EcoScrapbook: scrap your stash

Showing posts with label scrap your stash. Show all posts

4.22.2016

The Future of EcoScrapbooking

It's been nearly a year since I posted to EcoScrapbook.

Life has gotten busy and I became the blogger who couldn't create new weekly content. I never thought it would be me. But it is what it is.

Over the course of a year, I didn't craft much and struggled with the future of EcoScrapbook. It was my un-craftable year and a time of being un-eco-friendly (not by choice).

My year of un-crafting made me rethink my ecoscrapbooking habits.

There are businesses that don't have much sense of recycling and I found myself involved with two of them. I felt like a hypocrite. At EcoScrapbook, I preached about being green, but out in the work force, I have zero control of what can be recycled and what has to be trashed. It's been a daily internal struggle.

Since I was barely scrapbooking (thank goodness for mobile scrapbooking...PicsArt!), I began to take less photos. It's not that I stopped taking photos altogether (I have plenty in my gallery).

I started to enjoy life's moments by watching them without a lens in front of me.

I didn't rush to pull out my camera every time life needed to be documented. For so long, I recorded videos at school events and then finally realized that nothing compares to seeing my children through my own eyes. There's a connection you can only get when a camera isn't stealing the spotlight.

As I changed, I thought more about the bigger picture. I'm interested in the idea of teaching younger generations to take action and be more eco-conscious. In order for me to do that, my focus can't be on deciding what content to post next on EcoScrapbook.

With Earth Day here, I felt the urge to create a new post. I didn't expect it to turn into a decision on the future of EcoScrapbook.

Watch now:

What is the future of EcoScrapbooking?

That depends on you and how eco-conscious you want to be. I laid the groundwork as I presented creative and easy ways to craft and scrapbook with the Earth in mind.

The EcoScrapbook Blog and ebooks are your source for green scrapbooking and crafting. Whenever you need inspiration, just stop by and peruse my archived material or download an ebook.

As for me, I will continue to change the way I scrapbook and never stop thinking about how to turn trash to treasure.

The EcoScrapbook Facebook page and YouTube Channel will still be up and running. Please follow along if you haven't already and I hope we can continue our community on social media. ~Danielle

5.14.2015

Live Event: Scrapbooking Your Pets

If you're a pet owner, drop what you're doing and listen up. Do you scrapbook your pets? Would you like to take better photos of them? How about learn to scrapbook faster?

Did you say yes to at least one of the above?

Then you'll want to join me on Wednesday, May 20 at 1 p.m. EST for “Purrfect Pets: Scrapbooking Our Four-Legged Family Members."

When Lain Ehmann contacted me last fall and asked me to be a featured guest for one of her monthly scrapinars, I said sign me up! My topic, scrapbooking your pets. And I have plenty of experience with that!

There was Tabatha's Memorial Scrapbook:

Cat scrapbook pages:

A couple recent digital scrapbook layouts using PicsArt:

And so many more pet scrapbook pages!

I've taken hundreds of photos of my pets over the years and share the best ones on Instagram.

You'll learn my pet photography tips, watch how I scrapbook my four-legged friends in a fast, eco-friendly way, and more! Here are a few sneak peeks:

Click here to sign up for this FREE scrapinar and if you can't make it on May 20, there will be a replay available right after. Hope to see you there! ~Danielle

1.29.2014

Scrapbookers of the Future

Fast-forward forty years. You receive an email (or whatever form of future communication, maybe an ezap?) from an old scrapbooking friend who would like for you to visit her. You accept and once the weekend arrives, you pack up a couple scrapbooks and drive across state to her house.

As you make your journey, for a brief moment, you are infatuated with the one tree that stands desolate for miles. (There are not many trees these days since scrapbookers took over the paper mills and cut them down to document all of their memories.)

It’s late afternoon when you pull into her driveway. You grab the scrapbooks, your camera and walk to the front door.

Knock. Knock.

