Craft Magazine Freebies Diy Kits Printables And Digital Resources For Crafting Enthusiasts

Craft magazine freebies have become a significant draw for hobbyists and professionals alike, offering tangible value beyond the editorial content. These supplementary materials range from physical craft kits and printable templates to digital downloads and project ideas, providing readers with immediate resources to engage with the craft techniques showcased in each issue. The availability of these freebies varies across publications, with some including physical items in print editions while others offer digital content accessible through subscriptions or direct downloads.

Types of Freebies Available in Craft Magazines

Craft magazines enhance their value proposition by including various types of freebies that complement their editorial content. These supplementary materials serve as both incentives for purchase and practical tools for readers looking to implement the techniques featured in each issue.

Physical Craft Kits

Some craft magazines include physical craft kits as part of their offerings. One example highlighted in the source materials is a "magazine freebie craft kit" that was used to create a bookmark. The crafter mentioned using grey felt instead of the turquoise material that came with the kit, indicating that these kits typically include all necessary materials but allow for personalization. Such kits provide readers with hands-on experience and immediate access to specialized crafting supplies they might not otherwise purchase.

Printables and Templates

Printable materials represent another common category of craft magazine freebies. These include:

• Cut-out papers and toppers that readers can use for various projects
• Sentiment downloads for card making
• Birthday card projects
• Patterned papers for gift wrapping, envelopes, or paper garlands
• Vintage images suitable for junk journals and scrapbooking

The quality and design of these printables vary by publication, with some magazines featuring "gorgeous patterns of flowers, leaves, succulents, in wild color palettes" that are described as perfect for framing, gift wrapping, or other creative applications.

Digital Downloads

Digital freebies have become increasingly popular, especially with the growth of digital subscriptions. These may include:

• Project instructions in digital format
• Design templates
• High-resolution images
• Digital versions of printables that can be printed multiple times
• Video tutorials or links to online content

Some magazines offer extensive digital resources, with one publication mentioned as providing 175 sentiment downloads and 50 free birthday card projects alongside other digital content.

Notable Magazines Offering Freebies

Several craft magazines have established themselves as particularly generous with their free offerings, making them popular choices among craft enthusiasts looking for added value.

Scrapbook & Cards Today

Scrapbook & Cards Today is highlighted as "one of the hottest international magazines for crafters on the market today." This quarterly publication focuses on scrapbooking, card making, and general papercrafting, showcasing the latest techniques and products with beautiful photography and inspiring designs.

Key features of Scrapbook & Cards Today include:

• Free physical distribution at select local scrapbook stores
• Availability for purchase at major retailers like Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Indigo/Chapters
• Complete digital archive available for free download, with all issues since Spring 2006 accessible online
• New issues released on a quarterly schedule, with the Spring 2020 issue made available on March 20th at 10 AM EST

The combination of high-quality editorial content and free accessibility has contributed to its popularity among crafters.

Mollie Makes Craft Magazine

Mollie Makes Craft Magazine distinguishes itself through its monthly mini DIY kits and free printables. Each issue features a different kit focused on various craft media, including:

• Plushy animals
• Crochet charm bracelets
• Crochet pincushions
• Foldable paper gem kits for making paper garlands

These kits are designed to be beginner-friendly, providing an accessible entry point for crafters looking to try new techniques. The magazine includes thorough instructions for each kit, ensuring readers can successfully complete the projects.

In addition to physical kits, Mollie Makes offers free printables with "gorgeous patterns of flowers, leaves, succulents, in wild color palettes." These printables are versatile and can be used for framing, gift wrapping, creating envelopes, or making paper garlands. Each kit is designed by handmade makers from around the globe, adding an international flair to the content.

Crafts Beautiful

Crafts Beautiful magazine offers an array of freebies with each issue, including:

• Nine cut-out-and-keep papers and 12 toppers (featured on page 56)
• 175 sentiment downloads (available on page 38)
• 50 free birthday card projects (found on page 30)
• Giveaways valued at over £1,000 (detailed on page 31)

Subscribers to Crafts Beautiful receive additional benefits, including a discount off the retail price, early access to new issues on the day of release, and protection from potential price increases. The magazine delivers 13 issues per year, with subscribers enjoying regular content updates.

Other Craft Magazines with Freebies

Several other craft magazines are noted for including freebies or extras:

• Daphne's Diary
• Creative Stamping
• Die Cutting Essentials
• Papercraft Essentials
• Tonic Studios Magazine Kit
• Simply Cards and Papercraft

These publications may include various supplementary materials, though specific details about their free offerings are not detailed in the source materials.

Accessing Free Craft Magazine Content

Craft magazine freebies can be accessed through various channels, depending on the type of content and the publisher's distribution model.

Physical Copies

Some freebies are included exclusively with physical copies of magazines. Readers can obtain these by:

• Purchasing issues at retail locations including Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Indigo/Chapters
• Picking up free copies at select local scrapbook stores
• Subscribing to print editions that may include special supplements

The physical nature of these freebies means they are only available to those who acquire the print version of the magazine, limiting accessibility to those who prefer or have access to physical copies.

Digital Subscriptions

Digital subscriptions offer another avenue for accessing craft magazine content and freebies. Benefits of digital subscriptions typically include:

• New issues delivered to devices on the day of release
• Never missing an issue
• Protection from price increases
• Potentially lower cost than print subscriptions

It's important to note that digital editions may not always include the same freebies as print versions. One source specifically mentions that "Digital editions do not include the covermount items or supplements you would find with printed copies," indicating that some physical freebies may not be available in digital format.

