EcoScrapbook

The Future of EcoScrapbooking

2016-04-22T13:50:00.001-04:00

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

New Eco-Crafting eBook!

2015-05-26T10:18:00.001-04:00

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.

____________________________

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

Live Event: Scrapbooking Your Pets

2015-05-14T12:52:00.000-04:00

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

Earth Day Project: Camo Rain Boot Flower Pots

2015-04-24T12:17:00.000-04:00

Earth Day Week 2015 ends today with my final project. It's one we've all seen on the internet: flower pots made from rain boots.

These belonged to my youngest daughter. When she was about four years old, we went to an Army surplus store for a pair of work boots for my husband and when she spotted the camo rain boots, she HAD to have them! Now, you must understand, she's a girly girl and to our surprise, she wasn't about to leave that store without them. Since she needed rain boots anyway...well, I think you know the rest of the story.

Anywho, I've been wanting to do this project for a long time and now that it's spring, why not do it today? Although I had to pull out my winter coat this morning (I was outside enjoying the 70+ degree weather last weekend), I'm beyond happy for a new season and looking forward to a fabulous summer! Planting flowers brings me one step closer to that.

Here's how I made flower pots from camo rain boots:

Supplies:

rain boots

2 geraniums

organic potting soil

shovel

drill

Directions: Drill 5-7 small holes into the bottom of the rain boots for drainage. Add soil and geraniums. (Yes, that's my daughter's shovel. Since we moved last fall, I have no idea where my shovel is.)

Who doesn't love a quick and simple project that also includes some upcycling?

Hope you enjoyed EcoScrapbook's Earth Day Week and remember to make Earth Day every day! ~Danielle

Missed an Earth Day project this week? Check them out below:

MON: Plastic Bag Wreath

TUE: Sticks & Stones Make Tic-Tac-Toe

WED: DIY Fire Starter

THUR: Homemade Cleaners & Dryer Sheets

And swing by my other blog, Greater Toledo's Mama Meow, for 10 eco-friendly websites for kids. (Note: Local information is at the top of the post, so you'll have to scroll down to find them.)

Earth Day Projects: Homemade Cleaners & Dryer Sheets

2015-04-23T11:05:00.001-04:00

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

Earth Day Project: DIY Fire Starter

2015-04-22T07:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Earth Day! It's Day 3 of Earth Day Week at EcoScrapbook and today I'm sharing another eco-friendly project I recently completed.

Apparently, there are several ways to make your own fire starter. I narrowed it down to one of the simplest ways to start a backyard fire this summer: dryer lint and toilet paper rolls.

If you've been a long time reader, you know I've made several crafts with toilet paper rolls. In fact, my Toilet Paper Roll Bunnies are famous and brings in the most traffic to this blog. Crazy, huh?

I've also scrapbooked with dryer lint. Google "scrapbook dryer lint" and you'll also find me on the first page. Another, who woulda thunk?

Both dryer lint and toilet paper rolls can end up as trash or if you don't regularly clean out the dryer's lint trap, your house can burn down. So instead, save these items and make something new like DIY fire starter.

I'm using a saved Cutie mesh bag to store these fire starters made from toilet paper rolls and dryer lint.

Check back tomorrow as Earth Day Week continues! ~Danielle

Make These Projects for Earth Day:

Kids Earth Day Project: Tic-Tac-Toe

Plastic Bag Wreath

No Sew T-Shirt Bag

Laundry Soap Recipe

Kids Earth Day Project: Sticks & Stones Make Tic-Tac-Toe

2015-04-21T11:37:00.000-04:00

You know the children's rhyme that begins with "sticks and stones may break my bones," right? Well, not with this Earth Day Project! Sticks and stones make for a fun little game of Tic-Tac-Toe.

Supplies:

4 sticks

rocks (two different colors)

twine

scissors

The directions are simple and great to do with kids. Create a Tic-Tac-Toe board with sticks and secure together with twine. Easy peasy! A few minutes of work equals a leisurely outdoor game of strategy.

