Recycled crafts: magazine placemats
Submitted by Maria on February 2, 2011 – 1:33 am2 Comments
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After the magazine coasters it is the turn of a magazine placemat. I first saw the amazing stuff you can make with magazine pages browsing the Natural History Museum’s shop and since then I have meant to have a go with my son at making some easy things to start with and who knows what else in the future. I have seen an amazing handbag made with weaved magazine pages and in a moment of delusion I thought that seemed easy enough. Well the weaving is not difficult, we got that part right but the rest needs a little more practice and certainly some skill that I am hoping to get soon, which involves sewing. I don’t have to tell you I quickly abandoned the idea of making the handbag and switched to a more child friendly project, a lovely placemat to match the coasters. We folded the magazine pages into strips of the same length and width and then we started weaving them in a grid. Once we reached a good size we sealed the mat with a clear adhesive acetate sheet to protect the paper from getting wet and for easy cleaning.
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Hello Maria,
Love your idea of placemats. I was thinking of a similar way, but by cutting out coloured pieces of magazine paper, and cutting out shapes, also things like flowers and also putting favourite photos of family and pets would be good.
I think different piece of material could be used too. Even patchwork.
I would be interested though how you seal the 2 sheets of acetate. I haven’t made any yet. Still have to get some acetate sheets.
Also another way of making cheap picture frames. Using self adhesive tape to holding a photo or picture in place on one piece of acetate sheet. Then placing the other piece of sheet over the picture. Drilling a hole in each corner then inserting a small nut and bolt. Then a piece of wire to hang.
I even have heard of using empty cd cases, but now sure how to connect these, if connecting 2 or 3 horizontally. Any ideas?
Hi Angie, I use self adhesive acetate so it sticks to the magazines. You need to attach it carefully trying to keep the air out to avoid the forming of bubbles. About the cd cases, I hadn’t thought of that but I will look into it and see if I can get creative with them.
I like your ideas of patchwork, I look forward to seeing your creations.