Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Giveaway: Paper Lamp kit and a copy of the book Playing With Pop-ups

by 51 Comments

Envelope Giveaway

playing with pop-ups Today I have a fun giveaway that includes a paper lamp kit and a copy of the book Playing With Pop-ups both by Helen Hiebert. Leave a comment in today’s post by January 23, 2015 and you will be in the running. Open to U.S. residents only please.

Envelopes are fun to work with because they come in a variety of colors and sizes, and other papers can easily be slipped into the pocket. This clever piano hinge allows the panels of the mini folding screen to flex in both directions, enabling the screen to be displayed in a variety of ways, or even folded into a box-shaped lantern. Choose patterns reminiscent of stained glass, slip decorative papers inside, and set the screen in a spot where it can catch some light. This project is for ages 13 and up. Finished size is approx. 6? x 20? x 4?.

This kit includes:

(4) A7 envelopes

Japanese lace paper

leaf stencils

template for hinge

bamboo skewers

Helen has designed a bunch of cool paper kits. You can see her others at her website Helen Hiebert Studios.

More about the book Playing With Pop-ups :

Enter the enchanting world of pop-ups and handmade paper crafts. Join author Helen Hiebert as she guides you through materials, tools and pop-up basics including parallel folds, angle folds, combinations and variations, and layered pop-ups. Enjoy creating 20 projects to play with ranging from cards and books to buildings, graphic design pieces, and more, plus access to downloadable templates. Featuring a high-end gallery of artists, whose beautiful work will inspire you to make your own amazing paper art, Playing with Pop-Ups will teach you to create interactive pieces that everyone will enjoy.

Related Posts:

Comments

  8. The only pop up books I have seen are in children’s reading rooms. These look so intricate and fun. I would love to attempt crafting with paper. I am a wanna be artist!!

  21. I teach art to afterschool elementary school students – this would bring my class to a whole new dimension! Thanks for the chance to win! <3

  25. Wow! That’s an awesome card. Always loved pop-ups. I’ll have to find the book myself if I don’t win.

  35. When I was small I was so intrigued with pop up cards. Later I saw pop ups in books but never had one. As an adult I always give the new baby books and make sure one is a pop up if there was one around. I made one card that was a pop up for my daughter but never saw any as exciting as the ones that are pictured here. I would love to create some of these.

  37. Pop ups are a lot of fun to do! I especially like the architectural ones. Thanks for the great giveaway. 🙂

Have you read?

Barefooted Welder: Turning Scrap into Sculptural Statements

Today, in honor of ANZAC Day, we’re shining a spotlight on a truly unique Australian artist — The Barefooted Welder, aka Michael Dudley. Based in North Queensland, Michael is known for his raw, imaginative sculptures made entirely from scrap metal. His work is bold, unapologetically rustic, and deeply rooted in both environmental and emotional storytelling.

What makes his work so compelling isn’t just the way he repurposes over seven tonnes of steel, copper, and aluminum — it’s the intention behind each piece. Michael doesn’t just weld metal; he breathes new life into forgotten fragments. From massive animals to symbolic figures, his sculptures are a mash-up of chaos and beauty, and they demand attention.

One piece that especially caught our eye (and hearts) this week is his striking metal poppy wreath, a tribute for ANZAC Day. The wreath, made from rusted salvaged metal and sculpted entirely by hand, is a stunning and deeply moving symbol of remembrance. It captures the essence of sacrifice and memory, but through a sustainable lens that makes you think twice about what we throw away.

Michael has a way of breaking the rules with his art — he even describes his process as “messy,” which we think is the perfect kind of energy when working with unpredictable materials. He creates without blueprints, often barefoot, guided more by instinct than plan — which somehow makes his pieces feel even more alive.

Whether it’s his life-size Bengal tiger sculpture created to raise awareness of endangered species or a delicate flower made of rusty washers, the Barefooted Welder is a reminder that art can be powerful, messy, meaningful, and sustainable all at once.

So, on this ANZAC Day, we celebrate artists like Michael who use their creativity to honor the past while also protecting the future — one sculpture at a time.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *