbing, or tracing. Supplies include either thin paper and crayons, colored or white chalk, or charcoal sticks. If you plan on using either chalk or charcoal, also plan on having a can of spray fixative or Aqua-net hairspray on hand to "fix" the rubbing.

Step one: Place the paper over the area you want to trace.

Step two: Firmly grasping the chalk or charcoal on it's side, firmly but gently, rub the chalk over the paper in smooth strokes taking care not to move the paper. You may have rub several times until you get the desired effect.

Step three: Spray the chalked tracing with fixative.

Items that make interesting tracings include the trunks of trees, paving stones, bricks, leaves, and dried moss.

As an alternative to tissue paper, I also enjoy creating tracings with aluminum foil and plastic wall paper paddle. For the tracing to show, the item beneath must have a strong pattern such as the cedar shakes on the side of your house, thick leaves, or pieces of barn wood.

To create an aluminum tracing, lay the foil over the object. Using your paddle, apply even strokes in one direction until the print begins to appear.