Today we’re sharing a special DIY by Sally Shim. Sally’s been contributing to Oh Happy Day for over a year, and now I’m excited to announce that she just released a new book: Pretty Packages (you can order it by clicking here
Felted Ball Garland by Sally Shim
Crafting felted balls requires few materials and is a great addition to a gift when you have a little time on your hands. All you need is wool roving, dishwashing soap, and water and you can make felted balls of all sizes. Wool roving can be found at knitting or craft stores. If you don’t have time to make felted balls, you can use store-bought mini pom-poms. This DIY makes 1 garland with 5 or 6 felted wool balls. Bright Idea: Instead of stringing the felted balls, you can glue individual felted balls in a random pattern on the wrapped box. Mix two or more colors of wool roving to create multicolored felted balls.
Supplies: Wrapped gift, A few handfuls of wool roving Cotton embroidery thread, 1 tbsp dishwashing soap, Small bowl containing 1 cup/240 ml hot water, Spoon, Small bowl of cold water Embroidery needle
Step 1: Add the 1 tbsp dishwashing soap to the small bowl with 1 cup/ 240 ml of hot water. Stir the dishwashing soap and hot water with a spoon until it is mixed well. Tear off a small handful of wool roving (approximately one-eighth of the total roving); the ends will be frayed when you make the tear. Gently dip the wool into the soapy water. You want the wool to be slightly damp, but not fully wet.
Step 2: Gently rub the wool between your hands, forming a ball shape. Once a ball shape is formed, dip the wool into the small bowl with cold water.
Step 3: Continue to rub the wool while adding more pressure.
Step 4: Alternate between rubbing the wool and dipping the wool into the hot soapy water and the cold water until the ball feels firm and dense. Repeat this process to make the desired number of felted balls. Let the felted wool balls dry for 24 hours.
Step 5: Thread the needle with the embroidery thread and use it to string the felted balls, leaving enough of the thread at each end to wrap around the gift and secure with a knot. Trim the thread ends.
(Giveaway is now CLOSED. Our winner will be contacted via email. Thanks!)
And here’s how to win a copy of Pretty Packages for yourself:
1) Visit Sally’s site to read more about Pretty Packages.
2) Comment below on why you’d like to own this book!
The giveaway ends on 9/22 when the winner will be chosen at random.
Photos by Madelene Farin
cinthia palacios
September 16, 2014
What a pretty book, I love this, plan to use it this week for a gift.
I dont know what it is about gift wrapping but its usually my favorite part about a gift. lol
Danielle Gough
September 16, 2014
This book looks awesome! The photography for the cover! It would make a great addition to my coffee table! Plus! How much fun would it be to try a whole bunch of these for Christmas gifts!?
Rebecca_FeltBallRug
September 16, 2014
I love this idea of adding felt balls to a gift! They’re so fun and just add a little extra fun to the present.
In general I love the idea of Sally’s book (although I still have to read it)! It seems like it has great ideas for adding a simple something more to people’s gifts.
Lisa
September 16, 2014
Rainbows, dots, and stripes… Oh, my! Presentation is everything and can make the list mundane gift seem extra special. I’m always looking for creative ways to wrap gifts. Pick me, please 🙂
Megan
September 16, 2014
What a pretty, pretty book! I would love to use it for some inspiration for my lack of wrapping skillz. I tend to go right for the recycled gift bag!
Janee
September 16, 2014
Yes, isn’t the packaging one of the best things about giving? It shows the love!
Anitra Sweet
September 16, 2014
I just started doing DIY projects with my girls and would love this book!
Nacho Siordia
September 16, 2014
Now that we are heading towards the end of the year there are tons of opportunities for a celebration which means GIFTS! starting in October (for me personally having 3 birthdays in the Family and mine which I like sending “Thank You” gifts) for Halloween, Thanksgiving and of course tons of fun giving gifts for Christmas. The book would be an amazing way to be inspired and share the joy.
Savanah
September 16, 2014
The only thing better than the perfect gift is the perfect gift wrapped perfectly 🙂 I’d love to have this book to up my perfect wrapping game! 🙂
Jessica
September 16, 2014
This book seems fantastic! I love packaging so much, it’s never boring and the result is amazing. x
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September 16, 2014
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whitney burnett
September 16, 2014
so exciting!! wrapping gifts is definitely the best part about giving them. will definitely need this book on hand during the holiday season this year!
Teresa E. :)
September 16, 2014
I’d love to win this book because I’d love to add some “wow!” to my holiday gifts. I especially love that she’s showing 2 variations for every idea. Thanks!
Audra Blair
September 16, 2014
What a delightful book to add to the collection! I feel like my gift wrapping skills have reaced a plateau and I am confident this book will set me on a path of wonder!
Melissa
September 16, 2014
I need this! ….HOLY CRAP did you see how amazing those gifts we’re wrapped??!! I want to be THAT girl.
bianca
September 16, 2014
What a lovely give away!
This book looks amazing. I would love to win it just because I love paper and packaging in general. I especially love to mix it with other elements(such as felted ball garland)to make it extra special for gift giving:).
Thanks!!
