The Artdog Quote of the Week We can never give as much as a person can imagine, in material terms. That’s because (to borrow a line from Han Solo) everyone “can imagine quite a lot,” but we mere mortals are finite beings with finite resources, no matter what we might wish to give. Of course, if the recipient can be expected only to calculate material value, we are talking about a very shallow soul, indeed. I hope you don’t have…
Artdog Images of Interest Do you believe in second chances? Second acts? Second careers? How about onsite recycling? Today I have a lineup of repurposed items you might want to reconsider for their gift-wrapping value. You might be surprised and delighted with some creative ways to re-use things that it’s possible you have already lying around. And anyway, it’s almost Christmas! Who has time to go out for wrapping supplies, when there are options available at our fingertips–if only we have the…
Bonus Artdog Images of Interest This month’s pre-Christmas Images of Interest have focused on creative strategies for wrapping gifts. In today’s “bonus round,” we’ll look at creative ways to re-use various kinds of fabric and notions, to brighten up your gifts with a creative wrapping touch. Consider it a new take on the old phrase “fabric of the imagination.” H. Camille Smith uses leftover fabric trim to add texture and color to gift-wrap. Wrapping a shipping tube? Use a fabric…
Artdog Images of Interest While researching creative gift-wrapping strategies for this month’s series, I discovered an interesting sub-genre of creative wrapping approaches: gifts that look like something else. How can you make your gift wrap do impressions? Mary Dacuma’s creative gift-wrap evokes a chimney with stockings–your very own Santa-stop, whether your home has a fireplace or not. Pair your chimney-and-stockings with a Santa suit, and everyone can say “Ho-ho-ho!” (also by Mary Dacuma) No one will mind if this turns…
The Artdog Quote of the Week On Saturday I made the point that “whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, The Winter Solstice, Brumalia, Yule, Kwanzaa, Festivus, Boxing Day, or anything else, it’s likely you’re [giving] presents in December.” Gift-giving is at the heart of many cultural traditions in December, and (partially, but) not only because a large segment of our economy depends on it. Even the best material gifts are only the outward symptom of an inner state, or they are meaningless. When the inner joy is stripped away, all…