Paint Chip Wrapped Present
I’ve officially caught the paint chip bug! How about you? Have you seen all that can be done with those FREE* paint chips?! The possibilities are almost endless. (*Please use consideration when taking paint chips. Try not to take more than 2-3 of each color and definitely don’t take the last of a color. It might be a good idea to ask permission from the paint store employee if you need to take more than a dozen.)
As I was getting ready to wrap a present for a little birthday girl, I lamented the fact that I was tired of the two rolls of wrapping paper we had (not counting the dozen or so that are Christmas related.) Then, I came up with the idea to wrap the present in paint chips. I was probably influenced by the tiny gift boxes that How About Orange made a while ago.
Here are the materials you will need:
- Paint chips (used Behr brand from Home Depot)
- Clear packing tape
- White artists tape (I wish this tape was a little stickier though.)
- X-acto knife
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Ribbon
- Gift box to be wrapped
Instructions:
Start by laying out the chips on one side of the gift box. Overlap where the chips meet so the box won’t show. And allow the chips to overlap the sides of the box slightly.
To keep the chips in the same position, lightly tape them together with artist’s tape before lifting them off the present.
Gently turn over the chips and tape all the seams with the clear packing tape. Repeat the above steps for the other three sides (do not create a panel for the top or bottom of your present yet.)
Lay the gift on top of the taped chip panel and draw a line along the edge of the box.
Using an X-acto knife, cut two opposing panels at a time (since they should be the exact same measurements.)
Assemble a panel for the top of the gift box. Only this time, allow more of the chips to extend over the sides (preferably 1/4 – 1/2 inch) on three sides. The fourth side should be flush with the edge of the box.
Fold over the edges of the overlapping chips to fit snug against the box.
Make a cut into each of the overlapping corners as shown:
Fold the corners in and tape them to create your box top. Note that one edge does not have a folded side.
Tape all four of your box sides together so it creates one long rectangle. Then tape the top of the box to the top of the second panel where there is the open side.
Lift the sides up and set your box into the top (upside down.) Fold the sides in around the gift box.
Make sure your panels fit relatively snug around your present. Then remove the gift box. Tape the lid of the paint chip wrapping to the sides of the wrapper. And put a piece of tape inside the seam where the sides meet.
Now you can slide the paint chip wrapper over your gift box (right sides up.)
Make the bottom panel to your paint chip rapper exactly like you did for the sides by trimming off the excess. Then lay it onto your paint chip wrapped box. Take your white artist’s tape and tape all the seams of your box.
Fold over the corners neatly.
Your wrapped present should look like this:
Wrap a pretty bow around the present and attach another paint chip (I punched some decorative holes in this one.) Write a little message and you are finished.
Now watch the gift recipient ooh and ahh over this unique and beautifully wrapped present!
I thought this present would be perfect for a shower gift. Or a graduation present using the graduate’s school colors?! And using red and green chips would be perfect for a Christmas present. I can’t wait to try this again sometime soon.
If you love paint chip projects, I’m creating a round up of projects for Parentables. I’ll share the link with you on Thursday!
P.s. Don’t forget to enter the Wagner Power Plus Paint Sprayer giveaway! A winner will be chosen at random on Friday, September 16th!
Fun idea. I made a paint chip book with the Mickey Mouse chip paint sample for a color book to teach my 2 year old her colors. She loves it and it was free too!! That’s a bonus.
That is so pretty! Actually what I love most is the tag!! Simple but pretty. Might be something I look at for Christmas gifts. I have also been seeing a lot of neat paint chip crafts. Yet one more thing to add to my “I wish I had more time” list.
I’ve seen a lot of paint chip projects lately, but this is by far the cutest! I LOVE it!!
Stacy
Great idea! I can’t stand to get rid of my paint chips after a big (or little) project–it seems so wasteful! The result is a drawer full of lots of yellow, blue, green, and white paint chips. My family will be so glad to see them reused and out the door! Thank you!
This is a great Idea! I’ve got zillions of paint chips.
I wouldn’t encourage people to go out and get NEW chips though. It would be a shame if paint companies had to quit offering chips for free. If too many people start hording them, I could see them charging.
Thanks for your note about hoarding paint chips. I added a little blurb to the top of the tutorial about consideration when taking chips ;-).
This is the cutest thing ever! I have a baby shower to go to next month – I will have to try it!
Oh so pretty! How do you do it what you do!!! You are talented girl and I totally mean it!
I love the paint chip ideas I’ve seen but fear two things. First, I’m worried that certain color paint chips won’t be in the store when I need then. Second, I’m concerned that I’ll soon have to start paying for paint chips. Nothing’s free really. The store clerk may not care, but up the ladder, someone is paying for these.
Baye,
Thanks for your note about hoarding paint chips. I added a little blurb to the top of the tutorial about consideration when taking chips ;-).
So adorable Brittany! Just shared on FB an twitter 🙂
~Jenna
I love your blog, and all your ideas.
But I think you should point out to your readers, that the paint chips aren’t free.
They are meant for people buying paint, and either the store or distributor pays for them.
If everyone starts hoarding them, they may no longer be free.
Thanks for all your great tips,
Vicki
Vicki,
Thank you for your comment. Actually another blogger asked her local Lowe’s employee if she could take a bunch. He said, “No problem. Take as many as you like. They are free.”
But, I do think common courtesy is in order. Don’t take the last of a color, be sure to leave several chips in each slot. And I don’t take more than 2 of each color. More than that would be hoarding (in my opinion.)
Brittany
Well put, Brittany, thanks for the reply.
I imagine with all the work you do, you’ve earned a few paint chips:)
It’s great that people ask first. I remember one post from a paint rep saying she pays for the chips she its puts in the stores, and asked that people don’t take too more than they need for a paint project.
So hopefully everyone will be fair, and there will be more free paint
chips in the future:)
Vicki
What a neat Idea…I am going to start a paint chip collection! LOL
Neat idea! Looks great!
That looks great, but I could never spend that much time on wrapping. I’m way too impatient. That’s why I love gift bags!