How to easily turn junk mail into a cute wastebasket

If you have a lot of junk mail lying around instead of tossing it in the wastebasket, try putting it on the wastebasket!  This cute wastebasket is so easy to make with some Modpodge decoupage glue, some strips of junk mail and a little time. 

When you are done you will have a colorful quilt-like and very cute wastebasket!  The paper may wrinkle a bit when you add the strips. The wrinkled look adds texture and gives it a quilt-like appearance.  So much fun that you can even get the kids involved! 

Materials:

A small round wastebasket, any color

A pile of junk mail, flyers or advertising media

Tacky craft glue

Scissors or paper cutter

Mod Podge decoupage glue

Paintbrush

Turn ordinary junk Mail into a cute wastebasket

1.     Cut the junk mail into strips.  Vary the thickness but a good start is ¼”.  It is easier if you stack them together and cut the strips with a paper cutter but you can use scissors.  You can even use a shredder.

2.     Spread some tacky glue around the edge of the wastebasket.  Begin adding strips around.  Overlap and connect each strip.  Continue adding glue and strips working your way down the wastebasket.  If a strip doesn’t meet connect with smaller strips.  Being perfect doesn’t matter and you can’t do it wrong.  Let dry.  You may notice that the strips may wrinkle slightly; this is desirable since it adds texture to the wastebasket.  You can smooth the wrinkles down with your fingers if desired.

If strips don't meet cut smaller pieces to connect

3.     When the wastebasket has dried use the paint brush to spread some Gloss Modpodge over the entire surface and let dry.

Scotch Quick-Drying Tacky Glue, 4-oz - Glue & Adhesives