Upcycling the phone book.

Phone books - they still arrive, with a thud. One of the great questions I put to the universe is why? Why do they still arrive?  To be turned into desk organizers? Perhaps. Visit the 3Rs for more on the idea pictured above. 

Another twist on the phone book desk organizer. Make your own with great instructions here.

The paper is pretty tricky to work with, but it makes sense for pasting onto a shade like this. Instructions here.

Great photo right?  Allison, of the 3Rs Blog, was also inspired by the thud (which is swiftly followed by the teetering pile outside the apartment building).  So she created this centerpiece ... for more pics and the how to head over to her blog.

Earth911 asked some of their favorite DIY/craft bloggers to come up with ways to repurpose phonebooks... above are the chosen five projects - I think the coasters are the most interesting! Click through for all the details

Phone book paper is also great for decoupage and paper mache.

Phone book letter, card or mail holders created for Design Sponge by Allison Patrick. Click through for the full tutorial

Use the pages to make beads and use the beads to make a brooch.

I used paper beads to make a book mark a few years ago. Phone book paper would work well for this too - instructions here.

Similar paper folding as beads... use the pages to make nesting bowls.

Clearly, this vintage case has been refabbed with sheet music. But the possibilities are endless and I think black and white pages from a phone book would look amazing. Great tutorial here.

I think the weight of phone books also makes them ideal for building furniture, like the poof picture above. They'd have to be turned spines in or painted. 

To opt out of receiving next year's phone book, go here.