Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with Strings

...these are a few of my favourite things!

My flamenco dance maestro, Joyce organized an early gathering this year so that more would be able to attend. Normally she would have one close to Christmas or New Year, but everyone would already have plans or would be away for holidays. Frankly, I'm not really in the condition to attend any party, but I wanted to catch up with all my dance buddies... miss them so much!

The turnout was really good, and it was a fun party with lots of good food and good company. We also had a gift exchange session, and since I brought my DH along, we brought 2 gifts for exchange, and it's handcrafted and gift wrapped by yours truly.

Gift wrap supplies: Brown wrapping paper, Hero Arts Large Solid Flower Stamp, HA Friends Definition Stamp, HA Many Dots Stamp, HA Truly Appreciated Stamp, Fluid Chalk ink, Glossy Accents, Twine, Scallop Punch, Jenni Bowlin inkpad.

I used to spend most of my time making cards but never made an effort with gift wrapping, but I must say the results are always satisfying :) Somehow I underestimated the time required by the Glossy accents to dry, so in the photo it didn't really look as I've planned. It was just on the border of being dry completamente when I brought them to the party. Anyway, can you guess what's inside???

Rubber Stamps Used: Unity, Tim Holtz

Yep, they are books! Both handstitched by yours truly and then stamped on the outside with inspirational words. I'm so glad I still remembered how to do it, LOL. I'm not sure if I still remember how to do coptic stitching though, but I'll attempt it soon *fingers crossed* and see how much I can remember :)