Stop by tomorrow to see what I do with dryer lint! ~Danielle

Make These Projects for Earth Day:

Plastic Bag Wreath

Summer Memories Container

DIY Ombre Corkboard

Birdseed Ornaments

Earth Day Project: Plastic Bag Wreath

2015-04-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Earth Day Week at EcoScrapbook! Each day this week, I'll be sharing my latest eco-friendly projects. First up, a wreath made from plastic grocery bags:

Supplies:

25 plastic grocery bags

9" embroidery hoop

burlap ribbon

paper flowers

painted wood letter

hot glue gun

jewelry wire

wire cutters

scissors

1. Cut off the front of each grocery bag and set aside to recycle later.

2. Stack each blank side of grocery bags on top of each other and cut off the edges.

3. Cut 10 10" strips to make 250 plastic strips.

4. Fold each strip in half and secure to embroidery circle with a knot.

Repeat until circle is covered.

5. Attach burlap ribbon to wreath making a loop at top and stapling it closed.

6. Make a bow by folding burlap ribbon around itself three times as shown:

7. Twist wire around center, insert into loop and secure together with wire. Cut off excess wire. The wire will be used to hang wreath on door.

8. Spread out the burlap to finish the bow and trim edges.

9. Wrap burlap ribbon around bottom right of wreath and staple closed.

10. Attach painted wood letter and paper flowers with hot glue gun.

And now I have a beautiful eco-friendly door wreath just in time for Earth Day! ~Danielle

Related:

How to Make a Plastic Bag Skirt

No Sew T-Shirt Bag

Spring Diorama

Home Decor Tutorial: Repurposed Pie Pan

How to Make Melted Crayons

2015-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm a crayon collector! Each year, after school lets out, I take all the used crayons my children bring home and dump them into a gallon container. They get used sometimes, but as broken, pointless crayons, they're often overlooked. I think I probably have crayons from my childhood in there too! (Hoarder Alert!)

I've always wanted to make new crayons out of the old ones and finally did so with my six-year-old. We made them to pass out to her class for Valentine's Day.

They're about the size of Reese Cups and each one is unique.

Here’s how we made melted crayon Valentines:

Supplies:

Several broken/unwanted crayons

Cutting board

Knife

Paper towels

Cupcake liners

Muffin pans

Oven

Oven mitts

Small treat bags

Instructions:

1. Peel off the crayon wrappers.

2. Have a parent chop up the crayons into smaller pieces. I used a few paper towels on a cutting board and a large kitchen knife. Set oven to 250 degrees.

3. Place cupcake liners into muffin pans.

4. Fill the cupcake liners halfway with crayon pieces.

5. Bake in a pre-heated oven until crayons are melted into a liquid, about 10-12 minutes. Use oven mitts to remove pans from oven.

6. Let the melted crayons cool for about 3 hours or overnight before peeling off cupcake liners.

7. Insert melted crayons into small treat bags to pass out to your class.

You can use stickers to seal the bags or tie bows with ribbon. As always, get creative and have fun! ~Danielle

Layout a Day Blog Hop: Advice for Newbies

2015-01-26T07:00:00.000-05:00

Are you ready for a scrappy month? I sure am! I'm Danielle and have been participating in Layout a Day since 2010! I think this will be my 13th LOAD. You'll find me on Flickr as EcoScrapbook. Since you'll be visiting several blogs today, I wanted to make this quick and simple for you, so if you're short on time, the important information is in bold text. See you in February!

Here are my Top 10 Tips for Layout a Day Newbies:

1. Stock up on adhesive. Glue runner. Glue Dots. Adhesive tabs. Washi tape. They all work and you're going to need plenty of them.

My Organized Adhesive Drawer

2. Let creativity be your guide. Although it's not required to follow every prompt, keep your mind open and allow for an idea to pop in your head and go for it.

