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  1. Real Simple
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Entertainment New Uses

Real Simple Author
By Real Simple Editors Updated April 03, 2013
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Parchment Paper as Musical Instrument
Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Suprising new ways to use books, CDs, games, and more.
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Parchment Paper as Musical Instrument

Parchment Paper as Musical Instrument
Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Make a kazoo by folding a piece of parchment or wax paper over a comb’s teeth (the paper should hang over about an inch).

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To-Go Container as Paint Palette

New use: to-go container as paint palette
Credit: Nicole Hill Gerulat; Styling: Kristine Trevino

Even a starving artist eats takeout sometimes. Use the plastic top from a to-go container as a palette for mixing colors; when you’re finished, just toss.

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CD as Ice Scraper

CD as Ice Scraper
Credit: Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Too cold to hunt down the real deal? Use a jewel case to clear the frost from your windshield.

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CD as Invitation

CD as Invitation
Credit: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran

Make jazzy (or rockin’) invitations. Jot down party details on the shiny side and mail the CD out in a cushioned envelope (postage: about a dollar).

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Poker Caddy as Pencil Organizer

Poker caddy
Credit: James Wojcik

Dialed back on late nights? Corral some clutter with that poker caddy. Glue a poker chip to the bottom of each slot, then close the gaps on the sides with playing cards to create compartments for stray pens and pencils.

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Beer Can as Noise Maker

Beer can
Credit: James Wojcik

Cut down on drinking? You can still start 2012 off with a bang—or at least a rattle. Drop a dozen coins into a clean, empty beer can and seal the opening with tape. When the clock strikes 12, shake some noise.

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TV Remote as Hiding Place

TV remote control storing cash
Credit: James Wojcik

Curbed your TV watching? Remove the batteries from an old remote and stuff the empty compartment with emergency cash, a spare key, or anything else you need handy (but hidden).

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Book as Word Scramble

Book as word scramble
Credit: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran

For the kids' table: Cut out 30 or so words from old children's books (the fonts are larger) and challenge them to form sentences with the pieces.

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Address Labels as Bookplates

Book labeled with return address label sticker
Credit: Mark Weiss

Stick or tape them on anything you don't want to lose: books, magazines, umbrellas, Tupperware containers, cell phones, the stapler on your desk at work. That way your stuff will see many happy returns.

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Jewelry Box as Game Piece Storage

Jewelry box used to organize a drawer
Credit: Kathryn Barnard

Store game pieces, play money, or other priceless rainy-afternoon distractions.

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Coupon as Grocery Store Game

Coupons used to distract children
Credit: James Baigrie

Ward off temper tantrums in the supermarket by handing out unneeded coupons and have your kids go on a scavenger hunt. First one to spot five items gets a big prize (okay, a pack of bubble gum) at checkout.

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Button as Board Game Piece

Button as boardgame piece
Credit: James Wojcik

Is your Monopoly game missing its top hat? Replace wayward board-game pieces without missing a beat (or a turn).

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Jewel Case as Recipe Card Holder

Recipe card displayed in CD case
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Easily display a recipe card during meal prep by opening the CD case and bending it back as shown, then place the card (after cutting it to fit, if necessary) on top.

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Storybook Pages as Placemats

Storybook pages as placemats
Credit: Mark Lund

Add some character(s) to a table setting by sandwiching favorite storybook pages between lamination sheets (available at office-supply stores). Catchy text and colorful pictures (think Dr. Seuss and nursery rhymes) are especially attention-grabbing.

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Toothpaste as CD Cleaner

CD and toothpaste
Credit: Burcu Avsar

To restore a damaged CD, apply a dot of non-gel formulat toothpaste to a cotton cloth and rub in a straight line from the center of the CD outward, covering any scratches. Rinse off the toothpaste with water.

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Twister Mat as Tablecloth

Twister mat used as a party tablecloth
Credit: James Baigrie

Protect the dinner table during a kid’s party, so right-hand-red Kool-Aid spills and left-hand-blueberry pie blobs don’t become permanent features.

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Kitchen Timer as Board Game Timer

Kitchen Timer as Board Game Timer
Credit: James Wojcik

Keep games fair. Replace the sand timer in a board game with a much less subtle kitchen timer. (The dinging will keep the game moving.)

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Penny as Replacement Game Piece

Penny as Replacement Game Piece
Credit: James Wojcik

Replace a missing piece of your family’s favorite board game. Just remember: No fighting over who gets to be president!

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CD as Candle Plate

CD as Candle Plate
Credit: James Wojcik

Catch messy candle drippings. Rest a pillar candle on top of a CD placed shiny-side-up to reflect the glow.

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CD as Drink Coaster

CD as Drink Coaster
Credit: James Wojcik

Stop wet glasses from leaving messy tracks on the tabletop. Truth is, some CDs are more useful as coasters.

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    1 of 20 Parchment Paper as Musical Instrument
    2 of 20 To-Go Container as Paint Palette
    3 of 20 CD as Ice Scraper
    4 of 20 CD as Invitation
    5 of 20 Poker Caddy as Pencil Organizer
    6 of 20 Beer Can as Noise Maker
    7 of 20 TV Remote as Hiding Place
    8 of 20 Book as Word Scramble
    9 of 20 Address Labels as Bookplates
    10 of 20 Jewelry Box as Game Piece Storage
    11 of 20 Coupon as Grocery Store Game
    12 of 20 Button as Board Game Piece
    13 of 20 Jewel Case as Recipe Card Holder
    14 of 20 Storybook Pages as Placemats
    15 of 20 Toothpaste as CD Cleaner
    16 of 20 Twister Mat as Tablecloth
    17 of 20 Kitchen Timer as Board Game Timer
    18 of 20 Penny as Replacement Game Piece
    19 of 20 CD as Candle Plate
    20 of 20 CD as Drink Coaster

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