I just realized that not only do I buy and hoard too much fabric, but I also do the same with gift wrapping paper. I'm always finding more paper that I love. But, I don't have the heart to use it as gift wrap. I just know that it will be torn, crumpled, and tossed. So, I find ways to save it.
I've lined a plain tray with it, used it to cover books, or as a back drop in bookcases.
I always use it as a drawer liner.
At the end of this post I'm sharing some of my smaller projects. Big project first.
I've had some wrapping paper for a long time.
I decided to decoupage one of my long-time favorites onto a vintage dresser.
The pattern is so pretty and it even has a name, Versailles.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCKzs5XB1F7XvGPu4e1IMheAQXgS5PGeOPsB9chESTvIqiOxZhLdQdPBgLTC6KSXK-mPZ6IX5GUPuEyBSbFsXHmmv-FZQlPEAa4-qqnVon5jz2Hkrqa1HzRa1PgdXOn8vPmYyBWMaa90/s1600/DSC_0049x.jpg) |
"Versailles" Wrapping Paper |
I've decoupaged small pieces before, but wanted to try to add this paper to a plain dresser.
I used a crackle medium and linen white paint on the surfaces I didn't cover with paper.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOr1Rn2uwaGAobIgFvbf1kmoUgdrusoeon5t6gNBQouDP9qg50A6crLGSdxJwm-srupKCAHnhfM-MMb130p1oBx3PCS8EpIs1sbTMi53R8TFcrsd08qzkLeqyztxGZ9BuvJ2JvnOENr8/s1600/DSC_0004x.jpg) |
Decoupaged Five-Drawer Chest |
Normally, I use Mod Podge when I decoupage.
This time though I decided to use this archival adhesive from Michaels.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-Ysorfl75xpPXE4UjBtYdmL1GHNWc3x5msAtHKJT8whcE3h2JihF9_hW-h72ga6U7NpdrHaxH_UtnAkn_htYOK0XhR5D0dRmeZfyaSebCf7YPfKsDg7rkMx38PyMAg9KQKkg3q8P1cw/s1600/DSC_0038x.jpg) |
Archival Adhesive |
The hardest part was lining up the pattern. Before I got started, I numbered all the drawers on the bottom so I was sure they would be in the correct order. I had already removed the knobs and painted them when I painted the dresser. Next, I placed the drawers, face up onto the floor in the same order they were in the dresser. I started lining up the pattern with the top drawers, then continued down to the last drawer, matching each one with the drawer above it.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWOgdF1f3OB3MrDWSEA2L5OPJz5t9ZvRIc1W2O0T41LXFK1w-ysl3K9rXVDRevfBtAMDT32uuBWOWy9ktdbkhI0MybvTfo1e4I8qWENB5e_B696pLBh4DVOFB2hmu7lJokAqW2q7lWYE/s1600/DSC_0011x.jpg) |
Completed Drawer Fronts with Matching Pattern |
Once I knew that the pattern was lined up correctly, I cut the paper a little larger than I needed it to be. You can trim this excess off later with a razor blade when the adhesive dries. Next, I used a sponge brush to apply some adhesive and completely cover the drawer face. I started with the paper in a corner of the drawer and smoothed from side to side until the whole drawer was covered. I used an old credit card to make sure there were no air bubbles underneath. You have to be careful and patient. Once the drawers were dry, I trimmed the excess and applied several coats of adhesive on top to seal the paper. I added extra adhesive around the edges to seal them and keep them from peeling up. I added the knobs and put the drawers into the dresser
