As a paper crafter, I have so many left over paper scraps that I try to find a purpose for every piece. Gift wrap bows are one of my favorite ways to upcycle paper – it can be anything from scraps, to newspaper, to magazine pages and food packaging. Here are three ideas for saving would-be trash and making something beautiful out of it:

1. Spiral roses

Take a pretty page from an already-read magazine. With sharp scissors, cut a spiral shape into the page: use almost a full page for larger roses, and a quarter-page for smaller roses.

Next, tightly coil the paper spiral, and tape it together at the bottom. Use double-sided tape, or roll tape into itself, adhere to the bottom of the rose, and stick onto a present.

2. Classic gift bows

Using newspaper, magazine pages, scrapbooking paper, or hand-stamped paper (like mine), cut out 10 strips of paper – each strip 1/2″ wide, and lengths as follows: three 8″ strips; three 6″ strips; three 4″ strips; one 1.5″ inch strip. Loop each end of each strip in towards the middle, making a figure-eight, and stapling shut. For the smallest piece, make a simple loop and staple or tape shut.

Group the figure-eights by size, and staple the layers together. Next, glue the single round piece into the smallest star, the small star into the medium star, and the medium star into the largest star. Place a piece of double-stick tape onto the bottom, and attach to a wrapped gift. Beautiful!

3. Starburst gift bows

This one is probably my favorite. Simple take a colorful magazine page, and cut in half lengthwise. Cut this half page into fringe, about 1/8″ wide, and stopping about 1/2″ before the end of the page, for a nice base.

Roll the fringed magazine page in on itself; tape shut with scotch tape. Use your fingers to pull the fringe outward, all around. Tape a small piece of paper to the bottom of the bow, and double-stick tape the bow to a gift.

And that’s all there is to it! Three unique ways to save trees – and look good doing it.

Out to find ways to make life simpler, Ashley is tackling life one DIY project at a time. Learning as she goes, she also spends her days writing Indie Pretty Projects and creating for her Etsy shop.

wrap up: {ashley pahl} {bows} {diy} {gift bows} {gift wrap} {indie pretty} {upcycled}

rare finds gallery

today i have the honor of welcoming the steel fork to going home to roost!  ben and kate gatski uniquely honor agriculture through art.  they collect old farm machinery and turn the metals into one of a kind art pieces.  they are strong believers in farming and local food- and i just love how they show their appreciation!

clockwise :: pamelas bee :: tractor :: moose head :: elk head ::

you can read their story, their blog, visit their site, and shop all day!  thank you, ben and kate for sharing your world with us!

wrap up: {art} {farm} {metal} {recycled} {sponsor} {upcycled} {welcome}

visit tree of may for adorable buttons, mirrors, coasters, key chains and more (they’re even all made from upcycled neckties)! thanks for advertising with going home to roost!

wrap up: {advertising} {buttons} {etsy} {mirrors} {upcycled}