Recycled Crafts- Cut Paper Art from recycled magazines!
Another way to recycle magazines and create beautiful artwork at the same time, this cut paper art is not only colorful, but very easy to make! So gather up your old magazines and I’ll show you how to make this recycled craft!
About once a month, I meet with my mom, sister and whoever else wants to show up, to create a crafty project together. Each time we meet, a different person is in charge of the “mystery” project. We are only told what supplies to bring and it is always exciting to see what the person in charge has in mind to do.
This past week, my sister was in charge and her idea, based upon a few things she had found on Pinterest, was cut paper art using old magazines and construction paper.
For this project we used:
Old magazines
8″ x 10″ picture frames
black and brown construction paper
glue sticks
craft blade
cutting mat
Take the frame apart. You will be working with just the cardboard back of the frame. Cut strips of colorful magazine pages, folding them lengthwise and glueing them down with your glue stick. Glue them down with the folded edges approximately 1/4″ apart.
Try to use bright colored pages for the best contrast with your dark construction paper.
Use the craft knife to trim the edges of all the paper to match the edges of the picture frame back.
Trim your construction paper to match the size of your picture. Then trim an addition inch off of the bottom so that the finished art will show all the colored strips along the bottom. Draw your pattern onto the paper, and then use a craft knife to cut out your picture.
If you would like the patterns, you can download the full size pdf versions of the potted plant and the butterflies here.
Depending on how you are cutting it out, you might have to glue your construction paper down in sections.
The final step is to put your frame back together!
This project was a ton of fun and only took us a few hours!
Are you new to the Sitcom? Be sure to check out my Frequently Asked Questions Page!
Do you like recycled craft projects? Then be sure to check out the following!
Faux Metal Wall Art from toilet paper tubes
Faux Tin Tiles from a disposable cookie sheet
Paper Reed Frames from recycled magazines
Hi Cindy,
My best source of vintage magazines has always been Ebay. You can buy them in lots and specify what years you are looking for. I have found some great things there. Hope that helps!
suzy
I have three old trunks,two are medium size,one is large. The larger one is flat on top. The medium ones are not flat. I would like to decoupage clippings from old magazines. I have newer magazines. But would prefer the old country magazines from late 50s- late 70s. Where would I purchase these? Sincerely yours,
Ms. Cindy Mulcahey
Old calendars have great colors. I used them for lettering when I was teaching. This is a beautiful idea.
What a great idea! Would love to see what you make!
suzy
This project would make an excellent lining for a tray. I have a wooden tray that I want to use for my tea/coffee station. I haven’t been able to find any ideas on how to decorate it. I like this idea. I think it’s geat.
This art is so adorable and would make with my daughter. ! I love the idea ..thanks for sharing
what a wonderful art. i love your blog ,its a beautiful art..i will try same as a family tree month and date of a fly member to remember …thanks for sharing..
Love everything!!!
I love everything!!! Congratulations!!!
I love this!! I have so many magazines that I try to give away or recycle. But, since my kiddos are a little small still, I am going to make these with their names in the frame instead of picture patterns. Fun projects coming my way. Thank you!
Hi Suzy;
I love the art of recycled magazine papers. Yes, they are addicting to make. But one question. How do I get such pretty pages. The ones I am doing are mostly white and spots of colors. But some of yours are so colorful. Certain magazines or perhaps color copy paper. I love color and I need more!!! Thanks so much. Keep on crafting. Debbie
The way you are folding the magazine strips makes this project WAY easier than trying to match up skinny strips of paper. I’m really glad I found this!
Hi I’m from the Philippines, and I love your project SOOOOOOOOOO MUCHHH!
I want to make this craft but I don’t think I can. I’m worse in art. 🙁
I love this idea. Can’t wait to try it.
Cindy
I think this is a beautiful idea. Such bright pretty colors always make me happy. I did have another thought. Why could this not be done with junk mail??
Thank you, Joyce! Would love to see how your project turns out! And will definitely swing by your site and enter the drawing! A Silhouette is one of the few craft supplies that I do not own!
suzy
Hi Suzy,
This is such a FABULOUS idea! I just love the look of this project. Who knew that old magazine pages could be so gorgeous?!?!?! Well, I guess YOU did!!! Haha! I think I’ll download the pattern then load it into my Silhouette electronic cutter to make this, as I don’t have the patience to cut it by hand with a craft knife! If you don’t have an e-cutter Suzy, you should enter to win the Silhouette Portrait that I’m giving away on my website! (peaceloveandjoyce.com) You would LOVE it.
Peace, Love and Joy,
Joyce
You are very welcome, Tracy! I’d love to see your finished project!
OH! It’s from you! But I started doing it with fabric & placing the strips on at an angle. What I needed was just the right picture for letting the fabric show thru! Then I just now saw your Gossiping Birds!! As I was looking at your other patts. once again I realized where I’d gotten the idea of strips of color showing thru. It was you all along! Thanks!
Yep, I don’t have a website yet. Nor a web store. Nor a blog. I have been in the wonderful world of my dreams and still working a 40ish hour a week job. The last few years have been kind of difficult and I now have time to discover blogs and websites and stores. I was always going to quilt when I “retired”, hear a but coming? I am now at home with pain and tremors and most times my hands won’t let me quilt. And I learned, the hard way, don’t wait until you retire to try something new, we are never promised tomorrow. Anyway, I just found your blog and you are wonderful. I am not in your league, but I want to try at least 1/3 of the tutorials. I will let you know how I fared.
What a great project! Looks like loads of great fun and creativity!
Hi Shauna!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m so glad you liked my tutorial! It is always exciting to hear what my readers plan on doing with the ideas I try to give them. I would love to see photos of your finished project if you decide to make it!
suzy
This is beautiful! I absolutely love the look of the vivid colors against the black. That is a combination I often use in my art and my choice of clothing. This project looks so complicated but it’s not at all. I’m going to do this with my art class of kids. We use magazines for a lot of projects so this is perfect! However, I thought we would use die cuts instead of craft knives since some of the kids are as young as eight. To be perfectly honest, I probably would do that just for myself as well. It’s easier plus I’m not so great with a craft knife. I think another interesting way to do this would be to use sticky back paper or sticky canvas or run cardstock through the xyron. Then instead of using magazine pages use leafing foil- the multicolored variegated type- and apply it and burnish it (as you would when foiling anything) all over the paper. Then proceed with the rest of the project. You could also just use foiling adhesive on the substrate in place of sticky canvas etc. Along the same lines I thought it would be really dramatic to use multicolored foil mirror cardstock instead of magazine pages. That would really pop against the black! I love projects that are great as is but also lend themselves to a lot of variation. Thanks for sharing this! I also think it’s so cool that you and your family and friends get together for art days. That would be a blast and in addition to making great art you’re making wonderful memories!
I just wanted to let you know that I am featuring your project on July 10.
Cheri
Those are beautiful!
this is awesome, very creative!!!!
I was feeling bad that I’m not crafty enough with a craft knife to ensure clean cuts, until I read lacyquilter’s idea to use a die cut. I was planning to use a stencil! Yeah. Craftiness does also mean being clever.
Great idea, Suzy!
Thank you, Ann! It was a quick, fun summer project that has tons of possibilities!
These are so pretty and thanks for the cutting files.
I love these. I’m going to use this idea for a card, but use a die to cut the opening. Fun.
This is AWESOME dear,,perfect!!
This is super fun, Suzy!
I think they look great. It was a fun project.