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

Earth Day Projects: Homemade Cleaners & Dryer Sheets

Earth Day was yesterday, but I'm celebrating every day this week! I was out of dryer sheets and all-purpose cleaning spray and I've been wanting to make my own for some time. Since it was Earth Day, I decided it was finally time to do just that!

First up, homemade AND reusable dryer sponges:

Supplies:

 1 c dye free fabric softener

2 c water

4 sponges

old container

measuring cups

scissors

Directions: Mix together fabric softener and water. Cut sponges into thirds and place into container. Pour liquid mixture over the sponges, cover with lid and let soak for a few hours. Remove each sponge and squeeze out the excess water. Let each sponge dry before adding to dryer and replace into the liquid mix after each load of laundry. Keep the liquid mix sealed and you can reuse it over and over. 

I've only tried the dryer sponge with one load of towels and so far, so good! I used a blue sponge since I was worried about possible color transfer, but there was none.

Now it was time to make an all-purpose cleaner:

Supplies:

spray bottle

measuring cups

2 c hot water

1 c vinegar

1 ts dish soap

1/2 ts baking soda

2 tb borax

Directions: Mix together hot water and vinegar. Add in the rest of the ingredients. Stir and pour into a spray bottle. 

I ended up with a little extra cleaning solution that couldn't fit into the bottle and used it to do some quick cleaning. No complaints. I think I like it!

Finally, a project I've shared before, laundry soap:

Supplies:

large container

4 c baking soda

3 c washing soda

1 bar castile soap

cheese grater

Directions: Grate the bar of soap into the smallest pieces you can. Add in the baking and washing sodas and stir together. Use about 2 tablespoons per load.

We really liked using this laundry soap, but since it takes a long time to grate the soap, it's often quicker to run to the store when I need detergent. However, I like having this option and plan to make it again soon since I have all the ingredients from the other cleaning recipes. ~Danielle

Make these other Earth Day projects:

DIY Fire Starter

Sticks & Stones Make Tic-Tac-Toe

Plastic Bag Wreath

EcoSpotlight: DIY Laundry Soap for Sensitive Skin

Since I have sensitive skin, I've been using name brand laundry detergent that's supposedly free of dyes and perfumes. No major complaints, except I've always wanted to make my own laundry soap. 

I browsed an assortment of recipes on Pinterest, but decided to go with a simple combination of products without the added essential oils or Borax in many of the laundry soaps I found. I made a small batch with the help of my girls and started using the laundry soap last week.

Our clothes are clean and softer than they have ever been. Just 4 cups of baking soda, 3 cups of washing soda, plus one bar of finely grated castile soap and you're ready to get washing! I've been using about 2 tablespoons per load and excited to save money over the long haul. ~Danielle

Related:

EcoSpotlight: Eco-Conscious Children Changing the World

Tutorial: No Sew T-Shirt Bag

Pallet Project Idea: Backyard Patio

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