Spray-Painted Lace Wrapping Paper

I love beautiful, handmade wrapping paper. Problem is—it's the price tag that's not so pretty. So this year, I made my own! Armed with a few cans of spray paint and inexpensive lace from Jo-Ann's, here's what I came up with.

Take lace in a pattern you love, lay it down flat over a roll of white kraft paper, spray evenly across and voilà! The openwork of the lace acts as a stencil for the paper. Just be sure to use regular, not water-based paint, so it dries properly. And don't worry about blurry imperfections. They're part of the charm! In fact, they remind me of block-printed papers made by hand. My favorites are the ones with batik-like patterns or dots like delicate snowflakes. Best of all, they're not just for wrapping gifts! For example, how great would a paper runner be going down the table for a little boy or girl's birthday party? It's easy, inexpensive, and one-of-a-kind!  

So much so that I decided to do a demo on it as part of my presentation last month at R•Home for the Holidays, sponsored by Richmond Magazine. Here I am with Jaithan outside the local CBS station before my segment promoting the event.   

Anchors Cheryl and Greg with the morning show were very sweet.   

And here I am on the big stage at the Virginia Historical Society later that night before a crowd of 300, including new friend and fellow blogger Chris Cox with Easy & Elegant Life.   

Click to watch the demo, and thank you to master videographer Rob Collins for the clip!  

Thank you also to Patsy Arnett, Matt Earle with West End Antiques, along with Susan Winiecki and Brandon Fox with Richmond Magazine for a fantastic event. There's a special place in our hearts for Richmond, thanks to them. In fact, we're heading back there in February for the Home Show, so mark your calendars!

Now that all your packages are wrapped, have you ever oohed and aahed over boxes tied so beautifully, the ribbon simply falls off with one glorious pull? To view the video tutorial I did last year, click here.

Even Cheryl and Greg at the morning show were getting the hang—or should I say pull?—of it! 

Finally, with your gifts all wrapped and your ribbons tied, don't discard the extra strips of paper! Use them to cover inexpensive cylinder vases for candles or flowers on a mantle or dining table. They make great handmade hostess gifts for all those holiday parties as well.

Happy lace-hunting and spray-painting, everyone!

Comments

[Brenda]

These are beautiful! Is there any worry about paint being flammable when the candles are lit?

[buy flagyl]

Really interesting blog, keep up the good work!

[honey living]

no wrapping post would be complete without a link to this post,eddie! here's mine:

http://honeyliving.blogspot.com/2009/12/wrapping-up-holiday-cheer.html

[Mitzi Curi]

I'm an absolute holy terror when I get a hold of spray paint, and your idea has me all in a tizzy! I'm going to be making some homemade wrapping paper later today!

[jenn]

i did this and it came out great! the store i went to didn't have lace so i chose a pretty eyelet fabric. i constantly am finding ideas like this but never feel i have the talent to make it happen - i am so glad i finally gave this a try. thank you so very much for the inspiration :)

[Laurie Jones]

Beautiful! Love the candles! You always rock it!

[Paige]

I love the idea about wrapping the candles and vases. I have done that with other papers before but have never thought about using wrapping paper. What a great idea!

[Marysol]

How creative!
I particularly love the candles, beautifully wrapped up for the holidays.

[Cristi Holcombe ~ charm home]

This is such a great idea. I never would have thought of making my own wrapping paper this way. You are so creative! Those plaid shirt Christmas balls were awesome too.

Thanks so much for commenting on my post. Throwing the linen sheet over your sofa in your dining room worked out perfectly. It looks like such a well thought out plan in the Lonny photos. I can't wait to see the B&A's though. Happy Holidays to you too and I'm looking forward to meeting you when you come to Atlanta in January!!!

xo, Cristi

[jenn]

that is a fabulous idea. i cannot wait to try it! i came across your blog following a link on Twitter and now i spend lots of my free time reading your posts from the past. thank you for so much inspiration and ideas.

[Jennifer]

What a great idea! This is something to use all year round! How fun that you got to show it on a morning show. I like wrapping the candles as well.

