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

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

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

We have the power to change how the world scrapbooks

This post was previously published for the Words & Perspectives Series at Just Perspective on April 15, 2011.

"Eco-Friendly" 12x12 Scrapbook Layout

The words on the photograph state that “The going green movement is not about radical change. When you make the decision to be eco-friendly, it is about the small steps that take you to a greener, more conscious way of life. Learn. Take action.”

In order to balance our paper consumption, scrapbookers must look into the future and make alternative choices. 

We must use the products we currently own, seek out earth-friendly supplies, buy less virgin paper and begin to learn digital scrapbooking if we have not done so already.

I journaled on the page, “One seed. One step. One action at a time equals big, positive changes.” 

We all have the power to change how the world scrapbooks.

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV (recycled), Cosmo Cricket (FSC Certified printed with soy-based inks), Georgia Pacific (recycled); other: letter stencils, lightbulb cardboard box, gift bag handle, rick rack, buttons, twine, ink, letter stamps, adhesive.

Related Posts:

Eco-Friendly Scrapbooking: Toilet paper roll mini-album

Digital Scrapbooking with My Memories Suite + a giveaway (ends Sunday!)

We can change how we scrapbook (so we don't look like this in the future)

Secret journaling tool for scrapbookers

photo source: katerha on Flickr

How many times have you worked on a scrapbook page and when it was time for journaling, you couldn't remember all the details of that very special day?

Can't even count the number of times, right?

Well, I recently discovered a cool writing tool that will motivate you to journal every single day.

Do you want to know what it is?

It's a website called 750words.com. I've written over 22,000 words since I started thirty days ago and have received various badges like The Penguin (after writing five days in a row) and The Hamster (for writing ten days in a row with no distractions).

I have never been more motivated to write daily until I found 750words.com. I use it as a diary, to do list and a way to draft my blog posts or other writing ideas. I was amazed when I wrote nearly 500 words about my youngest daughter's first day of preschool. Imagine the scrapbook page for that day! I won't have to worry about remembering all the little details since I captured the moment in my daily log.

What's really cool about 750words.com is that it automatically saves your writing every few minutes. It's private, so no one will see what you write and you can export the text at any time...perfect for future scrapbook journaling.

Want more information about it? Visit their FAQ page here.

Further Reading:

Digital scrapbooking with My Memories Suite + a giveaway (ENDS SUNDAY 9/11/11!!)
A Week in the Life of Danielle's Brain and a phone obsession
We can change how we scrapbook (so we don't look like this in the future)

We can change how we scrapbook (so we don’t look like this in 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 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

I am changing the way I scrapbook.   

I like to call it ecoscrapbooking. The premise is simple:

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

2. Seek out sustainable products. Companies like Cosmo Cricket, Piggy Tales and K&Company have made eco-friendly changes (and I’ll throw in my new Etsy shop for blatant self-promotion).

3. Learn digital scrapbooking. Downsize the amount of products you use and become a green scrapbooker. If you really want to build an extreme ecoscrapbook, go completely digital and don’t print a thing. Create a virtual scrapbooking world that is easily shared, changed and moveable. I believe that this is the future of scrapbooking.

Before we get to the future, traditional scrapbooking, as we know it today, must change. Even though there are some scrapbooking manufacturers that have gone green, I truly believe that ALL 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). 

ecoScrapbook will be an exploration of everything you need to know about green scrapbooking.

Expect to learn:

• What companies have gone green.
• How to scrapbook with reusable packaging.
• What to do with your unwanted supplies.
• Alternative ways to print your digital scrapbook pages.
• Where to find unicorns (just kidding! Making sure you’re paying attention.)
• And plenty more!

My current plan is to post every Monday (with extra posts as needed), share what I know and learn along the way, and most importantly,

I want you to change the way you scrapbook.

Now, for your first challenge. Make an eco-friendly scrapbook page. If you need ideas on where to start, read about ways to be an eco-friendly scrapbooker. Remember to use what you have first. You don't need to go to the store and buy recycled paper. Paper scraps work fine. You can also make a page that has an eco theme.

Once you created your page, share it on the ecoScrapbook Flickr group page or email it to me, ecoscrapbook (at) yahoo (dot) com, and I’ll add it for you. If you’re already a digital scrapbooker, I’d like for you to share something that has an eco-friendly theme (after all, you’re already a green scrapbooker since you digiscrap). And you may even see your page here (with your permission, of course).

Feel free to add as many ecoscrapbook pages as you would like. I want ecoScrapbook on Flickr to be a source for earth-loving inspiration.

Are you ready to join me and change the way you scrapbook? (Yes, I hope.) Then sign-up to receive email updates (enter your email address over on the sidebar), follow me on Twitter and tweet (or Facebook) this post to your other scrapbooking friends.

See you next Monday!