New Eco-Crafting eBook!

Do you toss your empty toilet paper rolls? What do you do with all those plastic grocery bags? 

Eco-Crafting: 20 Simple & Green Craft Projects is packed with easy to follow tutorials that will help you turn trash to treasure. From making a wreath with grocery bags to upcycling an old pie pan into home decor, you’ll find the perfect craft project for you! 

Avoid the recycling bin and discover what you can do with different types of cardboard. Many of the tutorials are so easy, your kids can help and together, you’ll make the world a greener place.

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That's from my new eBook! Two years after I self-published the collaborative EcoScrapbooking: Crafty Ideas for Eco-Conscious Scrapbookers, I finally put together my top eco-friendly craft projects into one handy, downloadable book.

Eco-Crafting is now available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read it for free! Not a current subscriber? Download Kindle to any device and buy the crafty eBook for on $2.49! You'll learn how to make 20 different eco-friendly craft projects and I'll earn a little pocket change.

Now that I know how to publish on Amazon, I can't wait to start my next eBook! ~Danielle

Related:

EcoScrapbooking eBook Launch Party!

DIY Fire-Starter

How to Make Melted Crayons

2013 Highlights & What to Expect in 2014

Happy New Year! I'm back from a two week break and ready to get things rolling for 2014! Hope your holidays were happy and you're as excited for the new year as I am. Before we get into EcoScrapbook of 2014, let's have a look back at 2013.

The most exciting event of 2013 was the release of EcoScrapbooking: Crafty Ideas for Eco-Conscious Scrapbookers, a collaborative eBook by creative minds:

It's free to read online or download. If you haven't done so already, check it out and get eco-inspired this year as you scrapbook!

Another accomplishment was the completion of three Layout A Days, including one where I was a featured scrapbooker. Click the links see the layouts from February, May and October. You can join me for the next one in February as we discover ways to break all those scrapbooking rules! Click here to view more details

In 2013, a few of my projects became famous! Check out my googly-eyed Easter eggs on the Reader's Digest website! Then there was this rainbow craft project from 2011 that has been pinned and recreated countless times and brought in a ton of traffic from Facebook:

The biggest hit of last year, bringing in over 10,000 visitors in March, were the toilet paper roll Easter bunnies I made for Glue Dots:

I also took a road trip and taught my largest class at the Memories Scrapbooking Expo in Columbus:

visited the Jillibean's store:

and set up a table at a school's holiday gift shop:

Another cool thing of 2013 was when I shared my old scrapbooks with you. This one was from 23 years ago:

And here's a scrapbook from a few years later:

Now that we reviewed the old, what's new for 2014?

I've always wanted to incorporate stories about people, particularly from the younger generations, who are making a difference in the world by being "green."

I will continue focusing on eco-friendly scrapbooking and crafting as I dig into my stash of saved goodies. And I plan to experiment with more alternative ways to scrapbook. Like my 2012 Instagram scrapbook, I will make a 2013 book of square prints, but this time it'll be Smashing! I've briefly played with a Smash Book previously, but haven't used one as a scrapbook yet.

Finally, I will memorialize my dog in a tribute post, as well as an entire scrapbook dedicated to our beloved Tabatha. New Year's Day was a sad one for our family when we discovered our 12-year-old dog unexpectedly had gastric volvulus, commonly known as bloat, and one of the main health concerns for German Shepherds. So look for that in the near future.

I don't have a plan set in "digital" stone yet as I've done in the past. Blog posts may even be limited as I wish to focus more on the world of publishing. We'll just have to wait and see what 2014 is really all about. Cheers to a new year! ~Danielle

EcoScrapbooking eBook Launch Party

It's here! The EcoScrapbooking eBook is finally here and I'm beyond excited to share it with you!

EcoScrapbooking: Crafty Ideas for Eco-Conscious Scrapbookers

What began as an idea nine months ago, blossomed into a collaborative eBook focusing on eco-friendly scrapbooking. Nine scrapbookers from around the world joined me as we developed a free scrapbooking eBook jam packed with creative and "green" inspiration.

Join us today as we celebrate the launch of EcoScrapbooking: Crafty Ideas for Eco-Conscious Scrapbookers. 