The door opens.

photo source: blakespot on Flickr

It is me. I’m old, wrinkled and worn-out from working in the paper mills so scrapbookers like me can spend a lifetime documenting everyday moments on pretty paper in 12x12 albums. (And this photo doesn’t show me with my usual collection of archival-safe markers in my ragged hair and the pair of scissors that dangle across my chest in place of the charm that was once on my favorite necklace. I couldn’t find a photo with a crazy old scrapbooking lady like that.)

I invite you in. Upon entering, your view of the living room that you had once cropped in has been blocked by a wall of scrapbooks. From the floor to the ceiling and 10 feet wide, these albums are not in bookshelves and you wonder how they stay in place without falling.

You follow me through a maze of paper stacks, more albums, boxes of photos and begin to believe that there must be a black hole at the local scrapbook store that sucked everything from there to here. You finally end up at the only chair free from any scrappy clutter...

---

Okay. This story is not going to happen. I’m not going to end up being that crazy old scrapbook lady because over the past few years, I've changed the way I scrapbook. It's a continual process of alternative scrapbooking and my focus is ecoscrapbooking.

The premise is simple.

1. Use my stash. Stop buying excess products. Save and reuse paper scraps. Dig into the recycling bin. Simplify.

2. Seek out sustainable products. Companies like Basic Grey and K&Company have made eco-friendly changes. I've also found FSC-Certified 8.5x11 acid-free cardstock at office supply stores.

I've downsized the amount of products I use and still trying to be a full-fledged green scrapbooker. I believe the future of scrapbooking will be completely digital. We're already seeing traditional scrapbooking stores and publications close their doors.

Will I ever give up my paper and printed photos? I don't know. I love the creative process and enjoy time off the computer. However, I can imagine a virtual scrapbooking world that is easily shared, changed and moveable. Instead of traditional photo frames, think digital photo frames on your walls and shelves that can be programmed to display your scrapbook layouts. I've gone off on a tangent, but this kind of scrapbook sharing has endless possibilities and I look forward to seeing the growth of digital scrapbooking and media.

Before we get to that future, traditional paper scrapbooking must continue to change. I truly believe that ALL scrapbooking manufacturers need to jump on board and:

Switch to FSC-certified paper, recycled paper or tree-free paper sources (maybe even elephant poo poo paper).
Use soy or vegetable based inks.
Offer reusable packaging.
Consistently seek out ways to be more earth-friendly.

We must unite to make sure these changes happen so we can continue to create scrapbooks and not worry about a mass consumption of virgin paper (or scary old scrapbooking ladies of the future). ~Danielle

Learn more:

EcoScrapbooking: Crafty Ideas for Eco-Conscious Scrapbookers

Simple Ways to be an Eco-Conscious Scrapbooker

9 Scrapbooking Manufacturers the Love the Earth

25 Eco-Friendly & Free Scrapbooking Supplies

10.31.2013

Scrapbooking Halloween: Good vs. Evil

Happy Halloween! I've seen a crazy amount of costumes this year. Some make me smile, while others make me think "what the...?" And when it comes to my girls, one is usually evil, while the other sticks with the cute costumes. Yet, no matter what they chose, my girls make me smile:

To show this battle of good vs. evil, I meshed two scrapbook layouts together into one and dug into my paper scrap bin once again. Bright, happy colors are on the left (the good side) with darker colors on the other (evil) side.

At least the evil in this photo is trying to be good by giving the peace sign ;) Gotta love the kiddos! Hope your night isn't too spooky! ~Danielle

More scrapbook layouts using paper scraps:

A Build-A-Bear Doppelganger Says Boo!

What happens when you start a scrapbook layout with paper scraps?

9 Scrapbook Starting Points Using Paper Scraps (one with a zombie!)

10.30.2013

A Living Dead Doll's Bloody Scrapbook Layout

It's the week of Halloween, a time for candy, spooks and bloody scrapbook layouts...

