Exploring nature is all about using your different senses to
discover something new and to connect with the world in which we are living.
There is usually a way to touch, hear, see, smell, and taste (make sure to
check if it is edible though!) everything around us. Since these observations
are so important, we thought it might be helpful to create a special place for
these notes, thoughts, and reflections to be recorded.
The Recycled Garden
Journal
Due to the fact that we are always trying to preserve the
beauty of the trees and plants around us, we have tried to make this project
with as much recycled material as possible. What do you need to get started?
- - 1 cereal box (or another cardboard box similar
in size and thickness of the paper, whatever you have in your recycling box)
- - A whole puncher
- - A small stack of normal printer paper, 8.5” by
11” cut in half (amount can vary depending of how thick you want your journal
to be)
- - A piece of thread or yarn that is about 24” long
- - Scissors
- - Pencil
- - Any decorating materials you want to use
STEP 1: At one corner of your cereal box, you will notice
that the cardboard is glued together. If you run your fingers along this side
of the box, you will be able to pull it apart so that you can lay the box out
flat. Taking one of the pieces of paper you have cut in half, trace the size of
the journal onto the cereal box TWICE. Then using your scissors, cut out the rectangles you have just drawn. You should have a piece of cardboard for
both the front and the back of your journal.
STEP 2: Now, place the cereal box cutouts on either side of a stack of paper (about 15 pieces of paper is a nice size for a starter journal). It is also helpful to put the brown sides of the cereal boxes on the outside so that you have a blank canvas to decorate on. Also, the cereal box designs make really good inside designs for the journal.
Once you have your journal insides together, it is time to move on to the hole punch. If you have used the size noted above, the easiest way is to put your journal in a 3-hole punch on one side. You will only get 2 holes punched. Then, flip your journal upside down (on the same side of the journal, just backwards) and do the same thing. This time, you will get another 2 holes, making 4 total.
As long as you have at least 3 holes and your paper and cardboard line up, it doesn't really matter where your holes are, or if they are symmetrical! :)
STEP 3: At last, it is time to start weaving your journal together! Everyone does this a little bit differently, so try not to worry about making it perfect. Start by tying a normal, double knot through one of the holes (either the top or the bottom).
Then, pull your string down through the next hole, giving you a vertical line down the side of your journal. Then loop back through that same hole, giving you a small line horizontally between the edge of your booklet and the hole. Repeat this process going up and down the side of your journal until you run out of string.
When you are just about out of string, make another double knot (or a couple) to stop the journal from falling apart.
It might look something like this, or another variation, when the weaving is finished! And finally, you have a beautiful journal to work with! Inside you can write all about the garden (or garden related things) including observations, feelings, poetry, questions, etc! It is your very own space to be creative.
Oh, and don't forget STEP 4: DECORATE the front AND the back in any way that pleases you. You can use photos, pictures from magazines, drawings, anything. Have fun with it! And enjoy your recycled cereal box journal.