3. Embrace imperfection. Blurry photos? No problem. Mix-matched letters? That's okay. Journaling or paint mistakes? Who cares? One of my favorite scrapbook layouts is perfectly imperfect:

"Playhouse" Scrapbook Layout: LOAD211 Day 10

4. Try something new. Have you ever stitched on a layout? Distressed photos? Paint your own background cardstock? Whatever you've been wanting to try, don't be afraid of mistakes, just do it! Hey, I even cut a completed layout into four pieces for a pocket page:

"Unwanted Visitors" Scrapbook Layout: LOAD514 Day 16

5. Create a space for your layouts. Maybe it'll be a box or a temporary scrapbook, you'll be creating so many layouts, you won't have time to stay organized.

6. Organize your craft area. If you're a traditional scrapbooker, you WILL make a mess this month:

My dining room table on Day 13 during LOAD 10/10.

Start off the month right by organizing your crafty space. You'll know what you have or what you need to buy (see #1) and will scrapbook faster if you do.

7. Establish a routine. Maybe you'll scrapbook before work or after the kids go to school. Carve out time in your busy schedule and try to stick with it. If you only have 30 minutes, you can still do it. If there are days when you have less than 15 minutes, download a photo app and create a quick digital page. Here's one I made using PicsArt:

"Retro 'Rents" Digital Scrapbook Layout: Day 25 LOAD515

8. Expect the unexpected. No matter how much you prepare, you will end up scrapbooking photos that you never planned on and journal about memories you had forgotten about. You will learn more about yourself and your scrapbooking style AND you will be inspired!

"Goodbye" Scrapbook Layout: LOAD212 Day 8

9. Don't forget why you scrapbook. You are your own storyteller. If you're participating in Layout A Day, then you know it's your responsibility to document your story for your family and future generations. We're making treasures to share and that's important.

Finished Scrapbook Layouts from LOAD212

10. Support your fellow LOADsters. Leave positive comments in the gallery as much as you can. Join in discussions when you feel the need. Don't be shy. We're cool people.

See what other LOAD alums have to say:

Karen Siegel Fitting

Nicole Gray

Alice Boll

Valerie Lindgren Smith

Marcia Fortunato

EcoScrapbook's Top 10 Posts of 2014

2014-12-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

Wow, 2014 has flown by! This has been such a crazy year! From losing Tabby and bringing home Bane to hubby's ankle injury, moving and everything in between, I'm looking forward to a calmer 2015 (fingers crossed).

For the first time since I started blogging in 2010, I actually took a blogcation over the summer and just started to get my groove back this month. To keep me even busier, I'm now Mama Meow at WherestheCat.com, a Toledo area events website and in the early stages of starting another blog for eco-conscious children.

In the mean time, let's have a look back at my crafty year in EcoScrapbook's top 10 posts of 2014:

1. A Very Recycled Scrapbook Page

2. Tutorial: No Sew T-Shirt Bag

3. Saying Goodbye: Pet Memorial Scrapbook Layout

4. Mini Eco-Friendly Scrapbooks

5. The Saddest Story I Ever Told

6. Digital Scrapbooking with the PicsArt App

7. Painting Roses With Celery

8. From Picture Frame to Dry Erase Board

9. Pet Memorial Scrapbook: It's Finished!

10. A Creative Blog Tour

Thanks for being part of my year! Wishing you the best in 2015! ~Danielle

DIY Eco-friendly Christmas Gift Ideas

2014-12-17T11:30:00.000-05:00

Christmas is right around the corner, but there's still time to make your own gifts. These 10 eco-friendly Christmas gift ideas are sure to please this holiday season:

1. Wine Cork Candle

2. Girl Scout Notebook + Decoupaged Comic Book Pencil

3. Upcycled Decoupaged Bangle Bracelets

4. Cereal Box Notebooks

5. Capri Sun Purse

6. Melted Record Gift Bowls

7. Melted Record Ornaments

8. Glittered CD Ornament

9. Star Mirror Christmas Ornament

10. Upcycled Christmas Coasters

Tutorial: Winter-Themed Message Board

Upcycled Bubble Wrap Christmas Card

Catching Up After the Big Move

2014-12-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Where have I been? Life has been pretty hectic for me the past several months and I haven't been crafting or scrapbooking as much as I like.