Before you run off to check out the eBook, I'd like for you to meet all the wonderfully talented designers who I appreciate more than words can express. Visit their blogs for more eco-friendly ideas not featured in our scrapbooking eBook:

You are here--> Danielle Hunter | EcoScrapbook

Next stop--> Zaira Sierra | Hacer Scrapbooks

Lisa Troch | The Cherry on Top

Cathy Sanders | What's up with Cathy

Jules Hollis | Inspired Jules

Erin Bullock | Deeply Rooted Life

Stephanie Medley-Rath | Scrapworthy Lives

Renee Joy | Charms Buttons & Bows

Andrea Friebus | Lights C.a.m.era Action

Jody Spiegelhoff | SpiegelMom Scraps

What takes this project to the next level were the efforts of Zaira and Lisa who volunteered their time to translate the eBook into other languages. Zaira took over the Spanish translations, while Lisa tackled Dutch. Both of these eBooks will also be available for download in the near future.

You have two options to view EcoScrapbooking: Crafty Ideas for Eco-Conscious Scrapbookers: visit the EcoScrapbook Pressbooks site to view it online or click here for the PDF (preferably not to print, just to view and download...we're trying to be environmentally conscious today).

This eBook is free for you to view and you may share the link within your own scrapbooking community. Let's change how the world scrapbooks!

Here's a Bonus Project for you! An 8 1/2 x 11" eco-friendly scrapbook layout using paint samples, tissue paper, product packaging and a clothing tag:

"It's Summertime" Eco-friendly Scrapbook Layout

Tip: To punch through tissue paper properly, place a piece of scrap cardstock (or an extra paint sample) under the tissue paper before punching.

Close Up: Tissue Paper Flower

Six layers of tissue paper were used to make these flowers.

Close Up: Tissue Paper Flower and Clothing Tag

Supplies: FSC-certified cardstock (Wausau Paper), paint samples, clothing tag, product packaging, tissue paper, flower punch, purple floss, rhinestone stickers, word stickers (Simple Stories), black marker, purple pen, adhesive (Tacky Glue, Glue Dots), one Instagram photo. Layout is 8 1/2 x 11".

There are eleven more eco-friendly scrapbook layouts featured in the eBook. Try the tips and techniques for yourself and share them in the EcoScrapbook Flickr group.

Now, hop on over to Zaira's blog (translation option available) and check out her eco-friendly tips! ~Danielle

Your Story Matters Blog Hop

Did you hear? Your Story Matters is now available for purchase!

What IS Your Story Matters? Well, it just so happens to be the book I'm published in and includes scrapbook layouts created by the storytellers of ScrapHappy.

Today, we're celebrating the release of Your Story Matters: 25 Memories To Capture Now with a super exciting blog hop where you get a chance to WIN an electronic copy of the book! (If you're just starting out, the blog hop begins at Layout a Day.)

We're giving away THREE copies of the book and all you have to do is answer this question: What story do you feel is critical for every scrapbooker to document?

I answered that question with this eco-friendly scrapbook layout:

"GMA" 12x12 Scrapbook Layout for Your Story Matters

I feel it's important to document the people you miss. It's scrapbook therapy and I blogged more about that here. Since my grandmother was such an influence on my life, I revisited the topic with a photo of her and my firstborn child, as well as a photo of me when I visited my grandmother in Arizona during my childhood. 

The journaling reads: Grandma Wood lived in Arizona while I was growing up and was the only grandparent I truly got to know. We'd spend time together during her annual trips to Ohio & the few times I traveled to Arizona, where she lived. Grandma eventually moved to Pennsylvania at the end of her life & had a chance to meet both of my girls, even though she may not have known who they were. I miss her lively personality & wish my girls could have known her like I did. -Documented July 26, 2012

Supplies: cardstock (DCWV, Jillibean Soup), diecuts (Jillibean Soup), corrugated letters (Jillibean Soup), black floss (Sew Easy), corrugated cardboard scraps, Distrezz-it-All, black ink (StazOn), adhesive (Glue Dots Pop Up & Mini, Recollections tabs), black pen.

Now's your chance to win book full of scrapbook layouts documenting important life stories! Leave a comment by Saturday (1/19/13) and you could be one of three winners chosen from the comments made on all participating blogs. Winners will be announced at Layout a Day on Monday (1/21) and prizes must be claimed by next Wednesday (1/23).

Can't wait? Skip the $7 introductory price, buy Your Story Matters now for only $5 with coupon code HOP and download it immediately! This coupon is good until midnight on 1/21/13 and if you just so happen to be a lucky winner, your money will be refunded - nothing to lose!

