Hi Friends!! So many of you reached out to me personally on how to create your own wrapping paper. Sorry, this has taken me so long to get together!! I hope you have as much fun creating that one of a kind wrapping as I have in putting this post together!

There are so many premade stencils out there to choose from. Small versions can be found at Michael’s but searching all-over stencils will give you large scale ones which will create your masterpieces quickly. Click here, here, and here.

Cover your area with a throw-a-way vinal tablecloth, or some paper. You will need a roller with a foam cover, a tray, tape, stencil of choice, and paint.

You do not have to thin your paint, but I like to because it gives an inconsistent coverage, and seems to absorb into the paper more like an old fresco would on a plastered wall. I use what we have, so for latex paints I mix it with some Floetrol. This can be purchased at any paint store or Home Depot along with the other materials you need. I love using metallic paints. What a beautiful iridescent quality they lend. I use Modern Masters, which can be found at Hobby Lobby, some paint stores, Walmart and even on Amazon. Mix a bit of Floetrol to your desired transparency.

I like medium to lightweight kraft paper, which we also buy at a paint store. I found this online at Paper Mart. Office Depot has it in white. Just google–I found it at Walmart, Home Depot and more. 24 inches is plenty wide.

If your stencil is 24 inches wide then you would center over the paper and tape it down. If your stencil is less than that, center it to your paper. You will have to line up the registration marks (small holes on the top and bottom of the stencil) to do either side. Roll your roller into the tray and use the ridges to remove some of the paint. I typically start from the center and work my way out. Be careful not to roll past the edges as you don’t want the paint to get on the sides of your wrapping paper.

I used Modern Masters Pale Gold on this one. Look how beautiful it looks!

Now you are ready to wrap. I always have lots of materials on hand as I buy ribbons every year from Michael’s after each holiday when they are 80% off–I do love a bargain! Using natural materials like these boxwoods from my yard adds so much in creating something special.

I also like mixing the casual with the ornate. This raffia ribbon is just the touch I wanted.

Here’s another fun pattern we had at the warehouse. We did make this on a floor covering kraft paper and learned it was much too heavy and made things difficult to wrap. Stay with a medium paper.

I found a spool of green ribbon-just enough for this package. I do love to use ribbons with the wire in them as the bows turn out so much more interesting.

This creates a gift within a gift. This is an ornament just ready for someone to paint and hang on their tree. Be sure and save things from gifts you receive or look for those fun items when shopping after the holidays for the next year’s wrappings.

Once we got going we just couldn’t stop!! So many options and combinations to choose from.

What will you wrap up this year for your holiday gifts? I wish I had a new cover to show you! Segreto Impressions will be out and ready to preorder very soon!

I hope you have fun creating your own special wrapping. Your friends and family will love the gift before they even open it. Please email me your pictures of what you have created. Leslie@segretofinishes.com. I know we would all love to see!!

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Happy wrapping. Till next week! xo Leslie