I wish we had both known that creativity was encouraged. Congats on finishing this model. I don't think I made it past step twenty. Though like yourself this challenge did make me look at the type and size of the paper I have. I now own very thin brick patterned 40x40 paper I probably wouldn't have ever bought without this challenge.
Same, should be added in the rules in some form(i was too woried about getting disqualified for it). I think I know what type of paper you mean, it's really neat for some complex models, made a fiery dragon by Kade Chan from it, holds the folds pretty well.