Entertainment New Uses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kathryn Barnard

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

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Coupon as Grocery Store Game

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Entertainment New Uses

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Parchment Paper as Musical Instrument

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To-Go Container as Paint Palette

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CD as Ice Scraper

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CD as Invitation

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Poker Caddy as Pencil Organizer

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Beer Can as Noise Maker

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TV Remote as Hiding Place

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Book as Word Scramble

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Address Labels as Bookplates

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Jewelry Box as Game Piece Storage

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Coupon as Grocery Store Game

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Button as Board Game Piece

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Jewel Case as Recipe Card Holder

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Storybook Pages as Placemats

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Toothpaste as CD Cleaner

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Twister Mat as Tablecloth

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Kitchen Timer as Board Game Timer

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Penny as Replacement Game Piece

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CD as Candle Plate

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CD as Drink Coaster

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