Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Giveaway: Adult coloring book and Meditation Journal

by

adult coloring books meditate journal I am L.O.V.E.-ing adult coloring pages and mandalas. So much so I have started to design my own coloring pages based on quotes that you can download for free.

If you are into them to you will love this giveaway.

Leave a comment in today’s post by May 25th, 2015 and you will be in the running for a copy of:

Art Therapy: Mandalas: 100 Designs, Colouring in and Meditation

and

Meditate: A Guided Journal.

Open to U.S. residents only please.

These two books are a great combo for you to spend some relaxing coloring time and a read a bit about how to center yourself, get focused with a place to take some notes.

More about the books:

Art Therapy Mandalas:

We all look for ways to manage the pressures of everyday life, and to alleviate feelings of stress. Mandalas provides not only a wonderfully creative outlet, but also a way of focusing attention away from external stress, thereby encouraging a sense of relaxation and increased wellbeing.

Used for centuries across different cultures and religions, a ‘mandala’ is a spiritual symbol used in Buddhist and Hindu traditions to represent the universe, and is often used as an aid to meditation. Mandalas can therefore be spiritually healing and help to create a peaceful state of mind. Although sometimes basic in design, they are often extremely intricate. Traditionally, the mandala consists of an outer circle, sometimes shown on fire to represent the universe and the dangers it holds, and an inner ‘palace’, housing deities and the enlightened. With 100 patterns based on Tibetan and Hindu traditions, as well as some original designs, this beautiful art book will enable you to relax and rediscover the pleasures of being creative.

and

Mediate: A Guided Journal

Store your notes, journal entries, and daily meditation records, observations, and to-do lists within the pages of this beautiful and inspirational journal. The best meditations on earth– this guided journal is the perfect tool for you to keep your thoughts, meditations, inspirations, sketches, to-do lists and more. Quotes and illustrations on each spread complement the helpful tips, anecdotes, and ideas from meditations experts, Dr. Hart and Skye Alexander. This guided journal is not only a useful tool, but the perfect keepsake for inner thoughts and inspirations.

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

  2. I would love to have this coloring book for relaxing therapy after working with 2 and 3 deaf graders.

  9. I would love these for myself, but if I won them I’d send them to my best friend Kelly who is very sick at home and would love both of these.

  12. Currently unemployed…last 3 Years. Reinventing my life, Living with depression…mindful Meditation, walking, gardening , applying for jobs. I just turned 60! I would enjoy both of these

  15. being that coloring is a stress relief aid to me (PTSD) I would really enjoy these books

  26. I could really use this after a rough 2 years going through a divorce. I would love to win this 🙂

  29. Anything that can help alleviate stress in this crazy world is welcomed…I have always loved coloring, and now with my grandson~ have developed a passion for art again… I would love these two books. <3

  31. Wow! They look incredible. I love to color and make mandalas when I meditate. Need to check out the books. Thanks for a chance to win.

  34. I would absolutely love to win these!!! Coloring is my go to activity for anxiety & just when I’m wanting to be creative.

  35. What a wonderful way to keep track of ideas and thoughts. I love it. Thank you for sharing!

  36. This combo of books is perfect for a lazy summer day in the backyard. Fingers crossed!

  39. Journaling and coloring? Two of my favorite activities! These would be great for relaxation techniques.

  41. This is a wonderful way to spend some “me” and create. Thank you for the opportunity .

  42. Love . Love . Love What real blessings these would be to help me with depression, something I am working on daily. Unfortunately caused by anethesia that messed with the chemistry of my brain. It is still in the recovery mode…

  44. I love adult coloring pages and books!!! And I could really use the guided meditation book!

  47. I love to color! It doesn’t even have to be an adult coloring book, I will still color in it!

  48. The perfect package for this tired momma! I am constantly coloring with my three little ones on a daily basis but would love my own coloring book rather than stealing one of their Disney themed ones. Coloring allows me to not only bond with my kiddos but also relieve some pent up stress. I’ve been searching for a way to move to the next level with meditation. I am a type A personality that needs some sort of outline to everything … as a blogger and writer of to-do list the meditation journal would be perfect to make me center on my thoughts in my crazy household.

