Counting down...

10-9-8-7-6-5 --- the countdown begins as numerals are delivered to Times Square via pedicab. While we're the first to admit that the eco attempt is somewhat more than ironic- it is Times Square after all- which burns daylight bright 24/7- we do appreciate the attempt.

The new 2010 numbers stand 7 feet tall and have 545 scalloped LED flood light bulbs, which are being touted for their superior energy-efficiency over the halogen lights used in recent years.

Photo via woodtyper.com / Times Square Alliance

Inspired New Year

A few great sites with just the inspiration you may need to jump start your new year...

Great poster inspiration at: myfonts blog

More cool posters: posterlist

Great new font inspiration at: my fonts- hot new fonts

The Day After

While we like to enjoy the holiday season right up until the last second (we revel even a few days after New Year's), we have seen the tossed out Christmas tree's on the curb already today (tsk, tsk). So, while we hope you enjoy the season a little bit longer - when you are ready to toss that tree make sure you recycle it! Visit Earth911 for your local recycling center and other surprising tips on making the most of your Christmas tree this year. Now, off to some ice skating and cocoa!

Naughty or Nice?

Santa and his reindeer are on their way, and the way we see it, there couldn't be a more energy efficient rig than his infamous sleigh. Whether you are waiting for something shiny and new or a lump of coal - you can track his progress here!

Welcome Winter

Happy Winter Solstice! The word solstice comes from the two Latin words — sol, meaning sun, and sistere, meaning to stand still, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. During the winter solstice, the sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation seems to stay the same for several days.

While the solstice sometimes is observed for a 24-hour period, the actual event lasts just one second, the Farmers’ Almanac states. This year, the winter solstice will be at 7:04 a.m. today. At that moment in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator.

The sun’s gradual decrease in the sky reverses upon the winter solstice, marking what many cultures believe to be a rebirth of the sun as the hours of daylight become longer, the almanac states. So now's the time to cuddle up, celebrate and hibernate!

Image via http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/

Seasons Greenings!

We sent fabulously green "Practical Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday" via email today. In case you are not on our list... read it here...

We're making a list and checking it twice - if you want to be added our e list just send a request to: info@greenpapercompany.com / Subject: add to e list

Looking forward to seeing

Playing with Pictures: The Art of Victorian Photocollage at the Art Institute of Chicago. We've always been fans of this medium for use and reuse of paper and can't wait to see some of it's origin...

The pre photoshop craze for photography dates way back... here's what the Institute says about the show:

"During the Victorian era, photography became remarkably popular and accessible, as people posed for studio portraits and exchanged these pictures on a vast scale. The makers of the collages shown here cut up these portraits and placed them in elaborate watercolor designs in albums. With their sharp wit, absurd senses of humor, and dramatic shifts of scale akin to those Alice experienced in Wonderland, these photocollages stand the rather serious conventions of photography in the 1860s and 1870s on their heads, debunking stuffy Victorian clichés with surreal, subversive, and funny images.

Oftentimes, the combination of photographic portraits with painted settings inspired dreamlike and even bizarre results: placing human heads on animal bodies; situating people in imaginary landscapes; and morphing faces into common household objects. Such images reveal the educated minds as well as accomplished hands of their makers, as they take on new theories of evolution, the changing role of photography, and the strict boundaries of aristocratic society. Together they provide a fascinating window into the creative possibilities of photography in the Victorian era and enduring inspiration for photographic experimentation today."

Catch it in Chicago before January 3, 2010 or next when it moves to New York at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Holiday Smarts

Amazing, ingenious...an altogether 'why didn't we think of that before' moment. While we wish we could take credit for this one - these perfect examples of re-use are from the fabulous Jessica Jones of the DIY blog, How About Orange.

Much like the adorable shaped (albeit usually ghastly colored) bows found in big plastic bags at your local mega mart - the difference is these little beauties are made from recycled magazines! You can find the quite simple step by step here. Go on, you have all the supplies to make this project now and spruce up your packages yet to be wrapped!

Eco Gifts on our A List

No doubt it's better to give than to receive, but it is Christmas after all, so we thought we'd put together an A list of gifts our Green Paper Company team has included on their own Dear Santa list. All eco-conscious, all great gifts- to give or to add to your own A list!

Pretty Birdie Organic Cotton and Bamboo Tank $60.

