Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Book Review- Making an Impression: Designing & Creating Artful Stamps

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If you’re anything like me and find yourself instantly smitten with a beautiful image—so much so that you want to put it on everything you own—then making your own rubber stamps is a creative dream come true. That’s why I was so excited to dive into Making an Impression: Designing & Creating Artful Stamps by Geninne Zlatkis. This book is a treasure trove of inspiration and technique, guiding you through every step of hand-carving your own stamps and showing you just how far your designs can go.

Making an Impression starts with all the foundational basics, making it approachable for beginners, but it doesn’t stop there—it opens up a world of possibilities for using your stamps in fun, unexpected ways. From stationery and fabric to surfaces you might never have thought to try (hint: they totally ROCK), this book will have you seeing stamping in a whole new light.

What I especially loved is that if you’re drawn to Geninne’s whimsical, nature-inspired aesthetic, you’re in luck—there are 50 of her original motifs included that you can use as templates for your own carving adventures. I was so inspired, I grabbed a simple eraser and carved a maple leaf stamp of my own. You can check out the finished stamp and the labels I created with it over on my blog, Sweater Surgery.

Whether you’re new to stamp carving or already addicted, Making an Impression will fuel your creativity and have you stamping everything in sight—with style! 

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How To Make A Milk Carton Village – A Recycled Craft for Kids

Ready to turn your recycling bin into a colorful, miniature village? Grab those empty milk cartons and let’s create a town filled with tiny houses, shops, and even a school or bakery! This craft is perfect for kids of all ages and encourages imagination, storytelling, and eco-friendly creativity.

 What You’ll Need:

  • Empty milk or juice cartons (washed and dried)

  • Paints or markers

  • Paintbrushes

  • Craft glue or glue stick

  • Scissors (adult supervision recommended)

  • Colored paper or old magazines

  • Bottle caps, buttons, or plastic lids (for windows or decorations)

  • Sticks, straws, or skewers (for flag poles or chimneys)

  • Optional: glitter, stickers, washi tape, cotton balls (for snow or clouds!)

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Clean and Prep the Cartons
Make sure your milk or juice cartons are washed and completely dry. Remove any plastic lids or caps and keep them for decorations!

Step 2: Plan Your Village
Decide how many buildings you want to make. Each milk carton becomes a house, shop, or whatever your imagination dreams up. Arrange them side by side or in a circle like a real village square.

Step 3: Cut Out Doors and Windows
With the help of an adult, carefully cut small door and window shapes into your cartons. You can also glue cut-out shapes from colored paper if you’d rather not cut into the carton.

Step 4: Paint and Decorate
Use paint or markers to bring your buildings to life. Make brick patterns, colorful siding, or roof tiles. Let each child choose their own theme – rainbow bakery, monster house, fairy home, or tiny fire station!

Step 5: Add the Roofs
You can paint the top pointy part of the carton like a roof, or glue on cardboard triangles to create overhangs. Want to add a chimney? Glue a straw or cardboard roll on top!

Step 6: Make Flags and Signs
Cut small flags from recycled plastic or paper and tape them to straws or sticks. Glue your flags to the rooftops. You can even create tiny signs for each building – “Toy Store,” “Library,” or “Super Cat’s House.”

Step 7: Build Your Village
Place all the finished buildings together on a large piece of cardboard, tray, or table. Use bottle caps for stepping stones, cotton balls for bushes or clouds, and draw roads with marker.

Step 8: Play!
Now that your village is built, use little toys, action figures, or LEGO people to live in your new town. Create stories and adventures—your Milk Carton Village is officially open!

 Learning Bonus:

This craft is not just fun—it also teaches recycling, fine motor skills, creative thinking, and storytelling. Plus, it’s a great group activity for playdates, classrooms, or family craft nights.

Let your kids’ imaginations run wild—and remember, no two villages need to look the same. Each one tells its own story!