Start here--> Lain Ehmann: Layout a Day

Leslie Smith: Out of the Mire

Alison Charlton: Scrapping in Singapore

Heather Dubarry:  noexcusescrapbooking.com

You're here--> Danielle Hunter: EcoScrapbook

Next stop--> Cathy Holiday: Pikes Peak Scrapper

Monica Bradford: Scrap Inspired

Alison Day:  A Day In The Life...or 5!

Paivi Eerola: Peony and Parakeet

Lynnette Nagle: Sassyscrapper

Kelli Panique: Use It Scrapbooking!

Danielle Taylor: Scrapper on the Street

Before you leave, don't forget answer: What story do you feel is critical for every scrapbooker to document?

Eco-friendly Scrapbooking: Pause & Get Published

 

Recycle. I started this layout by reusing white cardstock from a previous project and flipped it over for a brand new page. You can find bulk 8 1/2 x 11 FSC-certified and recycled cardstock in the office supply section of most big box stores.

Save your paper scraps and get creative. Journaling strips and paper flowers are my top two ways to utilize paper scraps and that's just what I did on this page. I'm also a big fan of squares, so I designed a unique background from assorted paper scraps, a square punch and stamps.

Turn trash to treasure. What happens when an inexpensive wooden toy airplane breaks? You craft with it! The flower centers were punched from thin wood, formerly known as airplane wings.

Alter. If you plan on investing in embellishments, find ones that are alterable like the corrugated letters from Jillibean Soup that I painted black.

Low on supplies? A great way to add dimension when you're low on adhesive spacers is to use cardboard as I did behind the photo and title block.

Supplies: paper scraps, FSC-certified white cardstock, corrugated letters (Jillibean Soup), black acrylic paint, punches (square, flower, circle), stamps (flower, butterfly), black ink, cardboard, thin wood, adhesive (glue stick, tabs, Mini Glue Dots), Instagram photo. Layout is 8 1/2 x 10 3/4".

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Do you want to be published in an upcoming eBook about eco-friendly scrapbooking? Now's your chance. Create a scrapbook layout (doesn't have to be a new page) using at least 75% eco-friendly/recycled materials and format a blog post like I did above (How is your page eco-friendly? Photo, supply list and layout size.) Email me, ecoscrapbooker (at) gmail (dot) com, the link to your post for consideration in the eBook. Deadline is January 31st. 

Read more about the project here and see the behind-the-scenes details here.

I look forward to seeing your eco-friendly scrapbook layouts! ~Danielle

Helpful Links:

25 eco-friendly and free scrapbooking supplies

9 scrapbooking manufacturers that love the earth

Simple ways to be an eco-conscious scrapbooker

The EcoScrapbooker Manifesto

EcoScrapbook Approved Companies

Let's Make an eBook Together

I'm trying something new and can't do it without you. At the beginning of the year, I shared my 2012 To Do List and the second item on the list is to write a scrapbooking eBook. I'm not sure if this task will be checked off by the end of the year, but I can certainly get close to the goal by using ^IfMine.

What's ^IfMine, you ask? It's the latest project management tool on the web and I just so happen to be the Social Media Director for it (yay, I got a "real" job). It's so new that as I write this post, the only people using the site is the ^IfMine team and there are only two projects available for public viewing.

One of the projects is called EcoScrapbooking. (Guess who created that one?)

^IfMine Project: EcoScrapbooking

My goal is to create a scrapbooking eBook that focuses on eco-friendly scrapbook layouts. I'm inviting you to join me and submit your projects as well. Once our eBook is finished, we can give it away for free on our blogs.

Do you like this crazy idea? Here's more info:

EcoScrapbooking eBook Description

If you join the project, we'll Evolve (a term used on ^IfMine to mean "edit") this idea together and create a really neat project that will benefit our scrapbooking community.

Want to give ^IfMine a try? Sign up here and become one of the very first users of ^IfMine. (If the site becomes huge, you'll have bragging rights and be able to tell everyone you used it first!) Email me, ecoscrapbooker (at) gmail (dot) com, with any questions and let me know you signed up so I can add you to the project once you're approved for beta testing. ~Danielle

Related:

How to Get Started With ^IfMine (my first blog post)

The EcoScrapbooker Manifesto

Try Something New