A Reason to Write: An Upcycled DVD Case Pin-up Board & Card Holder

Pari’s big drawer full of trash has inspired our creative projects on more than one occasion. Couple of days back, when she was looking for ideas to ‘make’ something, I open this ‘trash’ drawer and find a plastic DVD case that I had tossed in it during the last house-clean up – seconds after I was almost going to toss it in the dustbin. At that moment, an upcycled photo frame was what I had in mind.

But when we took it out this Wednesday, and as we started re-purposing it, a pin-up board started taking shape in our heads and in our hands. And, the motive was – a “reason to write”. Yes, a “reason to write” is what I call those projects that provoke Pari’s love for writing. I use the word ‘provoke’ rather than “help” or “aid” because I want the tool or the activity to enthuse her into writing rather than she looking at it as a ‘task’.

So, I leave you with these pictures that explain more or less how we went about doing it.

I will only add a line or two here and there…

First off, took out the ‘slots’ in the case on both sides to create an even surface to work on.

We brought out some handmade cards and other things to see what she could cover and decorate the DVD case with.

The Yellow handmade paper with golden embellishment is what she chose to cover the frame.

And, I helped her cover like we cover note books etc. One extra step though – we used glue so that it stays intact.

She covered the case on both sides – front and back, just leaving the centre fold so that it could be closed still, if desired.

I would say, the covering’s done pretty neat for a 5 year old. No?

Now, the important element that will help the cause of pinning up. And, that’s a table mat.

I had her cut out two small pieces of rectangles from an old cotton table mat.

We glued the mats onto the inside of the frame.

And, she wanted to decorate the outside of the frame (now, a pin-up board) by cutting up the Holi card she’d made a month or so back. Re-purposing again!

I got another idea by this time.

Pari loves creating her own business cards (whatever that means for her!) and ID cards. Infact, I had bought a big set of plain cards (the size of business cards) that she could write on to (well, “reason to write”, again!).

I thought we could create a holder at the back of the frame to tuck all her cards into.

So, we separated the two parts of the cassette cover to have one of those (with a pocket) as the holder for the cards.

Glued a piece from an old greeting card to create a nice background for the cassette cover pocket.

And, just as I knew, no sooner had we finished than she started scribbling her little notes that she could pin up on her handmade board!

As you can see from the picture, Pari’s room has got many things that were re-purposed from trash.

Like, the table mat. It was once my ‘dupatta’ (stole). The flower vase was once a water jug. The sunflower box is a ‘purchase’ but it’s been made from a cardboard box. It’s very handy to store all her bits and scarps of papers, old greeting cards, cut-outs and other knick knacks.

I love upcycling/repurposing for more than one reason. The obvious reason is that it validates our eco-friendly and green living pledge. The other reason is that it inspires imagination and creativity. It’s always interesting and challenging to figure out what we are going to convert a waste into, before reaching for the dustbin.

More recycling crafts to Celebrate Earth Day (April 22)

1. Getting Crafty with Expired Pasta
   
2. 5 Ideas Encouraging Our Kids to Reduce Waste, Upcycle and Reuse
3. Upcycle Cardboard boxes into City Skyline
4. Upcycle Old Book into Paper Cone Wreath
5. Disposable Curd Box Pen/Pencil Holder

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Tagged as: being green, celebrating earth day, Earth Day, earth day kids craft, green craft, recycled craft, upcycle