• Home
  • Suggest A DIY
  • DIY Newsletter

Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

DIY Recycled Calendar Art: A Charming Way to Upcycle Old Calendars

January 20, 2026 by Shellie Wilson

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a drawer or box filled with old calendars that you just can’t bear to throw away. The artwork is often too beautiful to discard, and it feels wasteful to simply toss them out. That’s exactly how Liz Marie felt when she stumbled upon a Rifle Paper Co. calendar she had purchased from Anthropologie. She didn’t buy it to keep track of dates but because she adored the illustrations—particularly the bee-themed designs

Inspired by this, Liz Marie decided to transform these discarded calendar pages into beautiful wall art. She framed each month individually, creating a charming and personal display that added character to her home. This project not only gave new life to old calendars but also allowed her to showcase the stunning artwork in a meaningful way.?

 

  • Personal Touch: Each calendar page often holds sentimental value, whether it’s a gift or a piece that resonates with you.?

  • Cost-Effective: Instead of purchasing expensive art prints, you’re repurposing something you already own.?

  • Eco-Friendly: This project promotes sustainability by reusing materials that might otherwise end up in the trash.?

  • Customizable: You can choose frames that match your home’s decor, making it a versatile addition to any room.?

How to Create Your Own Recycled Calendar Art

  1. Select Your Calendars: Choose calendars with artwork that appeals to you. They can be themed (like botanical or travel) or simply feature designs you love.?

  2. Remove the Pages: Carefully detach each month from the calendar. If the pages are perforated, they should come off easily.?

  3. Choose Frames: Select frames that complement the artwork and your home’s decor. You can opt for uniform frames for a cohesive look or mix and match for a more eclectic feel.?Insert the Artwork: Place each calendar page into a frame. If the pages are slightly smaller than the frame, you can use a mat to center the artwork.?

  4. Hang and Enjoy: Arrange the framed pieces on your wall. This could be in a grid pattern, a linear arrangement, or even a more organic layout—whatever suits your space best.?

Final Thoughts

Liz Marie’s DIY Recycled Calendar Art project is a testament to the beauty of upcycling. It’s a simple yet effective way to create personalized art that tells a story and adds warmth to your home. So, the next time you come across an old calendar with artwork you love, consider giving it a second life as wall art. It’s a creative and sustainable way to decorate your space.?

«
»

Have you read?

DIY Recycled Egg Carton Christmas Tree – A Sustainable Classroom Craft

If you’re looking for a fun, low-cost Christmas craft that doubles as a sustainability lesson, this Recycled Egg Carton Christmas Tree is perfect for your classroom. It’s cheerful, hands-on, and encourages kids to think creatively about recycling and reusing everyday materials.

This eco-friendly Christmas craft transforms used egg cartons into a festive tree display — ideal for classroom doors, art walls, or group projects. Not only does it spark holiday excitement, but it also opens the door for conversations about sustainability in the classroom and how small changes can make a big difference.

Why Choose Sustainable Classroom Crafts

Teachers are constantly looking for meaningful ways to weave sustainability into learning. Projects like this one promote creative reuse and reduce waste, showing children that they can make something beautiful from what might otherwise end up in the bin.
Using egg cartons, cardboard, and paper scraps encourages critical thinking and resourcefulness — skills that are just as important as creativity itself.

You’ll Need

  • Empty egg cartons (8–10, depending on your tree size)

  • Green paint or spray paint

  • Paintbrush or sponge

  • Cardboard backing or a flat wall surface

  • Hot glue gun or strong craft glue

  • Yellow paper or felt for the star

  • Brown or orange paper for the trunk

  • Scissors

  • Recycled decorations: corks, paper scraps, small bells, ribbons, or buttons

How to Make a Recycled Egg Carton Christmas Tree

1. Cut the Cartons

Start by cutting the lids off your egg cartons. Keep only the dimpled base section where the eggs sit. Trim the edges neatly so each piece is uniform.

2. Paint the Cartons Green

Lay them out on newspaper and paint each piece with a bright green color. You can use acrylic paint, spray paint, or even let students experiment with different shades of green for a textured, layered look.

3. Arrange the Tree

Begin at the bottom of your wall or cardboard backing and glue four full sections in a row.
Stack three on top, then two, and finally one — forming a pyramid or Christmas tree shape. Leave a little space between each row for a whimsical, hand-crafted look.

4. Add the Trunk and Star

Glue a rectangle of brown or orange paper underneath for the trunk. Then, cut out a star from yellow cardstock or glitter foam and stick it proudly on top.

5. Decorate with Recycled Ornaments

This is where the fun really begins! Add small, lightweight decorations such as:

  • Painted paper cups or mini yogurt containers as bells

  • Cork angels with paper wings

  • Bows made from fabric scraps or old ribbon

  • Recycled buttons, beads, or handmade paper ornaments

Encourage students to bring in clean recyclables from home — bottle caps, foil, paper scraps — to personalize their ornaments.

6. Create a Base of Paper Presents

Let the kids draw and color “presents” on scrap paper or cardboard. Cut them out and glue them along the bottom of the tree for a playful finishing touch.

Incorporating Sustainability in the Classroom

This project is more than just a craft; it’s a conversation starter. Talk with your students about where egg cartons come from, what materials they’re made of, and why reusing them matters. You can even turn this into a mini sustainability unit by encouraging them to bring other recyclable materials and brainstorm creative ways to repurpose them.

Consider making it a group art installation where each student contributes a decoration or an environmental message card to hang on the tree.

Display and Celebrate

Once the tree is complete, display it proudly in your classroom or hallway. It’s a wonderful way to show visitors that your class celebrates the holidays with creativity, community spirit, and an eco-conscious mindset.

Teacher Tip

If your school promotes green education, use this project to highlight your commitment to sustainability in the classroom. Share the finished tree on social media or your school newsletter with a note about how your students reused materials to reduce waste.

CraftGossip.com – Inspiring creative ways to make sustainability a joyful part of learning.

 

Explore

books Christmas CraftGossip Giveaways Craft Inspirations Easter glass halloween Home Decor kid crafts More Crafts Patterns & Tutorials Recycled and Thrifted Ideas recycled art Recycled Clothing Recycled Jewelry Recycled kids crafts Recycled Sewing Recycling Ideas Recycling Organizing tin can

Featured Posts

How to paint easy winter wonderland art

How to turn an old book into a secret hiding place box

How to make a glow in the dark snow globe

Giveaway- Upcycle Your Wardrobe: 21 Sewing Projects for Unique, New Fashions

How to make a clothes pin shark for Shark Week

RSS feed: More Articles More Articles

  • 10 Triangle Scarf Knitting Patterns for Cosy Layers and Handmade Gifts
  • Free Christmas Pudding Cross Stitch Gift Tag Pattern With DMC Colour Key
  • Crochet Eyelet Jacket Crochet Pattern That Feels Polished but Totally Wearable
  • 10 Thanksgiving Math Printables for Kids: Counting, Addition and Fun Number Puzzles
  • Inexpensive Homemade Food Gifts That Mean More Than Another Christmas Present
  • Selected Yarns Advertised at $2, $4 and $6
  • Thanksgiving Scrapbook Layout Ideas for Family Photos and Grateful Memories
  • 12 Christmas Cross Stitch Patterns That Fit in Small Hoops
  • How to Make a Wet Felted Nuno Scarf – by Muffs Merino
  • Best Handmade Bracelets To Sell At Craft Markets

Copyright © 2026 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy