Junk Mail Origami

Happy Hump Day, everybody!  Keep on going, you'll make it to Friday!

Do you ever wonder what to do with all of the brochures and things that you get in the mail?  I know that I could stop signing up for things, but then I wouldn't get as many cool coupons.  Therefore, I end up with piles of paper that I use for covering the table during Baby Bear's craft projects, as packing materials, to write shopping lists on, etc.  Some of the wasted paper, especially as we get closer to the big holiday season, is really pretty.

I just can't stand to waste such attractive paper, and I absolutely adore origami as decor or for gift giving, so I turn those cute holiday brochures into paper cranes, flowers, and butterflies.  Below are some links to origami tutorials, pics of others' junk mail origami (I LOVE the elephant!), and some pics of my very own junk mail origami creations.



http://www.origami-instructions.com/
http://www.origami-resource-center.com/free-origami-instructions.html
http://www.origami-fun.com/origami-instructions.html

I love Mr. Ellie Pooh!!!

First of all, let me just profess my undying love for elephants.  I positively adore them!  I think the love affair began in my childhood, when my mom read The Saggy Baggy Elephant to me. I loved him and I have loved all things elephant-related ever since.

I first encountered Ellie Pooh paper products at the St. Louis Zoo (The best free zoo in the states!  Holla!!).  I was enchanted by the cute little elephants adorning the stationary packaging and just had to buy one!  The paper is beautiful and sturdy, perfect for practicing the endangered art of the letter.  That's letter not email.

And who could resist contributing to such a wonderful cause?  This is a product that redefines the word recycle, while helping preserve my favorite animal ever, AND allowing people in Sri Lanka to earn fair trade wages!  Another cool thing about this organization - they do fundraisers!  What a fantastic alternative to selling candy or wrapping paper!!

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

This beautifully illustrated children's book by Simms Taback tells the story of a master recycler. I am constantly looking for ways to teach my daughter the value of reusing things. She loves to read stories together, so Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, a Caldecott Medal book, was a brilliant addition to her bookshelf.

In the book, a hole appears in Joseph's overcoat, so he makes a jacket out of it. The overcoat gets smaller and smaller as the story goes on, but Joseph makes good use of every last little scrap of it. In a culture that equates "new" with "good," I like that Joseph Had a Little Overcoat promotes a more frugal and simpler lifestyle.