We have some special packages to mail out to friends, and I thought it would be fun to dress them up a bit. Emily had so much fun making this watermelon wrapping paper!! With just a bit of grown-up help, toddlers can have a go at this one too!
We used a potato to make the prints on long sheets of freezer paper using pink washable paint. I think it’s kind of weird that we used a potato to make a watermelon print, but whatever! It worked well!
Emily LOVES to stamp, so she thought this was so much fun! Cover the paper with pink watermelon wedges.
Next, add some green paint for the rind. The younger ones might need a bit of help with this step.
Here she is adding all the rinds to the watermelons…
To add the seeds, use the opposite end of a paintbrush dipped in some black paint. At this point, since Emily was obviously having so much fun, I couldn’t resist making some wrapping paper of my own!
Wrap up your gift with your special handmade wrapping paper!!
Have fun!!
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July 10th, 2010 on 10:09 pm
Oh my goodness. i LOVE this idea. WONDERFUL!!! thanks so much, once again.
July 10th, 2010 on 10:33 pm
That is great summer time wrapping paper!
July 11th, 2010 on 12:23 am
So cute, might have to use this idea for making a letter head (letter to grandma!). We usually do fabric bags for gifts but those little melons are too cute!
July 11th, 2010 on 12:46 am
Wow, I don't think I have seen a pic yet of your kids NOT enjoying an activity! I think the potato was a great idea.
July 11th, 2010 on 1:58 am
Super cute wrapping paper! and great timing as we have a birthday party to attend next week
July 11th, 2010 on 2:13 am
Perfect for the summer time – so cute and vibrant. I like that this idea is so simple and the finished product looks fantastic. The good ole potato is so handy for stamping!
July 11th, 2010 on 6:58 am
This is the sweetest wrapping paper. I'll be wrapping Gradma's gift today for a party we're having for her and now I've found a way to keep the kids busy too
Thanks for the inspiration!
July 11th, 2010 on 7:18 am
I love this! cutest wrapping paper ever!! my son wrapped a present yesterday in plain white paper and then covered the whole thing in multicolored exclamation points. It looked awesome— I'll have to show him this post!
July 11th, 2010 on 8:09 am
Oh, my! That paper is cute!
July 11th, 2010 on 4:04 pm
Awesome idea! We'll be doing this one for sure. I made your strawberry paper for my daughters birthday present and had lots of fun
) These are so FRUGAL!!!!!
July 11th, 2010 on 4:06 pm
Awesome idea! We'll be doing this one for sure. I made your strawberry paper for my daughters birthday present and had lots of fun
) These are so FRUGAL!!!!!
July 11th, 2010 on 4:17 pm
fantastic, fun and so easy- just the sort of craft I like!
July 11th, 2010 on 6:12 pm
Oh I love it. It wouldn't matter what was inside. That paper is great. I try and print up reused paper or make a fabric bag for gifts. I guess I could use fabric paint instead and print up the fabric.
July 11th, 2010 on 7:34 pm
Ummm…I'm just in love! Whenever I need craft/fun/something-to-do ideas I come to your blog! My daughter will love this!
July 12th, 2010 on 12:51 am
What a gorgeous simple idea Valerie!
July 12th, 2010 on 3:00 am
looks great! awesome idea
July 12th, 2010 on 8:38 am
Very sweet. We like to make our own wrapping paper at Christmas time. We would love another project suggestion like this in early December!!!
July 12th, 2010 on 10:05 am
I love this paper. I have that same Stonyfield farm t-shirt. It's so comfy.
July 12th, 2010 on 1:16 pm
Love this idea~
July 12th, 2010 on 1:17 pm
Love this idea~
July 12th, 2010 on 5:15 pm
My nephew's 1st birthday is this weekend and I totally plan to use this idea to wrap some of his presents.
July 12th, 2010 on 6:49 pm
This is so cute! And it's great for the summer!
July 12th, 2010 on 7:03 pm
Awesome idea!! I love it!!
I have some presents to be envoved next days, so we will try it.
Than youi so much for your inspirating blog.
Raquel
July 12th, 2010 on 7:12 pm
This paper looks gorgeous, and congratulations to Emily on her first tooth. Asking for tuna made me laugh.
July 14th, 2010 on 7:40 am
So darn cute, I love it!
July 14th, 2010 on 9:01 pm
@ Ricki — I love the letterhead idea! You could certainly use this same technique on fabric, just use fabric paint instead. Have fun!!
@ V. Kerr — LOL I think the girls have so much fun with projects like these because I love doing them so much. Half the time, I join in the action too because I can't help myself!!
July 14th, 2010 on 9:02 pm
@ Sarah @ Mum In Bloom– How fantastic! Have fun!!
@ Childhood Magic — That sounds so neat!!
July 14th, 2010 on 9:02 pm
Blogged at http://www.boosie.ca
July 14th, 2010 on 9:04 pm
@ Crystal — I"m so happy you did the strawberry paper! Yay!!!
@ Cheryl — Yes, fabric paint would work very well! Have fun!!
@ Angela — That makes me VERY happy!
July 14th, 2010 on 9:08 pm
@ Zina — There is much handmade wrapping paper in this household around Christmas time! Here's a link to our festive wrapping paper and our gift bags!
July 14th, 2010 on 9:10 pm
@ Drama Queens Mum — I came home with that shirt after the barnstorming tour, and Emily was thrilled! I wish they had one in Clara's size too!
@ Tammy — Great!! Have fun!
July 19th, 2010 on 12:03 am
I absolutely love this. Simple and effective and fun! The perfect combo for crafting with kids. Thanks for sharing.
July 19th, 2010 on 12:30 am
This is so sweet! I just did a cute packaging post on potatos prints too! I'm linking to this on my Craft Schooling Sunday party, and would love it if you would stop by too!
all the best.
July 19th, 2010 on 4:24 pm
The potato farmers in my state thank you! This is adorable and it reminded me of how much my kids used to love making potato prints. We always used them to make cards, but this is even more fun. Thanks!
July 19th, 2010 on 4:25 pm
This is a great idea! I'm hosting a summer get-together soon and this'll be a perfect craft for kids of varying ages. Thanks for sharing!
July 19th, 2010 on 11:29 pm
I just met you a minute ago, and this is cute too. This would make adorable paper tablecloths too. Fun project for the kids.
July 19th, 2010 on 11:36 pm
@ Jacqueline — I LOVE the tablecloth idea!! That would be so much fun to make!
July 20th, 2010 on 9:56 am
SUPER cute! What a great idea!
http://www.makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com
July 23rd, 2010 on 8:17 am
Terrific! I keep big rolls of white and brown paper for the express purpose of wrapping gifts with them so this is right up my alley. The potato prints are a wonderful idea even for BIG kids like me who like to play. The look on the little crafter’s face as she makes her watermelons is priceless. What a perfect way to foster creativity AND teach the art of frugality in one fell swoop.
Go, Mom, Go!
September 1st, 2010 on 11:57 am
I just have to say thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this idea! It was a huge hit at an end of summer party we had…so fun and simple!
September 17th, 2010 on 5:14 pm
Beautiful!