DIY Upcycled Crafts {Magazine Edition}

Ever since I was young, I have loved working with magazines. The feel of the glossy pages against my hands is therapy itself, which is why it's not surprising that magazines are a great component to art therapy.

When I took a class on "The Art of Art Therapy," we would not only learn some of the psychology that went along with art therapy, but we would also participate in actual art as well. This meant drawing mandalas, painting, writing, working with yarn, and of course, playing with magazines. We made everything from "magazine coasters" to inspirational collages to our very own magazines made out of magazine materials. So as you can image, I have a deep love for magazines and everything you can create from them.

Since the Christmas holiday is upon us, I thought it would be fun to find some crafty, spirited items you could make at home out of old magazines you might have lying around.

The first DIY item is an envelope made out of a magazine page.

Isn't it gorgeous? 

It looks incredibly simple (although I wouldn't use a post-it note as an address label!) and I'm sure you could find some truly stunning images to make your envelope out of. This would be a perfect way to send those Christmas cards, especially if you can find a magazine page full of holiday cheer! I'm definitely going to have to try this one out.

Next up is a unique way to decorate your gift boxes...a gift bow made out of a magazine page!

This project may be a bit trickier, but the tutorial on the page looks like it should have just enough directions and images for you to wrap up this festive little bow in no time! 

Lastly, if you're really in a cheerful mood, you can try your hand at a magazine Christmas tree! 

These are adorable, and although probably the most time-consuming of the three projects, are quite popular this year. I would imagine the repetitive folding becomes relaxing after a while and the eventual ripping of the outside of the magazine you're using is pretty enjoyable. I think these would look so cute lining the table runner of a dining table!  

Do you know of any other great magazine crafts?