Happy Earth Day!!! I hope you’re enjoying Earth Week as much as I am.
On the kick-off post for Earth Week I gave you an idea for a quick and easy furoshiki. As I’ve said before, I love the furoshiki concept. I love the idea of reducing our waste caused by disposable packaging by using a reusable cloth. If you’ve never tried a wrapping cloth, you should! The possibilities and uses are endless.
I recently was introduced to Furochic, a line of reusable fabric gift wrap inspired by furoshiki, designed by Jenn Playford of Jenny Wren Paperie. I fell in love with her designs and ordered an Elephant Parade wrap (LOVE that color combo!) to add to my furoshiki collection.
I got the wrap in the mail a few days ago and it is gorgeous! The best part of this is Jenn has graciously donated FOUR of her beautiful wraps for me to give away to YOU!!!
I asked her to tell me a bit more about her business and how she started designing her wraps. She explained that she had the idea for fabrics wraps, unaware of the Japanese tradition of furoshiki. When she started doing her research on whether any other company was marketing the idea of wrapping gifts with reusable fabric wrap, she discovered the Japanese tradition. She was inspired by furoshiki and decided to make her wraps the standard 27″x27″ size and to call them Furochic. She is very inspired by Japanese art and design, particularly textile design, so it was a natural fit for her. She has been illustrating for over 10 years (you can see her work at www.magnetreps.com) and each wrap design is one of her own illustrated patterns. Some of her motifs are inspired by Japanese design, others by nature and by her extensive travels. She has a new collection coming out in Fall. Here’s a little sneak peak:
Jenn also just had a book come out called Wrapagami.
It will be available in shops starting in August (and is available for pre-order on Amazon.com), but you can order it as of yesterday on her website!
The book features 25 different wrapping techniques, ideas for reusing your wraps, tips for choosing or making a wrap, a history of Furochic and furoshiki, and gift tips to make your gifts special. I can’t wait to get my hands on it–it looks like a beautiful book! All of my furoshiki books are in Japanese, so it will be nice to add one in English to my collection.
Jenn also has a bunch of great video tutorials available for different wrapping methods (click here).
* The giveaway is now closed. Check back tomorrow to see the winners!!!*
To enter the giveaway I want you to leave me a comment telling me what you are going to do to be more Earth friendly during the coming year. For a second entry in the giveaway, just leave a second separate comment letting me know if you are a Follower or a Subscriber. Make sure you leave a way for me to contact you! I will keep the comments open until Tuesday, April 28th, 10 pm PST, and announce the winners (using a random number generator) on Wednesday, April 29th.
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
Thanks for offering this giveaway. I will be more diligent with turning off the lights and unplugging unused appliances.
how could i be the first comment? i’m super into buying local and seasonal food to reduce the amount of gas used to ship things and to support local farmers. i also intend to keep connecting my children to the farmers, letting them get to know who grows their food and how it’s grown so that, even though, they’re city kids, they are aware of the choices that we are making as a family to protect the earth. sigg bottles, tap water, cloth grocery bags are a must!
I was just planning on leaving a comment as to how cute those cloths are. Stupid me missed the “Giveaway” in the title. Someday when I get a few pennies together I’ll have to buy some of Jenn’s stuff. I’m going to have to go crazy on all those links you shared.
As to the giveaway, well I’ve been trying to shut off lights, shut off the faucet while scrubbing, shut off the computer. I think the biggest thing a lot of people can do is just educate themselves about all the little things they can do to reduce their carbon footprint, etc. There are so many things like shutting off things you aren’t really using, but supporting green companies as well. Thanks for the super post!
this is such a great giveaway. I hope I win :)
horray for earth day. I’m am committing myself to be more diligent about potty training so that I stop filling landfills with diapers.
I’m a follower! Keeping my fingers crossed.
I’m using reusable water bottles, shopping bags and other things instead of the plastic ones. I’m also excited for summer so I can buy local produce that has not had to travel halfway around the world!
I’m planning on using more reusable cloth shopping bags.
I’m also a follower!
cute wrap! We have been switching all our bulbs to the twirly floresent kind. We also try to keep lights off when not using them, and recycle all plastic, cans and bottles.
I’m a stalker, I mean follower!
reusable shopping bags and lunch containers!
i’m going to use reusable bags way more than i use them now… i have a bunch but i often forget to bring them with me, but it’s my new resolution!
I am going to use less water bottles. I bought a Brita filter pitcher and some refillable water bottles.
And I am a nerd and posted the wrong link with my name
These are great! Sometimes I run out of clean pyrex – and these look like a great alternative for dry goods (crackers, sandwiches, etc.).
This year, I’m reducing the amount of beef and other red meat we eat and I’ve joined a local CSA farm to help reduce our carbon footprint.
I’m planning on expanding my garden this year and growing more of my own vegetables.
I love that elephant wrap, it’s awesome!
Reduce the amount of plastic I use, try to start a garden, and bike!
Of course, set an example to others too.
Nice giveaway. I have never heard of these. I am trying to make many changes, grow more veggies at home, discontinue plastic grocery bags with reusable ones, I have switched to biodegradable poop bags for the dog and will now only use biodegradable detergents. So many little changes add up!
I love these. It makes your gift seem that much more personal.
