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So today I’m talking paper again – and a couple home-made gift wrap ideas I think will offer you some inspiration.
Do It yourself Gift Wrap Idea Number One
I love this one! You could use a store-bought doily, and that would be lovely over kraft paper, or fabric, or a plain box. Or instead of a doily, cut out a snowflake like you used to do when you were a kid (basically fold a piece of paper over and over and then cut out various shapes, and then unfold). Use a piece of colored or patterned paper and you’ll have wonderful homemade ‘lace’ like this one. It looks wonderful, and it doesn’t cost much (or anything, if you use old magazine pages or whatever you have around the house) – and it’s fun and individual.
and
Do It yourself Gift Wrap Idea Second Version
Now that is fun! Take any gift box, or a cereal box turned inside out, or a recycled box rescued from your local UPS store or printer. Find some markers or sharpies or paint brushes in your craft cupboard – and draw some pictures! If you have to paint or draw over some printing already on the box, so what? That could make it even more fun. If you’re not a great artist – so what? Draw circles or stars or just add scribbles with lots of colors. Ask your kids to draw their favorite pictures. (Okay, maybe put newspapers down on the kitchen table first.)
I’m sorry, Hallmark Corporation or whatever company it is these days that manufactures wrapping paper – but these are much better. They’re ecologically smart, they don’t cost much – and who has bunches of extra cash these days? – and even more important, they’re made with love and they’re PERSONAL.
Isn’t that what gift-giving is supposed to be about?
P.S. Oh! I must give credit where it’s due. I found both of these wrapping ideas – and more yummy ones to explore – over at Going Home to Roost, a wonderful blog full of do it yourself ideas, and recipes, and gentleness and healthy ideas and, well, it’s a lovely blog you ought to read.
Do it yourself paper flowers – take a look at how wonderful these are!
These lovely blossoms are made from maps, or old book pages, or (I would think) any colorful paper / pages that need a new life. I found this wonderful idea over at Apartment Therapy which you know is one of my absolute favorite ideas-source. The article there even links to a tutorial!
And even better – if you love these flowers but don’t want to make them yourself – they also give the source of this yummy recycled goodness: and it’s an Etsy shop!
The shop is Greencycle Designs and she has wonderful work over there. Whether or not you decide to tackle making your own flowers (remember to use recycled pages!) you definitely want to go check out her shop, her prices are very reasonable and her work is gorgeous.
This is a win-win all the way around. Paper (which of course I love) and recycled – and Etsy – and do it yourself – wow!
I found these totally adorable shoes today on Etsy:
They’re available from Tbone4Life and they’re only $12.00 (plus shipping)! If they were my size I would be buying them today. But they’re not, so you have a shot at them 🙂
If they’re gone when you see this, go look at her shop anyway – she’s got some super cute goodies at great prices. And they’re vintage, so you’re being eco-friendly and fashion conscious all at the same time.
Comfy and cute shoes – totally of the good!
I just wanted to point out something you probably know already – the great finds you can score at Craigslist. If you’re in the U.S. – and a lot of cities worldwide – there’s a local craigslist, or close to “local”. And if you’re shopping for goodies for your house – you really ought to check it out before you go and pay Retail!
For instance – here are a few goodies I found today in my local CL. If I were Seriously Shopping, and not just looking around, I would call the owner to check any of these out!
 
They’re asking $75 for the table and five chairs. $75! And that bench has lovely bones, I think. They’re asking a whopping $20.
 
The patio set? The owners mentioned the chairs need new cushions (or covers) and maybe a coat of paint too. But hey, they’re asking $50 for all the pieces shown. And the sofa? It might not look as good in person, or it could be all smoky-smelling, or torn up and down the back. But it might be as good as it looks. And doesn’t it look good? They’re asking $150. Might take less 🙂
Yes you have to inspect your purchase carefully, and not be afraid to say “Sorry, don’t want it.” But sometimes you really will want it – and you might get a great deal!
