Before Pinterest, I used to rip pages out of catalogs and magazines of home decor, DIY, and organization ideas that I loved. Each month, I would protect my precious mags from the recycling bin with the fierceness of a D&R Nestie raiding Ballard Designs.
Now that Pinterest lets us go paperless, I’ve shaken my urge to hang on to every Pottery Barn catalog that comes through our door – but what to do with that huge stack I’ve accumulated through the years? It seems sacrilegious to simply recycle them…so I turned them into coasters!
DIY magazine coaster made from the pages of a Pottery Barn catalog.
I made these DIY magazine coasters based on a repurposed magazine art tutorial I found on Saved by Love Creations. I pretty much followed her tutorial, cutting 4 strips per magazine page, and then folding. (I also just used my fingernails to crease the folds instead of buying a bone folder.) I couldn’t find the glue she mentions, so I used Beacon 3-In-1 Advanced Craft Glue which has an “instant grab” so I didn’t need to hold the coiled magazine strips for long.
Materials needed: catalog or magazine pages, scissors, and glue.
I wrapped the magazine strips until the coaster was wide enough that it was the circumference of one strip, with no overlap. (I also didn’t coat my finished product in Mod Podge like the tutorial mentions, although I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt.)
DIY Magazine Coaster
Folding the magazine strips was by far the most time-consuming part of this project, but I did a little bit here and there while watching TV. (It’s a good project to zone out on over a glass of Chardonnay and a Mad Men marathon!)
A set of these coasters makes a great housewarming gift!
Who needs a coffee table book? These coasters can be made out of any of your favorite magazines or catalogs and are such a great conversation piece! Keep a set for yourself or gift them to others – they make a great housewarming gift!
Like this repurposed project? Check out these other ideas from some fellow bloggers who also share a love of turning the old into new!
Life as a Thrifter: Repurpose a Thrift Store Chandelier
Bigger Than the Three of Us: Upcycled Hose Caddy
Lovely, Etc: Make a Hanging Light from a Worn-Out Lampshade
Thrifty & Chic: Basket Hanging Lamp
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This is FABULOUS! I have always wanted to learn how to do this!! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Holly!
Ha ha Nothing beat that incident with Ballard. Epic!
LOL! I was hoping someone would read this and knew what I was talking about, haha!
I LOVE THIS! It’s a great reuse. I like using the catalogs for decorating inspiration and you are actually decorating with them. Great JOB! Will be tweeting to my followers.
Thank you so much, Deborah! And thank you for the shout-outs!
Super cute! I’m in your boat with the hoards for magazines lol. I just keep them in our cabinet sitting there…it’s probably about time to do something else with them
I think it’s a nod back to my teenage years when I lived for that one magical day/month that Seventeen Magazine arrived at my door. It was such a treat to get a magazine!
So fun! I would have to hoard some magazines before I did this! I read them and get rid of them. =)
Good for you, Ashley! I need to be better at that. (And stop some subscriptions too while I’m at it!)
I love thus! I used to make my own envelopes out of magazines but that was in the age of snail mail! These would make great hostess gifts too!
What a great idea, Lucy! I’d love to get some snail mail with an envelope like that – so neat!
I really like this idea. How do you keep it from getting soggy and tearing up?