Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day folks! Many of my favorite craft supplies are free and found right in my recycle bin or made out of scraps and leftovers. I decided to make a video today showing you how to make your own free art supplies and help the earth at the same time, we will also make this card:

I used rubber stamps from About Art Accents, watercolor crayons, dye based ink, gesso and watercolor paper for real supplies and for recycled supplies I used old credit cards, old tooth brush, cardboard boxes and magazines to name a few. Check out the video:

I mentioned using a pen that would tell me if something was acidic or not but I got flustered when my daughter crashed my video (gotta love school vacation:) so I’ll tell you about it now. It is called a PH tester pen and it is made by American Crafts, here is what it looks like.

This pen has a purple cap and purple ink. Make a mark on the material you want to test and if the ink stays purple it is acid free, if it turns yellow it is acidic and should not be used in scrapbooks.

There are many more ways I have a green craft room:

1. Use CFL lights instead of incandescent, it saves 66% electricity for the same amount of light!
2. Keep a recycle bin handy for paper/cardboard scraps when you cannot get any more use from them (I die cut small shapes from my scraps before tossing them in the recycle bin. Alternately you can use the scraps for paper making!
3. Use rags made from old clothes and towels instead of paper towels, they work better and last longer! Remember to save buttons and trims off of old clothing to use as embellishments!
4. Decorate/paint tin cans to store supplies.
5. Make your own custom patterned chipboard by glueing pattern paper to cereal boxes and die cutting as shown on the video. This thin chipboard cuts well with a Cricut too!
6. Save plastic packaging to make clear accents or for use as painting palettes for acrylic paint.
7. Use the tall plastic tubes that drink mix comes in (like Crystal Light) to store colored pencils and pens. 
8. Use a cardboard box as a color catcher- place items inside before spraying with glimmer mist.
9. Save old spray bottles for making your own stamp cleaners, ink sprays and glimmer mists.
10. Decorate tins and nice boxes to package gifts in. the box will be a gift in and of itself!

I’m sure you have more crafty recycling ideas, if so please leave a comment and share them:) Together we can make a difference in the environment (and in out wallet) by crafting a little greener!

BTW this project qualifies for the following challenges: Aud Sentiments Challenge , Moving Along With The Times, The Outlawz POM, Paper Play, Pixie Dust Studio , Creative Card Crew, Paper Shelter Challenge, Simon Says Stamp, Creative Craft Challenges, Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge, Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Challenges, Top Tip Tuesday, and Try It On Tuesday   

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!