A Very Recycled Scrapbook Page

As I participated in Layout a Day last month and worked on my dog's tribute album, one of my favorite challenges was to use items not typically found in a scrapbook store. As the EcoScrapbooker, I definitely went overboard and turned trash to treasure!

Let's count the recycled items on this page...

1. Background Cardstock: It's made by Wausau and was purchased at an office supply store. The paper is recycled and FSC-certified.

2. Decorative Cardstock: BasicGrey is found in scrapbook stores, but it's one of my favorite companies to scrapbook with since their papers are FSC-certified and use soy based inks.

3. Journaling Bubble: This is the back of a Christmas gift tag and I added Pop Up Glue Dots to bring it up off the page a bit.

4. Page Title: A sweater I received for Christmas came with this "delicate and special" tag which I thought was perfect for a scrapbook page about bringing home a new baby and introducing her to the family dog.

5. Flower Petal: The white stamped flower petal was used during the baby shower for my daughter in 2002!

6. Earbuds: I've had a pair of broken earbuds and have been waiting to use them. I thought they'd work well with the serrated edges from a box of aluminum foil (close-up below).

7. "Love" Tag: This was a leftover tag from my birdseed ornaments. It's made from a toilet paper roll and paper scraps.

8. Aluminum Foil Cutter: Hmmm, what to do with the serrated edge of an aluminum foil box when it's time to recycle the box? You scrapbook with it! Be careful though and use Glue Dots Glue Lines to adhere it to the page.

9. Vintage Lace Ribbon: My husband's grandmother gave me a tin full of ribbon scraps, buttons and other do-dads. The vintage lace fit the theme of the page - "delicate and special."

10. Bread Clip: I started saving bread clips a while back and think they make interesting additions to scrapbook pages. Not convinced? Check out the colorful scrapbook layout I made for the ZISierra Blog.

11. Produce Mesh: A little knot around the bread clip added a pop of red to balance the red heart on the toilet paper roll tag.

12. Fabric Flower: My mother-in-law made custom curtains for our dining and living rooms and I kept the leftover fabric to make crafty things like this fabric flower topped with an old brown button. 

What's your favorite recycled item to scrapbook with? ~Danielle

Related:

Layout a Day is Over & I'm Still Scrapbooking

Happy Pages From the Pet Memorial Scrapbook

Pet Memorial Scrapbook: The First & Last Pages

Scrapbook Layouts Using Paint Samples

If you've never brought home a paint sample, this post will make you grab one the next time you're out shopping at your local home improvement store. And you know what you're going to do with that paint sample? Scrapbook with it!

I've accumulated several different colors of paint samples over the years for each home decorating project I've started and when my creative kiddos want to get their hands on a few of their favorite colors.

Paint samples can be used just as they are or altered any way your creative heart desires. They're free and an eco-friendly option when using your unwanted samples.

Here are two of my scrapbook layouts featuring paint samples:

"When There are None" 12x12 Scrapbook Layout using a Paint Sample

On the 12x12 scrapbook layout above, I cut a large circle shape out of a paint sample book, adhered an Instagram photo to it, stuck both to the cardstock, added a title and some journaling and called my layout complete. Easy peasy!

For this next scrapbook layout, I not only used a paint sample, but a few other free supplies. Can you spot them?

"Caught Green Handed" 8.5x11 Scrapbook Layout using a Paint Sample

If you saw the puzzle pieces, a cardboard circle and product packaging (behind the title), you know how I think! Even the painted handprint can be considered a free scrapbooking embellishment.

Want more ideas on how to scrapbook with paint samples? Check out these crafty projects from around the web:

• Mother's Day Scrapbook by My Sweet Savannah (click here to see pin).
• Paint Sample Mini-Album by Positively Splendid (see pin).
• "Love U" Scrapbook Layout by Sharon Harnist via Copic (see pin).
• Paint Sample Mini-Scrapbook by Sheri Twing via Elle's Studio (see pin).
• "It's Summertime" Eco-Friendly Scrapbook Layout by Me :) (see pin).

Special Announcement!! Are you in need of an intense weekend filled with scrapbooking? Join me at the free sneak peak of True Scrap 5 on Thursday, September 26 to learn more.  Click here to view more details. ~Danielle

How I Organize My Eco-Friendly Craft Supplies

As I become more of an eco-friendly scrapbooker and crafter, there are things I collect to use on my scrapbook layouts, upcycled projects and for the classes I teach. I've decided to share with you how I currently organize my stash of recyclables: coffee sleeves, clothing tags, puzzle pieces and so much more.

