#initforallthelove, the earth

 Day 8) Recycled Paper Gift Bag 

As much as I love specialty Origami papers, some of my favourite creations are folded with rescued and repurposed papers.

Old book pages, magazine ads, calendars, packing paper from online orders, and used printer paper can all yield fantastic, one of a kind results.  

We are surrounded by beauty that is largely taken for granted, overlooked and undervalued.

By upcycling paper destined to be recycled or worse, my goal is to craft gratitude and responsible stewardship into my art and life.  

In this small way, I wish to pay tribute to the real value of this versatile material, honoring the earth and all her precious gifts. 

Please note* No new books were harmed in the making of this blog.

#initforallthelove, lovers

 Day 4 of 14) Masu Box (traditional) and Origami letters (Origami Club)

Today I offer ardent, amorous love and hot-blooded appreciation to my lovers, crushes and flames, past, present and future.

Romance and intimacy are such a gold mine for deep connections, awakenings and alchemical collaborations that I can’t imagine my life without them.

I am smitten with you, thank you for sharing that sense of aliveness and pleasure with me.  

diy friday: magical mushrooms

Q.  What did one mushroom say to the other mushroom?

A.  You're a fun guy!  (Get it?  Fun-guy?  Fungi?)  Hahahaha!

Ok, I admit I learned that joke way back in elementary school, but I still think its cute. 

And so are these origami mushrooms!

You can make your own "fun guy" with any paper you like. 

Some origami papers work really well, but I also love the unpredictability and uniqueness of magazine ads. 

Makes the origami 'shrooms look a little... well... magical!

What you need:

Mushroomy looking paper.

What to do:

Follow one of these diagrams on origami club. Or these on paperkawaii.com.  Or look around, there are so many out there to forage for! 


Warning:  Do not eat - wild mushrooms can be toxic! ;-)

guess

diy friday: upcycled pocket books

Today we're folding little booklets that can be used as cards, notebooks, journals and more!

What you need:

- Copy paper for the inner pages.
- Thicker paper for the cover. (I recycled a Tommy Hilfiger ad.)
- Scissors and a paper cutter.
- Double sided tape or glue.

What to do:

1. Cut your copy paper to size.  Cut the cover a few millimeters larger than the copy paper.

2. Follow the instructions for the second booklet in this video on foldsomething.com to create the inner pages.

3. Use glue or tape to attach the pages inside the cover. 

Voila!  Your own one-of-a-kind upcycled notebook or scrapbook!

Experiement with junk mail, magazines, brown paper bags, thin cardboard packaging and other papers in your recycling box for unique, free and eco-friendly booklets!

diy friday - peace crane treat toppers

Origami Paper Crane and Coconut Lemon Squares

Today on diy friday we're folding pretty, peaceful decorations for your favorite cupcakes and treats! 

The crane is a traditional Japanese symbol of good luck, long life, health, happiness and world peace. 

If you would like to read more about the significance of the origami crane, click here.

You will need:

• Paper squares approx. 3" x 3".  You can use any thin, strong paper to make these.  Try origami paper for a traditional look.  Or even more peaceful - go green!  Recycle paper from colorful ads in magazines.  Scrapbooking paper tends to be thick, so save it for larger cranes.
• Toothpicks or wooden/bamboo cocktail picks.
• Treats, sweet or savory!  This is a nice decoration for fruit, little cakes and other sweet things but equally pretty holding the edges of your sandwich wrap in place or to fancy up your appetizers.

Follow these simple steps:

1)  Make a crane out of a square of paper 2"-3" per side depending on how small you would like your crane to be (and how nimble your fingers are!).  You can follow this diagram on Origami Club or this animated diagram. 

Recycled Magazine Paper Crane

2)  Insert your toothpick into the hole that is naturally formed on the underside of the crane's belly.  If you use the blunt, square ended cocktail picks you will not even need to use any glue as they will hold firmly and will not need any force to be inserted.

3)  Make as many as you like and stick them into your treats!

not quite silk