Review of Wrapped With Style by Leslie Carola

© Wrapped with Style by Leslie Carola; Universe Publishing, 2009

Wrapped with Style: Simple, Creative Ideas for Imaginative Gift Wrapping by paper crafter, Leslie Carola, is a veritable feast for the eyes. Like a beautifully decorated cake, the illustrated gift wrappings look to good to be opened.

If you’re like me and save all the little doodads and tchotskys that come your way, you already have a stash for some gift presentations that will rival “Ace of Cakes”.

Since they’re almost too pretty to be opened, you can hope that the recipient will take photos before doing so. Better yet, do that yourself to create a catalogue of your creations for future reference as well as for reminiscing.

Leslie suggests, “The adornments can be something special to the recipient, a reminder of the giver, or just something pretty that fits perfectly.” Many of her example embellishments can be removed and saved, displayed or reused. You’ve heard of a gift-within-a-gift? Leslie shows us gifts-atop-gifts.

The book includes a smattering of color theory and explains why certain combos attract the eye and evoke different, yet predictable, reactions. It is topped off with appendices of basic folding and tying techniques, wrapping supply sources and an illustrated Glossary of Crafting Techniques which tie back to the projects in the book where they are used.

I especially enjoyed:

• The simply charming gift tag section – any paper crafter or scrapbooker will find inspriration here;
• The rose package topper made from wired ribbon – I can’t wait to use that technique on my next gift; and
• That Leslie even included ideas for us digital scrappers.