present wrapping, at present

I made these gift tags for the book fair a few weekends ago. We offer free gift wrapping to fair visitors, and we usually keep the wrapping pretty simple for the affair – usually kraft paper tied with string. This year I thought I’d make some easy gift tags to attach. These are the same stars in the girls’ school logo – they are based on the star shaped anchor plates that you see on buildings in our neighborhood, including our own.

photo source

They serve an important structural function in masonry buildings, so when neighborhoods like ours started to fall into disrepair and people left the city for the suburbs in increasing numbers, many stars were removed from buildings and sold as decorative items in antique stores. Once removed, the structural tie between the brick walls and the interior wood framing was severed, and brick walls started to bow outwards. We did a lot of structural repairs to the third floor of our house in the beginning of our renovation to mitigate some of this masonry movement. These cast iron pieces are hard working components of our neighborhood.

photo source

I know I rambled off course a bit, but I wanted to share a little project of mine in case you were looking for an easy way to brighten up your brown paper packages. I just free-handed the star shapes, and cut them out with an x-acto knife. I know this doesn’t really make me much of a super blogger – no free printable download for gift tags included. But always feel free to ask if there’s something you want more information on, or a pattern for. I’m happy to help if I can.

I’m actually trying out a different wrapping idea this year. (Here was last year’s.) I picked up the supplies today, but my evening got away from me. I promise to post pictures soon.