Wrap Session

[ladysprite]

I have a crafter confession to make.

In general, I am an artsy-craftsy person. I like making things, and if something can be made from scratch I try to do so. If I can bake it, crochet it, embroider it, hot-glue it, jury-rig it, or figure out just about any other way to make it by hand, I will. There's just one crafty skill I lack, though.

I purely suck at wrapping presents.

My presents always come out looking like they were wrapped by a four-year-old with neuromotor problems. I tear the paper when I maneuver the present onto it, I can't cut a straight line, I can't make my corners flat and smooth. I always start out with too much paper, and then trim it down too far, and have to kind of smoosh a patch over the resulting naked spot. My tape bunches up. I get bored and frustrated and just kind of cram the paper into something like the right place.

It's not just the paper that's the problem - I've made origami, and snowflakes, and altered books. I can work with paper, and scissors, and all the individual components. It's just the specific mojo of gift-wrapping that is my crafty nemesis. I keep trying, and... I keep making askew lump of paper and good intentions.

So, if you've ever wondered why most of the gifts I give are homemade baked goods? Partly it's because I love baking, and giving homemade things. But to a large extent, it's because I can just stick some Saran wrap and a bow on it and call it a day.....

Comments

[ninjarat.livejournal.com]

One trick I figured out is not to be stingy with either paper or tape. Use a larger piece of paper, or several pieces taped together, than you think you'll need. You can always fold away or trim off excess. Liberally use tape to hold flaps and folds in place.

Another trick is to practice with paper grocery bags. They're much sturdier, thus more forgiving of trial and error, than typical wrapping paper (never mind tissue).