Monday, March 7, 2011

Another Way To Use the Besties...

It's time to play along with Karla Nathan's Using the Good Stuff challenge. What a great idea!!!




OK...this is just a little bit corny!!! Well, my muse hasn't been around. I have no ideas or energy to make jewelry, much less venture into my second love, which is paper crafts. 


What I do love is giving gifts, wrapping up each little package and putting them into boxes and envelopes that will shock the postman! This gift is for a woman who likes roosters! She is going to have a lot of fun with the package on the right because the paper lace is encased in a layer of cellophane!!!


And this is for a woman who loves fuschia, photography and fashion. I have been doing international materials swaps with Lawendula. They are so much fun and I loved my last package from Eliza who is from Poland! (I won't tell you the postage of the box I sent her-YIKES!)  I taped each envelope of these ones closed with that wonderful tape from the Michaels' dollar bin that says, "You are Awesome...You are Special...You are Wonderful."


Love this girl...such style! The camera loves her, too, I think.


And it did take a second envelope...but, this time, no box. I think I saved money!


Everything inside is all wrapped individually and scented with her favorite (lavender). The package also includes her favorite candy (Jelly Bellies).

So what does that have to do with my besties? 
My besties are wrapped in those packages! I started collecting vintage books several years ago and I now have a wonderful collection. I decided right away that they were purchased for using...and I also have decided they were purchased for sharing.

I hope the recipients will enjoy the packages. I feel a lot of joy in giving them.

Do go to Karla's site and check the wonderful things that people have made using their "besties." 
Huge thanks to Karla who made some of the loveliest things herself!

Posted by at 10:03 AM

35 comments:

  1. JeanieMarch 7, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    First, thanks so much for visiting my blog -- I've loved looking down yours and I always appreciate good wrapping (sometimes more than the gift, if the truth be told -- although usually good wrappers pick good gifts!).

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  2. karlascottage.typepad.comMarch 7, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    They will love the special treatment you gave the packages!

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  3. LaurieMarch 7, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Suz, there's nothing more fun than getting a package like that in the mail!

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  4. Seahorse Ranch GirlMarch 7, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    This is unique. The most I've come up with for an envelope is maybe a stamped image. I'll never be so boring again.

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  5. LenaMarch 7, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    I love special wrappings and yours are quite wonderful and thoughtful Susan, and how generous of you to share your special things with your friends.

    Thank you for participating in the challenge!

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  6. Holly MooreMarch 7, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Oh such fun! I think the wrapping makes the package all that more special. I can imagine each postal worker it reaches getting a kick out of it too. Delightful, really! Hugs and thanks for your nice comment.

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  7. Cindy AdkinsMarch 7, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Hi Suz,
    Oh, I love to decorate packages too--it's so fun!!! And yours looks amazing--love the bright colors--and so will the recipient!!!
    XO

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  8. AnonymousMarch 7, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    What a beautiful package! I'm sure the recipient will be very pleased!

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  9. CreateologyMarch 7, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Hi Suz. Your mail art is super fun and I can see why you like personalizing and sending it. Also I have just been busy cleaning and sorting in my studio and wishing I would use my cherished treasures instead of saving them. Divine intervention to read your post today and see you and Karla doing just that! Thank you so much for inspiring me...

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  10. *jean*March 7, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    oo what fun packages, suz! i love them!!!

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  11. A bird in the handMarch 7, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Yes! That's what I'm talking about. I'll have to add you to my correspondence list (sounds very Jane Austen, doesn't it)

    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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  12. UnknownMarch 7, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    My goodness, how FUN!!! I'm going right over to check it out!
    xoxo
    lynn

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  13. ElyseMarch 7, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    so fun! it looks like your muse has returned. :)

    xo
    elyse

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  14. LuLu KelloggMarch 7, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    I love these!!!

    Love,
    LuLu~*xoxo

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  15. UnknownMarch 7, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    I would be smitten with such fun packages to open!! I am sure it will make the mail carrier's day to deliver them too!

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  16. Marie Lost Bird StudioMarch 7, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    WOW, love your packages! So special,Suz.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Hugs,
    Marie

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  17. Sugar Lump StudiosMarch 8, 2011 at 4:09 AM

    Hello Suz
    I love the way you package things! Amazing art that even the mail man can admire (maybe it would make my own mail man less grumpy to see such beauty ;)
    Thank you for the sweet words on my blog! :) Happy Tuesday to you m'dear!

