Use these colorful, whimsical package ornaments instead of bows when wrapping packages. They are easy enough to make that even children can manage it. The materials needed to make them are simple -- quilling strips (click here to learn how to cut your own quilling strips from scrap paper), paper shape cut outs, and an adhesive, such as a glue stick.

You can alter the way the package ornaments look by using different color combinations, by keeping the coils uniformly coiled (like the black and blue package ornament in the lower left corner of the photo), or uncurling them abstractly as in the package ornament in the upper right corner. You can also vary the mount of strips you use -- the heart design at right has paper strips only part way around it, the others encircle their paper bases.

You can also vary the shape of the base paper -- we used circles, hearts and stars in the examples in the photo. You can also vary how many shape mats you stack -- the top row in the photo have only two, the bottom five and four. If you have a tool like the Fiskar's Shape Cutter, cutting graduated mats is quick and easy.

Another way to vary the look of your package ornaments, while giving them added dimension, is to use pop dot adhesives on any (or all ) of the layers.

Quilled Package Ornaments

• Click here for detailed photo instructions of how to makee all the fabulous package ornaments on this page and more.

By following the simple instructions in the tutorial at the link above, and using your imagination to make different designs, you can make package ornaments for nearly any occasion. For instance, the heart designs above would be perfect for Valentine's Day gifts or any time you want to add a romantic touch to a gift wrap.

Shop for Quilling Books, Tools and Supplies at Amazon.com.