paper is

There are some things we think a person should never be without, paper is one of them. Paper plays a vital role in our personal and professional lives. Think about how many times a day paper impacts your life. From cereal boxes to paper towels, tissues to catalogs, “to do” lists to thank you notes, permission slips to recipes, and those are just at home! At work there are daily uses for paper like; copies, faxes, brochures, notepads, invoices and other correspondence. The list goes on and on.

Paper makes our lives easier. It provides us with the information we need to live. As long as we use it responsibly, it will continue to impact your life positively. Don’t let the greenwashing get to you. Paper is sustainable, made from renewable resources and easily recycled.

Paper is here to stay.

The "paper is" printed on our CMP notepads and other giveaway items is our way of gently reminding you that paper is vital, necessary, and essential to our lives. No to mention, it can be pretty darn inspiring.

So think about it, paper is what to you? We'd love to add your word(s) to our list.

Make your mark on paper.

Write your own story.

Paper shapes our lives.

Something About A Book

It surprises me how books still have the power to ignite great emotion. And I don't mean just from the stories they weave.

The doorbell rang on Saturday, it was our mailman, with a package. My 17-year-old came running down the stairs gleefully yelling, "It's my books. It's gotta be my books!" And indeed, it was. Now the fact that a week and a half before Christmas he ordered two books off of Amazon without my consent, does not thrill me. But knowing that it was a book, and not a video game or another electronic gadget, secretly made my heart swell.

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

was my son's Christmas gift to himself.

I come from a long line of readers, so part of me is super excited that I grew a couple of my own. Even in this world of so many electronic forms of communication, so many ways to get information, my kids love going to the library and checking out actual books. And as Nancy Drew long ago did for me, when you find a series of books that draw you in and take hold of your heart and imagination, you not only want to read them, you want to own them. With all the other available distractions out there, there is still something about a book that is good for the soul. Kind of like an old friend that you can pull off the shelf, settle down with, and lose track of time.

Beautiful words, well painted stories, and printed on actual paper, now that's a combo that will always draw me in!

How about you? What is your favorite book or series?

Paper is powerful.

Here is a link to the history of book publishing courtesy of  Brainpickings.

I Saw The Future Of Technology...And Paper Is Still In It

After attending the AMA of West Michigan meeting yesterday, where Dr. William Ward, Professor of Social Media at Syracuse University, spoke about "harnessing digital and social media to become a learning organization", I am surprisingly optimistic about the future of paper.

Why, you might ask? Because as I sat and watched the Ted video below, called Sixth Sense Technology, I was amazed to find that no matter how weirdly futuristic life may get, paper is still in the picture. Some of the things shown in this video are way beyond my comprehension, admittedly I often have trouble with my smart phone, but what I do see, is that paper still has a place in the world.

A big place. Check it out.



And this all just makes me happy.

Paper is timeless.

The Art Of Cutting Paper

Check out this incredible Ted video from artist Béatrice Coron who's creations are made totally from cut paper. She started her works of art from paper because in her words: "Paper is cheap, light and you can use it in a lot of different ways."

With an exacto and a roll of paper, she creates intricate worlds, cities and countries, heavens and hells. Striding onstage in a glorious cape cut from Tyvek, she describes her creative process and the way her stories develop from snips and slices.

Talk about having a vision with just a blank sheet of paper. Hers is an interesting concept, instead of adding her vision to the paper with ink, marker or pencil, she removes what isn't part of the story by cutting it away. Truly visionary.

Paper is..........Inspiring.