My hubby made an ornament wreath (but your contest ended before we returned from our trip). I posted it on my blog for you to check out.

Have a fabulous Thursday,
Jennifer

[Lauren]

oh my gosh!!!! you are just TOO MUCH!!!!!! where do you keep coming up with all of this stuff??? it's endless!!! what a beautiful idea & i just LOVE it.

so glad things went so well in richmond!!! xoxoxoxox

[cristin @ simplified bee]

Loved this idea so much, I included it in a DIY gift wrap roundup:

http://simplifiedbee.blogspot.com/2009/12/diy-inexpensive-handmade-gift-wrap.html

xo,
cristin

[Cherry@NewburghRestoration]

coolio for you! Sweet appearance! And very great idea!

[kathysue]

Sweet Eddie and Jaithan, another amazing idea, Simple but elegant. I think you should have your own show, I love the title Easy and Elegant, that is so you. You make it seem Effortless and Elegant at the same time. You are a rising star,that is for sure. Love you both, Kathysue

[Jacks]

You and Jaith look so professorial in these photos- love it! xx

[Danika]

Such a great idea and I love the the way the candles look. The picture of all the gifts with bows is beautiful!

[T Phillips]

I just wanted to say a quick hello and thank you for all of your WONDERFUL ideas Eddie!! You're so talented! Keep up the great work and fun projects for us! I can't wait to make some wrapping paper (and even stock up for next year!) Thanks again Eddie!
A huge fan in Tulsa, OK!

[honey living]

your amazingness seriously never ends. thank you for this fantastic idea. i'm planning a post on wrapping ideas, and i am totally linking to this post.

[Jaime @ DOXA]

Only you! It is both pretty and charming;)

Happy holidays,
Jaime

[Susan Winiecki]

Holy Holiday post! Thanks for all the thought and pre-planning put into our event, which you two helped make such a success with closer to 375 through the door!

[Claire]

What a terrific idea; looks like a million bucks! I see gold paint and brown craft paper...

[Emmie of Aspirations of a Southern Housewife]

So simple it's brilliant. And far better than many of the insipid wraps that are out there.

[Karena]

Genius! Eddie and Jaithan. Maybe it is time for a book, as I cannot remember all of your Greatest Ideas!!

[Patti Davis]

So beautiful and SO creative!!

[Shandell's]

Brilliant, I will have to use some to make lampshades.
XOXOXO

[sheista]

Of course you do!
Was the first thought that came into my head~LOL!
I love you but as a busy stay at home mom I did chuckle. Not this year :)

[ed hardy ladr long sleeve]

I read the article, this post was so great. Thanks for sharing.

[ABCOroville]

What a great idea! You never cease to amaze me with your amazing ideas. Keep up the good work. Best to you and Jaithan.

[cristin @ simplified bee]

brilliant!

[Allison]

Hi Eddie! I wanted to let you know I'm a huge fan! I think I followed you the opposite way---I heard about your blog and THEN went back and watched your season of top design. I grew up in WIlton (near where you're from) so I can really relate to your design sensibility. And your partner Jaithan is dreamy! Happy holidays!

[Melissa]

Oh, Eddie Ross. Sigh. Will you marry me? That wrapping paper is just divine--now if only it would stop being all rainy and foggy so I'd feel like wrapping something...

[Evelyn Weiss]

LOVE the laced wrapping paper idea! Genius!!! And now I am thinking about brown kraft paper with different colors for other occasions...or dark paper with white paint.... I once recycled a store's white shopping bag for gifting by spray-painting over the logo in a crazy pattern. It worked!

The lacy spray-painting demo was a riot. You are just too cute!

xoxo
Evy

[Heidi]

You two are so clever.

[grace]

this is so genius!!! i LOVE it:)

[Jessica]

Gorgeous!

[Emily @ Peach & Pearl]

Ooo that last shot of the candle is beautiful! I might have to try that this year...

[Iman]

Great ideas! Love the tutorial.