For the first time ever, I didn't complete a Layout a Day Challenge. 14 pages. That's it. I was off to a good start the first few days and then went straight digi by creating layouts on my phone using PicsArt in the brief moments I could spare.

My main excuse is my family moved in late September.

It almost didn't seem like it was going to happen, but we finally moved! We're in a nicer neighborhood and in a bigger house. We were lucky. To prove it, I found these two four-leaf clovers in our front yard as I was moving in boxes:

Unfortunately, during the weekend of our big move, our beloved Bane was not so lucky. Three weeks prior to our move, we were happy to bring home a rescue dog. Things were going well until we took them both to a boarding facility so they would be safe and out of the way while we moved. Short story, both 80 pound dogs were put in a small kennel area overnight (and unsupervised) and our new dog attacked Bane.

That was Bane when we brought him home after his first surgery. We then decided it would be best to give our new dog back to the shelter we got her from. It was heartbreaking.

After a second surgery and plenty of love, by his first birthday, Bane was pretty much healed and back to his happy-self.

He enjoys his new big backyard and runs around like a maniac! It's so wonderful to see him play with the girls like nothing ever happened.

In the mean time, and back to the good stuff... I did manage to get a little crafty by updating a knife block:

I'm going for a retro feel in the kitchen and added vintage milk glass from my husband's grandmother. Here are a few pieces:

My husband got creative by upcycling a door and wood from our kitchen remodel to build a bar in the basement.

Fancy! He even picked out his own fabric to cover the storage area underneath the bar.

We're pretty excited to have a fireplace, too! And I'm more than happy to have a mantel to decorate.

Then there's the first floor bathroom. Either you'll love it or hate it. I'm choosing to embrace the bathroom. I plan on updating it with paint (where I can) and add new curtains. The hubby already replaced the old toilet with one that's more efficient:

Yes, that's a lot of pink tile! Just like the sink and the former toilet, the bathtub is also blue. At least the upstairs bathroom looks like this:

There's plenty more work to do around the house, but for now, I'm happy.

And I'm also proud to share my latest adventure, Greater Toledo's Mama Meow, a place for local kids to go to find out what's happening around the area. It's still in it's infancy, but I have big hopes for Mama Meow. Check it out! The official launch will be in January! ~Danielle

How to Make Your Thanksgiving Eco-Friendly

2014-11-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

When I think of Thanksgiving, family comes to mind and I'm thankful to have such a wonderful support system in my life. I also think of turkey and all the food that comes with it when we gather together for a feast. I think of fall colors (not the snow and frigid weather outside my window right now) and realize Christmas is right around the corner.

As an eco-friendly crafter, I created three projects with Thanksgiving in mind. I have Halloween decorations, but not many Thanksgiving items to put out in the fall. The projects below will last the entire season.

Twine Bottle

I've been collecting empty bottles since there are so many ways to upcycle them. This particular bottle is from the Mexican soda Jarritos. It has a cool texture and I didn't want to cover the entire bottle with twine. Find out how you can make it on the Glue Dots Blog.

Fall Votive Candle

Who doesn't love burlap and chevron right now? When shopping for projects, you'll want to look for natural fiber items like jute twine and burlap. And I've always promoted eco-friendly and recycled cardstock like the kraft paper shown above. The supply list and directions can be found here.

Thankful Spool Centerpiece

This is a perfect addition to the projects above and includes the same type of embellishments in the supply list. Visit the Glue Dots Blog to find out how I made it.

Now that we've greened-up our Thanksgiving decorations, how else can we make a day of thanks also a day to be eco-conscious?

