The Art of Upcycling Calendars: A Creative Guide by Cassy with Handmade
As a self-proclaimed hoarder, I, Cassy with handmade, have a confession to make: I'm a hoarder of calendars. For a minute, it's time to put them to use instead of just sitting on my shelf collecting dust. Today, we're going to explore five fun projects that are worth cutting these calendars for, and I'll share my step-by-step guide on how to upcycle your old calendars into unique and creative pieces.
First Things First: Gathering Materials
To get started, you'll need some simple tiles from the local craft store, acrylic sealer, Deco Podge glue, cork coaster squares, tacky glue, a scraper, calendars, a rotary cutter, and sponges. You can find all these materials at your nearest craft store or online.
Ripping the Favorite Page
I start by ripping my favorite page out of the calendar. This is an important step because you want to choose a page that's not too busy or crowded, as it will be harder to work with. Once you have your page ripped out, take your tile and introduce it over your calendar so that you can use it as your cutting template.
Cutting Out the Design
Take your rotary cutter and cut away from the design, using a rough cut first. This is just a starting point, and we'll go back in later to clean up any mistakes or imperfections. Lay the tile on top of the page to ensure everything is even and aligned. Then, cut in any extra that might be overlaying the tile.
Adding Deco Podge Glue
Brush a thin layer of Deco Podge glue onto your tile. It's essential not to touch the calendar too much with your fingers because the oil from your skin can make the ink bleed. Be patient, as bubbles can form up to 5 minutes after you apply the glue. Keep an eye on it and let it dry for 20 minutes.
Adding the Cork Square
Take your tacky glue and apply it along the edges of the tile, making sure to cover any excess glue at the center. Press down on the cork square so that it seals with the glue. Flip the tile over and let it dry completely.
Sealing the Tile
Once the tile is dry, I'm going to seal it with an acrylic sealer. This will ensure that if you set something hot on it, the glue won't melt. You can use this same technique for your other projects.
Making Gift Cards Holders
I've seen some really cute envelopes made using calendars, and I wanted to try my hand at making a gift card holder. To do this, cut four circles using a mason jar ring as your template. Cut out the circles, then fold them in half and overlap them to create a pin wheel. Use hot glue to hold everything together, punching holes in whichever flap you want on the outside.
Adding a Ribbon
To finish off the gift card holder, add a little ribbon around the top. This is where you can get creative with different colors and patterns. You can use scissors to round any edges or punch holes for stringing.
Cutting Out Bookmarks
I also wanted to try making some bookmarks using my calendar pages. To do this, cut out a piece that's as big or small as you like. Use scissors to round the edges, then punch a hole at one end. Add some ribbon or string to create a tassel, and you're ready to go.
Using Travel Stickers
I had these awesome travel stickers just laying around, so I thought they'd be cute for my bookmarks. You can add them to your bookmark using hot glue, creating a fun design that's perfect for book lovers.
Creating Wall Art
Some calendars can even make super easy and cute wall art. Most major craft stores have coupons for mats and framing, or you can do it yourself like I did with the little one. This is where you can get really creative and experiment with different designs and colors.
Upcycling Calendars into Phone Cases
I'm obsessed with this constellation calendar, and I wanted to put a piece of it on my phone case. To do this, cut out a small design from the page using scissors or a craft knife. You'll need to cut carefully to avoid cutting yourself. Once you have your design, use hot glue to attach it to your phone case.
The End Result
We had so much fun today making these creative projects from our old calendars. We were able to make some really unique and special pieces that could be given as gifts or enjoyed by ourselves for a little money. By upcycling our old calendars, we're not just throwing them away; we're giving new life to materials that would otherwise end up in the trash. I'm proud of what we accomplished today, and I hope you are too!