10 Uses for Outdated Calendars

1: Glue blotter for projects: when working on messy projects where adhesives are used, open the calendar out flat and use it as a blotter surface. (note: old catalogs, magazines and phone books also work very well for this) Simply flip to a new month when the surface becomes too "used." Rather than discarding it after you've finished opening to each month and using them up, set the calendar aside for one of the other projects below.

2: Torn up collage pieces: this is a great stress reliever and, if you have children, this is a great project for them. Take the staples out of the calendar and then just start tearing. Keep all the torn pieces in a plastic bag or a large envelope to use later. You'll see more opportunities for filling these bags or envelopes while completing the projects below.

3: Use the pictures in collages: take the staples out and cut along the crease of the calendar. Set the pages aside for a future project.

4: Bases for ATCs, postcards, bookmarks and tags: decide how many of each project you'd like to do and cut the pages to size. Organize each cut piece into separate envelopes for later use. Tear up all the scraps from your cuttings and place them into your torn up paper collage envelope or bag.

5: Pages or covers for handmade books: take the staples out and, rather than cutting along the crease, use that as the edge of your signature. Cut the pages to size according to how large or small your intended book will be.

6: Embellishment for greeting cards: after disassembling the calendar, cut each page into squares, rectangles and other scrapbook cut-out shapes. Set each cut-out aside in envelopes or a folder. Tear up all your cuttings and place them into your torn collage pieces envelope or bag.

7: Book covers: rather than using a paper bag or store bought cover, dissassemble your calendar pages and use them as book covers. They're more sturdy than the paper bags and just as (or more so) sturdy as the store bought covers. The mix of the grid pattern and the picture adds an interesting twist to what most consider boring subjects.

8: Handmade envelopes: take apart several different sized envelopes or print out some templates found online. Trace them out on to your calendar pages and cut them out. Tear up all your scraps from your cuttings and place them into your torn collage pieces envelope or bag.

9: Backgrounds for layered projects: keep the pages intact after removing the staples. When working on an altered book project, an art journal project, a canvas or any other project where mixed media elements are being introduced, incorporate these calendar pages as your base or as part of the layering process.

10: Embellishments for scrapbook pages: when working on "time capsule" type pages, geneology pages or any other family history type pages, incorporating calendar pages add interest to your theme. Don't forget to save your scraps!

Additional Notes:

Outdated engagement calendar books are excellent for altered book projects. Don't forget daily planner pages, too. These add special interest when embellishing scrapbook and art journal pages. If you have some of those calendars where you tear off each day or each month, save the pages to use as embellishments for any one of the projects listed above. The opportunities are endless!