Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Giveaway; The Gift of Calligraphy: A Modern Approach to Hand Lettering with 25 Projects to Give and to Keep

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Giveaway: The Gift of Calligraphy: A Modern Approach to Hand Lettering with 25 Projects to Give and to Keep

Leave a comment in today’s post by October 5, 2018 and you are in the running for this beautiful lettering book filled with both great instructions and inspiration.

Open to U. S. residents only please.

An easy-to-follow guide to learning the art of calligraphy, with 25 gorgeously photographed projects that use calligraphy to make beautiful gifts and home décor.

Calligraphy and hand lettering have surged in popularity as people rediscover traditional handicrafts as a creative outlet and way to relax. Unlike other hand lettering books, The Gift of Calligraphy shows you how to use your calligraphy skills to create invitations, wall art, wrapping paper, a tote bag, even a calligraphy kit for kids. Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls, calligraphy teacher and author of Belle Calligraphy, brings her signature modern style to this traditional craft. The first quarter of the book provides a primer for creating a simple alphabet and how to find your own personal style of lettering, followed by wonderful projects that will delight your family, impress your friends, and beautify your home, all accompanied by clear step-by-step photography and inspiring shots of the finished pieces.

Comments

  1. I have wanted to learn calligraphy since I was just a young girl but of course, had no way to purchase any of the supplies. Now that I am an adult, if I had guidance like the book would provide, I could certainly get the supplies. Thanks for the opportunity.

  3. What a wonderful gift for someone who wants to give Calligraphy a try. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but never think of it when I am in a store where these items are sold

  4. Just in time for all those Christmas cards!!! It’s such a beautiful craft that I’d love to learn.

  5. My younger daughter has gotten into hand lettering and done some beautiful things. This would make a lovely resource!

  7. I use calligraphy for greeting cards and invitations and just to keep my handwriting neat and clean.

  10. I would love to win this – learned calligraphy years ago but haven’t practiced so this would be a marvelous way to get back into it

  19. My aunt did calligraphy. I would love to keep this art alive in the family! Thank you for this opportunity.

  20. I’ve always been told that I have beautiful handwriting and that I should learn to do Calligraphy. I never really had the time to explore and learn/practice before, but now that I am retired it would be a perfect time. The book “The Gift of Calligraphy” sounds like it would be a great book to coach me along and also provide some inspiration for projects I could make. Thank you sincerely for the opportunity to enter the Giveaway..
    Warm Regards 🙂

  24. Took a class once many years ago. I wasn’t very good at it. I would like to try again now that I have more time and patience.

  26. This tool would be very beneficial for me. I have been trying to learn Calligraphy so that my Birthday, Christmas Cards and letters (Yes I still like to send snail mail, lol) This looks like an awesome set.

  28. I started calligraphy 30 yrs ago before my husband was killed and I had to quit learning due to the fact of no time raising five boys. Now, I would love to pick it up again – thank you for the offer.

  32. I first took a class in calligraphy in 8th grade. Just doing that 6 week course improved my regular writing. I loved it. I have always wanted to do it more and get very good at calligraphy.

  33. Yes please!! People have always asked me to fill out Bibles and Certificates because I have nice handwriting. Calligraphy would be a great plus!!

  34. Calligraphy the art of writing beautifully. Love Calligraphy wish it was still taught in art classes. Lost my old pages I did in school during a fire wish I could find the old fractur style.

  38. Studied calligraphy in my late teens/early twenties…would love to get back into it. Thanks for the chance!

  41. My daughter has a card sending ministry. i would love to learn calligraphy so that I can design cards for her!

  43. A wonderful opportunity to learn a new art! Thanks so much for offering the opportunity to win the book – – –

  44. I have enjoyed the art of calligraphy since I was age 13 but of course, Now that I am an adult I have the time to really get into it. This guidebook would supply the information I need and, I could certainly get the supplies. Thanks for the opportunity. Bennie McDonald jr

  45. Haven’t done any calligraphy since art school when I didn’t have much patience. This would be a great way to get back into an art form all its own.

  49. I have tried to teach myself calligraphy but I am not having much luck. I hope my luck turns and I win. Thanks.

Have you read?

