Repurposed Calendar to Wall Art

I had a calendar I didn't want to just throw away because of the pictures on the calendar. I also had some bare walls in my apartment that needed some decoration. This is how I turned the calendar into a canvas-like piece of art.

Materials:

• Calendar
• Wood Boards (3/4" thick)
• Wood Screws (4 x 1 1/4")
• Screws (2 x 1/2")
• Wood Glue
• String

Tools:

• Saw
• Drill
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Clamps

Pick the picture/s you want to use. Cut the picture out so the fringes are gone. Flip the picture over and mark 3/4" from each edge. This will then be the outside dimensions for the frame. I cut 3/4" strips of pine board to lengths that fit the dimensions of the calendar (minus 1 1/2"). These are small enough pieces you could probably use some scrap wood (if you have any). Lay out the pieces of wood to make sure they line up with the calendar. I decided to just butt the pieces against each other to keep this build simple. Glue the frame together and clamp the pieces together. It's a good idea to check the dimensions are the same corner to corner to make sure the frame is square.

Once the glue is dried drill holes for the 1 1/4" screws at the ends. I used a countersink bit so the head of the screw is flush with the wood. If you don't have a countersink bit you can just use a bit with the same diameter as the head of the screw.

Cut the corners of the picture where previously marked. Line up the frame with the back of the picture. Clamp the two together at the edge of a table. Fold the picture up one edge at a time. Use a stapler to attach the picture to the frame on the sides of the frame. I would test the stapler on a piece of scrap wood so you know how hard to press and where to press on the stapler. I would recommend using heavier staples (than regular office staples) but I made due without. If you don't practice with the stapler you can end up with bent or crooked staples or staples that don't go all the way in. If the staples don't go all the way in you can carefully tap them in with a hammer. If the picture overhangs the back too much use a razor to trim the picture flush.

I used two 1/2" screws for the hanger. Drill holes about 1/3 from the top for the screws. Insert the screws until they are just above the frame. Leave room for the string to be attached. Make a knot around one of the screws with the string. Pull the string tight and wrap around the second screw. Keep the string tight and tie a knot around the screw. Check to make sure the string is tight by gently pulling at the center. Cut off the excess string at the ends. I glued the string by the screw as well so it doesn't loosen.

I made 3 of these and hung them in a vertical row next to each other. This worked well for the pictures I used since there was a theme for the calendar.