For the fashionista. This tank fits like a body suit and is designed to go with everything. Organic cotton, bamboo and Lycra fabric has amazing recovery and a beautiful smooth finish. Shown here in Marigold, hand dyed by the designer with eco friendly dyes.

HYmini charger $50 - $75

For the techie. HYmini is a handheld, universal charger/adapter device that harnesses renewable wind power / solar power and conventional wall plug power to recharge almost all your 5V digital gadgets. Rain or shine, this charger will store the power it generates in its internal 1200mAh lithium-ion battery, and a fully charged HYmini can power up two iPods before it runs out.

Trek Belleville Eco Bicycle $650

For someone who has been very good this year. Designed front to back to lessen manufacturing impact, the Belleville WSD is the perfect choice for anybody looking for an Eco-smart bike with cargo capacity. With parts and components designed for a longer useful life and recyclability, Belleville WSD is a more considered ride. It also comes completely equipped with front and rear racks, generator lights, and fenders to help you get the job done.

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made With Repurposed & Organic Material (Powell's Books, $17)

The perfect book for your favorite DIY-er. Give them some crafty green inspiration with Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made With Repurposed & Organic Materials, which helps readers look at vintage cloth, old wardrobe pieces, and sustainable fabrics in a whole new way--think making an apron from men's shirts, a wallet from shirt cuffs, and a blanket from old sweaters. Love it!

Recycled Railroad Tie Hooks by Monroe Metal (Etsy, $24-49)

For the hard to find. Handmade in Whitefish Montana by an independent metal smith - the work of Monroe Metal is truly original. Made of all recycled and repurposed metal - mostly found objects such as railroad ties, the metal is then forged to transform into a functional piece of art.

Lucid Food: Cooking for An Eco Conscious Life (Powell's Books $22.50)

For the foodie. A brand new book (and blog) full of ideas for handmade consumable gifts called Lucid Food. Recipes, food finds, and tips on eating in ways that benefit ourselves and the world we live in. What could be better?!

DIY- Craftin' w/ Cork(s)

Looking for some quirky (pronounced cork-y) holiday DIY ideas? Here are two projects that are easy, impressive and a perfect way to showcase all that great wine you've consumed this year!! So grab a bottle of your favorite Merlot and craft away... Cheers!

PROJECT 1 - Wreath

1. Re-use styrofoam packing sheets or bubble wrap to create a circular wreath shaped form.
2. Insert toothpicks or large straight pins in to each cork.
3. Push corks into wreath form in a circular direction, overlapping as you go.

PROJECT 2 - Trivet

1. Arrange corks in a circle, 8" is a perfect size.
2. Band the corks together with a ruber band.
3. Secure corks with a metal strapping fastener (found in the plumbing department at the hardware store), be sure to cover the rubber band.

Dreaming of a Green Christmas

In the spirit of recycling... for those of you who missed last years holiday e-mailing, give it a read here. Lot's of great ideas to revisit and we're working on a few more for this year- stay tuned...

Shine On

We had our first snow here in Chicago this week. We knew it was coming but for some reason every year, we forget how beautiful it is until it comes - remembering for a minute what it might be like to be inside a snow globe.

Couldn't help but be inspired by the ethereal quality of the snowflakes - a bit like glitter...and you can't deny sparkle. Must be why our Silver Maple 30% pcw metallic stock (ahem, the only eco metallic stock out there) is so hot this season. Everyone is going for the bling! And we say, shine on!!

Photos, top to bottom: Erica Weiner Type Necklace, JCrew Belts, Amy Atlas Event Cake, J.Crew Chemise, Swallow ring via Lavish Giving, Toms Shoes, Winter Wedding Inspiration Board via Perfect Palette, Martha Stewart Wreath, J.Crew Mirror Clutch

We heart NY

A call to action campaign aptly named NYC Service has been launched to encourage volunteering in New York and beyond. Love that! And even though we are in Chicago- we couldn't help but notice that the campaign boasts a striking color combo that is an exact match to two of our favorite 100% pcw colors- Goldenseal and Ash.

To do (a little) part we printed up some stationery as our own way of sharing one of our many planned "blank's" and sent them straight to the Office of the Mayor. Who knows maybe they'll reach his desk and be the go to note cards for the Honorable gent to jot a line this holiday season!