DIY Milk Jug Halloween Skulls – Recycled Porch Decor

If you’re anything like me, the Halloween decorating bug bites as soon as the first leaves start to turn. I love pulling out the pumpkins, stringing up lights, and adding a little spook factor to the front porch. But here’s the thing—Halloween decorations can get expensive, especially if you want a whole collection of them.

That’s where this thrifty little craft comes in. With nothing more than a few empty milk jugs, a marker, and some string, you can create a row of DIY milk jug skulls that look fantastic hanging from the porch or glowing in the yard. It’s simple, it’s cheap, and it’s a wonderful way to give those plastic jugs a second life before tossing them into the recycling bin.

This is one of those crafts that proves you don’t need a big budget for big impact. Even better—it’s family-friendly. Kids can help draw the faces, while the grown-ups handle the cutting. Before you know it, you’ll have a creepy crew of skulls ready to scare (or charm) the neighbors.

What Makes These Milk Jug Skulls So Fun?

  • Eco-Friendly: They’re made from recyclables, which means less waste. 
  • Budget-Friendly: The only thing you may need to buy is a pack of battery tea lights. 
  • Customizable: Keep them classic and spooky, or jazz them up with paint or glitter. 
  • Porch-Ready: They’re lightweight and easy to hang in clusters for maximum effect. 

Supplies You’ll Need

  • Empty plastic milk jugs (1 gallon size works best, but you can use any size) 
  • Permanent black marker (Sharpie is perfect for clean, bold lines) 
  • Scissors or craft knife (adults only—this is the only tricky part) 
  • Hole punch (optional, for stringing) 
  • Twine, string, or fishing line (for hanging) 
  • Battery-operated tea lights (optional, for glowing skull lanterns) 

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Rinse & Prep the Jugs

Give your jugs a good rinse with hot soapy water to remove any leftover milk residue (nobody wants a stinky skull). Peel off any labels—you might need to scrub a little with warm water or rubbing alcohol if the glue is stubborn. Let the jugs dry completely before you start.

Step 2: Cut Out the Skull Features

Using scissors or a craft knife, carefully cut out:

  • Eye sockets: Two large ovals or circles near the upper front of the jug. 
  • Nose: A small upside-down triangle below the eyes. 

Tip: Don’t stress if they’re not perfect. In fact, slightly uneven shapes look creepier and give the skulls more personality.

Step 3: Add the Mouth

Now grab your permanent marker and draw a long horizontal line across the lower part of the jug (just above the spout). Then add short vertical lines through it to create a “stitched” effect.

Want them extra spooky? Make the mouth jagged, curved, or crooked—each one can have its own little “expression.”

Step 4: String Them Up or Place Them Out

  • To Hang: Punch two small holes at the top of the jug, thread through twine, and knot it. Hang them in clusters from the porch or tree branches for maximum impact. 
  • To Display on the Ground: Pop a battery-operated tea light or glow stick inside. At night, the cut-out features glow eerily, making them perfect for lining a walkway or lighting up your porch steps. 

Extra Decoration Ideas

Want to take it up a notch? Here are a few twists you can try:

  • Paint the whole jug black or silver before cutting for a bolder look. 
  • Use glow-in-the-dark paint around the eyes and mouth so they stand out at night. 
  • Add fake spider webs or plastic spiders inside for extra creep factor. 
  • Mix them with sugar skull versions (painted in bright colors) for a Day of the Dead meets Halloween vibe. 

Where to Display Your Milk Jug Skulls

  • Hanging in a cluster by the front door to greet trick-or-treaters. 
  • Along the garden fence, glowing with tea lights inside. 
  • Dangling from tree branches for a haunted yard look. 
  • As a budget-friendly centerpiece for a Halloween party. 

This is hands-down one of my favorite DIY Halloween porch decorations because it’s so simple yet so effective. The best part? Every jug can look slightly different, so you end up with a collection of skulls that each has its own “personality.” It’s spooky, it’s thrifty, and it’s a great way to get the kids involved in holiday crafting.

So don’t recycle those milk jugs just yet—give them a creepy new life as part of your Halloween décor. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they become a porch staple you bring out year after year.