Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Giveaway: Artful Christmas: 30 Elegant Craft Projects by Susan Wasinger

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artful Christmas book craft projectsJust in time for Christmas Crafting I have the pleasure of offering a copy of Artful Christmas: 30 Elegant Craft Projects by Susan Wasinger for a giveaway. Leave a comment about what you are crafting or your color scheme/crafting theme this holiday season in to day’s post by December 12, 2014  and you will be in the running. Open to U.S. and Canada residents only please. More about the book from the publisher Lark Crafts:

Celebrate a merry Christmas in an artfully decorated home! Crafters will feel the joy as they make 30 elegant yet incredibly easy projects out of the most affordable and accessible materials. Deck the halls with a lacy air-dried clay wreath, a stamped muslin bag Advent calendar, festive felt stockings, sparkling paper ornaments, a glittered garland, and other items beautiful and bright.

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Comments

  1. I’m liking a more natural white and neutral color scheme this year. My daughter and I are doing some candle wraps and other simple decorations.

  2. I have an almost 2 year old, so my scheme this holiday is ‘unbreakable’. I’ve scoured my many decorating items and if it can be pulled, yanked, kicked or thrown without immediately breaking then it’s up! Amazingly I had quite a good selection and everything came out great! 🙂 Thank you for the giveaway, happy holidays!

  7. Every year I make about 20 ornaments for gifts and this year I made felted Christmas puddings. They are really cute and easy to pop in with a Christmas card for sending in the mail.

  8. I’m making various holiday items to decorate my mantle this Christmas. This books looks like it’s loaded with great projects! Thanks for this giveaway!!

  11. I hope to make an outdoorsie wreath with deer antler and pheasant feathers. I want to make wood slice ornaments with my wood burner. I want to make a hot chocolate gift in a jar to go with my home canned foods for gifts. I want to make a jar snow globe, and modpodge a design on jar for a sparkly candle. There have been so many ideas this year!! Love them all!

  12. My color scheme this year is blue and silver, I’m making handmade holiday cards!
    Thanks, Kim Reid

  14. My old, old decorations are mostly in gold and red, but this year I’m adding more silver and burgundy into the mix. I’m painting garish red candles a more subdued wine/burgundy color and adding siver accents onto the gold ribbons and trims. It’s coming together nicely.
    What a lovely giveaway — thanks for a chance to win Susan Wasinger’s fabulous book!

  15. I just finished making all of my own Christmas cards.. My holiday colors this year white/glitter silver.

  17. This year I’m using black Christmas cards, with bright/lime green (and green glittered) triangle trees. Very simple, but looks so cool against the black background. Adding googly-eyes to one tree because Santa is always watching!

  20. I am making fabric and some felt ornaments. Some are gifts, some to sell, some for me. There are four different kinds and the colors vary for others. For me they are red, pink, green.

  21. The theme is rustic elegance. Last year we made a wagon wheel wreath, this year I’m planning on co-ordinating bells/bows for the windows and making new stockings for the kids.

  24. I’m knitting headbands with flowers for the girls in the family; socks for the guys; lap blankets for the elders and cowls for friends. Our “theme” this year will be snowmen/snowflakes with an emphasis on white (of course), read and green.

  30. This year I’m learning to craft with deco mesh and having a great time making mistakes and learning that ‘yours doesn’t look like mine’ is not always a bad thing. 🙂

  31. I’m loving the updated Frozen blues and light blue with red themes I’ve seen this year, but I don’t want to have to update everything, so I’m sticking with my traditional red and green plaid.

  33. I ave severa trees tha are themed.One is cat ornaments, one is my encounter tree (I collect an ornament to remind me of any adventure I take) and the a big tree with all my childhood ornaments. Garland is everywhere. Sparkling gold bows. I also have a tree hanging from the ceiling. I made an evergreen wreath for the wall and an evergreen candle arrangement for the table.

  34. I like an “old fashion” Christmas with a hodge podge of all the decor we’ve collected over the years…no trendy color scheme here! Thanks for the chance & Happy Holidays!

  40. I’ll be out of state spending Christmas with my daughter, son-in-law and grandkids so my theme will be “transportable”! Felt will be sewn into many Christmas ornaments for the tree that will be put up upon my arrival!

  41. Simple and elegant is the direction we have been heading for our home, holidays, and life in general.

    Thank you for the opportunity for this giveaway!

    Cheers,
    Marie

  42. My favorite would be a country theme, every year I make new patterns to add to my collection. One day I hope my 7 ft tree will be adorned with all handmade decorations.

  45. Perfect Giving grandchildren classes regarding each one’s talent. Keep on teaching while gifting.

  49. My color scheme this year is blue and silver, but I haven’t decided on a theme as yet. Hoping to get an idea from your generous giveaway. Thank You.

Have you read?

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!