Green Thanksgiving Tips

Support local farmers' markets and stores when shopping for your meal. If the budget allows, choose organic foods.
Use recipes that allow you to make your food from scratch. I recently made a green bean casserole I found on Pinterest. Instead of canned soup, I made a homemade cream sauce and the result was delicious.
Eat dinner by candlelight (see projects above).
Ditch the paper plates and disposable napkins and cups. This is the perfect time to bring out those cloth napkins you rarely use. You can also invest in a nice place setting to use for years to come or find an assortment of pieces at a secondhand store.
Avoid the aerosol sprays and scent your home by simmering a pot of cinnamon sticks.
Recycle packaging, cans or bottles used to make your meal.
Compost scraps of vegetables and other leftovers.
Plant a thankful tree with your family.

Have another green Thanksgiving idea? Share it in the comments! ~Danielle

Home Decor Tutorial: Repurposed Pie Pan

Photo Collage Pumpkin Centerpiece

From Picture Frame to Dry Erase Board

2014-09-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

As I began purging my household of unwanted things for my upcoming move, I stopped when I looked at an old framed poster of the ocean. It hung in the bathroom and acted as a reminder of where I'd like to vacation one day. It's not the most beautiful thing on the walls of my home, but I liked looking at it in a locked bathroom during my mini-breaks from the chaotic life of being a stay-at-home mom.

Instead of keeping or donating it, I chose to transform the frame into something new:

Dry Erase Board

See how I made it on the Glue Dots Blog! ~Danielle

Related Glue Dots Projects:

Upcycled Diorama

Chalkboard Headband Storage

Upcycled Pencil Storage

DIY Ombre Cork Board

2014-09-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

Too many wine corks? No problem! Let's get crafty! Check out my recent Glue Dots® project:

Ombre Cork Board

Find the supply list and directions on the Glue Dots Blog. ~Danielle

Related:

Wine Cork Bird House

Upcycled Flower Carrier

Repurposed Pie Pan

Picking My Brain

2014-09-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure where to start. This feels like trying to get re-acquainted with an old friend. It's been 10 weeks since my last blog post and I was meandering thoughts of leaving it that way. I've enjoyed a summer without structure, fun with the family and how my days started after 9:30 a.m.

School is officially in session, my husband is back to work after his February ankle injury and we're now getting ready for some big changes in our lives. I like structure (most of the time), but don't like waking up at 5:20 in the morning (coffee, please). And as I recall, I do love to blog and I'm not currently working, so here I am.

What to blog about? Do I still want to focus on eco-friendly scrapbooking and upcycled projects? Should I include more posts about green living? How about the environment? And when should I blog? Weekly? Wednesdays? Whenever I feel like it?

Those are the questions that have been going through my mind as I've been on my blogcation and I still don't know all the answers. I would like to mix things up here and turn EcoScrapbook into a blog (book) of eco scraps - snippets of life through the eyes of eco-conscious people in our world. What do you think?

I would love your help as I make this transition. If you see any interesting stories, projects, people, or communities being "green," please share them with me. And if you are making your own eco-conscious choices, let me know, I'd love to hear about them!

Find me here or comment below. ~Danielle

Related:

DIY Laundry Soap for Sensitive Skin

Tutorial: No Sew T-Shirt Bag

A Very Recycled Scrapbook Page

It's Time for a BLOGcation!

2014-06-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Summer has officially started and I'm ready for a BLOGcation! My weekly Wednesday posts will restart again in late summer so I can spend time with family and focus on my to-do list projects. If you need a dose of creativity, check out the summertime craft ideas below. ~Danielle

Recycled Summer Party Invitations

Upcycled Flower Carrier

4th of July Centerpiece

Summer Memories Container

Decorated Pop-Its Storage

Summer-Themed Paperbag Scrapbook

Roasting Pan Diorama

Mr. Miyagi's Backyard: Scrapbooked Two Different Ways

2014-06-18T07:00:00.000-04:00

I didn't plan on scrapbooking any old photos during last month's Layout a Day (LOAD514), but I ended up creating two different scrapbook layouts about an unplanned subject: the backyard where I grew up, often referred to as Mr. Miyagi's backyard.

