Material Musings - Cardboard projects and slow stitching

In today's video we explore the use of cardboard in mixed media art.  In one of my pieces, I combine fabric, cardboard and clay.

Let me know if you use cardboard in your creative projects

If you would like to see some additional ways you can join us on Patreon for behind the scenes and early release content.

The Fun Continues: Create Your Own Cardboard Bookcases!

 

The Creating with Cardboard Course has been an absolute joy so far! Watching participants transform simple, everyday cardboard into beautiful, functional bookshelves has been nothing short of inspiring. Each creation is unique, filled with personality, and showcases just how much fun recycling can be when combined with creativity!

The Early Bird Special has been extended to the 15th February!

If you haven’t joined yet, great news—the early bird special has been extended to 15th February! Now’s the perfect time to jump in and start crafting your own custom bookshelf. Whether you want a miniature bookshelf a whimsical storage space, or a decorative shelf for your favorite trinkets, this course will teach you what you need to know.

Why Not Gift a Creative Experience? 

Looking for a unique and meaningful gift? Instead of another store-bought item, why not give the gift of creativity? A gifted spot in this course is perfect for anyone who loves hands-on projects, sustainability, or exploring new art techniques. Whether it’s for a crafty friend, a family member, or even yourself (because self-care through creativity is important too!), this class is a wonderful way to spark inspiration.

What’s Inside the Course?

• Step-by-step tutorials to create and decorate your own cardboard bookshelf
• Creative techniques using paint, collage, and other mixed media elements
• Sustainable crafting tips—learn how to repurpose materials in fun and artistic ways
• Bonus content! Extra videos and ideas to personalize your bookshelf, create miniature art journals and more.

Sign up before 15th February to take advantage of the early bird price and start creating today!

Join the Creative with Cardboard Course Now!  Sign Up Here

Art Journals that now have a new home!

Transform Cardboard into Stunning Bookcase: Join the Fun!

The Joy of Cardboard

Have you ever looked at a pile of cardboard and wondered what creative potential it holds? In today’s fast-paced world, finding ways to recycle and create something practical and beautiful is a rewarding challenge. 

My latest course Creating Cardboard Bookshelves shows you how to turn everyday cardboard into a functional and stylish bookcase that’s is fun to create and is useful. You can join for an early bird special of just $37 before the price returns to $47 on January 11th!

Join the Course HERE

Why Cardboard? The Power of Recycling:
Cardboard is one of the most widely available and versatile materials. By repurposing cardboard, you’re not only reducing waste but also giving new life to something that would otherwise be discarded. Here are some benefits of recycling cardboard:

• Eco-Friendly Impact: Recycling cardboard reduces the demand for new materials, saves energy, and minimizes landfill waste. Every small step helps create a healthier planet.

• Cost-Effective: Why buy expensive shelving when you can make something equally functional and unique at a fraction of the cost?

• Creative Opportunities: Cardboard is lightweight, easy to cut and shape, and surprisingly strong when assembled. It’s a blank canvas waiting for your imagination.

What to Expect in the Course:
This course is designed to make creating with cardboard accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of your crafting experience. Here’s what you’ll get:

• Step-by-Step Guidance: Learn how to construct a sturdy bookshelf that can you art journals, decorations, or art supplies. 

• Bonus Videos: Gain extra inspiration with additional tutorials on painting, decorating, and enhancing your cardboard creation.

• Customization Tips: Discover how to personalize your bookcase to fit your style and needs. Whether you love vibrant colors or a minimalist look, you’ll find ways to make it your own.  You can make it to a size that suits you.

Take a look at our first project

Create your own mini Bookshelves

Unleash Your Creativity:
Crafting with recycled materials is more than just a sustainable choice; it’s an opportunity to explore your creativity. With this course, you’ll learn how to:

• Transform a simple material into a functional and decorative piece for your home.

• Experiment with different designs, textures, and finishes to create something truly unique.

• Gain confidence in your ability to craft and upcycle, sparking ideas for future projects.

Your Favorite Project - Once you start you won't be able to stop:
Imagine having a practical and attractive bookcase that you designed and built yourself. Every time you use it, you’ll be reminded of your resourcefulness and creativity. Plus, it’s a conversation starter—people will love hearing about how you turned cardboard into a piece of furniture!

Sign Up Today and Save:
Take advantage of the early bird special and join the course for just $37. But hurry—this offer ends on January 11th!

Sign Up Now

Let’s make something amazing together. I can’t wait to see the unique bookshelves you create!

31 Creative Things to do with Recycled Materials - Promarker Pen Holders - Day 7

Creative Recycling, one box/can/bottle/ at a time!

Do you have lots of pens all over the place that need a home?

Do you want to see what you have and don't want to hide them? 

Have you a small amount of space to work with?

Then look no further!!  Over the next few days as part of the '31 Creative Things to do with Recycled Materials' and the 'Ultimate Blog Challenge' I have a few 'pen' storage ideas to help you with your problem.

I have always had this problem in my work space when I started out, especially when I worked from the edge of my kitchen table.  Many moons later I have a bigger space but still need to be mindful about what I store and where.

