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"100% Trash, So You Know It's Good!"

comments (12) January 5th, 2009     

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Jeff_Rudell Jeffery Rudell, contributor
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Garbage is good. Much of what I find in my wastepaper basket is there not because it is useless but rather because I havent yet thought of a use for it. This week I try to remedy that situation.
This beautiful book was my favorite gift of the season: The wrapping paper around it was my second favorite.
In a nod to lusty consumerism, I added a faux product name to my project. Has it always been so easy to go from garbage to gift just by adding a label?
Garbage is good. Much of what I find in my wastepaper basket is there not because it is useless but rather because I havent yet thought of a use for it. This week I try to remedy that situation.

Garbage is good. Much of what I find in my wastepaper basket is there not because it is useless but rather because I haven't yet thought of a use for it. This week I try to remedy that situation.

Photo: Jeff Rudell
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Here's wishing the happiest of new years to all of the crafaters out there who never let raw materials get in the way of raw creativity. So, if "green" is the new "frugal," then I would propose that "craft" is the new "green."


 When you love paper as much as I do, every holiday gift comes wrapped in a treasure all its own. Here, some whimsical snowflake paper inspires an unusual thank-you "card."

 


 Using Twin-Tac adhesive sheets (or a paper glue of your choice), face a piece of heavy paper (front and back) with a brightly colored Post-It note.

 


 Punch a hole (mine was 2-1/2 inches) or use a circle cutter to create a sturdy little disk that will form the foundation for your project.

 


 For my raw material, I turned to the wrapping paper that came with my gift. Any wrapping paper will do (even plain) as long as you get creative when cutting out shapes. As with the Post-It notes above, I suggest backing your wrapping paper with a sheet of heavier stock to help it keep its shape.

 

 

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Comments (12)

BoDyanDSouL writes: This is so beautiful!!!!!
I also recycle almost all the cards, paper and ribbons. The wrapping paper, usually I smooth it with the hot ironing,also re-use the ribbons, curl it up with a butter knife or scissors and they are good as new and re-line the inside of the cards with two pieces of printing paper and then cut new edges on the Paper Trimmer.
Posted: 4:16 am on January 26th
lovequilter writes: I also am a lover of reuse, recycle and rediscover. I save all my used wrapping paper (even the torn stuff). Then I put it through my paper shredder and instantly I have brightly colored filler for all my baskets and fragile gifts. It really is a shame to put it into the landfill.
Posted: 10:58 am on January 12th
Jeff_Rudell writes: Dear pamphyila: My grandmother taught me to iron ribbons by carefully sliding them over a warm lightbulb. It seems our grandmothers were "green" long before it was fashionable. Thank you for your comments.
Posted: 9:47 pm on January 11th
pamphyila writes: How did you SEND this? Seriously - your lucky friends.
My Swedish grandmother and great aunt taught me about recycling gift wrap - Ribbons can be ironed on a LOW setting, you know. I keep scraps throughout the year for last minute gifts....But you know you have a rep for being green when your bows are immediately RETURNED to you!
Posted: 5:19 pm on January 11th
prpldy writes: What a great idea, and I love your faux product tag! Thanks for the inspiration to be even more green.
Posted: 3:01 pm on January 10th
sigridsoto writes: Keep creating we need more trash diggers I say that i a kind way i am a trash digger to and proud of it I love you for what you do for universe
Posted: 5:23 am on January 7th
2manyideas writes: Oh, instead of ringlets to elevate the center freeform design, using the quilling technique and making a roll out of the matching wrapping paper would look good also. This way you can cut the strips of paper the width you want the height to be and the showing edges will be colorful as well when viewed from the side. ;-)
Posted: 6:42 pm on January 6th
2manyideas writes: Jeff: Saw you in Elle Decor with the lovely floral paper sculpture you did (I kept saying "why am I not in a magazine?!"). Looked you up on Google and found you here! Awesome! I'm going to take your wreath idea and run with it as an ornament, and I'm going to also use your recycled idea but expand on it using Christmas cards I've saved from previous years! I found a cool ornament idea that is origami in nature and 3D and I'm going to spin it in the center out of a mix of leftover silver glitter wrapping paper and cards! I'll post a photo when I get these done. Thanks for being here. If I get stuck on ideas I'll be sure to ask you for input.
Posted: 6:36 pm on January 6th
longgoneandforgotten writes: This is very nice! I wonder what you could make out of recycled old "Stairway to Heaven" prom decorations, if you start at 3:00am when you need to get your Algebra II homework done?
;-)
Posted: 5:27 pm on January 6th
AWilcox writes: Sir Jeffery,

What an amazing idea you have created. When I grew up I was encouraged by my siblings to rip open my presents like a madman, however my Mom gently and carefully opened her gifts with intense care. She never wanted to tear the paper and would fold it and save it. I don't know if she ever re-use it, but perhaps she too had a love of paper. That I am a aware of she never created anything such as exquisite as you have, I mean not in terms of re-using gift wrapping paper, she is a great cook and a great Mom.

I am sure your friends are tickled pink OR GREEN to received such an amazing thank you card (ornament). Another great creations by Sir Jeffery! Kudos to you.
Posted: 8:32 am on January 6th
mizzkitti writes: lovely!! you may also appreciate this Japanese book about shoes made from paper - http://8tokyo.com/2008/01/08/shoe-made-of-wrapping-paper/
Posted: 7:57 pm on January 5th
Average_Jane_Crafter writes: W.O.W.

I love this idea, and - as usual - your execution is magnificent. (where are these "imperfections" and "flaws" of which you speak? ;) And I love that "craft" is the new "green." Well said!
Posted: 5:24 pm on January 5th
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