Turn paper samples that are headed for the bin into lovely streamers for your next shindig!

If you work in an office or do any kind of printed design work, you're probably familiar with paper sample books. Paper companies ship these things out like it's no big deal. I still remember when a friend of mine who works for a big corporation called me to his office to rifle through four humungous recycle bins full of these books. I used them to make price tags for my handmade goodies, and it's been so long that I'd almost forgotten about paper sample books.

Each one has paper samples in an array of colors, weights, and patterns. They're incredibly wasteful, so I was thrilled when my friend Jeanee shared these beautiful photos of recycled paper streamers made from card stock sample paper. Sure, skipping the samples all together is the greenest option, but if your office ends up with a stack of these books, better to reuse than recycle, right?

These paper streamers are simple to make, and you could do a similar project with other reclaimed paper like junk mail. If you're planning to use flimsier paper, I'd recommend layering up. Your finished project will be sturdier if the paper is bulkier.

Want to make your own recycled paper party streamers? Get the deets here!

photo by Linda Doherty