I’ve stopped buying juice boxes for my kids lunches and bought reusable drink cups.
We’re also planting a garden and have been trying to buy local even if it means it’s a bit out of our way.
Thanks for the give away.
They are so cuteeeeeeeee…
I plan to buy some extra dish towel and use less paper towels and also remember to bring my grocery bags each time I shop. I am also start planting more veggies.
I have never heard of these until now. I love the colors and the designs that they have to offer. I’m trying to use re-usable bags when I go grocery shopping.
I keep thinking about using cloth instead of wrapping paper but never remember in time to actually BUY any cloth… so, that will be my resolution! I always take grocery bags with me to the store and am also trying to take the train as often as possible instead of driving.
kotharil at gmail
I plan to start sewing some of my own clothes.
[email protected]
thanks for holding this WONDERFUL giveaway!! In the upcoming months, I am planning on starting my own compost and reusing food scraps instead of dumping everything in the trash. Also, and this is the one that i am most excited about, riding my bicycle instead of driving!
1. I planted a garden today.
2. I want to start composting. (Does desire count?)
3. I am generally buying more and more organic when I grocery shop.
Oh yes, I am DEFINTELY a follower. In fact, I follow you and those two cute girls around a lot–at your house, at my house… (Is it legal for your own mum to enter? I LOVE those wraps!)
I am a dedicated composter and I am planting a large garden. Aunt Chris
I am planting a garden. Granted, it’s in a windowsill box, but it’s better than nothing! Plus, I’ve learned how to make all sorts of “trash” into planters. Strawberry containers are the best!
I am going to cut down on wasteful use of paper especially paper napkins and towels – use cloth napkins and dishtowel. I reuse envelopes and boxes thus cutting down waste. [email protected]
I am an email follower! [email protected]
Oohh… you know how much I also love Furoshiki. Before I left, I bought this funky one with a “how to tie furoshiki” pattern on it.
Anyway, enough of my rambles… earthday stuff…
For me, it will be using cloth nappies/diapers (and I’m TRYING to find either organic cotton or something to make them out of), cloth wipes and using soap nuts for washing.
I’ve been trying a bunch of things: doing a little gardening, switching to better shampoo and conditioner (organic, fewer ingredients, paraben free) and cleaning with homemade/safer cleaners!
We are committing ourselves to REMEMBERING to bring our reusable bags to the store EVERY time!
I am a follower!
Hello again, LAFM! I am a follower. I read your blog every day and I get very upset if you haven’t posted anything. Hmmmm, note to self “must get a life”.
Happy Earth Day!!! I am going to be using reusable grocery bags!!! :)
I’m a follower on google reader!
love your site!!! The designs on those wraps are beautiful.
I use resuable shopping bags, I bring my own coffee if I ever get coffee from a cafe. Definitely turning off lights when no one is in the room. shutting off the water when soaping the dishes and during brushing my teeth.
One of the things I have been doing to be Earth friendly is I have stopped using plastic bags and now always carry a trusty Envirosax bag. I have been in love with these ever since I saw them on your blog in May last year!! I’m also totally into those environmentally friendly light bulbs. They come in a really cool ‘twister’ shape and the light they shed is so soft and natural. There are so many great products out there to help the environment and to help us be safer and healthier too!!
What a beautiful, Earth-friendly way to wrap gifts!
Well, I’ve been vegan for 5 years now, so every day I am proud to say that I’m doing something for the environment by not consuming meat or meat products, especially beef -since the beef industry contributes more greenhouse gases than all of the automobiles combined.
What I am starting to do more is eliminating bottled water, juice, and sodas from my household and using reusable cups and mugs. I also use less paper towels, and have gotten into a routine of bringing reusable grocery bags whenever I go out. I also am starting to purchase all natural chemical free cosmetics that are not tested on animals, as well as enviro-friendly detergents. And, of course I turn off everything I can before I go to sleep, including power strips.
Oh, those wraps are just beautiful.
I’m growing and sharing as many vegetables as I can. Making presents instead of buying them, and buying in bulk whenever possible (for less packaging), and buying local if possible (less food miles), oh and eating seasonally too.
I’m a subscriber!
One of the things I’m trying to do this year is do more crafts by upcycling instead of recycling to reduce the amount of energy used in recycling the products instead of reusing them.
We are recycling at school. Today we discovered that my room has 6 – yes 6 – recycle baskets…well, 1 I bought for 50 cents as was using it for a wastebasket. We recycle other teachers extra paper in our printer and at my other job.
This year I’ve started composting, and in the next couple of weeks (if the weather cooperates!) I’m going to try and use my new homemade plant food to grow an herb/veggie patch! Being green inspired my new green idea– it’s perfect!
I’ve being “going green” for decades with the tiny car I’ve been driving! But seriously, I take reusable bags to the grocery store and I buy from my local farmers market each week.
And I’m a subscriber– the family and I loved puff pancakes last week, thanks!! :)
I’m recycling ALL of my plastic bags now – and of course really trying not to use plastic bags at all. Thanks for the chance! alicedemske at hotmail.com
I’m a follower! I stalk you on my iGoogle.
I’m using a lot more reuseable things such as totes for groceries and trying to change from paper towels to cloth ones. Oh, and using reuseable doggy pads for my puppy!