Moving into my current space I wanted one of those racks you see in the magazines, but surrounded by so many milk cartons and boxes I knew that I would be able to create something to my specification and at a fraction of the price.  

Creative Thinking Cap on to do something with this little lot!

I wanted something a cross between the one below but that could fit on my desk. You can check out the one below and they also have others which may work for you.

 

The holders that originally came with the pens were these and these didn't work for me considering the amount of pens that I have and the space that they took up.  I am going to have to find an alternative use for them:)

I wanted to make an upright holder and began to think of the best possible materials that I had and the design.  I didn't follow a pattern, I just knew how I wanted it to look and then just kept going and this was born.  

This was the before and the after, quite a transformation!
 

The Before - milk cartons and cardboard

The After

 I painted it an gave it a 'shabby chic' look and finished it with varnish and gold metallic rub.  I am able to view all the colors and keep everything organised.  

The one thing that the pens could do with now is the color indicator on the top.  The pens that I originally brought were the old design, you can purchase some labels or again make your own.  

The top of the storage allows me to keep to hand the pens I am using in a project and the rest can be stored horizontally as needed.

I might add some swirls or stenciled designs to the storage container, but I am please with the results and the much needed storage that I now have for my pens.  Come back to see what I have done with my Alcohol Markers

For more inspired recycling ideas and useful tips check out Zero Waste Barbados and Journey to Zero Waste 

Have a look at some of my ideas on my Pinterest Recyled Board

Blessings

Recycled Project - Supplies Storage Container from Toilet Roll Tube

Welcome to Creating on a Budget, a look at ways in which you can create fun, stylish things using recycled materials.

Today I want to show you the storage container that I created using the inner cardboard of the toilet rolls.  Toilet rolls tubes are something we normally toss into the recycling bin, but they have a wealth of things that they can be used for and today I will show you one of those things.

If you need a flexible storage solution - I am always looking for things that help me organize my studio space.  I find there are specific tools that I want to have at hand without having to put them away in draws, and then spend time looking for them when I need them.  I found that creating this storage container, it provided with the much needed tool that could be hung and out of the way or placed on the desk space.  Check out the video to see more of it in action.

So for something that would be discarded, you can find greater use with just a little bit of imagination.

I really enjoy having the storage container as it can be hung and out of the way as well as being placed on the desk.  There is a space for everything and everything in it's place

It is time to look at recycling in a different way, there is so many space and money saving things that can be done or created with recycled products, there is no limit with a little bit of imagination.

Come back and see what other ways in which we can use recycled products.

New - Recycled Projects Returns - Cardboard Bookcase

Welcome to a long overdue Recycled Project, and I look forward to sharing with you things that I create out of the things that we would normally recycle and give no thought to.

I will be doing a mixture of Art and Creativity and DIY projects that take my fancy.  If you want to see some of the previous projects you can find them HERE and there are a few more dotted around the blog which I will be gathering together into one place - though that's for another time.

Cardboard Bookshelf

I recently finished this bookcase, I am really proud of myself for making it.

It has truly been a labor of love and quite challenging at times but I persevered and here we have it finished, painted, distressed and ready for the purpose it was built. 

It started off as empty cardboard boxes, I got the basic plan from a youtuber HERE, with my limited Spanish followed along then went and added my own flair

Putting it together was fun

I added a shelf on top and a draw for smaller books

  

I made the feet out of masking tape tubes after they had been used on the structure

After covering most of it with paper, I decided to make some paper tubes and decorate the bookcase with these

At the home stretch with painting, sealing and then embellishing with a gold rub-on

My bookcase is ready, this is how the draw turned out

I couldn't decide whether to leave it in the bedroom or the studio which it was originally made for.

It is great to see something that would have been thrown away become so useful.  There are some amazing things that you can make with cardboard, and I will be sharing more here on the blog.  I will also be putting together the video of the process of making bookcase and I hope you give it a try.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think!  Watch out for other creative makes!

Tutorial Tuesday - Handmade Stamps

Handmade Stamps

I shared with you on Saturday the Handmade stamps that I had made out of sleeping bag mattress foam, and here are some that I made,  It is really easy to create your own stamps and I hope you have as much fun as I did in coming up with your own creations.

Stamp collection made from foam

Get yourself a piece of the foam, this one is approximately 1.5 cm thick. Cut to the size that you require.

I cut mine 3x3 inches as this fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to stamp

Select tools that you are going to make marks, shapes and patterns with

Selection of tools to make marks on the foam

Look through some magazines, books, textiles or around your home for inspiration to create a pattern, I chose this heart paperweight.

Once you have chosen your pattern and shape, cut to size begin to mark the foam as required

Cut a piece of card that will act as the backing for the stamp, I covered the edges of mine with home made washi tape (will show you how I made these in a few weeks:)

Cut a piece a paper the same size as the cardboard and stamp your design onto it.  Stick this onto the back of the cardboard,It will act as a guide to the stamp.  

Stick your creation onto the other side of the cardboard, and let dry

Your stamp is ready to be used!

Do leave your comments and share with me what you decide to create!