Recycled Wrapping Paper: The Stories Behind My Watercolour Designs

Confession time: in high school, I was always getting in trouble with my economics teacher. I didn't love the subject, but I did love making patterns (in class). The edges of my workbook were covered in doodles.

That love of making patterns never went away. I'd dreamed of seeing my designs on more than greeting cards, and when people started asking whether I made wrapping paper, it felt like the right thing to try.

Now I paint the artwork by hand in watercolour, turn it into repeating patterns, and have the finished wrapping paper printed in Sydney on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Here are some of the stories behind the designs.

From a painting to a sheet of wrapping paper

Every design starts with individual watercolour paintings. I might paint a single gum leaf, a banksia or a little moth. Once the paintings are dry, I scan them, clean them up on the computer and arrange them into a repeating pattern.

How long does one take? Honestly, it depends on how indecisive I'm feeling!

The original artwork is hand-painted, while the finished sheets are printed. That means I can take all those little painted details and turn them into paper you can use to wrap a gift.

Gum Leaves

I'm always picking up gum leaves. There are so many beautiful gum trees around us, and no two leaves seem alike. Some are skinny, some are chunky, some have a little nibble from a bug, and others have changed colour with the season, the rain or the sun.

They remind me of how unique people are. That's why I painted them in a colourful range for my Gum Leaves paper.

Banksia Floral

I was painting heaps of banksias when I began designing the wrapping paper, so they had to be next. Most of my greeting cards have white backgrounds, but I wanted to try something different here. Banksia Floral has a deep, dark background that makes the painted colours stand out.

Designs that match my cards

Daisies, Luna Moths and Suns and Moons were made to go with one of my greeting card collections. I like the idea of someone choosing a card and paper that belong together, though each design works on its own too.

I've also drawn inspiration from flowers I spot on local streets and little things I remember from childhood. That mix of what's around me now and what has stayed with me over the years keeps finding its way into my patterns.

Wrapping paper for more than one occasion

I didn't want every design to have a single occasion attached to it. Most of the papers can be pulled out for a birthday, baby shower, wedding or thank-you gift rather than sitting in the cupboard waiting for one day of the year.

They can work at Christmas too. Flowering Gum has red and green in its design, but I don't think Christmas wrapping has to use traditional colours. Choosing a print because it reminds you of the person receiving the gift feels more personal to me.

I do have two designs made specifically for the festive season, Christmas Baubles and Poinsettia. The rest are there whenever you have something to wrap.

If you have paper left over, you could use it to wrap a smaller present, layer an offcut over plain kraft paper or save it for a craft project.

Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper

The designs are printed on 110gsm, 100% post-consumer recycled paper with an uncoated matt finish. It's a sturdy sheet, and customers have told me they like keeping paper from a gift to use again. When it's finally done, it can go in your recycling.

How I wrap my own gifts

Sometimes I skip the ribbon altogether and let the pattern do the work.

When I do add something, I use whatever ribbon or string I have in the drawer. Sometimes I pick out a colour from the design, like a red ribbon with Flowering Gum. Other times I choose a completely different colour so it stands out. There isn't one right way to wrap it.

A little piece of Australia to keep

One of my favourite wrapping-paper stories came from friends visiting from overseas. They wanted a little piece of Australia to take home, so they bought a sheet of Gum Leaves and framed it for their wall.

Knowing that one of my patterns became something they wanted to keep, rather than wrap around a present, is pretty special.

I design and pack the sheets in my Sutherland studio, and they're printed in Sydney. Whether you frame a sheet or use it for a gift, I hope you find a design that feels right for the person it's going to.

Wrapping paper FAQs

Is each sheet hand-painted? The original watercolour elements are painted by hand. I scan and arrange them into patterns, then the wrapping-paper sheets are printed in Sydney.

What is the paper made from? The designs are printed on 110gsm, 100% post-consumer recycled paper with an uncoated matt finish.

Can I recycle it? Yes. Once you've finished with it (or reused it a few times), it can go in your paper recycling.

Is it made in Australia? Yes. Every design is painted and packed in my Sutherland studio, and the sheets are printed in Sydney.

How big is a sheet? Each sheet is 730 mm x 510 mm, slightly larger than A2.

Will my paper arrive folded? Yes. Single sheets and packs of 3 and 6 are all carefully folded for posting. If you'd like your order rolled, email me before ordering.

Can I use it for Christmas? Yes. Christmas Baubles and Poinsettia are festive designs, while prints such as Flowering Gum can work for Christmas and other occasions.

Find your favourite

Whatever you're celebrating, I hope the paper makes your gift feel a little more personal. Browse the full wrapping paper collection. Shipping is free Australia-wide on orders over $50.