Make a pen holder from an empty soda can. Its easy to make, cheap and can hold a yearly calendar as well. My first entry. Also, I don't have a digital camera so I took the pictures from a mobile cam. Hope they're good enough.

Materials required:
Empty soda can
Knife
Some playdoh (or any suitable replacement)
Pliers (optional)

Step 1: Cutting Up the Can

Take an empty soda can. Rinse it out with water so that it removes any traces of soda left in it. Cut off the top off the can using a utility knife. Cut at a plane a little above the upper rim (i.e. the point where the cylinder starts). Also please be careful not to cut yourself while doing this. The easiest way to do it is to push the knife vertically in the top so as to make a hole. Then using the point where the knife meets the can as a lever, twist the knife so that it keeps on cutting more. Kind of how a can opener works.

As you can see in the picture, I had already started cutting the top of the can.

Now you have an empty can and its top. Dispose of the can top.

Step 2: Bending the Rim

The reason for cutting at a level above the rim is this. After cutting the top off, simply twist the part above the rim to make a smoother edge. The aluminium is soft enough to be shaped with the fingers. Again if you are not careful, you can cut yourself. Use pliers if necessary. The reason why I suggest using fingers is that you want to keep the can smooth and rounded. Excessive force from any tool will bend and disfigure the smoothness of the can. Also, the aluminium can can(?) crack under excessive pressure.

If there are any deformities still present, use your judgement to press and squeeze (the can) to make it as round as possible.

Step 3: Put Some Weight Under the Can

Turn the can upside down. Take some playdoh (or any other suitable substitute), flatten it and stick it in the curved depression on the bottom of the can. This will provide some weight to the empty can and will prevent it from toppling over. Flatten it so that it doesnât poke out from the bottom and the can stands firm on the table.

Step 4: Enhancements

You can is ready to use. If you like the raw look, you can use it as it is. Otherwise you stick a blank piece of paper on the curved surface and decorate it as you like. Another idea is to print a yearly calendar on a piece of paper and stick it around the can. Here are how each of the variations look. The image quality doesn't do it justice. I'll try to upload high quality images as soon as I can

I have attached the calendar pdf. Print it at 100% scale so that it fits perfectly. Cut the page at the top left corner of January and keep cutting half an inch or so beyond December so that it fits properly.