Paper scraps, old red ribbon, a mix of alphas, plus a scary doll and drips of blood (red acrylic paint) make up this scrapbook layout on 8.5 x 11 FSC-certified cardstock.

I wanted to mimic the Living Dead Doll's dress and punched holes in the cardstock. Then I looped ribbon through the holes and tied a bow. What a fun scrapbook page to make!

I'll have a bonus Halloween scrapbook layout tomorrow! It's all about good vs. evil! ~Danielle

More Halloween Fun:

A Halloween Mini-Book + Googly Eyed Fingernails
Turn a photo collage into a Halloween centerpiece
A Build-A-Bear Doppelganger Says Boo!

** Don't forget to enter the Glue Dots Giveaway (and see another bloody scrapbook layout!!)

10.16.2013

A Build-A-Bear Doppelganger Says Boo!

A Build-A-Bear doppelganger says boo! Say what?

As our sweet furry cat relaxed on the dining room floor, she had no idea what was coming. My daughter brought home a new Build-A-Bear that looked almost like our cat. I snapped photos as the doppelganger crept closer and closer and finally, our cat turned around for the shock of her life!

"Boo!" 12x12 Halloween Scrapbook Layout Using Paper Scraps

I scrapbooked both the original photo and it's doppelganger, a shared square Instagram. You can see a close-up of our wide-eyed cat below:

This layout features paper scraps from previous projects. I just love creating the banner effect with my leftover scraps.

Stay tuned for more Halloween-themed scrapbook layouts this month! ~Danielle

7.24.2013

Are You an Ecoscrapbooker?

Do you consider yourself an ecoscrapbooker? If you save items from around the home or when you’re out and about with scrapbooking in mind, you’re definitely an ecoscrapbooker.

The habit of saving and using items like the ones above are so ingrained in my family that my husband saves his coffee sleeves and my girls get excited when they give me something they know I’ll use on a scrapbook layout... Continue reading my post at Messtaken Identity. ~Danielle

6.19.2013

What happens when you start a scrapbook layout with paper scraps?

Put those photos aside. Would you ever create a scrapbook layout without a photo in mind? Think about it. Imagine digging into all of your paper scraps, picking out some coordinating papers and creating a design on a blank slate.

That's what I did when I designed the scrapbook layouts below. You'll see the before and after pages. I had the pages ready prior to the start of Layout a Day, so all I needed to do was find out the prompt, add photos, along with embellishments and journaling, then I was done! This made scrapbooking every single day more of a breeze. Check them out...

For this page, I started with Jillibean Soup paper scraps:

Three Instagram photos and plenty of decorations later....

Next up, another layout with Jillibean Soup leftovers:

Let's add a mix of letter stickers, another Instagram pic, a Basic Grey flag and some Stickles:

I just loved these papers from October Afternoon:

And adding lots of bling!

Here's more October Afternoon paper scraps...

That were perfect for my trip to Chicago:

Here's one more layout full of October Afternoon:

And I decorated it with me (and old rub-ons from my stash):

Are you ready to start scrapbooking with only paper scraps in mind? Need more inspiration? See my posts below! ~Danielle

9 Scrapbook Starting Points Using Paper Scraps

3 Scrapbook Layouts That Use Paper Scraps

4.24.2013

It's Time for Another Round of Layout a Day!

I love to scrapbook (you already knew that) and as a busy mom, I don't always have time to spend on personal scrapbooking. That's why I make time for Layout a Day.

During each month of LOAD, I scrapbook every single day and have been joining Lain Ehmann and a few hundred of my closest scrappin' friends since 2010. There are traditional scrappers, people who digiscrap and ones (like myself) who like to mix things up - many different styles of scrapbooking and SO MUCH INSPIRATION! Despite a busy lifestyle, I just can't quit! I'm addicted to LOAD!

Below are some of my favorite scrapbook pages I've created during LOAD.

