wood grain wrapping paper

I love creating handmade wrapping paper and this year I wanted to create some natural wrapping inspired by the outdoors. I decided to carve a large stamp that I could use to create the look of a wood grain.

My favorite supplies for making handmade stamps are craft foam and a wood burning tool. The wood burning tool will actually burn into the surface of the craft foam. It is a fast and easy way to carve stamps that can be used on a variety of surfaces. 

I carved a wood grain inspired pattern into the surface.

NOTE: carving blocks, scratch foam, wood blocks, gelli plate will all work for this project. You pretty much just need a technique that will transfer an impression of your pattern to your paper.

Next, I inked up my stamp and repeated the design on butcher paper and brown paper.

I just love how simple and pretty this pattern is! 

Looking for more wrapping ideas?

1. stitched gift wrap  2. gingerbread present toppers  3. puff paint wrapping  4. wrapping with nature  5.marbleized wrapping  6. holiday wrapping with paper bags  7. using beads in your gift wrapping  8. using book pages in our wrapping 9. black and white wrapping paper 10. gift wrap from the hardware store

stampin FUN!

This just in...I've got limited quantities of hand carved stamp sets in the shop- HERE

They always sell out fast so get them while you can!

And speaking of stamps, did you know that stamping is one of the easiest ways to create handmade wrapping paper, tags or even cards? Yep, with the holidays here it's time to start thinking about wrapping gifts. Since I haven't purchased wrapping paper in over 15 years (I always make my own). I've gathered a few of my favorite stamping ideas to get you inspired to get you stamping this holiday season!

Rolling pins are a great everyday supply that can be used to create pattern on a surface. You can glue just about anything to the surface of a rolling pin and then load it with paint and roll it across the surface for fast pattern! 

Check out a tutorial HERE

Erasers are some the easiest (and cheapest) materials to carve into stamps! Simply use a carving chisel or even an exacto knife to carve pattern into the surface.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I like to use ANYTHING round as a stamp to create pattern and repetition on my surface. Cups, pen caps, cookie cutters and jar lids are all everyday things can be used as round stamps!

Cardboard rolls might be my favorite supply for stamping because they are so versatile! You can bend them into shapes, turn them into rolling pins, glue texture to the surface and the best part is that they are free! Check out a tutorial HERE

Believe it or not you can actually create stamps with hot glue (or any heavy duty glue) by drawing with the glue onto the surface or cardboard, craft foam or any durable surface. Ink it up just like a normal stamp and while you won't get a perfect imprint, you will get some really interesting texture and pattern.

Just about any fruit or vegetable can be used as a stamp. Cut things open and make use of the natural shape or carve up the surface to create something unique!