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Recycling? |
I know this will come off like bragging, but it’s really not. I’m confessing that I have a disease. It’s the disease of a brain that won’t leave well enough alone. It really is a curse.
My disease surfaced recently while visiting our engaged daughter. Wedding gifts kept arriving, often packed in perforated paper, hereafter called “perf.” She was going to throw out the packing paper, but I couldn’t let the perf go. This could be taken as a symptom of hoarding, but I prefer to think of it as a tendency to recycle. Reuse, repurpose, recycle, right? So I packed the perf in my luggage and took it home. How could I reuse this cool stuff?
I made a couple of Valentine gifts with it for my grandsons. I arranged packs of fruit snacks into a heart shape with some package tape. Then I covered these hearts with white perf, stretching it to look lacy. Tying them up with red satin ribbon was the finishing touch. They looked half-way decent and my grandsons are young enough to not be too judgmental. The main thing is that Grandma sent them something. Just using gift bags probably would have been better and definitely easier. But the disease had me in its grip at this point.
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Green Gift Wrap |
Perf is totally recyclable, so there is no real need to use it first. With the perforations it will decompose quickly into compost. However, I could use it to wrap Christmas gifts and to use less wrapping paper with inks. That’s a good thing and my family won’t mind. It’s also a good substitute for tissue paper in gift bags.
Then I started thinking about how the perf was similar to the decorative mesh so popular for outdoor wreaths and bows. This could be used on an indoor wreath that could be rather nice with a few small ornaments hung on. You could also give the white perforated paper a dusting of silver spray paint. The brown perforated paper would look great with a dusting of gold spray paint. And wouldn’t the brown perf make a great turkey for Thanksgiving? Beekeeper hat for a Halloween costume? Make a Fall decoration of a scarecrow from brown perf?
Cut perf into strips about 4 inches wide to use as a garland or bunting. With the holes you can even attach items to it. You might want to spray paint it after cutting, but I like the plain look too! This could be a nice natural look garland for a Christmas tree.
How about wrapping cardboard shapes with perf? Hearts, stars, and other holiday shapes could look great. Use ribbon or twine to tie the perf into place. Wrap cardboard letters with perf to spell a name or whatever. Spray paint if you like.
You could use a strip of perf as an indoor trellis for climbing ivy. Tack or staple it where you want the vine to go.
Basket filler? It’s nice an springy to nestle items in and you can even wrap a few of the items with it too.
There are some problems in using perf. Tape won’t stick to it even though it seems to be just paper. It’s a very slick surface. I tried using my hot glue gun on it, but even using chopsticks to protect my fingers, it was a hot mess. It seems that using something to tie it is the best approach. Ribbon, wire, string, etc. can hold it in place. Staples could work in some situations. It’s a bit of a challenge. Could be that’s why you don’t see perf used in crafts that much.
For teens or in a college room where it’s ok to be a little funky, there are all kinds of uses. It could be stretched over a bulletin board for a kind of cool textured look. How about stretched across a window as a lacy privacy screen? A paper lacy curtain that you tack to the window sill? I could see a lampshade cover that you can pin things to? Artwork? A paper necktie? Take photos of your friends with stretched perf over them? Somebody stop me.
Still, I’ll probably just use it for gift wrap for the family’s Christmas gifts. I won’t use it as gift bag filler because then I’d be tempted to rescue it for further reuse. I tell you, it’s a disease.
Then again, maybe I’ll just let the cat play with it!
maggie says
Patrick, see the answer I gave Myra Jo. I have no source, unfortunately.
Patrick Hudson says
Where did you buy yours Maggie? What is the real name of this product, Googling “Brown Perforated Paper Packaging” isn’t really bringing up anything except this page. I know Disney uses this in some of their stores, I need some!
maggie says
You have great uses for it! I wish I could find a source for you. The only thing I can think of is to ask at stores that use it. If you have a store that ships items for people they might sell some to you or give you a lead on where to find it.
MyraJo Unger says
I have been looking all over for this kraft perforated making paper. I have researched every idea I have come up with on the web. I so want this paper. Can you help me?
I have used it as a filler inside the temp kitchen curtains for weigh and density (until I finished sewing the final product), as background for my earrings (to photo and to hang), shipping, of course. It is great in drawers to keep clothes separate and nice. Last, but not least, it doesn’t last long because my 2 cats are crazy about it.
Thank you for any help you can give me.
maggie says
Nancy Drew you might find it at a package mailing service store. Mine came as cushioning for dishes in delivered boxes.
Nancy Drew says
Can anyone tell me where I can find this “perf” brown paper??
maggie says
My pleasure. I hear you about all the temptations at the craft stores. Your Halloween wreath sounds great! Have fun with your wreaths Connie!
Connie Bratten says
Thanks so much for your quick response and for the tips. I have some brown perf paper, too, that I thought I’d use for a Halloween wreath. Hope to see what you create. Michael’s has a ton of fall and Halloween items now. Made me crazy!
maggie says
Hi Connie! Love your idea! I’d wrap a wreath form with about a 4-inch wide strip of white perf and fasten the ends with wire. Then wire on some clusters of red berries with green leaves wherever you like. Maybe wire on some small pine cones or small green ornaments. Add a beautiful red bow and hang! Gorgeous! You have me thinking of using the brown perf on a wreath now. It would be beautiful for a Fall wreath with acorns and colorful leaves and a big plaid bow. Thanks so much for the idea! You might be able to use ornament hooks to hang the items on instead of wiring them. See what works best for you!
Connie Bratten says
I wonder if you have any ideas for making a wreath from perforated packing paper? I have some white that I thought would be great for a Christmas wreath. I’d love some it if you could give me some how tos. Thanks.