I even added a piece of the tassel pattern in the center of the knob.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDJoDfEtOKQV1ykabVeRN0mrRN3OoZvG7yzVq1b1bmj1RfdAuE4LmEONiruYH7xVoO5eh1Zsvl3Lc3kL66oafg_IC6eulwcsotGsPyj2r7PaWqqP5slS0JWkIDEvjJXcWDY37x89w2wQ/s1600/DSC_0034x.jpg) |
Knob with a Piece of the Paper Pattern in the Center |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHBtuFmWmKYy7CWBhMcf_CXXLYycvh6KwMen9ZlrtUPysmrHFHZ9_NT_usHb0JNsvsMbFUyObG_ICU7ThyphenhyphenMwlzlUS33fARrKPL3_Em7Rtqnozr8SLWaxUM2Uj74aWjI0ghzLTLzTVnPY/s1600/DSC_0006x.jpg) |
Chippy Leg and Sides and Scalloped Apron |
I also added the gift wrap to the sides.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZVLZP2rcc5aC3H9OxIgLKEJjElQmcT76-gGCTt5Mw7ICP0771BgDoOSzXcgx6-aa4tXwymKSo9n6fiumTHjeuxo94KjeY7PCYVPSEnI0GEfnaI7q7QF9VpC5rdRUfd4fvKLLp5bpU9k/s1600/DSC_0015x.jpg) |
Side View with Paper |
The recessed panel made it very easy to measure and apply.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_4u6PHq7GPoAH3BYRS2IZTJUXOJRoWijF87YzQr7dOMd6Dh_ePUJOt4R70eWEMqpv_AAP9qncwF4NoJsoZeDtEcS-CL8Cmpv77zWtmU1EPYfmmsHu9yJvL_-CF_O4Wx2Zi6zDSnFDtc/s1600/DSC_0018x.jpg) |
Recessed Side Panel with Gift Wrap Paper |
You can see that I lightly distressed the painted surfaces.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLb3iEl-D6WIGeUn011thW8QynnL6lN7iKFZrXJnxBpmzEGsFevcgERyEprS8_aQnfcdKQ_s_W9Iq6ncMrQsc7Kj3MVJti3jodfY3GRaESGQc4OFKs-hCvtRYDb47mkZ94-HtziVeWAk/s1600/DSC_0029x.jpg) |
Side View Close-up |
You've probably seen these before, but I wanted to share my other uses for wrapping paper.
I wrapped some books in plain orange paper, then decoupaged a vintage elephant print to the spines.
Full post
here.
I used paper with a zebra print to cover some books. They're perfect risers at the store.
My chalkboard has a leopard wrapping paper border.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7DRh9IMWF65hryHuy_ZaND-LsEJ8-yRqSXYAWIhU7j7hYoP5l05hhx-f4Kd0etic0Dq56ipY2CaTKD6YwylGTuD6KGm-RakgJm7esJu2yf19YUpD_jXQeMZMoQ8iXb9BwFIr-cWdhFE/s1600/zebra+wrap.jpg) |
Animal Print Wrap on Books and Chalkboard |
I always use it to line drawers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TNRnJyjKG4Z3IqRhvN1_4NHP6ejC6wG_YTs4CORzTGB0C9l2N04u3qbwRx2EfClVMFOmIdWp1vfwRh4bCOklv6EeZT8pImmafWO0ghBdmACFhiDVgiiyToxTyKnaSWGuL20kCvqebcQ/s1600/in+drawer.jpg) |
Gift Wrap as Drawer Liner |
I lined a tray with snakeskin wrap then used the extra for more books.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpDUACvBitbz1KPnESabY5qhW3i53TKMJFx4efW8MvGQ9ZU2wkBWBJg8XCq525IK3sOwMINeDefZy2Qh-yP-qw7SaF49inglM1QdxJvBLlQCxHakwp6zTAzo0UNTe6DJnHrjHGn2JY6Q/s1600/snakeskin.jpg) |
Snakeskin Paper on Books and in Vintage Tray |
In this next image I used chevron fabric on a bookcase, but you just as easily could use gift wrap.
You can use foam core behind to support it. To see the full post, go
here.
I have one last tray to share. I used some wrapping paper from World Market to decoupage these marching elephants onto a plain gold tray.
How have you used your gift wrap?
Do you rescue wrapping paper?
Kathy
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