This is a Close To My Heart organizer with things from my baby shower (in 2002), assorted fabric and ribbons, tickets, dryer lint, playing cards, used gift cards, puzzle pieces, bread ties, produce mesh, clothing tags, etc.:

Here's how I organize paper scraps (check out this video for more info), along with paper I made with some of my scraps (back row):

This is a desk drawer where I stash random things and the scraps from cropped photos:

Below is another drawer filled with cardboard, bubble wraps, boxes, Easter grass, children's books, extra baggies, etc.:

In the containers below, I save coffee sleeves, Glue Dots rolls, ribbon rolls, game pieces and other boxes that will eventually become mini-books:

Check out the foam, pill sleeves, old business cards, biodegradable ribbon, used Glue Dots containers, restaurant coasters and paper scraps leftover from books I've made:

And here's a basket filled with more random stuff I have yet to organize:

Old folders, mailers, cereal boxes and other cardboard get saved in this storage container:

And finally, the bottom shelf of my storage closet are an assortment of containers just waiting to be upcycled:

How do you organize your eco-friendly craft supplies? ~Danielle

Related:

My Simple Craft Room
Road Trip: Memories Scrapbook Expo & Jillibean's
9 Scrapbook Starting Points Using Paper Scraps

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

Poll: What is Your Favorite "Green" Scrapbook Company?

Do you have a favorite scrapbook company? I have a few top choices I tend to buy more than others. Why? As the EcoScrapbooker, I give preference to companies using recycled paper, FSC-certified cardstock and vegetable-based inks. 

Today, I'd like to try something new and find out which eco-friendly companies you prefer... What is your favorite "green" scrapbook company?

 

(Can't view poll? Try visiting EcoScrapbook on the web.)

After you vote, let me know why you made that choice (and if you have any others). Thanks! ~Danielle

**There's still time to submit your eco-friendly scrapbook layouts for consideration in the upcoming EcoScrapbook eBook! Click here for more information. Deadline is January 31!**

 

Related:

EcoScrapbook Approved Companies

The EcoScrapbooker Manifesto

Simple Ways to Be an Eco-Conscious Scrapbooker

 

Christmas Gift Bag With Removable Scrapbook Layout

Have you ever thought about decorating a gift bag with a removable scrapbook layout? I sure did! Here's my tutorial:

Supplies:

Glue Dots® (Ultra Thin, Mini, Pop Up, Glue Lines, Removable)

star pins (Maya Road)

gift bag

FSC-Certified cardstock (black, yellow)

decorative cardstock (October Afternoon)

photo

Distrezz-it-All

black acrylic paint

paint brush

vintage ribbon

Petaloo flowers (large black, small green with red jewel)

buttons (red, green)

Stickles (Xmas Red, Holly, Black Diamond)

letter stickers (American Crafts Thickers)

hanger

Note: A red Petaloo flower was used for this project, but was painted black with acrylic paint and topped with black Stickles.

1. Cut, distress and paint edges of the yellow and decorative cardstock. Set aside to dry.

2. Attach buttons to hanger using Removable Glue Dots® and apply Stickles. Set aside to dry.

3. Distress the photo edges, mat with black cardstock using Ultra Thin Glue Dots® and distress the cardstock edges.

4. Use Ultra Thin Glue Dots® to attach two star pins to the top of the decorative cardstock and then adhere the yellow cardstock to the decorative cardstock.

5. Attach the matted photo to layout using Ultra Thin Glue Dots®.

6. Use Mini Glue Dots® to secure letter stickers to layout.

7. Apply Glue Dots Glue Lines® to layout and attach ribbon. Fold the ribbon edges and secure to back of yellow cardstock using Ultra Thin Glue Dots®.

8. Adhere buttons to layout using Ultra Thin Glue Dots®.

9. Use a Mini Glue Dot® to attach small Petaloo flower to the large one and attach to layout with a Pop Up Glue Dot®.

10. Tie ribbon to handle of gift bag.

11. Apply Removable Glue Dots® to the back of layout and attach to gift bag.

If you haven't already, read The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt (shown in the photo) - I loved that book! If you're a scrapbooker, you will too! Happy holidays! ~Danielle

More fun holiday project tutorials:

Lunch sack turned gift bag + coffee bag bow

New Year's Eve confetti dropper

How to melt records to use as gift bowls

Disclosure: This blog post was created while participating on the Glue Dots design team.

My Instagramed Week in the Life Project

Today is the last day of the ScrapHappy Only Layout a Day and I accomplished two major projects. The first was 9 Scrapbook Starting Points using Paper Scraps and the second was my Week in the Life project (April 23-39, 2012).

I've participated in Ali Edward's Week in the Life three times now and each year, I approached the challenge with a unique perspective. In 2010, I focused on my Twitter status updates and created 9 days of sCRAPs. In 2011, the final product was called A Week in the Life of Danielle's Brain and I doodled each day of my week (Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

This year, the Android Instagram app was made available a few weeks before a Week in the Life and I took full advantage of it.