The first page is a paper layout where scraps played a huge part, along with a mix of old photos, even ones I had cut up years ago.

My parent's backyard has always been a beautiful work-in-progress and why I decided to create a digital page using PicsArt. I simply took photos of old photos, combined them with recent photos and brought them together in the app on my phone.

The end result: two different layouts about the same subject. The journaling and photos are unique to each page and stories have been documented. Success! That's what scrapbooking is all about. ~Danielle

Related:

Scraplifting Myself

A Creative Blog Tour

Digital Scrapbooking with the PicsArt App

Scraplifting Myself

2014-06-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

Over the years, I've learned to enjoy scraplifting layouts I love and using sketches. I used to be against these two forms of scrapbooking and didn't like copying other people's pages or being confined to a sketch. Then I realized, it's okay to use these tools as starting points. Most of the time, the end result doesn't even compare to the initial inspiration.

So what happens when I scraplift myself?

The first page was created as a featured layout for Layout a Day (May 2013). It's 12x12, filled with scraps and shows two photos, an original and it's Instagram.

I did the scraplift during Layout a Day (May 2014). It's also 12x12, but cut into four sections for the 6x6 pocket page. Scraps are also used, as well as two different photos.

I like to create unique pages, all different from the rest. And these two pages, even though very similar are still different. Different subjects. Different colors. Different embellishments. Different form. And both, a couple of my favorite pages.

How do you feel about scraplifting? Have you ever scraplifted yourself? ~Danielle

Related:

Video: Organizing Paper Scraps

3 Scrapbook Layouts That Use Photo Scraps

3 Scrapbook Layouts That Use Paper Scraps

It's a Blog Hop with Glue Dots & Marion Smith Designs

2014-06-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

After an incredibly long and cold winter, I'm happy to see green grass and the flowers in full bloom. To celebrate the season, Glue Dots and Marion Smith Designs have teamed up for a blog hop, as well as introduce the new Glue Dots blog!

Upon receiving Junque & Jems and the Never Grow Up paper collection from Marion Smith Designs, I was inspired to create an upcycled diorama with my stash of Glue Dots.

Let's have a look:

Upcycled Diorama

Supplies:

Glue Dots® (assorted)

Glue Dots Desktop Dispenser

Marion Smith Designs paper

Marion Smith Design embellishments

cardstock (green, blue)

aluminum roasting pan

butterfly punch

EK Success fence

small flower pot

floral foam

moss

miniature beehive

fishing line

wire

The new Glue Dots Desktop Dispenser made it easy to attach punched butterflies to the paper tree I created:

and the floral embellishments to wire for the flower pot:

After attaching the background and paper tree to the roasting pan, I added clouds with Pop Up Glue Dots®, doubling up for more dimension:

and hung a couple with fishing wire:

Then I pulled out the XXL Glue Dots® to secure the rolled moss to the bottom of the diorama:

I also used an XXL Glue Dot® to keep the flower pot in place before using Glue Dots Glue Lines® to attach a popsicle stick to the back of the cut-out girl:

This allows her to stay standing and move around within the scene.

What a doll! I wish you can stay and play for a bit, but it's time to continue the blog hop and have a chance to win some goodies!

You're here--> Danielle Hu nter

Samantha Taylor

Grace Tolman

Marion Smith Designs Blog: Day 1 & Day 2

Find Marion Smith items at Scrapbook.com and BlueMoonScrapbooking.com.

