Her website, The Toymaker, receives around 7,000 visitors a day, with more than 3 million downloads of her toy patterns. And Marilyn has a book: The Toymaker: Paper Toys That You Can Make Yourself. Perfect Christmas gift? I think so.

But even if you don’t want to buy the book, you can still download the toy patterns online at The Toymaker for free.

Since it’s almost Halloween, let’s take a look! Sit in on a Ghost Show:

And Thanksgiving is around the corner too. How about a paper turkey?

But Marilyn offers much more than just seasonal toys. There are lots of everyday fun toys like Panda Palace. Here’s a cute Tooth Fairy Gazebo:

Have you made any paper toys lately?

All images via Marilyn Scott-Waters/The Toymaker.

Post from: Blisstree

The Toymaker Offers DIY Wonderland

For Adults:

Coin Purse from Upcycle Art. It’s as cute as your carton.

Altered Milk Cartons from scrapjazz. Projects include paint brush holder, party favor and flower pot.

Milk carton vase from CB2. No directions are provided since this is a porcelain product, but seeing the photo is enough to get you going, right? (product shown, but try making it real)

You must see this milk carton marble run! Perfect for architects. . . The rest of use might get a little intimidated.

For Kids:

Milk Carton Pirate Ship from Kaboose/Funschool. What could be more fun on a rainy day?

Log Cabin Craft from DLTK’s Crafts for Kids. This one might take a few minutes, but it will look realistic.

DIY building blocks from baby toolkit. Parents may need to help, but the end result will be hours of play time!

Milk carton waterproof ships at HGTV. It’s time to sail.

Do you have any milk carton projects to share?

Image via CB2.

Post from: Blisstree

Milk Carton Projects for Kids & Adults

Don’t even visit the cheap-o party hardy store. Make your own party deco!

Make Mexican Paper Decorations from Jose Pino’s Projects. Visit for a tutorial and photos. Try using scrap paper or catalog pages.

Tea Tag Confetti (in case you missed it first time around on Junk Creation). Just remember to save those cute tags.

All the kid party essentials at Kid’s Birthday Party on diy network.

Party Top Hat Made of Playing Cards from the ever-fun instructables.

Fun Ideas for Wall-E Party Activities. Linette at She Knows Parties gives away several fun ideas to keep the kids busy during a Wall-E party.

Feeling too rushed to make your own?

Earmark on Etsy will customize a homemade party banner for you! Printed on recycled paper. (shown above)

Also check out handmade cupcake toppers from ThePeach at Etsy.

Image via Etsy.

Post from: Blisstree

DIY Party Decorations

She started creating handmade jewelry and crafts from recycled Scrabble tiles while in college. Now she’s a full-blown Scrabble tile addict. Well, perhaps I should refer to her as an artist instead! That’s her Scrabble tile cuff link to the left.

TheScrabbleGal offers an entire line of E-Book tutorials on how to make more than 77 Scrabble tile jewelry and craft projects, many of which incorporate recycled or re-purposed materials. Check out her Etsy shop — TheScrabbleGal.etsy.com.

Now, a guest post straight from TheScrabbleGal:

This is a project I love teaching, because it’s easy, fun and great for kids! We’re going to make a fingerprint mini-mosaic using Scrabble tiles. All you need are some old Scrabble tiles, an ink pad and a little bit of white primer or paint.

Step 1: Set aside the tiles you’re going to need to spell out the words “Hand Print”

Step 2: Take 11 tiles (any letters will do) and prime the non-letter side so they are completely white. Add a second coat if necessary, and allow to dry completely.

Step 3: Using your old ink pad (be sure to use non-toxic ink) – one finger at a time, cover your fingertip in ink and press your fingertip on the white side of your tile to create a black-on-white fingerprint. Be sure to use one finger per tile. However, in the finished example, I’ve used two tiles for my right thumb. Also, I recommend practicing on a scrap piece of paper first, because getting just the right amount of ink can be a bit tricky. : )

Step 4: Arrange your tiles like the example above.

Step 5: From here, you can do a whole bunch of things – you can transform this into a refrigerator magnet, create a tiled-mosaic, or transform this into wall-art that can be framed and hanged – great for kids’ rooms. (I teach each of these techniques in detail in my tutorials, as well as how to use recycled papers instead of paint.) But there’s no reason to stop there. I’ve had a few Moms tell me that they’ve done a “baby’s first prints” scrapbook project using this idea. The options are endless.

Happy crafting!

Images via TheScrabbleGal.

Post from: Blisstree

Fingerprint Mini-Mosaic with Scrabble Tiles

How about some easy crafts for Dads from kids too?

•Get Dad organized. Activity Village shows you how to make a Mini Chest of Drawers from fruit juice cartons.

•Show Dad you understand how much he loves to work on cars. This Car Nut Frame from Kaboose is decorated with washers and bolts.

•Give Dad a puppy! A Pup for Pop from Family Fun is the cutest pencil fetcher you can make.

Links to the retail junk creations featured this week:

Bike Chain Business Card Holder

Recycled Telephone Wire Bowl

Recycled Glass Night-Lights

Motherboard CD Desk Clock

Vintage Box Camera Clock

Do you know what you’re getting/making for Dad yet?

Image via Kaboose.

Post from: Blisstree

Junk Creations for Father’s Day Round-Up + Kid Crafts

Well, kids might think so. I think this toy dog house recipe over at Making Friends is a good reuse of a milk carton top.

Woof it up.

PS- Also, think about putting a new spin on the recipe. Make it a garage for toy cars instead! Or a barn for toy horses or pigs. It’s all in the decoration.

(Image via flickr.)

Post from: Blisstree

Woof! House for Toy Dogs