Cool site to check out!

Hey all you earth friendly scrappers!

I just discovered a very cool site to check out. It's a scrapbook store in Colorado (too bad I'm in FL) and everything they sell for scrapping is environmentally friendly! Here's the site:

www.creatively-green.com

Here's a little bit about them:

We specialize in creative, alternative, handmade art and craft supplies with a conscience. As a family owned business, it is our mission to bring you unique, non toxic, and safe alternatives without compromising on quality.

They have their own paper line and handmade embellishments too! Their prices are very fair as well. Pop on over when you have a chance - they need some DT members too!

Paper Piecing - A Great Way to Use Your Scraps

In keeping with the green theme, a great way to not only save money, but re-purpose your scraps is to start paper piecing. Don't throw your scraps in the landfill! Start saving them and then you can paper piece.

What is paper piecing? Paper piecing is using cardstock and patterned paper to create paper embellishments for your scrapbook pages and greeting cards. They can come from easy or intricate patterns. You can find some great patterns in children's coloring books. To get you started here is a pattern that was used to complete the piece shown above. Have fun!

Reusing a cereal box!

Of course, cereal is the big breakfast around here! I do recycle my cereal boxes in the containers, but since I have a ton of magazines that I'm unwilling to get rid of right now, so I thought, "how can I re-use them?". Here's a project I started & will finish today and post finished pictures later. I took one box of cereal (see above) & cut it at an angle, like a magazine holder. I have 1 magazine holder and used it as a template:

I then chose a color scheme for my 'new' magazine holder & traced my template:

Sorry for the blurry picture! I then cut it out for both sides, cut out the spine and started gluing!

Stay tuned for the rest!

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:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20383198

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

Baby Girl Word Book - buy it before it's gone!

I have a great new product in the store - and you know you want one!!!!!

Let's face it - we all know someone who is pregnant, and statistically, there are more girls than boys born!

I created this unique, one of a kind mini album for that special Mom. This chipboard word book spells Baby & is done up in a traditional feminine style - pinks, purples and frills!

So what do you do with it? Simply add photos and/or journal about those cutsie, fun things that your baby girl is doing - her first smile, a giggle, eating solid food - whatever it is, you will photograph it, and you need to preserve those photos as well.

Each page is handcrafted and designed by me. The great feature of a Word Book is customization. Would you prefer to have her name spelled out? Would you prefer a different word? No problem! I can do that too! Looking for a specific color theme? Do you not like the 'bling' and would prefer pearls and lace? I can do that too! It's your book, your word and your way! Click on to http://www.rwctc.com/ and click on Shop Now to purchase this or a custom book. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Why it's important to buy handmade

Well, it's the holiday shopping season, and this year, I am making a conscience effort to not visit the malls and stores & purchase 'stuff' for my family. Instead, it's all handmade this year.

Why? Several reasons. First, visit the Story of Stuff (http://www.storyofstuff.com/) & you'll understand about consumerism and what it is doing to our planet. That should be reason enough. Secondly, I am moving away from selling 'scrapbooking stuff' and moving into the gift business. I need to market my items, and what better way than to give my creations as gifts. Lastly, by supporting a local business person, you are helping to build a sustainable economy in your own backyard.

Stay tuned to my blog as each day I will post a new creation - whether it's a new line of cards, a new word book or a picture bouquet - I'm sure you will find something unique for one of your loved ones this year!

Beautiful Tote Bag - ecofriendly!

I was browsing Etsy this early Sunday morning and found this beautiful tote bag:

In my quest to remain ecofriendly and reduce, reuse & recycle, this tote bag was handmade using fabrics from the Boise Re Use Market. It's a stunning combination of prints and is only $25! Click on http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_6&listing_id=12759998 to visit the Etsy store that is selling this item.

While you are at it, don't forget to purchase a card from me if this tote is a gift for someone!