Glue Dots® products are available online at Jo-Ann.com or at your local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

Are you ready for a chance to win?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to stop by the new Glue Dots blog, visit our group of designers and say hello to all the designers from the Marion Smith team. Good luck! A winner will be announced on June 13th! ~Danielle

A Creative Blog Tour

2014-06-02T07:00:00.000-04:00

I've always loved participating in blog hops and when Lisa, a scrappy sister overseas, invited me to join her in a new one, I was excited. But, wait... there's a twist. We're not all blogging within a day or a short time frame. We're blog hopping week-by-week and tagging others along the way.

Lisa posted last Monday and tagged three people (myself included) and we're posting today, each tagging three more people. All of us are sharing a peek into our creative lives by answering the four questions below.

1. What am I working on?

It's now June and I'm fresh off the Layout a Day (LOAD) buzz. I scrapbooked every day during May, created 42 pages in all (see layouts here) and now it's time for a breather.

School is just about out and I'm ready to sit back and relax for a bit. May was full of scrapbooking, Glue Dots design team work, volunteering at school, birthday celebrations, field trips, recital prep, cheerleading practice and fundraising...on and on I could go.

Instead, I'm going to revise the question and answer: What do I wish to be working on? Children's books. A small handful of you know I'd love to be a published author/illustrator. As a visual artist (a.k.a. scrapbooker), I want to write and illustrate picture books and have several ideas in mind. Life gets in the way and I continue to put this dream on the back burner. I hope to work on a couple books this summer (fingers crossed).

2. How does my work differ from others in my genre?

Within my community of scrappers, I'm known as the EcoScrapbooker as I focus on eco-friendly scrapbooking and crafting. I don't always scrapbook with "green" products and this is often seen during LOADs as I'm in de-stashing mode and using what I have on hand. If I have to have new products, I prefer them to be recycled, FSC-certified with soy-based inks, and with all those other eco buzz words.

I often use black on my layouts, sometimes with paint, as a photo mat (with marker/cardstock) or a design element.

I love colorful pages, white space and trying new ways to scrapbook.

I'm all about bold designs and prefer trends in design over trendy paper. Banners, flags, doilies, hexagons, chevrons, washi tape and the color blue make me happy.

I like the option of scrapbooking on my phone with the PicsArt app for quick and convenient layouts, but I'll always be a paper-scrapbooker at heart and brings me to the next question.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I've scrapbooked since I was four and started writing stories in elementary school. I simply can not imagine life without a creative outlet. When I'm really in the zone, I feel like me. I'm usually listening to music on Pandora and making a mess in my craft room. It takes me away (ever so briefly) from mommyhood (the pet and human kind) and being a wife (even though my subjects are usually them).

I'm passionate about sharing my work with others and love the ability to create beautiful things that can be passed down over the generations.

4. How does your writing/creating process work?

Well, it depends. With LOAD, I usually have a set of photos I want to scrapbook, but let the daily prompts guide me. With design team work, the process usually starts with a holiday or theme. And sometimes my blog posts are about things I've done recently (like my DIY laundry soap).

Lately, Pinterest inspires me and I've taken full advantage of the app in recent months. My old phone didn't have the capabilities to handle the app, but now that I have an LG G2, my life on Pinterest has expanded exponentially! I often see a layout design on Pinterest and then make it my own after choosing the photos I want to use.

I work best when I'm alone and don't like distractions, so my girls are usually at school when I'm in creating-mode.

Okay, enough about me. This is the longest post I've written in a long time! Let's learn about the three people who are up next on Monday, June 9. (Note: I linked names to their Flickr pages since I met all of these talented ladies during the LOAD challenges.)

Valerie is passionate about living, laughing, loving and capturing it all in words and pictures. She started as a rubber stamper but it is scrapbooking and photography where she has found her bliss. Valerie adores her husband of 27 years and young adult sons - ages 18 and 23...and their dog, Harley. She loves to capture their stories and the tales of those around her. She comes from a long line of story tellers and scrapbooking has become a medium for embracing that legacy and passing it on to the next generation. Valerie describes her style as "Photojournalistic" scrapbooking. When photos show relationship and the words bring the photo to life...she falls in love with the art of scrapbooking all over again. You can visit Valerie at her blog, From Valerie's HeART.

