7 Ways to Reuse Magazines

If you've been to the Reuse Centre, you know we have a huge collection of National Geographic magazines, so we decided to brainstorm and research interesting ways to reuse them. If you don't have any old magazines sitting around your home, stop by and grab some from us to get started on these great reuse projects!

1. Reuse Decor - The beautiful and inspiring pictures found in National Geographic magazines can become treasured pieces of art in your home. Find an old frame (we have some of those too!), cut out a favourite picture and place it in the frame. It's as easy as that!

2. Magazine Coasters - Want to show off your DIY skills next time you have company over? Make these cool magazine coasters and put them out at your next party.

3. Gift Wrap - Have you found the perfect gift for someone special but can't quite decide how to wrap it? Come to the Reuse Centre and we will help you find a National Geographic magazine from the month and year you are looking for. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other occasion, a National Geographic from the special date will make great gift wrap... and you can include the rest of the magazine in the gift for the recipient to flip through. If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can make your own bow too!

4. Magazine Bowls - Jewellery, accessories, and home decor made from old magazines have become quite popular recently. Instead of buying one of these bowls from a store, save your money (and some trees!) and make your own.

5. History Lesson - Old National Geographic magazines can make great resources for teachers. The magazine was first published in 1888 and has been providing readers with a wealth of information since then. One of the oldest issues we found at the Reuse Centre recently was from June of 1957. Bringing a magazine like this into a classroom could be invaluable for teaching students about the history of our world, how it has changed, and how it has stayed the same ()
 
6. Magazine Magnets - This project will require you to purchase a couple extra supplies, but could result in a cute and thoughtful homemade gift... or you could just keep them all for yourself! Grab your crafting supplies and some interesting pictures from an old magazine and have fun making your own unique magnets!

7. Travel Inspirations - Who would have guessed that the very same National Geographic issue mentioned above from June, 1957 would have a 21-page story (complete with several full-page pictures) about the beautiful Maldives islands. A dream destination for many even today, the author of this article talks about how long he has waited to visit this paradise. The amazing pictures and incredible stories about destinations around the world could inspire you to take your next vacation now!


- Marissa (Volunteer)

Make good fortune (cookies) for Chinese new year

2013 Chinese New Years Day is February 10th and it beckons in the year of the Snake.

Nothing says Chinese New Year to me more than fortune cookies, so exciting to open but who actually eats the cookie itself?  How about making your own? look complicated? Would you believe each of these tutorials start off with just a basic circle?

This tutorial uses paper and printed fortunes but I love the idea of writing your own and making them person specific for a special touch especially if you're having people over to eat. Or popping them into your children's lunch box.

Think beyond purchased scrapbooking paper, try old road maps, comics, wall paper samples, we always have plenty of paper here so pop in and see what's in stock.

Handy with a sewing machine? pick up a bag of fabric and get cracking on these beautiful machine stitched Fortune cookies. Wouldn't they look cute stuffed and put on a key chain? or as favours for a wedding or baby shower?

We All Sew

Wishing you good fortune throughout the year in all your crafty, creative and of course recycling endeavours.

- Emma (Volunteer)