Giftwrapped... a great little helper for Christmas!

I'm a sucker for a beautifully wrapped gift which means that I'm pretty much like a 2 year old when it comes to boxes and wrapping... I tend to be in awe of the packaging rather then what's inside! OK not entirely true as the contents also make it but a well presented, amazingly wrapped present can easily make an ordinary present look quite sensational!
"Giftwrapped" by Jane Means shows you exactly how to do that!

Jane's a really clever lady and I love the fact that she manages to show us how to wrap it up perfectly in a variety of styles. There's a bit of everything ranging from vintage, french chic, bright & modern to the classic look. Plus she teaches a few tying techniques to show you how to make perfect bows!
And achieving beautifully wrapped gifts isn't that difficult especially with this title at your side to guide you! She makes it look so easy!!!

This step by step guide is the perfect companion to any lover of packaging and gift wrapping. It shows us a selection of techniques including furoshiki (a Japanese gift wrapping style of wrapping using fabric) to the more complex pleating which is ideal for round objects like sweet tins.

Also she cover a few basics like wrapping a bouquet and a bottle which done properly actually elevates it to something quite grand rather then just a house warming gift!
It also means you can buy a lesser expensive bunch of flowers and through the art of gift wrapping transform it into something which looks like came out of a Chelsea flower shop!

There's also a page of resources, stockists and a list of tools which make it even easier to try your hand at gift wrapping successfully without feeling like it's all too much. It is in fact nicely laid out and made to look like anyone can achieve the looks quite easily and at not a great expense which I actually think is important. I also love the selection of embellishments she uses and makes us rethink on what we can use... adding a vintage brooch or a sprig of rosemary might not be in your arsenal of gift wrapping materials but she shows us that lots of things can be added and actually look pretty fab too.

Packed with amazing tips and inspirational ideas this beautiful book will get you wrapping like a pro in no time... and I'm not talking Jay-Z Rapping either but it'll make you a free-styling, original gift giver with the most amazing gifts that will stand out under the tree!
From creating the perfect label, wrapping the best new baby gift to producing the most wonderful looking parcels all ready to wow and impress your friends and loved ones!

Published by Jacqui Small this title not only covers the basics but also shows us an array of creative, clever ways to get it right with the aid of some great photography. Practical, clear and well explained this book is the perfect gift for any paper fiend... I already have this earmarked for my partner's mum as she has the most amazing "Christmas Wrapping" studio in her house! Now all I have to do is make sure I wrap this baby in the best possible style inspired by this super book!

Special Craft Guerrilla blog reader offer:

To order Giftwrapped at the discounted price of £16.00 including p&p* (RRP: £20.00), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG252.

*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

Paper Cut...

Hello! So excited to have been asked to be a guest blogger for East London Craft Guerrilla, and thrilled that my first assignment was to review the beautiful new book Paper Cut by Owen Gildersleeve!

Paper Cut - An Exploration into the Contemporary World of Papercraft Art and Illustration is written by the London-based award-winning* designer, papercraft illustrator and set maker.

It gives a fascinating history of paper and how it has been used over the centuries through various cultures right up to the present time and the current resurgence over the last few years.

The author goes behind-the-scenes of his peers - people working with paper as their medium to create spectacular visuals in fabulous 3D from a material so easily considered by many as flat and two-dimensional! Although working in similar fields, many crossing over between graphic design, typography, illustration and animation for music, film and advertising in general, the artworks and technical use of the materials varies greatly. Using different techniques including cutting, folding, layering, collage, quilling, to create fantastic pictures or sets. Some of the artists use bright vibrant colours, others more muted tones, and some none at all, using the construction of the pure white paper to add depth and texture using light and shadow. 

We get to visit and snoop inside 25 artists' studios - mainly within the UK and Europe, but also as far away as United States and Australia - and find out what inspires them creatively and how they came to fall in love with working with paper!

I recognised many of the pieces of work from seeing them in magazines, books, videos and some images I had pinned on pinterest without actually knowing or remembering who they were by, so it was great to finally put a name and face to the piece, as it were.

There are so many beautiful pages within the book, to include all my favourites, so below is just a few to whet your appetite.

Upside Down House by Kyle Bean

Babushka by Yulia Brodskaya

Paper Shredder by Chrissie Macdonald

Holland Herald by Helen Musselwhite

Forest by Eiko Ojala

Three-Course by Fideli Sundqvist

Back to Basics by Zim & Zou

And here is a short film by one of the featured artists Helen Friel, which I had watched as inspiration for a project I was working on with someone a while ago (that was put on hold when we realised just how long it probably would take us to make something anywhere near as good as this!)

Revolution from Helen Friel on Vimeo.

Paper Cut is a stunning book visually, with very interesting interviews with the selected artists that really give you insights into their minds and their working lives. From their inspiration and motivations, through the developing of their techniques and skills, to the finished pieces and beyond.

To Celebrate the launch of the book there is also currently an exhibition of Paper Cut from now until 25th September at The Proud Archivist, Regents Canal, London (nearest tube is Haggerston Overground Station)

There are workshops, talks and Sunday Brunches over the next few weeks, so it sounds like it will be a fantastic opportunity to see the artwork in all its glory and a chance to meet some of the artists in person!

For details of all the exhibition event see the Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/1vxsAuZ

Paper Cut by Owen Gildersleeve is published by Rockport an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group and is available from all good bookshops for £20 rrp

However, the very kind people at Quarto Books have given us a very special offer to share with our lovely readers (yes that's you!) and so you can get a copy sent to you for just £16 including p&p! (UK only - overseas need to add £2.50 extra)

You can place your order either by ringing 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk

and quote the offer code APG168

Thanks for reading, if you have any thoughts, feel free to comment below.

Sanna aka Sannapanda

* He won the ADC Young Guns award in 2011! How awesome to actually be able to be a Young Gun! I hope he has a soundtrack whenever he arrives at or leaves! I know I would, but unfortunately, I am probably too old to ever be a Young Gun... *sigh*