PS You are also Going Green – you’re reusing and recycling, and maybe rethinking too 🙂
I’m trying to learn more about indoor gardening. Partly because plants add a terrific graphic beauty to your home – and partly because it’s healthy. We really do live in a symbiotic ecosystem, you know. Plants remove toxins from the air, and that’s got to be good!
And esthetically, they add a natural beauty that we can probably all use a little more of. Case in point:
Snake Plant
and
Golden Pothos
I found these in a terrific article, “10 Super Easy to Grow Indoor House Plants” over at Garden Mandy. She’s got lots of great tips there for indoor gardening – and a lot of eco friendly tips and news. Go over there and check, it’s totally worth your time.
Did you know that the golden pothos – while bad for your pets, don’t let them eat it – removes formaldahyde from the air? Can we say “poison in new carpeting”?
Get some plants!
PS I’ve actually been able to grow pothos (my “fail safe” plant) and snake plant. And I totally don’t have a green thumb. If I can do it, believe me, you can too!
I’m one of those people who makes stuff. I sew, I do crafts, I make things for the house, etc etc. And I’m fairly knowledgeable about fabric. Felt is a fabric that used to be made out of, well, smushed up wool leftovers. It’s always offered great vivid colors, but it ‘pills’ and frays and it’s not sturdy, so oh well.
But! I have been re-educated here. Not only have I found some great colors in oh-so-useful felt, but it is made ENTIRELY from recycled stuff – even better, from recycled bottles! They’ve made a soft fabric – from bottles. And it’s not expensive!
The colors are clear and vivid – and from what the vendor writes, the fabric does NOT fray or fall apart in the wash. (Old-style felt, forget it, you wouldn’t dare toss it in the washer). And she has it in many colors! And she even has it in this camoflauge pattern!
 Camouflage felt fabric!
Now honestly, that wouldn’t be my personal choice – but lots of people would love it (imagine a pillow made with this felt, sitting on your couch in the den).
I will happily promote this vendor – K and C Supplies on Etsy. She is finding / sourcing / selling a product that is not only entirely recycled, but it’s pretty and soft and nice!
Talk about the best of all possible products. Go buy some!
Talk about Do It Yourself – and original art ideas – and using low cost items to make a fabulous decorating statement! This is such a great inspiration!
It’s also made with paper coffee filters. Now that’s what I call DIY with style.
Giving credit where it’s due: this is from The Haystack Needle, and believe me there are tons more good ideas there.
Check this out!
I think it’s lovely – of course you can run with that idea and try all sorts of shapes and configurations… and it IS rethinking, it is low cost, it is truly DIY….. just a super idea!
Now this combines several of my passions – paper (natch), recycling and even more important RE-USING… also art, making your home comfortable and attractive, DIY-ness…. lots of good stuff.
This article from Sunset.com shows an example of re-using old CD jewel cases as “frames” for your art:
 .
Used in multiples, they make a great graphic statement. And you can use a common theme – pics of your friends? landscapes? alien bugs? you name it – or all images in blue, for example. Truly it can be tailored to exactly what you like, or what you want to say.
And of course the graphics you use can be recycled, too. Gorgeous flower pics taken from old magazines? old pattern images?
How about cutouts from your kids’ drawings? Talk about a special, personal, and way fun decoration for your kitchen or alcove? I love that idea 🙂
I found a wonderful artist on Etsy who does lovely paper work – check these out!
You can buy these in kit form and assemble them yourself, or have a custom bouquet made for your wedding. They’ll never wilt, they’ll always be beautiful, and they are artisan made. I haven’t talked to the artist, but I bet you could work it out where she was using recycled papers, too.
Gorgeous *and* eco friendly!
Couldn’t resist – the article in Apartment Therapy even called this “The Best DIY Ideas to Steal”. Well…okay! Take a look at this cool use-wallpaper-as-art example:
She’s surrounded the paper with molding to “frame” it. And has lots of other good inspiration-ideas 🙂
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Coolness
DIY
Eco friendly
Gardening
Home Decor
Indie / Design
Thrifty
vintage
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