Free Online Resources

Many craft magazines offer free content accessible without subscription or purchase. Scrapbook & Cards Today, for example, makes all its issues available for free download online, dating back to its first issue in Spring 2006. This model allows readers to access editorial content and some digital freebies without financial commitment.

Additionally, some websites offer regular free craft resources, such as the "Monday Craft Freebie!" which provides free digital images for crafts. These resources may be available through blogs or dedicated freebie websites that aggregate crafting content.

Popular Freebie Categories

The craft magazine freebies available to readers span numerous categories and techniques, catering to diverse interests within the crafting community.

Papercraft and Card Making

Papercraft and card making represent one of the most popular categories for freebies, with numerous resources available:

• Cut-out papers and toppers for embellishing cards and scrapbook pages
• Sentiment downloads for card messages
• Birthday card projects with complete instructions
• Vintage images suitable for paper crafting projects
• Insects and bugs clipart specifically designed for papercrafts

These materials enable crafters to create professional-looking cards and paper projects without needing to design elements from scratch.

Vintage and Retro Images

Vintage and retro images have become particularly sought after for various crafting applications:

• Vintage people images suitable for junk journals and scrapbooking
• Vintage retro performer images for themed craft projects
• Vintage prison-themed images for specialized projects
• Vintage images in various styles for different aesthetic preferences

These resources often have a nostalgic quality that appeals to crafters creating memory books, altered art, or vintage-style home decor.

Mixed Media and Specialized Techniques

Craft magazines also offer freebies catering to more specialized and mixed media techniques:

• Mixed-media forest images for nature-themed projects
• Mixed-media abstract grunge texture images for backgrounds
• Surrealism and divided reality images for avant-garde projects
• Steampunk images for themed craft projects
• Frida Kahlo-inspired images for art journaling

These specialized resources allow crafters to experiment with advanced techniques and niche styles without needing to source or create complex imagery themselves.

Beginner-Friendly Kits

Many craft magazines focus on providing accessible entry points for new crafters through beginner-friendly kits:

• Simple plushy animal kits
• Basic crochet projects like charm bracelets and pincushions
• Paper folding and cutting projects
• Stamp and die-cutting templates

These kits typically include thorough instructions and all necessary materials (in print editions) or templates (in digital formats), making them ideal for those looking to try new crafting techniques.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Craft Magazine Freebies

Crafters can maximize the value they receive from magazine freebies by following several best practices:

Organize and Store Freebies

Free printables and digital downloads can quickly accumulate, so organization is key:

• Create digital folders organized by craft type, project, or magazine
• Print physical freebies immediately or as needed for specific projects
• Store physical craft kits in a cool, dry place to preserve materials
• Label digital files with clear, descriptive names for easy retrieval

This organization ensures that crafters can easily locate and utilize their free materials when inspiration strikes.

Experiment with Techniques

Freebies provide opportunities to experiment with new techniques without significant investment:

• Try the beginner-friendly kits to learn new skills
• Use printables to experiment with different color schemes or styles
• Challenge yourself to incorporate free digital elements into various projects
• Combine freebies from different sources for unique results

This experimentation can lead to discovering new passions and developing crafting skills.

Connect with Other Crafters

Many craft magazine freebies are part of larger communities:

• Participate in forums or social media groups focused on specific magazines
• Share completed projects made with magazine freebies
• Exchange tips and techniques for using free materials
• Participate in challenges or themed projects organized around free content

These connections can enhance the crafting experience and provide inspiration for new projects.

Consider Subscription Value

When evaluating whether to subscribe to a craft magazine, consider the total value of freebies offered:

• Calculate the cost of free materials compared to subscription price
• Factor in the convenience of having materials delivered
• Consider the value of access to digital archives and resources
• Evaluate how often you'll actually use the free content

This analysis helps determine whether a subscription represents good value for your crafting needs and budget.

Conclusion

Craft magazine freebies offer significant value to crafting enthusiasts, providing both immediate resources and inspiration for creative projects. From physical craft kits and printable templates to digital downloads and specialized imagery, these supplementary materials enhance the value of magazine subscriptions and single-issue purchases. Publications like Scrapbook & Cards Today, Mollie Makes, and Crafts Beautiful have distinguished themselves through particularly generous offerings, while numerous other magazines provide smaller but still valuable free content.

The accessibility of these freebies varies, with some available only with physical copies, others through digital subscriptions, and some offered freely online regardless of purchase status. Understanding how to access and organize these materials allows crafters to maximize their value, while experimenting with different free resources can lead to discovering new techniques and styles.

As the crafting community continues to grow and evolve, craft magazine freebies are likely to remain an important feature, helping publishers attract and retain readers while providing tangible benefits to crafters of all skill levels and interests.

Sources

1. Flickr: Magazine Freebie Craft Kit
2. Scrapbook Expo: Freebie Friday with Scrapbook Cards Today
3. Crafty Magazines with Freebies
4. Mollie Makes Craft Magazine Review
5. Crafts Beautiful Magazine on PocketMags
6. CraftAndCherish Freebies Collection
7. DreamyMM: Monday Craft Freebie