I am so excited to show off the handy work of my friend, Karen, in today’s post! She recently decided to update her bedroom by creating a beautiful, afordable, fabric headboard. She was also featured on one of my favorite home improvement blogs, Young House Love. Be sure to check out their site to get all sorts of awesome ideas and inspiration!

From Karen: I used 1 X 2’s cut to size from my home improvement store (I attached them with L brackets which only cost me $5!). I did use designer fabric by Patricia Bravo but I got a great deal on that on Etsy so the whole project was really affordable.

Be sure to also check out the post that started it all: How to Upholster a Headboard. Special thanks to Sherry and John over at Young House Love! You guys are a constant source of inspiration (and also a good laugh!)

Continuing this weeks gift-wrap theme, today I am featuring ways to dress up a simple white package.

Its amazing how items around home can be repurposed in such unexpectedly beautiful ways. Be sure to check out Summer Watkins “how-to” photos over at Style Me Pretty.

{image credit} Grey Likes Weddings via Style Me Pretty

{image credit} Top from left: Eat Drink Chic, The Knotty Bride, Country Living, Martha Stewart

LOVE how using a simple hole punch can transform a plain white gift box (or paper ribbon) into something so unique and adorable!

{image credit} Top from left: Real Simple {1} {2} {3} {4}

Who loves receiving a pretty package? My hand is raised! I honestly get excited when I receive any type of package – in person or through the mail, from a friend or from a store – I literally squeal every time! Today’s post highlights simple ways to make someone you love squeal when they receive their own pretty package from you.

{image credit} Holly Holderman

I really like the idea of using your recipients name right on the package, as shown above. Use a laser printer, stamps or trace and then cut-out letters from decorative paper, such as old maps, sheet music or printed card stock.

{image credit} from left: The Haystack Needle, Sea Unicorn, Bugs and Fishes

Embellish your package with vintage wallpaper, paper doilies & mini clothespins (shown above in upper left). Or create a wrap-around gift tag (shown above in bottom right). Simply cut a wide strip of colored paper, attach that to your package (use double-sided tape or glue stick), then cut out  a smaller white strip, use a rectangle hole punch to create slots for your ribbon (or very thin paper strip) to slide through. Center and attach the white strip on top and voila!

Create a butterfly gift tag by downloading the PDF here.

{image credit} from top left: Ribbons & Pom Poms, Humunuku, Whisker Graphics, A Little Hut

Look for ways to recycle brown paper you may have tucked around the house already. Turn brown paper grocery bags and take out bags (the clean ones) inside out to reuse.

{image credit} from top left: Sundance Catalog, Style Canvas, A Lovely Morning, Nice Package

I stumbled across a site devoted to the steampunk aesthetic the other day, The Steampunk Workshop. On that site was an amazing tutorial on how to customize boring brass switchplates using found objects, such as old clock gears, bolt caps, or small lamp finials. Here are some of the photos:

Can’t wait to get my hands on a blowtorch….

{image credit} The Steampunk Workshop

I am so in love with this look! I believe I have found my inspiration for our attic remodeling project! Be sure to check out all the “how-to’s” at The Steampunk Workshop.

These pretty pom pom paper goodies are available to download free thanks to Kristen at Domestifluff! Just imagine all the stationary, gift wrap and invitations a girl could make with them! Swoon

{image credit} Domestifluff

Be sure to check out the rest of her fabulous food and craft blog! Kristen has great style and so many fun ideas to share. Thanks Domestifluff!