I've seen versions of this clever craft over at Bobbi's Art, Mousenotebook and at Tiny Happy. I can't resist this fun project. I've been using envelopes from the recycling bin, Netflix mailers are a great holiday red, and catalogs are full of festive images.
My Mumsie has been making gift tags from recycled holiday cards for years and years. They are so simple and pretty.
Isn't she a clever girl?
My friend Franny began giving us presents in
reusable fabric bags back in the '90's.
We now have a collection of hers and some newer ones
that come out every year.
I just whipped up the tree bag this morning.
Franny's fabric book cover has held up nicely over the years.
Because we have so many bakers in our family, last year I saved
King Arthur flour bags, shook them out, cut them open, gave them
a little wipe with a damp sponge and used them as wrapping paper!
This time of year, I am especially careful to consolidate errands,
cutting down on mileage.
Do you have some tips for being greener at this time of year?
I need all the help I can get!
Leave a comment, OK?
This morning, Henry selected Vivien's name from
a plate of possible winners
for the RED HORSE cd giveaway.
(send me your snail mail address, Vivien
and we'll pop it in the mail).
And today, I remember John Lennon,
and I still imagine a world that will live as one.
Won't you join us?
Wow, Karen, great ideas! Years ago I somehow inherited a huge roll of kraft/butcher paper and when I have the time (and the gifts are small enough) I like to use it as wrapping paper. One year I made hand cut stamps to decorate it with. I really love the bags though, they are truly green and reusable.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I just spotted these cute gift toppers on DesignSponge and thought of you...
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/12/diy-project-gift-toppers.html/paper_all
since I know you have fabric on hand (ahem), we've enjoyed the non-labor intensive idea of wrapping a gift in a piece of fabric & tying with ribbon, just like the Japanese. (Actually, I don't think they use ribbon - but it's easier that way!) Fun, reusable, and no extra time required.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter Kate has used brown kraft paper, hand stamped, as wrapping paper for years. I feel like I'm being green by not buying new decorations - reusing what we've had for over 30 years! I also have gift tags made by your "mumsie" and love them!
ReplyDeleteHee hee! I was confused for a moment when I clicked over and still saw "my" scalloped paper thingies! You went shopping I see!
ReplyDeleteBeing green? I reuse packaging and wrapping whenever possible. I had a dream the other night about brown paper packages with pink lace trim, so I am bent on making that happen!
Thanks all, for the great tips! Design sponge is such a great place, thanks for the reminder, m.
ReplyDeletei love the covers of "garnet hill" catalogues and pull them off to save them just because...well, my green plan is to cut them into strips and make paper chains for decorating my tree. i am so happy i remembered what fun it was to make christmas decorations as a child;can't wait to get started!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen those scalloped ornaments before, but then i followed all your links, and followed those links...lots and lots of scalloped ornaments out there, with all sorts of different techniques. I've got piles of catalogues in the recycling pile that i'm now looking at with a different eye *g*. Your Mumsie's gift tags are lovely. And i love the picture of Henry picking the winner of the Red Horse drawing!
ReplyDelete