Earth Day!

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I have a special passion for the Earth as a whole. Today is Earth Day. Earth Day is every year celebrated on April 22nd. Earth Day has been celebrated since 1970 and it is a day when all around the world we recognize that we as humans must take care of our Mother Earth and all of her resources. The most precious resource she has is water. We also learn that "going green" is protection of Mother Earth and everyone that lives on her great planet.

There are many things that one can do to protector her resources and recycling is just one to name many ways to conserve and keep her healthy. Our family does our part by using N*Vision light bulbs. We changed out our light bulbs over 6 years ago and we have never changed them since first installing them. An example is that the 14 watt bulb puts out the same light as a 60 watt light and they never dim. We also recycle plastics, paper, aluminum, and do not purchase water in plastic with the exception of "sometimes." We also wait to use our dishwasher when it is completely full and the same concept when washing clothes. I try my best to stick with "Earth Friendly" cleaning products. These products not only protect our living environment but their bio-degradable time is considerably less than standard "everyday" cleaning supplies. We keep our air filters clean and use recycled fibers within our filters as well. We take pride in our "dirty" on the outside car as to preserve water as much as possible. I am happy to note that our children have taken up our passion for the earth in the same tradition that we instilled in them when they were home. Several days a year we participate in cleaning areas of the Appalachian Trail where day hikers did not "pack out" what they "packed in." We have lots of areas of improvements within our home life and we try to live daily with a conscious thought as to how we are purchasing products and disposing of them. As a lover of the arts and scrapbooking, I try to incorporate ways to reuse packaging with our crafting and my scrapbooking. Last week I was thrilled when The Scrap Review issued a challenge to "reuse" on a layout and NOT incorporate patterned paper. I immediately took the challenge and I love the layout that I created for this challenge. The challenge simply stated to use "junk-mail" on ones layout. We do not accept 3rd party mailers much but sometimes they slip through at the post-office and make their way to our mailbox. In my layout below I used wording from the "mailer pak" and I also used paperboard that was in a scrapbook club box I received in the mail. I then used an international mailer that I received from an ATC swap from overseas and loved the stamps on it from the Philippines to show the "earth" theme and also to use the paper board by drawing a tree that would go with the stamps. The one thing I am most proud about this layout is that I did not use regular photo printing paper for my photos and I printed on the back of advertisement. The quality was not pristine but I felt it got my point across. My theme is simply this...NOT JUST TREES ANYMORE. I challenge you to reuse packaging or advertisement mailers in a layout and please be sure to let me know of an innovative idea or use for your products. It truly is limited by only your imagination.

So, how are you going to start "Saving the Earth" and incorporate the "GREEN" idea within your own lifestyle? Yes, even we SCRAPPERS can do it!

Save the Planet!