GeeZee loves crafting and finding ways to use things in as many ways as possible in the life of that item. She doesn't like to throw things away. All that excess we send to the landfills bothers her. GeeZee likes to share with others and help keep discards from losing their identity completely. She also thrives on meeting new people and making new friends, sharing experiences and thoughts. GeeZee has mentors that have taught and encouraged her to think of things in a new way. Learn more about GeeZee at Messtaken Identity.

Emma is a mum of 4 children, 2 skinny pigs, a bearded dragon and a Jug puppy and she also has a happy husband who puts up with all the madness. Her passion, aside from her family, is scrapbooking. She's been a scrapbooker for over 10 years and loves it now as much as she did when she first started. Emma cannot imagine her life without paper, glue and a paper trimmer in it! Please join Emma at Scrappin is my life, where she shows you her creations and shares her passion and ideas with you.

EcoSpotlight: DIY Laundry Soap for Sensitive Skin

2014-05-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

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

Tutorial: No Sew T-Shirt Bag

Pallet Project Idea: Backyard Patio

Digital Scrapbooking with the PicsArt App

2014-05-21T07:00:00.000-04:00

My favorite way to scrapbook is with my hands. Cutting up paper, adhering photos and handwritten journaling are all an artistic release for me. However, I love the ability to scrapbook on the go with the PicsArt app on my phone.

I've used the free app for a couple years and it's great for editing photos, as well as creating collages. Once I got the hang of it, I began designing my own digital scrapbook layouts and layering various elements.

"Aunt Mary" Digital Scrapbook Layout - Took photo of an old photo and created the layout as a tribute to my recently deceased Aunt Mary.

Since it's Layout a Day month and May is often busy for me, PicsArt has been handy, allowing me to scrapbook when I'm not in my craft room.

"Music" Digital Scrapbook Layout - Designed a photo collage of faraway photos and added it to a background I designed in PicsArt. This is a great way to scrapbook several blurry or grainy photos.

"Cameron Dallas" Digital Scrapbook Layout - No, I'm not obsessed with a teenager, but I did make this page for my oldest daughter. She supplied the collages and I brought them together.

For the past three years, I make a year-in-review photo book where my digiscrap layouts are mixed in with my favorite photos. These pages will definitely be in my 2014 book.

"This Girl" Digital Scrapbook Layout - Once again, I played with the background and added another collage, but this one was of my youngest after she lost her first tooth.

Do you have a favorite phone app for scrapbooking? ~Danielle

Digital Scrapbooking with Picasa

Scrapbooking with My Memories Suite: Camping at the KOA

Painting on 6x6 Pocket Page Scrapbook Layouts

2014-05-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Each Layout a Day, I tend to concentrate on a project or two and often attempt to try a new technique. I worked on my pet tribute album during February's LOAD, allowing Pinterest to inspire me as I focused on scrapbooking with eco-friendly BasicGrey cardstock.

The first day of May began another month of scrapbooking. My plan is to scrapbook photos from 2011 to 2012 and it's really hard for me not to jump back into my past as the theme for the month is Past Perfect 2. I LOVED the first one and all the pages I created from my childhood, but recent past photos are what I need to scrapbook right now.

On top of that, I'm working with several 6x6 pocket pages and created these colorful scrapbook layouts:

Happy:

Swirled on circle shapes using paint brushes.

You Make Me Smile:

Dipped the ends of wine corks into paint and stamped on the colors.

Summer:

After swirling circles on the "Happy" layout, I took each paint brush and swiped color across the bottom of a new page.

Check out more of this month's scrapbook layouts on Flickr! ~Danielle

Related:

Pet Memorial Scrapbook: It's Finished!

Layout a Day: 34 Scrapbook Pages in 29 Days

The Unexpected Scrapbook Layout