We recently hosted a zero-waste holiday party with @elanagabrielle and made eco-friendly journals, holiday cards, and ornaments for the holidays with our community in PDX! Here are some tips on how to make your own.
What you will need ~ Recycled paper journal (@scoutbooks), Plantable seed paper (@botanicalpaperworks) Exacto knife, Scissors, Straight edge/ruler, PVA glue, Cutting mat or scrap cardboard, Assorted pens, pencils, construction paper, Tape, String, thread, or twine
STEPS ✨✂📒
Journals ~ Sketch your design onto your chosen paper. Measure first to make sure your shapes will fit on your notebook! Follow the lines using an x-acto knife and scissors to cut out the shapes, making sure to protect your table with a cutting mat. Once your shapes are cut out, dot and spread a thin layer of glue on the backside of your first shape, and lay it in place on your journal cover. Press firmly all over to set the glue. Add more shapes on top or draw with pens and pencils once the glue is dry!
Cards ~ Measure and cut paper to your desired card size – common standard sizes are A2 4.25”x5.5” or A7 5”x7”. Double the length when measuring out your card, then fold in half. Similar to the journal process, draw and cut out your design on your chosen papers, then glue onto your card. For more complex designs with several colors, it helps to first draw out your design on a piece of tracing or printer paper to plan out. You can then tape your design onto your nicer paper and cut through both for better accuracy.
Ornaments/Gift Tags ~ Repeat steps for drawing and cutting out your design, and then pierce and cut a small hole near the top of your paper with your x-acto knife. Thread twine or string through the hole to the length you like and then cut and tie the ends together to finish your ornament or tag.
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Photos by @melsuch