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

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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!”

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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 Kids Craft Project – Upcycled Cardboard Box Sandcastle

kids-upcycled-cardboard-sandcastle

Looking for a creative way to keep the kids entertained this summer without spending a fortune? Turn your trash into treasure with this fun Recycled Sandcastle Craft Project! Using cardboard boxes, plastic lids, glue, and a bit of imagination, kids can build their very own sandcastle kingdom – no beach required!

 

What You’ll Need:

  • Cardboard boxes (cereal, tissue, shipping boxes – any size)

  • Toilet paper rolls or paper towel tubes

  • Plastic lids (yogurt containers, jar tops, etc.)

  • Paper or plastic straws, twigs, or sticks

  • Scrap plastic, paper, or fabric for flags

  • Craft glue or a hot glue gun (with adult supervision)

  • Scissors

  • Sand or beige paint (optional for decoration)

  • Markers, stickers, or leftover craft supplies to decorate

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Recyclables

Head to your recycling bin and pull out clean items that could work as castle parts—boxes for walls, tubes for towers, and lids for turrets. Cut down the boxes into smaller sections if needed, and make sure everything is dry and ready to work with.

Step 2: Plan Your Castle Layout

Before gluing anything down, lay out your castle design on a flat surface. Decide where the towers, walls, and “gate” will go. You can make it symmetrical, or go wild with a quirky kingdom layout!

Step 3: Glue the Main Structure Together

Use craft glue (or hot glue if you’re working with older kids or want faster drying). Start attaching the boxes and tubes together to form the base of your sandcastle. Stack tubes on top of boxes to create turrets. Use plastic lids as domes or roof tops.

Step 4: Add Decorative Elements

This is where the fun begins! Use:

  • Bottle caps as windows or shields

  • Buttons as faux stones

  • Cutout shapes from scrap cardboard for castle doors or battlements (those square-topped castle walls!) Get creative with what you’ve got – there’s no wrong way to build your dream castle.

Step 5: Make and Add Flags

Cut small triangles or flags from scrap plastic, fabric, or colored paper. Tape or glue these to the tops of straws, sticks, or twigs. Then, glue them onto the tops of towers or castle corners. You can even personalize each flag with a coat of arms or your child’s initials!

Step 6: Add the “Sand” Effect (Optional)

For an authentic look, brush glue over the castle and sprinkle it with craft sand. No sand on hand? Use beige paint, or mix some flour with a pinch of cinnamon for a sandy texture.

Step 7: Let it Dry and Display!

Let everything dry completely—especially if you’ve used a lot of glue. Then proudly display your recycled sandcastle on a shelf, or use it as part of imaginative play time.

Bonus Ideas:

  • Build a whole sandcastle village and connect them with paper bridges.

  • Make tiny “people” out of clothespins or paper scraps.

  • Add fairy lights inside for a magical castle glow at night.

This project is a fantastic way to keep little hands busy and teach kids the value of reusing materials. Plus, it’s just plain fun! Whether you’re doing this at home, in a classroom, or at a summer camp, your recycled sandcastles are sure to be a hit.