DIY Mini Memo Covers: Repurpose Old Calendars with Cricut

If you're like most people, you probably have a few old calendars lying around that you just can't bring yourself to throw out. Whether it's because of the gorgeous artwork or the sentimental value of the memories they represent, it seems like a waste to just toss them in the recycling bin. Fortunately, there's a quick and easy solution that will let you enjoy your favorite calendar images all year round: turn them into covers for mini memo books! In this blog post, we'll show you how to use your Cricut cutting machine to transform an old 12x12 inch calendar into a stylish and practical memo book cover. These mini books are the perfect size to carry with you wherever you go, so you can jot down notes, ideas, and reminders anytime you need to.

Materials:

• Old 12x12 inch calendar
• Clear vinyl or Contact paper
• Contact adhesive
• Elastic hair tie
• Felt, optional
• Button, optional
• Cricut Explore or Maker series cutting machine

Directions:

This is a super simple project that comes together in no time flat. You can find the cover pattern in this shared project in Cricut Design Space. This cover will fit standard 3.25 x 4.5 inch mini composition books.

Separate the pages of the old calendar. The calendar artwork should be on one side of the paper and the preceding month's dates on the other side. Cut a 12x6-7 inch length of clear vinyl or clear Contact paper and apply it over the part of the artwork that you'd like to use for the memo cover. Make the project, cutting the cover from the clear-covered calendar art.

Assemble the cover by folding the 2 side flaps to the inside of the cover and securing them in place with adhesive on all 4 tabs. You'll need to use a good contact adhesive, rather than a white glue, to adhere the tabs to the vinyl-covered surface. Clip in place with a binder clip or large paper clip and allow to dry. These form the little pockets into which you insert the front and back covers of the mini memo book.

Add any additional decoration to the cover that you'd like. I opted to glue a strip of Cricut Felt to the front cover, but your favorite monogram or design cut from Cricut Vinyl would look fabulous too!

Use an elastic hair tie to keep the memo book closed. You can simply wrap the tie around the book in either a horizontal or vertical direction. Or if you'd like to get a little fancier, sew a button to the front cover, attaching the hair tie to the cover in the process like I did.

In conclusion, repurposing old calendars into mini memo book covers is a great way to recycle and give new life to beautiful artwork that you may not want to just throw away. With just a few materials and your Cricut cutting machine, you can create a practical and stylish memo book cover that fits perfectly in your purse or on your desk. This project is also perfect for gift-giving, especially as a New Year's gift or a thoughtful gesture for a coworker. Don't forget to check out our other repurposed or recycled paper projects on our blog for even more crafting inspiration!

Check out these other repurposed or recycled paper projects from our blog.

Sentimental Wall Decor from Greeting Cards With Cricut

Recycled Calendar Junk Journal

DIY Repurposed Clock with Cricut Kraftboard