Nicole
September 16, 2014
With the holidays around the corner, Sally’s book has so many great ideas for unique looking gift wrap. I would love to learn how to create the one of a kind gift tags!
Heidi
September 16, 2014
This may be the weirdest reason to want this book, but I want it to use to spend some quality time with my dad!
He is the gift wrapping king every Christmas at our house. His style is simple and elegant, nothing froofy or girly, but man is he serious about it. There are no edges (everything is folded under), all seams are along the corner/edge of the packaging to be less visible, double-sided tape is a must….
The two of us love wrapping presents together. He is all about the paper and folding. I am all about the accessories. With our forces combined and this book, we could be unstoppable.
Nancy C
September 16, 2014
I love creative gift wrapping ideas. Wrapping is one of the fun parts of presenting the gift. What a great book!
Lorra
September 16, 2014
I want to take my wrapping skills to a different level and wow my recipients!
Cameron
September 16, 2014
I love giving gifts, and wrapping them up in fun ways is one of the best parts of the process!
Amy Watkins
September 16, 2014
My gift wrapping has always been tragic! I would love this book to get more ideas on how to decorate pretty packages to at least mask my lack of messy folding and taping. 🙂
Winnie
September 16, 2014
I’ve never own a gift wrapping book so this will be a first for me if I win! I always get my ideas off the internet and from your blog. But owning a book will be handy and useful for those last minute gift wrapping ideas! 😀
CarlyeP
September 16, 2014
I’d love to own it because I love everything creative!
Jen
September 16, 2014
I agree with some of the earlier commenters – my favorite part of gift giving is the wrapping!
Cheryl
September 16, 2014
Pretty packages are my fave! I’d love more ideas!!
Carrie C
September 16, 2014
Love to wrap presents. My daughter and I would love new ideas.
Rachel B.
September 16, 2014
I’d love to own this book because I love making wrapped gifts look pretty! It just makes the gifts all the more special. I know people usually just rip off the wrapping paper, but I try to be very careful if someone’s taken the time to wrap a package. A lot of times, I’ll even save the wrapping paper to use again! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Stancy
September 16, 2014
It is all about the presentation! This books looks like it will offer new and creative ways to make any package wanted. Cannot wait for the release.
Vertie
September 16, 2014
This book just looks like fun!
Grand
September 16, 2014
The items appear simple but elegant. I would love this book .
LC
September 16, 2014
I would love to own this book for more ideas on how to make my friends and family feel more loved!
monica
September 16, 2014
I would love this cute book, because I love doing different crafts and this is a way to specialize gifts.
Emily M
September 16, 2014
I enjoy finding the right gift for the recipient, even though sometimes it takes a lot of searching around and a lot of thought. The way a gift is presented is just as important to me as what is inside the wrapping.
204 Park
September 16, 2014
So glad to know I’m not alone in my obsession for pretty packaging – which obvi includes gift wrapping!! 😉 Such a cute idea XO
Felicity Wilton
September 16, 2014
Because I love beautiful books and givi g beautifully wrapped gifts 🙂 x
Kirsten
September 16, 2014
Beautiful book. I would love to win it! Great ideas to make gift giving more fun.
Amy
September 16, 2014
what a great book! have been a fan of sally’s style and she is great with ideas and of course, packaging. i like her clean packaging style!
MARLENE
September 16, 2014
Gifts are nice… but when you go the extra mile to present it beautifully the gift is more than it was before! Details are everything!! Congratulations, Sally!
Lea Anna
September 16, 2014
Everyone loves a present, but I want to make the presents I give to be as adorable as these!
Angelica calderon
September 16, 2014
I would absolutely love to have this book! I’ve been recently trying to get in the habit of sending more letters and packages and this book would definitely help me out!
Courtney Howard
September 16, 2014
I’m a sucker for pretty packaging and sometimes feel sheepish giving an inexpensive present all dolled upon the outside. But then again, maybe the pretty packaging increases the enjoyment of the gift. Anyway, I’d love to have this book to increase my repertoire of packaging ideas.
Marta
September 16, 2014
This book makes me daydream! I love gifting and I believe that the packaging has to be as great as the gift (if not better!) it creates anticipation and I simply love to watch people’s faces when they see a package. It makes me so happy!!
Christine
September 16, 2014
I need this because I have a ton of craft supplies that need to be used!
Lisa m
September 16, 2014
I LOVE her wrapping ideas!! So colorful and cute!! I want this book!!
Joanna warren
September 16, 2014
Oh…. The package is ‘the present’!!! I don’t even care what is inside the box. I would love to own a copy of this book!!! So many great ways to get inspired!! Whether I win or not, thank you for sharing your talents!!
Chelsea
September 16, 2014
I would love to win this book because I am always looking for fun new ways to decorate packages/gifts.
Julie Dyer
September 16, 2014
I’ve been the family gift wrapper since I was a little girl — love to wrap — and would love a copy of this book for some fresh new ideas. Thank you for the giveaway!
Supriya
September 16, 2014
This book is S- O inspiring!! My 11 year old daughter would love this book. She is so nifty with making things out of paper like cards, presents & tags!<3
Britney Haberl
September 16, 2014
So cute! I love love wrapping presents and favors, and this book has so many cute new ideas!