Trend: Go Green! – Craft Gossip

photo by Heather Holbrook

One of the hottest trends in crafting right now is going green. More and more companies are working hard at becoming environmentally friendly.

Close To My Heart recently reported how they are becoming a more green company. All of their papers are SFI (Sustainable Forest Initiative) certified, this means that the pulp used comes from sustainable forests and that every process used to create it from harvesting to the final product is environmentally friendly. And that the process to make their clear stamps uses soap and water soluble chemicals for clean up to avoid harming the environment. Visit their website to find a consultant near you. The card shown here is one I made using Close To My Heart papers and their fun set called ”Treetops” which is available from their new Summer Catalog and Idea Book.

photo by Die Cuts with a View

Die Cuts with a View has got an adorable new paper stack called The Green Stack as well as chipboard that are made from 70% recycled paper.

photo by K & Co

K & Co has recently released their Remake line printed with soy based inks and made from 100% post consumer waste.

photo by Unity Stamps

Show your support for the environment by stamping with Unity Stamps cool Eco Chic set.

The July/August issue of Papercrafts magazine is devoted entirely to being green, it’s got loads of great ideas for crafting green, it’s on newstands now.

And of course check out all the fantastic ideas posted on our Recycled Crafts blog right here on CraftGossip!

-Heather

Read These Next

Learning about Hanukkah is important for people of all faiths as a reminder that December isn’t just about Christmas and that their are many other important holidays that happen during this time. Hanukkah unit studies can give you ideas for incorporating the holiday into your holiday studies that happen in December, or to use at home for learning about people of different faiths.

Homeschool Superfreak has a lot of basic ideas for how to build a Hanukkah unit study, as well as FAQs about what Hanukkah is and why it is celebrated. This list is a good stargint point but doesn’t include all the details you’ll need. For example it says you can play the dreidel game but doesn’t explain how to do that or why it’s important. (If you need that information, this post from Mama Smiles is a good source.)

Teachers Pay Teachers has lots of great lesson plans and activities if you’re willing to pay a little bit to get some good content. Two I really like are this Hanukkah PowerPoint presentation from Shelia Melton, which provides a good overview of traditions, food and the history of Hanukkah; and a virtual field trip to Jerusalem from MagiCore, which includes lots of videos showing the city and activities like playing dreidel, drawing a menorah and making latkes. It’s a Google Drive folder and also includes writing activities and more for kids in second to fifth grade.

Kids Activities Blog has some simple printables with facts about Hanukkah and things kids can color in like a Star of David, sufganiyots (jelly doughnuts) and a menorah. These are great for learning the basics.

Homeschool Giveaways has a printable ebook about Hanukkah complete with questions kids can answer after they read. This would be a good one for older kids with good reading comprehension.

NurtureStore’s Hanukkah unit study includes a printable mini book, tons of crafts, as well as math and writing activities. I love the dominoes game that’s part of the unit.

And check out our previous posts for more Hanukkah crafts and learning activities!

Read These Next

Have you read?