Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Giveaway: Adult coloring book and Meditation Journal

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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 .

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Comments

  1. I would love to win this giveaway. Since I suffered a traumatic brain injury, coloring helps me to relax as does journaling.

  12. I love adult coloring books! Well, I love coloring books for kids too, but the grown-up ones have much more elaborate designs. Plus they are good for so much more than coloring — inspiration for needlework, etc.

    Thanks for the chance to win these two books! 🙂

  13. I would love to win this prize! My middle school students would enjoy the adult coloring book (as would I), and I could use the meditative journal to center myself during my upcoming summer vacation. What a treat!

  15. This is the WAY neatest giveaway, I NEVER outgrew coloring…it’s the most relaxing, therapeutic thing, I love it to pieces. Thanks very much for the prize, & blessings to everyone! 🙂

  17. What an awesome giveaway! I have chronic pain and am always looking for things to help keep my mind busy. Cdahlgren at live dot com

  19. I just finished a course on Stress Management and would love to learn if the advice that coloring can reduce pain as I have MS

  20. As I read the description of these two wonderful books I realized how much as asks we lose the ability (& let’s face it, the justification) to just pick up a coloring book & a box of crayons & just let ourselves unfocused on life around us!
    What a shame we all can’t find 10 mins to just grab a My Little Pony coloring book & let the stress of the day go away as we color our dream pony!
    What a great give away to give ourselves that permission to color again!
    May is not always (OK for years now since my parents announced two days before my 12th birthday they were separating) so since I was 12 I call it the May curse. (This includes death(both human & pet) adultery, betrayal, loss of job, friends… this list would be to long & all in May!) But I charged into 2015 with a new attitude & positive outlook & great positive things I’ve made happen so far this year! But that may curse still lingers… to win this would be like slamming the door on that curses face!! Forever & man that would feel great!
    Thank you for offering such a great give away & may whoever wins feel the blessing they were gifted.

  21. I love mandalas and use them in my mental health work all the time. What a great giveaway

  26. may this be the first giveaway I have ever won!!! that would be awesome. Here’s hoping you pick me 🙂

  29. I just got into adult coloring books so I would just love to win this giveaway. It is so helpful because I have a bad back so coloring helps me to forget the pain for awhile. Thanks for the giveaway and have a great day.

  32. This would be fun to win. Maybe I could turn the colored mandalas into quilts. And I love to journal. Thanks for the opportunity.

  36. I was going to leave a comment telling you how much my Behavior Disordered students love coloring, but then I read the other comments. Give it to Susan with the traumatic brain injury. She deserves it! Hang in there, Susan!

  39. This would be very relaxing for my husband. Thanks for the chance to win! mto2golsen (at) gmail (dot) com

  40. Oh I would love to win this giveaway! Thanks for the chance! vickise at gmail dot com

  42. Thanks for the chance to win this. This is something I’m learning to use to manage pain and depression.

  43. Meditation is sometimes the only way I can get through a stressful day of teaching. It helps to calm my mind and spirit and get me focused on what’s really important. Love doodling too!

  46. I love that companies now make coloring books for adults. Such a great idea. I love to color.

  47. What a great idea! Maybe it will help to just tune out the world for a bit like kids do sometimes when they color.
    Love those patterns!
    Thanks for the giveaway offer!

  50. This is such a great idea. I always loved stopping to color with my kids, but having adult coloring pages would be so much better. Love it!

Have you read?

DIY Milk Jug Halloween Skeleton Faces – Day of the Dead Inspired

Every year when Halloween rolls around, I find myself itching to create something new for the porch or entryway. Pumpkins are fun, but I also love projects that are thrifty and a little unexpected. These DIY milk jug skeleton faces tick all the boxes—they’re spooky, colorful, and upcycled from something you’d normally toss in the recycling bin.

Even better, they’re inspired by Mexican sugar skulls (Calaveras), which makes them perfect for those of us who like blending Halloween with a touch of Day of the Dead artistry. If you’ve ever admired the bold, painted skulls covered in flowers and bright designs, this is a playful and budget-friendly way to bring that style into your own decorations.

Why You’ll Love This Craft

  • Eco-Friendly: A brilliant way to recycle old milk jugs instead of tossing them. 
  • Budget-Friendly: Uses supplies you probably already have—markers, paint, string, scissors. 
  • Customizable: Every skull face can be completely different—no two need to match. 
  • Festive & Fun: Bright colors bring cheer to your Halloween and fall décor. 
  • Kid-Friendly: Safe for older kids and teens to paint and decorate (you may need to pre-cut the jugs). 

Supplies You’ll Need

  • Empty gallon milk jugs (washed and labels removed) 
  • Sharpie markers or acrylic paints (assorted bright colors plus black) 
  • Paintbrushes (thin ones for detail) 
  • Scissors or a craft knife (adult use recommended) 
  • Hole punch 
  • Yarn, twine, or string for hanging 
  • Beads (optional, for string decoration) 
  • Battery-operated tea lights (optional for glowing effect) 

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Prepping the Jugs

Start by giving your empty milk jugs a good wash to get rid of any milk residue (trust me, you don’t want lingering smells). Peel off labels and let them dry completely. Using scissors or a craft knife, cut away one flat side of the jug so you’re left with a rounded “mask” shape. The spout becomes the chin of your skeleton face—it’s a surprisingly good fit!

Punch two small holes at the top corners of each cut-out so you can hang them later.

Step 2: Sketch the Skeleton Face

With a black Sharpie or paint, outline the classic skeleton features:

  • Eyes: Large hollow circles—cut them out completely for a mask look, or just color them black. 
  • Nose: A small upside-down heart or triangle shape. 
  • Mouth: A stitched line across the chin. Add short vertical lines to mimic teeth. 

This is your base—simple and spooky!

Step 3: Paint the Sugar Skull Details

Now comes the fun part. Sugar skulls are all about color, flowers, and swirls. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Paint colorful flower petals around the eyes. 
  • Add vines, spirals, or dot patterns across the forehead and cheeks. 
  • Use contrasting colors for bold designs—bright pinks, purples, turquoise, yellows, and greens work beautifully. 
  • Add little hearts or cross shapes for variety. 

If you’re working with kids, hand them markers instead of paints for easier cleanup.

Step 4: String & Bead the Decorations

Cut yarn or twine into long lengths for hanging. You can even thread beads onto the string for extra flair,. Tie the strings through the holes you punched and gather them together to hang on a door, wall, or tree branch.

They look especially festive grouped in threes or fives.

Step 5: Light Them Up (Optional)

For an extra wow factor, tuck a battery-operated tea light inside each jug before hanging. The plastic glows at night, and the painted details shine like stained glass. It’s a budget-friendly way to add some ambiance to your Halloween porch without the mess of real candles.

Tips & Variations

  • Use glow-in-the-dark paint for a spooky nighttime surprise. 
  • String a whole row together to make a garland across your porch or fence. 
  • Spray the inside of the jug with white paint for a more opaque look. 
  • Add glitter glue accents if you want them to shimmer in daylight. 
  • Try smaller jugs (like juice or creamer bottles) for mini skull faces. 

This project has become one of my favorite DIY Halloween decorations because it checks so many boxes: thrifty, creative, and surprisingly pretty for something made out of old milk jugs. Whether you’re decorating for trick-or-treaters, a fall party, or just want to add some seasonal cheer, these milk jug skeleton faces bring a Day of the Dead flair to your home.

They’re also a great activity for family craft nights—each person can design their own skull and you’ll end up with a gallery of colorful, quirky faces to hang around the house.

So next time you finish a jug of milk, don’t toss it—save it for Halloween crafting!