Win a copy of Tinkered Treasures: More than 35 easy-to-make projects to bring charm to the everyday

If you like pretty projects that are quick and easy to make you will want to get yourself in the running for a copy of the new book Tinkered Treasures: More than 35 easy-to-make projects to bring charm to the everyday. Open to US residents only. Leave a comment in today’s post telling us what your newest favorite craft supply or object is, new or recycled is OK, by Midnight March 6, 2013 and I will randomly pick a winner. To see what I made inspired by Tinkered Treasures pop on over to Sweater Surgery (Hint: it involves my favorite decorating spot!!!)

More about the Cico book:

Tinkered Treasures: More than 35 easy-to-make projects to bring charm to the everyday

by

Elyse Major

“Tinkered Treasures is a how-to craft book that demonstrates how everyday mundane items can be transformed into charming and unique items. Elyse Major has created over 35 projects, using objects that can easily be found or that you might already have. She refers to these transformations as ‘tinkering’ as it perfectly describes her style of embellishing, repurposing and altering things without the need for any specialist tools and equipment or techniques. Tinkering is not about constructing – it’s about appreciating the flaws but seeing the potential in little details. Each craft project in this book is designed for complete beginners – there are no particular skills involved. Measuring often gives way to estimating and many of the simple techniques are repeated from project to project. The book shows how to tinker all sorts of household and craft items to create a range of gorgeous gifts, treasures and trinkets, from clothespin dolls and tiny picture frames to favour baskets, bunting, fabric garlands, bookmarks and more. If you are new to crafting, have no fear because simple instructions along with a tools and techniques section are provided. All the projects in this book can be adapted to your own tastes – with a simple colour or pattern change you can create items to suit any style or home.“

51 Comments so far

1. Denise schmitt on February 27, 2013 5:33 pm

   I am in love with old buttons and broken watches turned into Lockets !

2. lynaeve on February 27, 2013 5:53 pm

   currently my favorite is this stack of upholstery fabric samples I found at a thrift store. I’m in love with fabric tags, so not a single scrap will go to waste because the part with the grommets I will make tags with. Most of it will be made into wallets and various things for my friends

3. Liz G on February 27, 2013 9:20 pm

   My favorite crafting tool at the moment is ModPodge with a finishing coat of walnut ink to age the piece. I love the look! Sigh. Nice, old, worn goodness!

4. Gigi on February 27, 2013 9:50 pm

   My newest most fun craft item is my multi blade scissors. I have become fond of cutting shabby chic fringed garlands! These are a must for every crafter!

5. Jackie Posnansky on February 28, 2013 2:44 am

   My new favorite craft is making paper flowers.

6. Mariana Gray on February 28, 2013 3:41 am

   I started working with resin recently, and I absolutely love how versatile it is. It’s my current, but I just ordered a silhouette cameo, and I suspect that will be my new favorite for quite a while

7. Joan on February 28, 2013 3:54 am

   I’m using ads from period magazines to add historical perspective to my scrapbook pages – I am officially Vintage!

8. Valerie on February 28, 2013 4:09 am

   Thank you for the opportunity to win! My latest favorite craft item is a crochet hook as I’m learning to crochet!! Otherwise it is cross stitch supplies.

9. Mylyne on February 28, 2013 4:20 am

   I recently got into vintage crafting and this magazine will give me tons of ideas how to improve on my technique.

10. Margie on February 28, 2013 4:30 am

    Paper! I’m loving any craft involving pretty papers, from repurposing old items to creating new.

11. Kim on February 28, 2013 5:08 am

    I’m just getting into quilling scraps of paper for use in my card making.

12. jan blocher on February 28, 2013 6:12 am

    would like to make recycled crafts from “found objects” need some new ideas.

13. patty turner on February 28, 2013 7:25 am

    i use a lot of vintage pictures iam i guess old school

14. Michelle Mathey on February 28, 2013 8:26 am

    This book looks like so much fun!! My favorite thing to use these days is quotes from old books. I buy used books at the library and cut them up – fun way to get more out of something that would otherwise be thrown away. . .

15. Michelle Brannan on February 28, 2013 8:33 am

    I have just started crafting with lace on altered items. I love the vintage look.

16. Cressa on February 28, 2013 8:54 am

    Your book looks inspiring! Lately, I’m enjoying getting back to the crafting basics with my kids & creating collages (or whatever their imagination desires) using bits of materials we find around the house. My son recently made a fun art collage with a salsa lid base!

17. Charlene Anderson on February 28, 2013 8:58 am

    Anything I haven’t tried before!

18. Morgaine Clayburn on February 28, 2013 9:20 am

    Right now I’m in love with Smash Books! Thanks for the giveaway!

19. superstitches on February 28, 2013 9:22 am

    I love using fabric scraps leftover from a variety of projects.