Instagram Photos of My Week in the Life 2012

I finally made time to scrapbook all these Instagram photos (I'll share how I printed them in a future post), but I challenged myself to use only these supplies:

• FSC-Certified 8.5 x 11" cardstock (purchased in the office supply section of Walmart)
• Eco-Binder by TerraCycle
• Instagram prints

• Washi/Trendy Tape by Queen & Co. (the only adhesive used to adhere photos to layouts)
• StazOn black ink
• Photo scraps (from when I cropped the Instagram prints)
• plastic packaging
• American Crafts black pen/marker
• Close To My Heart ink
• Close To My Heart baker's twine
• Close To My Heart stamps
• Basic Grey stamps

Another stipulation of my own personal challenge, I had to create a different title for each layout and limited myself to these two stamp packs. I also wanted each layout to look different and used my Instagram updates for my journaling.

How's that for a challenge? I succeeded and this is what I came up with:

My Instagramed 2012 Week in the Life Project

I added a few photos that weren't taken during a Week in the Life to help tell the story of my week (ex: kitchen remodel). There were 37 Instagram photos scrapbooked on 17 scrapbook layouts. You can view each page in my Week in the Life 2012 Flickr set. Enjoy! ~Danielle

9 Scrapbook Starting Points Using Paper Scraps

Over the summer, my girls and I dumped out a storage container full of paper scraps and organized them by color. During the process, I set aside some of the scraps to use on future layouts and also created a paper scrap organization video.

Thanks to the ScrapHappy Only Layout a Day, I finally had the push to create 9 scrapbook starting points using paper scraps and finish them:

Let's have a closer look:

"Fresh Picked Worms" Scrapbook Layout

Supplies: Jillibean Soup sticker and diecuts, Simple Stories letter stickers, DCWV cardstock, paper scraps, Distrezz-it-All, black marker.

"Brown-Eyed Girl" Scrapbook Layout

Supplies: DCWV cardstock, paper scraps (including the bird I made), letter stickers (Jillibean Soup, Crate Paper), brown marker.

"Zombie" Scrapbook Layout

Supplies: DCWV cardstock, paper scraps, American Crafts letter stickers, (old) word bubble sticker, My Mind's Eye cartoon figure (circa 2000), paper confetti (from the Bind-it-All), acrylic paint, black marker. (Note: To create bloody brains, I glued the confetti to the cut-off head and added pink and red paint.)

"Sandusky Bay KOA" Scrapbook Layout

Supplies: DCWV cardstock, paper scraps, stickers (Jillibean Soup, Sassafrass), black marker.

"You" Scrapbook Layout

Supplies: DCWV cardstock, paper scraps, American Crafts letter stickers, StazOn black ink, photo booth memorabilia, black marker. (Note: This is my favorite layout of the bunch.)

"Madison" Scrapbook Layout

Supplies: DCWV cardstock, paper scraps (from my daughter's baby announcements in 2008), assorted letter stickers, black marker. (Note: Photo taken by Rick Sheridan.)

"A Photo Like This is Rare" Scrapbook Layout

Supplies: DCWV cardstock, paper scraps, Distrezz-it-All, Echo Park letter stickers, Close To My Heart stamp and ink, black pen, white pen.

"Miss Pres. Bill" Scrapbook Layout

Supplies: DCWV cardstock, paper scraps, corrugated cardboard, stickers (Echo Park, Jillibean Soup), Distrezz-it-All, white acrylic paint. (Note: I had two copies of this photo and cut out one to create a pop up effect.)

"Pets" Scrapbook Layout

Supplies: Paper (Pink Paislee, Cosmo Cricket), Jillibean Soup stickers and diecuts, Scenic Route letters, white paint marker, black pen. (Note: The center of the Pink Paislee paper was cut out for a previous project and I secured Cosmo Cricket scrap paper to create a full sheet to work with.) 

Most of us know about Shimelle's scrapbook starting points, but I wanted to challenge myself and start with paper leftover from previous projects. Now, I'm challenging you to do the same. Create a scrapbook layout using paper scraps and share the link to your project below. I'd love to see what you create! ~Danielle

Related:

Scrapbooking: DIY Hexagons

Let's Make an eBook Together

3 Scrapbook Layouts Using Paper Scraps

The EcoScrapbooker Manifesto

I've been a modern scrapbooker for the past decade. I've been pasting together photos and paper most of my life. I've gotten caught up in trends, used piles upon piles of paper and still have plenty of supplies to scrapbook the next five years. Because of this, I've slowed down my purchases and buy only items I need.

I save my paper scraps, but do I use them? Some, but not all. I have a plastic container full of scraps, waiting for me to organize and add them to my scrapbook pages. At least they're not in a landfill somewhere. 

