EcoSpotlight: Eco-Conscious Children Changing the World

It's Earth Day! As your EcoScrapbooker, I'm delighted to spend this green holiday with all of you and have three amazing stories to share.

I'm far from being an eco-activist and know there are many more changes needed before feeling comfortable with adding an eco-friendly label to my family. That's why when I hear about children taking a stand and successfully changing the world for the better, I'm inspired and want to do more.

I encourage you to read the brief introductions and check out the links given to learn more about these three eco-conscious children who have changed the world around them.

EcoErek

Photo Source: The Sustainable Spot

Let's begin with EcoErek since he's a local boy who's made the news several times over the past few years. In 2009, Erek Hansen held his first denim drive and shipped 1684 pieces to National Geographic to set a world record. As the largest donor, he attended the ceremony in Washington D.C.

Several years and many awards later, Erek has collected over 19,000 pieces of denim and nearly 12,000 shoes. The 6th annual Denim Drive has started and if you're in the Northwest Ohio area, stop by the Toledo Zoo's "Party for the Planet" on April 26 and drop off your unwanted jeans.

Mia

Photo Source: Change.org

When Mia Hansen (unsure if she's related to Erek) was ten-years-old, she created a petition to stop Jamba Juice from using Styrofoam cups. Over 134,000 signatures later, Jamba Juice agreed to phase out the chemically-laden cups by the end of 2013.

Abby

Photo Source: Change.org

In 2012, Abby Goldberg was thirteen-years-old and already knew plastic bags were damaging the environment. She wanted her town to ban plastic bags and like Mia, she started a petition on Change.org. The signed petition was given to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, who then called Abby to let her know he would veto legislation that would make it illegal to ban plastic bags. See her interview on HLN: 

Have you heard of an inspirational child making eco-friendly changes? Let me know in the comments below or share with me on Twitter or Facebook. ~Danielle

Related:

Scrapbookers of the Future

The EcoScrapbooker Manifesto

EcoScrapbooking eBook: Crafty Ideas for Eco-Conscious Scrapbookers

Road Trip: Memories Scrapbooking Expo & Jillibean's

On March 23, my mother-in-law and I traveled to Columbus for my Recycled Scrapbooking class at the Memories Scrapbooking Expo. I had a decent sized class and shared my knowledge about eco-friendly scrapbooking, plus Tim Holtz was at the Expo:

I must confess, I don't swoon over THE Tim Holtz and only own one of his many products, Distress Ink, which I rarely use. However, I spotted him at the Expo surrounded by a crowd of ladies, snapped a photo of him and went on my merry way.

Besides my class, the highlight of the day was after the Expo. We stopped at Jillibean's new store in Marysville for the warehouse sale (ended Sunday). I didn't purchase anything at the Expo since I knew this was on the agenda. Before I show you my goodies, take a look at all the eye-candy in this vintage-inspired shop:

If I were to ever own a scrapbooking store, I would definitely model it after Jillibean's! Boy, was I impressed and look forward to visiting the shop again.

So...what did I buy? I kept my purchases within the warehouse sale area and spent less than $25 on all of this:

Jillibean Soup: EcoScrapbook Approved

I'm saving the pack on the far left for another scrapbooking class. Yes, even with the headset I had to wear (I felt like a dork), I enjoyed being offline and teaching my fellow scrapbookers something new about scrapbooking and plan to do it again in the future. ~Danielle

Related:

A scrapbook layout + 5 Jillibean Soup cards
My day at the Great Lakes Mini Meet
9 scrapbooking manufacturers that love the earth

Upcoming Class: Recycled Scrapbooking in Columbus, Ohio

Want to learn how to turn trash to treasure on your scrapbook layouts? If you're a regular reader of this blog, I know you've started making more earth-friendly choices when you craft. 

Today, I'm talking to the scrapbookers in the Ohio area and would like to invite YOU to join me at the Memories Scrapbooking Expo in Columbus.

My class is called Recycled Scrapbooking and we're going to make something that looks like this:

"Recycled Things" 8.5x11 Eco-Friendly Scrapbook Layout for Upcoming Class

No two layouts will be the same because we are learning how to scrapbook using things we'd normally throw away or recycle. You'll unleash your upcycled creativity and one lucky scrapbooker will receive a prize pack for recycling the most items on a scrapbook layout!

