Upcycled Paper Garland

Use envelopes with interesting security patterns on the inside to make a garland! A paper punch makes this go quickly. If you don't have a lot of envelopes you could use any paper you want to recycle, like catalogs or magazines. An easy project to make a fun decoration.

Old envelopes! Or any paper you want to recycle like catalogs or magazines. You'll need glue, any glue for paper will work. I used modpodge since it was handy. A paper punch makes this project go quickly. I like to use a medium sized punch. Thread or string for the garland.

To get as many circles as possible from each envelope, cut the envelope open or gently tear it open. Start punching!

Keep on punchin'!

Pair up the circles. This is fun because you can decide if you want to have them match on each side or make them different on each side. I also like to leave one circle blank side facing out so I can write a message on it. You can see that I've got my glue handy and also a spool of thread for the next step.

Open up the pairs and lay the string/thread in the middle of a circle. Glue the string/thread down then gently center the circle pair and place it on top. Depending on your style you can keep each circle the same distance from each other or if you are like me you just kinda go along and let the distance between circles be a bit of a guess.

I like to leave one circle with a blank surface to write on for a personalized message. I made this on Earth Day so that's the message on this garland.

Let the garland dry, should not take long if you used a quick drying glue. Ask a friend or family to hold up the garland so you can admire it!