January 20, 2011

Recycled Calendar Sketchbook Tutorial!

What to do with old calendars? Make a sketchbook!
Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
(as you can see, I hoard old calendars. 2004? Ha!)
Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
Rip out the picture you want to use.

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
Trim off anything unwanted, making the main piece around 10" deep.

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
Turn it over, and fold up about 2.5" or 3". this will become inside pockets.

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
At this point, I trim it down horizontally to about 10.75" so I can fit it into an 8.5x11" laminating sheet.

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
Laminate & trim off excess. If you don't have a laminator, clear contact paper would work too! (Oh and don't worry, you will be laminating right over the pocket so it's sealed shut. We'll fix that later.)

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
Sew around the perimeter.
Be sure to use a nice bright color so it looks extra cute!

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
Time to select the paper for inside your sketchbook. You can use recycled paper, scrap paper, or whatever you'd like. I'm just using regular printer paper without lines. Only use around 10 sheets so you can sew through. Trim it down so that it fits neatly inside the edges of the cover.

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
First fold the papers in half...

Then separately fold and crease the cover in half.

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
Line up the folds and sew down the crease!

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
Next, take an exact-o knife, and lightly score the pocket line. Be careful not to cut the whole way through. You just want to cut the laminate so the pocket can open.

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial
See?

Calendar Upcycle Sketch Book Tutorial

VoilĂ !