Here are more details:

WHO: You & Me
WHAT:  Recycled Scrapbooking Class (SC303)
WHEN:  Saturday, March 24 at 1:00 pm
WHERE: Ohio Expo Center - Columbus, Ohio

Lausche Building (Room 3)

The cost is only $20, plus a $3 material fee paid to me on the day of the class. Bring basic supplies (pens, markers, adhesive, paper trimmer, scissors, stamps, ink) and 4x6 photos. 

Register here and I hope to see you soon! ~Danielle

Related:

EcoScrapbook: As Seen on TV

3 Scrapbook Layouts That Use Paper Scraps

Would you use dryer lint on a scrapbook layout?

Upcoming Scrapbook & Craft Classes in Toledo, Ohio

Notebook & Mini-Scrapbook Class Projects

WHAT: Let's Make Notebooks Class

WHEN: September 14, 2012: 5-7 p.m.

WHERE: Hobby Lobby, 5329 Monroe Street, Toledo, Ohio

We will make three assorted-sized notebooks using the Bind-it-All: 3x3 fall-themed book with folders, 6x6 Halloween mini-scrapbook and a cereal box notebook. You will also get a chance to use the Round-it-All and Distrezz-it-All.

Please bring a cereal box, pencil, paper trimmer, scissors, bone folder, adhesive tape/tabs and a Bind-it-All if you have one. Cost is $12. Contact me (ecoscrapbooker at gmail dot com) to register. Future classes include a DIY wall organizer on October 12 and a coffee sleeve mini-scrapbook on November 16. Click here for more information. ~Danielle

Related:

I'm a Zutter Certified Instructor

Tutorial: Using Paper Scraps to Decorate a Wedding Book Cover

Tutorial: Turn a Cereal Box into a Gift Box

Hobby Lobby Class: Free Bind-it-All Demo on August 24

I'm offering my first craft class at Hobby Lobby in Toledo, Ohio on August 24, 2012...and it's free! If you're in the area, stop by to see the Bind-it-All in action and learn about the types of projects you can make with it.

WHAT: Bind-it-All Demo Class

WHEN: August 24, 2012: 6-7 p.m.

WHERE: Hobby Lobby, 5329 Monroe Street, Toledo, Ohio

COST: Free! No supplies needed. Just come and learn!

This class and all future classes will be on my new "Classes" page. Please be sure to visit often for updates. You can also subscribe to my blog or follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

And mark your calendars...My next Hobby Lobby class will be on September 14 at 5 p.m. and we'll be making three assorted-sized notebooks. Contact me (ecoscrapbooker at gmail dot com) for more information and to register. ~Danielle

Related:

I'm a Zutter Certified Instructor

Tutorial: Using Paper Scraps to Decorate a Wedding Book Cover

Upcoming Classes

Sending a Little Love to Ohio & Michigan Bloggers

Lisa, from Recklinghausen Musings, recently gave me the Liebster Blog Award (thank you, Lisa!) and now it's my turn to share a little blog love. 

If this award is new to you, it's basically a way to grow our crafting community and let others know about smaller bloggers with less than 200 followers. I'll be focusing on the creative and fabulous bloggers from Ohio and Michigan. Say hello to...

Mindy, The Determined Scrapper -  I met Mindy on the local craft show circuit a couple years ago and have seen her go from a creative newbie to a craft show queen! Each time I see her at a show, her booth just gets bigger and better.

Marla, from Paper Sentiments - Marla is also part of the craft show circuit and I met her at the same show where I met Mindy. She's a pretty cool mom and her designs are adorable.

Candy, Life on the Crafty Side - I officially met Candy through Mindy at Marla's garage sale and we've been following each other online ever since. She's sweet, funny and talented.

Shannon, The Scrapping Stamper - This crafty lady is a fellow MemoryWorks Consultant and Fiskateer (yep, I'm a long-lost Fiskateer) and has some mad skills when it comes to coloring with markers.

Laura, from Power of the Flower - If you're a lover of flowers, you'll want to check out Laura's beautiful photographs. She's a writer, painter, photobook-creator and makes me want to go out in nature and take photos.

If you chose to accept the award, the rules are as follows:

1. Thank the person who gave the award.
2. Link back to their blog.
3. Post the award onto your own blog.
4. Choose 5 new recipients with fewer than 200 followers.
5. Let each of them know about the award.

Enjoy! ~Danielle

Related:

Toilet Paper Roll Craft: Lisa's Wreath

Scrapbooker Saturday: Mindy

My Day at the Great Lakes Mini Meet