Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Book Giveaway: Animal Kingdom: Color Me, Draw Me by Millie Marotta

by

animal kingdom millie marotta Today I have a really fun giveaway, enter to win an an adult coloring book called Animal Kingdom: Color Me, Draw Me by Millie Marotta by leaving a comment in today’s post answering the question, “As an adult do you color?” by October 3oth , 2014. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only please.  I am on the coloring bandwagon. I can’t wait to try all the fun animals in this book especially the bunnies and squirrels that are just darling. If you haven’t tried it lately I highly recommend it! So fun and relaxing.

Coloring in sheets are a great way to calm the busy mind, as you focus on the coloring techniques your brain is actually able to calm itself and focus on less. Coloring is used to help relax and calm anxiety and stress. Coloring keeps out mental health in check and allows us to develop of creative brain. We highly recommend Copic markers or Faber castell coloring pencils .

Comments

  3. I’ve always loved to color but for some reason I stopped doing it a few years ago. Now I have an almost-4-year-old, so I’m finding an interest again!

  4. YES! I have 8 kids, so YES! A friend once told me, “A coloring book is cheaper than therapy!”

  7. Even though my daughter is now 12, we still on occasion get the crayons and markers out and color.
    Great way to have a conversation without her realizing it!

  8. I adore colouring, it allows me to achieve something, when my illness makes me too tired to do anything else. I have always had “mommy`s pens and pencils, & my daughter’s, with strict instructions that No one but mommy uses mommy`s. Is that horrid???

  10. I am in graduate school and coloring is how I make my study materials fun. This looks amazing!

Have you read?

USB Typewriter – Merging Vintage Charm with Modern Tech

Okay, this might be one of the coolest recycled craft ideas I’ve seen in a long time. If you’re into vintage typewriters and also love tinkering with tech, this USB Typewriter project is a brilliant mash-up of both worlds.

Basically, the idea is to take an old manual typewriter—you know, the clunky, charming kind with the click-clack keys—and turn it into a working USB keyboard. Yes, it actually connects to your laptop or tablet, and yes, it totally works. Talk about breathing new life into a piece of the past!

The project involves a special kit that includes a sensor board (to pick up your key presses), a USB interface board (to connect it all to your computer), and some reed switches (those help with the Shift, Space, and Return keys). There’s even a version of the kit that doesn’t require any soldering, so you don’t need to be an electronics wizard to pull it off.

I’d say this falls into that sweet spot of “advanced beginner” when it comes to skill level. If you’re comfortable using basic tools and following clear instructions, you could absolutely tackle this over a weekend. It’s a bit of a commitment, but honestly? The final result is SO worth it.

What I love most is how this blends sustainability with creativity—you’re upcycling a piece of history and turning it into something totally functional for modern life. Whether you use it for writing, coding, or just showing off at your local café, it’s a fun and eco-friendly DIY electronics project that’ll definitely turn heads.

If you’re passionate about recycled crafts or you’ve got an old typewriter gathering dust, this project might just be your next favorite weekend hobby. I’m already on the hunt for my next vintage find to transform! See the full tutorial here.