  49. Yes, I too would love receiving this coloring book. I relax in the evenings by using gel pens to color or paint pictures.

Have you read?

DIY Milk Jug Halloween Skulls – Recycled Porch Decor

If you’re anything like me, the Halloween decorating bug bites as soon as the first leaves start to turn. I love pulling out the pumpkins, stringing up lights, and adding a little spook factor to the front porch. But here’s the thing—Halloween decorations can get expensive, especially if you want a whole collection of them.

That’s where this thrifty little craft comes in. With nothing more than a few empty milk jugs, a marker, and some string, you can create a row of DIY milk jug skulls that look fantastic hanging from the porch or glowing in the yard. It’s simple, it’s cheap, and it’s a wonderful way to give those plastic jugs a second life before tossing them into the recycling bin.

This is one of those crafts that proves you don’t need a big budget for big impact. Even better—it’s family-friendly. Kids can help draw the faces, while the grown-ups handle the cutting. Before you know it, you’ll have a creepy crew of skulls ready to scare (or charm) the neighbors.

What Makes These Milk Jug Skulls So Fun?

  • Eco-Friendly: They’re made from recyclables, which means less waste. 
  • Budget-Friendly: The only thing you may need to buy is a pack of battery tea lights. 
  • Customizable: Keep them classic and spooky, or jazz them up with paint or glitter. 
  • Porch-Ready: They’re lightweight and easy to hang in clusters for maximum effect. 

Supplies You’ll Need

  • Empty plastic milk jugs (1 gallon size works best, but you can use any size) 
  • Permanent black marker (Sharpie is perfect for clean, bold lines) 
  • Scissors or craft knife (adults only—this is the only tricky part) 
  • Hole punch (optional, for stringing) 
  • Twine, string, or fishing line (for hanging) 
  • Battery-operated tea lights (optional, for glowing skull lanterns) 

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Rinse & Prep the Jugs

Give your jugs a good rinse with hot soapy water to remove any leftover milk residue (nobody wants a stinky skull). Peel off any labels—you might need to scrub a little with warm water or rubbing alcohol if the glue is stubborn. Let the jugs dry completely before you start.

Step 2: Cut Out the Skull Features

Using scissors or a craft knife, carefully cut out:

  • Eye sockets: Two large ovals or circles near the upper front of the jug. 
  • Nose: A small upside-down triangle below the eyes. 

Tip: Don’t stress if they’re not perfect. In fact, slightly uneven shapes look creepier and give the skulls more personality.

Step 3: Add the Mouth

Now grab your permanent marker and draw a long horizontal line across the lower part of the jug (just above the spout). Then add short vertical lines through it to create a “stitched” effect.

Want them extra spooky? Make the mouth jagged, curved, or crooked—each one can have its own little “expression.”

Step 4: String Them Up or Place Them Out

  • To Hang: Punch two small holes at the top of the jug, thread through twine, and knot it. Hang them in clusters from the porch or tree branches for maximum impact. 
  • To Display on the Ground: Pop a battery-operated tea light or glow stick inside. At night, the cut-out features glow eerily, making them perfect for lining a walkway or lighting up your porch steps. 

Extra Decoration Ideas

Want to take it up a notch? Here are a few twists you can try:

  • Paint the whole jug black or silver before cutting for a bolder look. 
  • Use glow-in-the-dark paint around the eyes and mouth so they stand out at night. 
  • Add fake spider webs or plastic spiders inside for extra creep factor. 
  • Mix them with sugar skull versions (painted in bright colors) for a Day of the Dead meets Halloween vibe. 

Where to Display Your Milk Jug Skulls

  • Hanging in a cluster by the front door to greet trick-or-treaters. 
  • Along the garden fence, glowing with tea lights inside. 
  • Dangling from tree branches for a haunted yard look. 
  • As a budget-friendly centerpiece for a Halloween party. 

This is hands-down one of my favorite DIY Halloween porch decorations because it’s so simple yet so effective. The best part? Every jug can look slightly different, so you end up with a collection of skulls that each has its own “personality.” It’s spooky, it’s thrifty, and it’s a great way to get the kids involved in holiday crafting.

So don’t recycle those milk jugs just yet—give them a creepy new life as part of your Halloween décor. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they become a porch staple you bring out year after year.