How to Decorate Notebook Covers with Broken CDs
Old, scratched CDs lying around can still be useful, if you know how to recycle them as art. Here’s how to make artistic front covers for small memo pad notebooks using your old CDs.
What You’ll Need:
CDs (ideally AOL and free samples, or other non-working CDs/DVDs)
Hammer and Canvas Bag
Scissors
Newspapers
Drop Cloth (Optional)
Mod Podge (All in one Glue/Finish found at craft stores, which dries clear)
Paintbrush or Sponge that can be used for crafts, may be damaged depending on aftercare
Notebook with blank cardboard or plastic front cover
Acrylic Paint (Optional)
Procedure:
Prepare the CDs for use by either of the following methods, or a combination:
Put the CDs in a canvas bag and smash them with a hammer over the edge of a solid surface (like steps, outdoor banister, work bench or a large rock). Make sure you don’t damage home furnishings or floor. Create a variety of shapes and small pieces.
You can cut shapes from the CDs, triangles, ovals, rectangles. This can be useful if you are planning a specific design for your notebook, or if you have no good place to shatter the CDs safely. Cutting also results in less sharp edges, so this method is more appropriate if decorating notebook for a younger child.
Set up a work area with protective covering; a drop cloth is ideal, but newspapers work as well. If working outside, this is not an activity good for a windy day because dirt and leaves might fall into the gluey finish during the drying period. Also, place the Mod Podge bottle, broken CDs and Paintbrush on the surface near your notebook. Take one newspaper page to place inside the front cover of the notebook, so that the glue does not get stuck on any of the pages.
Use brush or sponge to put on a thin layer of Mod Podge across the whole cover of the notebook.
Place a layer of broken CDs in whatever pattern you want on the cover; whole, half, specific shapes and little shattered pieces all look cool. If you want it to be thicker, or want more of a design, it is okay to layer pieces, just place a thick Layer of Mod Podge in between each layer. Remember that the drying time may be longer with more glue. If there are a lot of sharp edges, you may want to put a dot or a layer of mod Podge to protect the user of the notebook from inadvertent injuries.
Allow those Layers of Mod Podge to set, about 45 minutes to an hour, before moving on to the last steps. If you’re not painting, skip this and continue to step seven, after 45 to 60 minutes, or when the Mod Podge has set in its place.
Determine whether you want to paint some CDs or a specific shape/design, or leave them plain. If you will be painting you must do it before the last coat of mod podge is glazed over as a finish. Leave for an hour, and once paint is dry, move on to the following step.
Place a thin layer over all the CDs and the cover; make sure not to leave globs because they will make gluey-whitish bubbles on the project.
Allow notebook to dry between 2 to 5 hours, depending on the amount of Mod Podge used. Once the finish is completely clear and either glossy or matte-looking (depending on the variety you choose) it is fine to remove the News Paper from the inside of the cover and return to using the notebook.
Some Reminders:
Broken CD pieces can be very sharp. Be very careful when grabbing them.
The cover of the notebook will become solid and will not be easily folded behind itself. If you take a lot of notes in class, and needs space on their desk for other things, this project might not be suitable.
Don’t put your old CDs in the trash just yet! With these easy steps, you can create a lovely masterpiece of your own.