Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Giveaway-Journal Sparks: Fire Up Your Creativity with Spontaneous Art, Wild Writing, and Inventive Thinking

by

Giveaway-Journal Sparks: Fire Up Your Creativity with Spontaneous Art, Wild Writing, and Inventive Thinking

Leave a comment in today’s post by Thursday May 11th, 2017 and you are in the running for this fun creative prompt book.

Open to U. S. residents only please.

“Using words, drawing, collage, and observation-based list-making, award-winning author Emily K. Neuburger highlights the many paths into journaling. Her 60 interactive writing prompts and art how-tos help you to expand your imagination and stimulate your creativity. Every spread invites a new approach to filling a page, from making a visual map of a day-in-my-life to turning random splotches into quirky characters for a playful story. ?It’s the perfect companion to all those blank books and an ideal launchpad to explore creative self-expression and develop an imaginative voice — for anyone ages 10 to 100!”

Related Posts:

Comments

  2. This looks like a cool book. I have been journaling for ages, but I could always use more resources.

  4. “Jane Austen’s Guide to Thrift” led me to this sight. This looks like this will be an amazing book offered by an awesome website.

  7. Have tried to journal many times without success. This book just might be the impetus I need to have some success, and spark creativity to boot!

  9. Oh, this would keep me inspired. Sometimes it’s hard to find just the thing to get going. I’d love to build a daily habit of spending even a few minutes in my art journal.I enjoy it so much!!

  10. Ooh! I have this book on my wishlist. Would love to have this and do this with my 10 year old daughter! Thanks for the chance!

  11. Checked it out on Amazon. Love the idea of free form journaling. Lots of inspiration

  12. Such an awesome give away! Thanks for sharing your talent with us!

  15. Sounds wonderful and something I need to kick-start the journaling habit. Thanks for this giveaway!

  16. Oh wow – this book looks awesome. I’m always up for trying to increase my journaling & my creativity. Thanks for sharing this!

  17. What a great book-plenty of inspiration! Thanks for hosting another wonderful giveaway.

  20. I would love to have a journal like this. I have so many notebooks and plain drawing papers all spread out in different boxes, this way I know everything will stay together.

  23. What a fun looking book! I would love to have something like this to jumpstart me in my journal.

  25. I would love to learn more about art journaling!! awesome giveaway!! thnx!

  26. What a fascinating book! And such a fantastic way to kickstart my journaling again if I should win!

  28. Journal Sparks looks like the right inspiration for our year-long journal swap project at the library! Mahalo for the op to win a copy.

  29. This is a great book! I was lucky enough to go to a book launch with the author present & art journal activities set up. I purchased the book (and got it autographed) and have used several of the prompts already, not to mention the lovely papers & stickers she adds. I’m putting myself in the running and if I happen to win, will give the book to an art teacher friend who works with middle school kids in art enrichment programs. Thanks for offering this!

  30. This sounds like it would be a great way for me to start journaling! Thank you for the chance to win.

  34. I’ve always enjoyed journaling. Some new creative ideas would be fun to use!

  38. Always looking for that extra spark…..This looks awesome! New to journaling….all inspiration welcome!

Have you read?

DIY Paper Bag Mushrooms – A Creative Upcycled Craft for Kids and Nature Lovers

There’s something magical about mushrooms — maybe it’s the fairy-tale vibes or their cozy woodland charm. Either way, turning ordinary brown paper bags into mushrooms is a fun, hands-on craft project that kids (and adults) will enjoy. The best part? You’re reusing materials that might otherwise go to waste. Win-win!

This easy tutorial walks you through making your very own forest of recycled mushrooms using simple supplies you likely already have around the house.

What You’ll Need:

  • Brown paper lunch bags (you can even use grocery bags cut to size)

  • Scrap paper or newspaper for stuffing

  • String, yarn, or twine

  • Scissors

  • Paints (acrylic or tempera work best)

  • Paintbrushes or sponges

  • Optional extras: markers, stickers, googly eyes, craft glue

Step-by-Step: How to Make Your Mushrooms

Step 1: Create the Mushroom Top
Start by opening your paper bag and gently crumpling up some newspaper or scrap paper. Stuff it into the bottom of the bag — not too tight, just enough to give it a rounded shape that will form the mushroom cap.

Step 2: Form the Stem
Once the top is nice and puffy, hold the bag just underneath the stuffed section and twist it lightly to shape the stem. Tie a piece of twine or string around this part to hold the form. You’ll now have a mushroom top with a long paper bag hanging down — that’s your stem.

Step 3: Trim to Size
If the stem looks too long or uneven, grab your scissors and snip it down to your preferred height. You can even experiment with making some taller and some short and chubby for a little mushroom variety.

Step 4: Paint and Decorate
Time for the fun part — painting! Flip the mushroom cap upright and paint it any way you like. Classic red with white spots? Go for it. Bright blue with glitter? Why not! Use brushes or dabbers to add spots, swirls, or patterns. Let kids express their creativity — there’s no wrong way to decorate a magic mushroom!

Step 5: Let It Dry
Place your mushrooms somewhere safe to dry. You can use a sheet of newspaper or cardboard to avoid mess. Once dry, they’ll stiffen a little and hold their shape nicely.

Step 6: Display Your Mushroom Garden
Line them up on a windowsill, add them to a play area, or build a fairy village in the corner of a room. You can even glue them to a cardboard base and add moss, pebbles, and tiny paper critters for a full scene.

Extra Ideas:

  • Add flags or tiny doors to make mushroom homes.

  • Draw faces or names on the stems to turn them into characters.

  • Use cotton balls or pom-poms for fluffy mushroom spots.

Why This Project Rocks:

This is one of those crafts that doesn’t need a trip to the store or fancy tools — just a little time, a few basic supplies, and a bit of imagination. Plus, it encourages kids to see the creative potential in everyday materials — a great step toward more mindful, eco-conscious crafting.

So go ahead, raid the recycling bin and bring a mini mushroom forest to life.

How to make giant toadstools out of recycled tires

How to make champagne cork toadstools

How to make recycled Easter egg mushrooms

How to make recycled toilet paper tube mushrooms

How to make a rainbow forest of adorable recycled mushrooms