Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

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

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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 .

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Comments

  2. I color all the time but with paint, colored pencil or polymer clay. The book looks beautiful, I would love to win

  3. Ooooo I love this coloring book! It gonna be a gift to share with my adult daughter…we bith love to color!

  5. I love coloring! It’s probably why I enjoy stamping images and coloring them. I don’t usually color in a book because I haven’t found one very interesting. That is until now! This is wonderful!

  10. Oh that is cool! My coloring these days mainly consists of shading in embroideries, but every once in awhile I color things just for fun.

  13. I have coloured as an adult. My favourite was an anatomy colouring book. It was amazing to see how the body is connected and to see all of its components.

  16. Yes, currently mostly on fabric, bu yes. I have two boxes of crayons and some colored pencils.

  17. Coloring brings out our imagination because not everyone has the same color thought process. Love to use my imagination in coloring

  21. I love to draw & color. It is a diversion for me on hectic days at college.My drawings adorn my dorm walls. 🙂

  24. I love to color to relax. After my husband died last year, it was the only thing I really felt like doing as far as crafting went. I’m 54 and have enjoyed coloring all my life, with mt children, grandchildren and with my cats.

  26. I like to color the digital stamps I use to make greeting cards. It’s very relaxing! I use color pencils, watercolor pencils, markers, gel sticks, pens,etc.

  28. I don’t color much with pens to paper -but love using the shapes found in coloring books to “color with fabric” and make appliques for my projects.

  31. I like to color – but I admit, I would probably do at least one or two of these pictures in embroidery!

  32. I love to color! I find it so relaxing, I loose myself in it. Love the adult coloring book idea. Time to move on from my grandkids coloring books!

  33. I love colouring and colour every chance I get which is usually with my grandchildren. It is really relaxing – love the idea of adult colouring books – I like colouring mandellas too. thanks for this chance.
    Pauline

  34. I actually rediscovered coloring earlier this year, on a little trip to France, where it seems to be a big trend for adults at the moment. I used to color when I was a kid just for fun. Now I do it as a way to purposefully get creative with color and relax.
    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity! It is indeed really fun. Good luck to everyone!

  40. I do color to encourage my four year old granddaughter to stay inside the lines and to color things their natural color. I also use coloring pages for embroidery patterns.

  42. As an adult I love to colour and use both adult and children’s colouring books as inspiration for many ideas

  43. I do color – mostly knitting charts, but every now and then something more fun. And I love to try to draw things so this could be a fun book to play with.

  45. I just love this book. I think I’m going to buy it for Christmas for my friend’s little girls.

  46. Whenever my son comes home with coloring homework, I get so excited because then I can really “help” him with his homework.

  47. I would so love to win the coloring pages! i use colored pencils. I live in a nursing home on a very limited income & usually can only get childrens coloring pages

Have you read?

DIY Kids Craft Project – Upcycled Cardboard Box Sandcastle

kids-upcycled-cardboard-sandcastle

Looking for a creative way to keep the kids entertained this summer without spending a fortune? Turn your trash into treasure with this fun Recycled Sandcastle Craft Project! Using cardboard boxes, plastic lids, glue, and a bit of imagination, kids can build their very own sandcastle kingdom – no beach required!

 

What You’ll Need:

  • Cardboard boxes (cereal, tissue, shipping boxes – any size)

  • Toilet paper rolls or paper towel tubes

  • Plastic lids (yogurt containers, jar tops, etc.)

  • Paper or plastic straws, twigs, or sticks

  • Scrap plastic, paper, or fabric for flags

  • Craft glue or a hot glue gun (with adult supervision)

  • Scissors

  • Sand or beige paint (optional for decoration)

  • Markers, stickers, or leftover craft supplies to decorate

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Recyclables

Head to your recycling bin and pull out clean items that could work as castle parts—boxes for walls, tubes for towers, and lids for turrets. Cut down the boxes into smaller sections if needed, and make sure everything is dry and ready to work with.

Step 2: Plan Your Castle Layout

Before gluing anything down, lay out your castle design on a flat surface. Decide where the towers, walls, and “gate” will go. You can make it symmetrical, or go wild with a quirky kingdom layout!

Step 3: Glue the Main Structure Together

Use craft glue (or hot glue if you’re working with older kids or want faster drying). Start attaching the boxes and tubes together to form the base of your sandcastle. Stack tubes on top of boxes to create turrets. Use plastic lids as domes or roof tops.

Step 4: Add Decorative Elements

This is where the fun begins! Use:

  • Bottle caps as windows or shields

  • Buttons as faux stones

  • Cutout shapes from scrap cardboard for castle doors or battlements (those square-topped castle walls!) Get creative with what you’ve got – there’s no wrong way to build your dream castle.

Step 5: Make and Add Flags

Cut small triangles or flags from scrap plastic, fabric, or colored paper. Tape or glue these to the tops of straws, sticks, or twigs. Then, glue them onto the tops of towers or castle corners. You can even personalize each flag with a coat of arms or your child’s initials!

Step 6: Add the “Sand” Effect (Optional)

For an authentic look, brush glue over the castle and sprinkle it with craft sand. No sand on hand? Use beige paint, or mix some flour with a pinch of cinnamon for a sandy texture.

Step 7: Let it Dry and Display!

Let everything dry completely—especially if you’ve used a lot of glue. Then proudly display your recycled sandcastle on a shelf, or use it as part of imaginative play time.

Bonus Ideas:

  • Build a whole sandcastle village and connect them with paper bridges.

  • Make tiny “people” out of clothespins or paper scraps.

  • Add fairy lights inside for a magical castle glow at night.

This project is a fantastic way to keep little hands busy and teach kids the value of reusing materials. Plus, it’s just plain fun! Whether you’re doing this at home, in a classroom, or at a summer camp, your recycled sandcastles are sure to be a hit.