Saturday, February 21, 2009

GoGoGirlz Featured Etsy Seller!


Each week I am featuring an Etsy seller who either recycles or upcycles when producing their product. This week, I am featuring GoGoGirlz and you can see read about how this beautiful necklace was created by clicking here:

A little bit about GoGoGirlz:
We are two CRAZY ladies that have been creating together on-the-go for
about 4 years. The G in the word "GO" is from my friends' last name and the O is
from mine. And, yes, we were young girls when Go-Go boots and mini-shirts were
latest trends in the 1960s. Today, we are still always on the go as chauffeur
moms to school and sports activities. Our favorite places to go are to the craft
shows, craft stores and to "craft paradise" -- that quiet place where we can
escape to, and create without interruptions of "Mom, take me here -- Mom, take
me there".
They also have some vintage items in their store and other handmade goodies. Please be sure to check them out!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Recycled Fish!

Ok, here's my latest eco-friendly embellishment:



A box of Rice Chex can go a long way! All I did was use one of my templates & trace the fish on the box. Then I traced the template on red & blue scraps of paper, cut everything out, adhered them using 3-in-1 Adhesive (that stuff is the best!), and voila! Two little fish to adhere to your card or scrapbook page. Plus, if you want, you can further embellish them. The edges of my fish are chalked for a little dimension. If I was using these instead of selling them, then I would add some of those little googly eyes. For now, these little buggers are for sale at my Etsy store:

RememberWhenCreation.etsy.com

What have you come up with using cereal boxes? I want to know!

Stay tuned for my 'new' magazine holder!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Gear up for presents!

“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” -Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

When I talk about 'green' scrapbooking, I'm really doing the Earth an injustice. I'm limiting myself to just one little niche in my green endeavors - scrapbooking. What about the rest of the paper craft genre?

Even though it's only February, the holidays are here before you know it and everyone is scrambling around purchasing, buying, purchasing, buying, blah, blah, blah. So if you take some time now, you can be ready to MAKE some gifts come November. Here's what you can start saving:

  • Cardboard - think of all the things that arrive in the mail or some type of cardboard packaging you get when you purchase something. Start breaking it down and putting it in a safe place. There are many projects we can do with this stuff.
  • Tins and powder drink containers - we are big drinkers of Gatorade in this house. Every 10 days, I'm trying to do something clever with the container. Hold onto a few of these - I'll show you what we can do with them.
  • Paper bags - some stores are going back to these instead of plastic. Throw a couple in the closet and we'll get creative with them.
  • Shredded paper - are you shredding all of your confidential information? Good - you need to. Now bag some of that stuff and I have some ideas for it.

Stay tuned as next week I'll show you some project ideas with these materials.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

I love all things recycled!

Here's a cool bag I found on Etsy.com:



This Etsy seller took a broken Coleman Lantern Chair and turned it into a fab tote bag! Here is a link to her store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=26639

I know this has nothing to do with scrapbooking, but I just love all things recycled and I want to promote our earth-friendly artisans!

Monday, February 9, 2009

New Uses for Toilet Paper Rolls!

Wow - this is an innovative idea from Paper Jewels blog. She is using the toilet tissue rolls to make little mini albums. Check it out:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfiLIG0gd74

I feel the need to save some rolls and make a mini album for the blog. What a great way to reduce waste & reuse an item!

Have any you made? Send them to me and I'll post them here!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Recycling in Scrapbooking

The 3 R's used to be reading, writing and 'rithmetic. Now it's Recycle, Reuse & Reduce. Here are some ways you can recycle in your scrapbooking:

Recycling is the process of turning waste materials such as paper and plastics into a new resource.

  • To recycle, save recyclable items and send or take them to a recycling facility. The facility will process the materials so it can be used in new materials.
  • The craft of scrapbooking involves a lot of paper products, including cardstock, patterned paper, and packaging. Often scrapbook items are sold in plastic packaging as well. Learn what items can be recycled in your area.
  • Set up a spot in your scrapbook area for placing items that can be recycled. In my scrapbook area I keep a trash bag for recycling papers and a trash can for non-recyclable items. Sort paper and other recyclable items as you are scrapping.
  • When opening a new product, divide the paper and plastic aspects of the product. Sort and place any recyclable items in the appropriate recycling containers.
  • Support recycled products. Write to the scrapbook manufacturers asking them to consider using recycling materials in their products.

We have a few manufacturers who are on board and are offering recycled papers and products while trying to reduce the waste in their packaging. If we collectively have a voice and let the manufacturers know that we want more enviro-friendly products, they will listen to us!

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