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  18. rachel awesMarch 8, 2011 at 4:59 AM

    what a delicious assortment!
    love to you! xo

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  19. Hearts TurnedMarch 8, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    What a fun idea, Kat! Those beautiful packages would make anyone smile--even the postman!

    You're so thoughtful in the way you do things...what a lovely woman you are!

    I understand your love of vintage books--one of my favorite things! Love the feeling of seeing a beautiful, old cover...and just knowing that I'll fall in love with what's inside!

    Hope your day is beautiful, dear friend!

    Julie

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  20. JudyMarch 8, 2011 at 6:56 AM

    I love the colorful creations! I don't often use that much color in my own work, but yours is simply wonderful!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  21. UnknownMarch 9, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    I am a sucker for great packaging and yours rocks girl!!!

    Sandy xox

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  22. ~*~Patty SMarch 9, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    you definitely are a BESTIE sweet Suz!

    your mail art and big heart Muse certainly have not left the building!!!

    I have a fancy dancy envelope (special house for my swan page from you) that I keep out just to admire and touch now and again!

    You Light up lots of lives with your thoughtfulness and generosity Lady!
    oxoxo

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  23. koraleeMarch 9, 2011 at 9:02 PM

    You are so sweet...you make giving fun...and I am sure the mailman enjoys delivering such sweet parcels....my daughter always sends me such pretty packages too. oxoxox Thursday hugs.

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  24. Cindy AdkinsMarch 9, 2011 at 10:05 PM

    Hi Suz,
    I saw you on Julie's blog tonight! It was awesome!
    And that would be so sweet of you to send Reid
    a card...If I lived closer, I'd go visit too.
    XO
    Cindy

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  25. vivianMarch 10, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Funny that its so hard for us to use our besties! I have some special mohair that I've been saving for making just the right bear. someday just the right idea will come for using that mohair.. til then I just cant use it or part with it!
    I love that you are willing to send yours away. You are a generous person!
    I hope things are ok and that your hubby is feeling ok.
    have a great weekend
    vivian

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  26. Audrey PettitMarch 11, 2011 at 4:28 AM

    wow! Your packaging ideas are fabulous! I honestly didn't know you could get away with decorating the outsides of mailer boxes and envelopes. thought they had to be plain or kraft only. But now I know!!
    Thanks for sharing your fun idea!

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  27. jackieMarch 11, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    I love international swaps to! You are so sweet and your international pal will love all the pretty pinks and lovelies you are sending her way.

    Thanks for the sweet comments on the blog. I wish you did live closer! Maybe one of these days we will either meet in Oklahoma or I may just have to come north. Of course not in the winter!

    Hope you and your hubby are feeling good these days.
    Keep your chin up!

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  28. The Dolphin InnMarch 12, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    What beautiful wrappings - they are a gift in themselves, thanks for sharing xxx

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  29. UnknownMarch 12, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    It is such fun to discover about each other what we truly love. I am giggling at your clever packaging because I think it speaks volumes about your personality. What a fun post! In my thoughts, Elizabeth

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  30. Cindy AdkinsMarch 12, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Hi Suz,
    Oh, I'm so happy you came over to visit--and thank you for your sweet comments!!! I hope you are having a good weekend and you are such an inspiration to us all.
    XO
    Cindy

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  31. Riki SchumacherMarch 12, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    Hi Suz, thanks for visiting! Love your envelopes, that looks like fun. Have a wonderful weekend my friend. Thinking of you. Hugs, Riki

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  32. Auntie CakeMarch 13, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    Have a wonderful Sunday!
    Kate

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  33. Ragamuffin GalMarch 13, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Very Lucky gals indeedie! Hope your Sunday is blessed in all ways my dear! XO ~ Katie

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  34. VSMarch 13, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    You are SOOOOO cute!!! I love the way yo ship your special gifts out & I bet you are the postmans only SMILE any day he gets to mail your items!! Sooo fun...I never thought of it.
    OK, my goal is now, even if just once, to follow your lead & give my postman a smile!! We all need to think about this, because as we all know, "Going Postal" isn't a GOOD thing. LOL This might just make a tedious job...FUN!!!!
    Hugs & Love to Jud,
    Susie

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  35. {kara}March 14, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    what fun stuff! isn't creativity fabulous? Have a great week!

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