I've dramatically downsized my scrapbooking stash over the past five years. Things were used or sold, others donated, some shared with my children. I've learned to let go of items I won't use, focus on the things I will and stay organized. By doing these simple tasks, I've become a better and faster scrapbooker. I know where things are and don't have to search to find them.

I'm becoming an eco-conscious scrapbooker.

Then I wonder about the scrapbookers who are complete opposite of me, tossing away chunks of paper without even thinking about it, buying even single new trend and have craft rooms that could easily be turned into scrapbook stores. All this clutter...is it worth it? Is it a waste of money and resources?

I read the facts:

The paper industry is the third largest industrial consumer of energy in the United States according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Paper is the most commonly recycled product, and yet is still one of the largest single components of landfills in the United States, comprising over 16% of landfill deposits equaling 26 million tons annually.

But there is good news:

Many more environmentally responsible printing and writing papers are available than there were even a few years ago.

The number of acres certified by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) in North America has grown by 66 million between January 2007 and January 2011. This represent a doubling of forests certified.

As of early 2011, there were more than 770 FSC-certified papers available in North America.

(Source: Environmental Paper Network's 2011 State of The Paper Industry report (PDF).)

Over the past several years, I've seen this increase in the paper industry. There are more and more scrapbooking companies that are selling recycled and/or FSC-certified products. These are the scrapbooking supplies we need to be using in our paper dominated hobby. What else should we be doing? Or... 

What else can we do to become smarter and more eco-conscious scrapbookers? 

I present to you, The EcoScrapbooker Manifesto. Feel free to save/pin/share/print it. ~Danielle

**Upcoming Event: Earth Day Blog Hop on Sunday (April 22) - Join me and other scrapbookers as we share green projects and things to do. Need an incentive? There will be prizes!**

Further Information:

Personal Excellence Blog: Our Culture of Waste: Why We Should Stop Wasting (and How To Prevent Waste)

Forest Stewardship Council Paper List (PDF)

Environmental Paper Network

The Daily Green

Related Posts:

We can change how we scrapbook (so we don't look like this in the future)
Scrapbooker Gone Wild: The extremely green experiment
Simple ways to be an eco-consious scrapbooker

3 Scrapbook Layouts That Use Photo Scraps

If you're reading this, I know you're a scrapbooker who already uses paper scraps on your layouts. Have you ever considered saving your photo scraps too?

I used to toss photo scraps into the trash without even thinking about it. Then one day, I had a light bulb moment when I was cropping the photos for my Christmas cards. I decided not to waste the strips of photo paper that could've fell into the trash bin with a swoosh of an arm. Instead, they ended up in a drawer and eventually became part of this scrapbook layout:

"Wild Thing" 12x12 Eco Scrapbook Layout

I journaled in between the photo strips on the right-hand side of my "Wild Thing" layout, telling the story about a few questionable items and baby me. (Look closely. You'll see me with a pipe, liquor bottles and a can of beer. Funny family, right?)

Supplies: DCWV cardstock, My Mind's Eye paper, doily, photo scraps, Reminisce rub-ons, Colorbok letters, button, Creek Bank Creations hinges (had these forever), Studio18 rhinestones, Stampendous stickers, Cosmo Cricket letter stickers, button.

I also used the photo strips as part of a chevron pattern on one of my favorite scrapbook layouts:

"Charlie" 12x12 Eco Scrapbook Layout

This one features a long ago family pet named Charlie and also shows me (without any questionable items). Here's a close-up of the chevron pattern before adding the photos and embellishments:

DIY Chevron Pattern

Supplies: cardstock (Imagine That, Me & My Big Ideas, DCWV), O'scrap! quote card, Cosmo Cricket stickers, photo scraps, fabric scraps, buttons, thread. I used XL & XXL Glue Dots to attach the fabric circles to the layout and finally used my Sew Easy for the first time.

The third and final layout I'm sharing today uses photo scraps saved from outdoor photographs. 

"Where I Grew Up" 12x12 Eco Scrapbook Layout

All those green circles are tree leaves and grass. I thought they went perfectly with the Google map I used on my scrapbook page about "Where I Grew Up."

Scrapbooking with photo scraps.

Supplies: Google Map, DCWV cardstock, Georgia Pacific cardstock (I printed the lines before journaling), photo scraps, Basic Grey chipboard (my 3-year-old painted them), Cosmo Cricket stickers.

I must say, I think I'm a fan of photo scraps. There will be more layouts like these in the future. ~Danielle

Note: Don't forget to link up your toilet paper roll project for a chance to win some scrapbooking goodies. And mark your calendars for the upcoming Earth Day Blog Hop on April 22!

Related:

3 Scrapbook Layouts That Use Paper Scraps

Would you use dryer lint on a scrapbook layout?

9 scrapbooking manufacturers that love the earth