Stamp projects are a really fun way to get creative with your kids. They add pizazz to art projects and are particularly fun for adding detail to stationary. Repurposed wine corks make ideal stamps and are a fun art project as well. Here’s how to make your own DIY wine cork stamps.

1. Gather your supplies.

For this project you’ll need:

-wine corks
-x-acto knife
-pencil
-stamp pad

Don’t fret if you don’t drink a lot of wine. Ask your friends if you can borrow their wine corks. Or you could go to a local wine store or wine bar and see if they wouldn’t mind letting you have some extra wine corks. Discarded wine corks are easy to find in a society that drinks tons of wine.

2. Design your wine corks.

Choose simple and fun designs for your wine corks. You want them to be simple to carve into the wine cork and also simple enough that it’s easy to discern the design. Think of designs like hearts, circles, stars, smiley faces, or arrows. If you carve a design into the side of the cork instead of the bottom, you could choose larger designs. Have fun personalizing your wine cork designs.

Image: Elaine with Grey Cats

3. Cut out your designs.

Using an x-acto knife, cut your designs out of the wine corks. If you’re making wine corks with your kids, this part of the project should be reserved for adults only. X-acto knives are really sharp and can be very dangerous for children.

4. Have fun with your new wine corks.

Why buy stamps when you can make your own? Put your new wine cork stamps to work on all your favorite art projects.

What are your favorite repurposed wine cork projects? Check out other fun wine cork projects like this DIY bathmat or this DIY cork coaster.

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Wine cork image from Shuttershock

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If you’re sending correspondence through the mail these days, why not design your own stamps to promote your green message?

Many sites, including Zazzle.com, allow you to either select from their designs or customize your own using photos or images downloaded from your computer.

If you decide to make stamps for a special occasion, remember to weigh whatever you’ll be mailing before you order so you can specify the correct postage amount. If you aren’t going the route of Evites or other email invitations, using stamps that say something special, and green, is a great option.

Here are ten designs I found at Zazzle with cool green themes:

1. Six Reasons to Plant a Tree

2. Fair Trade Only

3. Got Bamboo?

4. Dreaming of a Green Christmas

5. Hang Dry

6. Love Your Mother

7. Love it or Leave It

8. Kiss Me

9. Like No Tomorrow

10. Burn Fat Not Oil

Images: Zassle.com

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The people in my neighborhood really get into Halloween whether they’ve got their own little ghouls and goblins or not, proving the most fun night of the year is for the kid in all of us. You know, that kid who is addicted to Halloween chocolate!

I’m big on using decor to lift my spirits each fall, ideally with the surfeit of tools and supplies stashed in my green storage bins rather than ready-made plastic junk on the shelves of stores.

I found inspiration in Etsy’s Voter Page for the best Handmade Halloween items, from spooky bloodshot eyes (which get my vote) to crocheted spiders and DIY costumes. Go to the site and place your vote.

Here’s a look at some of the amazing crafts whipped up in kitchens across America:

Mister Skully Hand Carved Stamps by Tresijas

These cool articulating jaw motifs were made into stamps (salvaged manzanita, foam and rubber) that you can use to create Halloween art for your windows, doors or other creepy places.

Lost Zombie Brooch by CityroadFelt

“I made him using felt from a lovely stripey sweater, along with bits of wool blend felt, & beads & thread – designed by my partner, who is much more into zombies and such things than I – I think he’s quite proud of the end product, too!”

Crocheted Spider Web by Spacestitch

Like the spider web but want to make it yourself? But of course! See the Spider Web Crochet Pattern here.

Gaggle of Spooky  Ghosts Prints by Luminous Dreams Designs

“The ghost was hand drawn, inked then scanned where he was given different grungy digital backgrounds,” explains the artist.

Upcycled Pumpkin Hat by Imogens Garden

“I raided my son’s clean laundry pile to construct this hat from a recently outgrown thermal shirt,” explains the maker. “The flower is created from scraps from my studio, and the button embellishment came from the shirt. No more thermal shirts = a one of a kind garment.”

Main Image: Work of Whimsy

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