May 2010:

October 2010:

"October LOAD 2010" LOAD Day 31 {Explored}

February 2011:

May 2011:

Words to Tell Your Children LOAD511 Day 24

February 2012:

May 2012:

October 2012:

February 2013:

I'm also pleased to announce that I will be one of the featured scrapbookers during May's LOAD (LOAD 513)! I invite you to join me on this adventure. Click here to view more details.

You can follow along on Flickr as I dig into my stash and create scrapbook pages. Nothing new is purchased during the month as I find this a perfect opportunity to use up what I currently own. However, I make sure I have plenty of adhesive prior to the start of the month. I won't be printing additional photos and if a prompt takes me to a recent photo, I'll digiscrap it! Can't wait to get started and I hope to see you on Flickr! ~Danielle

Read more about my LOAD tips & adventures: here, here and here.

Disclosure: This blog post contains an affiliate link to Layout a Day.

3.20.2013

8 Scrapbook Starting Points Using Designer Scraps

I bet you have designer paper scraps stashed away. It's time to pull them out and get creative! I've found that I like to design a layout without a photo in mind and enjoy digging into my leftovers to see what kind of mix I can come up with.

By starting a scrapbook layout with paper scraps from a specific company or kit, it's easy to mix complementary designs and colors. And it's more fun to see how the layouts change once photos, titles and embellishments are added into the mix.

Let's have a closer look at my scrapbook layouts made with designer scraps. All layouts are 8.5 x 11 inches.

"Don't Hoard" scrapbook layout using Cosmo Cricket:

Supplies: black cardstock, paper scraps (Cosmo Cricket), letter stickers (Thickers), Distrezz-It-All, white acrylic paint, white pen, one Instagram photo.

"We Remember Moments" scrapbook layout using Simple Stories:

Supplies: kraft cardstock, paper scraps (Simple Stories), sticker (Simple Stories), tabs (Creative Imaginations), stamp (Smash), black ink, two Instagram photos.

"Oh, Bother" scrapbook layout using Cosmo Cricket:

Oh, Bother - A BK Embarrassment LOAD213 Day 19

Supplies: gray cardstock, paper scraps (Cosmo Cricket), letter stickers (Thickers, Echo Park), black marker, one Instagram photo.

"Honey" scrapbook layout using Pebbles and paint:

Supplies: white cardstock, paper scrap (Pebbles), black acrylic paint, washi tape, letter stickers (Thickers, Cosmo cricket), black pen, two Instagram photos.

"Nature Walk" scrapbook layout using Fancy Pants:

Supplies: kraft cardstock, paper scraps (Fancy Pants, red cardstock), letter stickers (Cosmo Cricket), stamp (Smash), brown ink, brown pen, one Instagram photo.

"The Hill" scrapbook layout using MemoryWorks Whimsy Kit (April 2011):

Supplies: black cardstock, paper scraps (Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye, assorted color), diecuts (Jillibean Soup), tab and journaling card (Creative Imaginations), letter stickers (Simple Stories), one Instagram photo.

"A Perfect Day" scrapbook layout using Jillibean Soup:

Supplies: gray cardstock, paper scraps (Jillibean Soup), diecuts and stickers (Jillibean Soup), tabs (Creative Imaginations, stamp (Smash), brown ink, brown pen, butterfly punch, two Instagram photos.

"Ankle Surgery" scrapbook layout using Simple Stories:

Supplies: gray cardstock, paper scraps (Simple Stories), letter stickers (Cosmo Cricket), cork stickers (Close To My Heart), dots (Craftwork Cards), journaling paper (Smash), three Instagram photos.

Want more scrapbook starting points using paper scraps? Check out this post! ~Danielle

2.27.2013

My 2012 Take Twelve Scrapbook is Complete!

Last year's Take Twelve is finally done! One of my goals for February's Layout a Day was to finish scrapbooking the photos I took last year on the 12th day of each month. Before the month began, I had only scrapbooked January to May. I'm happy to share the rest of the year:

JUNE