Two new books on paper craft offer a wealth of inspiration for crafty thinkers. Some of these projects are suitable for older children who want to make their own gifts or lend a hand with Christmas decorating.

Paper Made! shows how to work with everything from candy wrappers to ticket stubs.

Small pieces of folded graph paper are pasted onto a round Chinese paper lantern. Light shining through this fixture makes a complex interplay of shadow and texture.

Old maps are snipped into birds with lacy wings and tails and assembled into a charming mobile. Maps also wrap the mats of framed travel photos.

What to do with a partial deck? Leftover playing cards are sewn together with zigzag stitch and attached to wire rings to create an imaginative lampshade.

Frank Gehry built iconic furniture from cardboard. Now, it’s your turn. Transform used cardboard into an end table, picture frame or curio shelf.

Book Art offers some fabulous projects which include clever Christmas decorations. The winter village scene which you see pictured on the cover has a fairytale quality when displayed with candles or cut crystal.

From an old book come curvy, sculptural ornaments. The spine of the book forms the core of the ornament with the cut pages fanning out from the central spine.

Strips of thicker paper are shaped into delicate, tasseled baubles. Circles cut from the colourful pages of a brochure create a spiky decoration. Silver leaf is rubbed onto the pages of a book from which oak leaves and acorns are formed. They can be tied with pretty ribbon to wrap a gift or dangle from a tree.

-Jane

Today's blog comes from Linda Bolstad, staff Central Library:

I used to really like decorating my home for Christmas. But the kids have grown, I have grown older and it no longer seems to be a priority. Indeed, along with many of you, I’m trying to simplify my life and this applies to the hoopla around Christmas too.

Last year I looked through the boxes of decorations I had accumulated over the years and gave away a good portion of it. But I still want to participate in the festive spirit and a few seasonal items placed around the house sure help to set the tone.

Other years, I have cut boughs from our overgrown junipers and arranged them in containers at our front and back doors; but this year I’ve decided to just hang a large metal star on each door.

Inside I know the feeling that I want to create – I would like a cozy, mellow atmosphere (totally reflective of my personality—not!)

I’ve seen and like the idea of a glass bowl filled with silver balls—probably on my dining room table. I’m planning on placing two silver star-shaped dishes on the sofa table, and two white mini Christmas trees on the living room credenza. Maybe a bowl of pinecones near the front door. I think that might be about it.

For inspiration I’ve been perusing a few of the Christmas books and magazines in the arts collection.

Christmas Details by Mary Norden -- simple, easy-to -make, attractive decorations. I like the small bags made from remnants of elegant fabrics.

Merry & Bright from the Editors of Country Living –lots of decorating ideas, including crafts, cookie recipes, and gift wrapping ideas. Check out the stockings made from old sweaters.

Style At Home 100+ Favorite Holiday Ideas (Special Issue magazine) – I think the silver and glass ornaments hung with ribbons from the banister look lovely, and very easy to do.

Now I just might have to add a few more items to my decorating list.

Linda