One of the last things you do each year is buy a new calendar and toss out the old one. However, what if there were interesting ways to recycle last year’s calendar into something useful? It’s likely you chose which one to use based on its captivating photographs, intriguing designs or colorful images. There are some ways to revive old calendars and enjoy the parts of them that caught your attention in the first place. Here are a few ideas for re-purposing these types of photos.
Make Your Own Notebook Covers
All you need are some notebooks, scissors, a glue stick and your calendar photos. Choose the photos or images you enjoyed most over the last year and cut them to fit the notebook. Use the glue stick or Mod Podge to adhere the back of the photo to the front of the notebook for a quick and easy make over.
Make Your Own Photo Gallery
Stop by the local thrift shop or dollar variety store and pick up a few picture frames of various sizes. Cut the photos from your calendar to fit the different frames. The easiest way to accomplish this is to use the glass from the frame to provide an outline so you get the right size and shape. Once the photos are in the frames, create your own gallery of your favorite photos.
Make Your Own Gift Tags
Using the photos from last year’s agenda, cut out various shapes. These can be squares, rectangles or any other variety of shape you find interesting. Use a hole punch to place a hole at the top of the cut-out shape. Now loop a piece of ribbon or a decorative string through the hole so the tag can be attached to presents.
Make Your Own Customized Coasters
You will need a set of plain coasters, Mod Podge, some scissors and a paintbrush for this DIY project. Using the scissors or a craft knife, cut the photo you want to fit on the coaster. It can cover the entire coaster or you can cut out just part of the design you like best. Using a paintbrush, spread Mod Podge over the entire surface of the coaster, then place the photo on it and smooth it out so there are no wrinkles or bubbles. Then use the paintbrush to add another layer of Mod Podge on top of the image. Let it dry thoroughly.
Make Your Own Decorative Candle Holders
After choosing the photos you want to use, cut them out so they fit a jar you want to use for a candle holder. Brush some Mod Podge on the jar where you will place the image, then press it on the jar while making sure to smooth it out so there are no wrinkles. Then apply a top layer of Mod Podge over the photo and let it dry.
These are a few decorative and creative ways to reuse the photos from out-of-date calendars. They are easy, quick and enjoyable projects. Try one today.
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