20. LINDA on February 28, 2013 9:23 am

    I just made some sun catchers out of beads by melting them in the oven “Pintrest” is great!

21. Robyn on February 28, 2013 9:38 am

    Recycling waste paper into paper mache

22. Linda Smith on February 28, 2013 10:46 am

    I tried embroidering on an old book page- loved the result!

23. Mary Mac on February 28, 2013 10:57 am

    I have shelves full of old books that are not useable any more due to damage. I save the covers to use for upcycle journals and the pages for backgrounds on other projects. Nothing goes to waste.

24. Honora on February 28, 2013 11:05 am

    I have a box of papers my grandmother started in elementary school. I use it to create all types of things!

25. Katrina Kellmer on February 28, 2013 11:34 am

    I use old seed packages to decorate gift cards.
    My hobbies are gardening, crocheting, reading

26. Pat on February 28, 2013 11:53 am

    My hobbies are knitting and beading, but I am doing a lot these days with spray paint.

27. patricia on February 28, 2013 12:05 pm

    My favorite craft supply is anything I can wrap around a crochet hook or knitting needles. Yarn, string, or plastic bags and fabric cut into strips!

28. Shai Williams on February 28, 2013 12:31 pm

    Right now my favorite craft supply is copper be it wire or old pennies.

29. Theresa on February 28, 2013 12:55 pm

    I have been collecting old match boxes (the small ones) and then making them into a treasure drawer card.

30. Rose S. on February 28, 2013 12:56 pm

    I love using glossy paper (old calendars, magazines) to create little paper boxes in which to present my little knitted or hand sewn gifts for people. It makes them even more special since I also created the gift’s very own packaging out of pretty paper.

31. Darlene Holte on February 28, 2013 1:59 pm

    I’ve been upcycling old clothing.

32. Karey on February 28, 2013 2:00 pm

    Well, I just started a project with some upcycled broken Mardi Gras beads! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

33. ALOC on February 28, 2013 2:36 pm

    My favorite craft right now is creating small 3X3 photo books for gifts. It is does my heart good to see how much people enjoy them.

34. Nancy D on February 28, 2013 3:24 pm

    I have been getting into recycling. I use old jars, soda cans, soup cans, anything I can pull from the trash then the fun starts! Old book pages, ribbons, buttons, all sorts of embellishments and some mod podge. Magic!

35. Stephanie on February 28, 2013 6:06 pm

    I’ve recently jumped on the upcycle wagon and have been trolling Pinterest (and craftgossip) for ideas. I love using natural materials- like sticks(!) and flowers, leaves, etc.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

36. smfsprout on February 28, 2013 6:57 pm

    Like most of us, I am trying to repurpose everyday household items and share the fun with my grandchildren.

37. Jane T on February 28, 2013 7:14 pm

    Recently I picked up embroidery and am having a great time with it.

38. Carol on February 28, 2013 7:14 pm

    small wire armature dolls..that is what I am currently obsessed to do!

39. Marlene on February 28, 2013 10:22 pm

    I am learning how to work with paper crafts. This book would be a wonderful addition to my craft library and a chance to learn new things.

40. Donna McConnell on March 1, 2013 1:02 am

    I have been using paper from old magazines to decoupage magazine holders.

41. Mamatha on March 1, 2013 4:41 am

    I am making paper flower from old books these days…

42. Pat F on March 1, 2013 5:22 pm

    Amazing book…. would love to own it… <3 P

43. domestic diva on March 1, 2013 8:05 pm

    Lately I’ve really enjoyed making costumes.

44. crystal on March 1, 2013 9:39 pm

    Decoupage necklaces from old magazines are awesome to make!!

45. Alice Clark on March 2, 2013 7:34 am

    I love my shoebox full of ribbons: wide, narrow, textured, plain, fancy, simple — all of them colorful streamers of joy!

46. Kathy H on March 2, 2013 8:56 am

    I’ve been working with textured papers and assorted types of inks lately. It’s been a lot of fun just improvising with no pattern to follow! Be especially blessed.

47. Shawn on March 2, 2013 6:30 pm

    My fave tool right now is my embroidery hoop!! lol This book looks awesome would love to win it.
    Thank you for the giveaway.

48. sandra k williams on March 3, 2013 8:05 am

    i love my sewing machine and the things that go with it for i sew most everyday.

49. HawaiianLibrarian on March 3, 2013 11:56 pm

    I’m liking old buttons for cards and LOs.

50. Carmen on March 4, 2013 7:44 pm

    My newest craft supplies are a stash of fabrics.

51. cathy on March 11, 2013 3:18 pm

    So many new crafts I have been trying lately! Learning to use my new sewing machine so instead of buying new fabric and messing up, I am practicing by using my daughters clothes she has outgrown and turning them into doll clothes. Refinished old dressers and night stand, and just made my first batch of soy candles this week! What fun! I love crafts!