You did WHAT with that book?

Welcome!

I used to manage a used book store. People would drop off books to be given store credit. Sometimes the books were in such bad shape, we had to recycle them. Sometimes the spine would be ripped, or pages missing or falling out.

I ‘rescued’ a few of these as I saw potential in the bits & pieces. This has left me with a tidy stack of books ready to be used for crafts.

Note: I would NEVER use a good, useable, readable book for crafts. That’s just wrong!

There are so many wonderful ideas for crafting with books I wanted to share a few with you.

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So why craft with books?

1. They are readily available.

2. It’s very inexpensive.

3. They are very versatile.

4. It provides interest over plain.

5. There’s a large variety of styles.

6. It makes good ecological sense.

7. It encourages recycling.

8. It teaches upcycling.

9. They are easy to work with.

 How many more reasons can you come up with?

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Here is a unique piece of furniture. This coffee or side table base is one of a kind.

Bobvila, Pinterest

 Worried about stability? You can always drill holes and place rebar inside to keep it steady. Too industrial for your tools?  Try thick wood dowels, cut to fit at the lumber store. This table was created with Reader’s Digest Condensed books. A great place to find them is at thrift stores and garage sales.

I think out of date encyclopedias would work well also. Top with a round of wood. Finish with a clear coat of varnish.

Another, similar idea -

DIY Furniture Ideas

I love the large clock face as the top on that one!

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Here are a few ideas to do with mostly just the spines of old books. You can easily remove these with a sharp knife. Some are best if you leave 1-2” of the book itself attached; look at the photos. For those, a small saw will work best.

Scully and Scully

First, buy a cheap trash can or use a smooth sided bucket container you already have. You can hot glue the spines all around the outside.

It’s best to use books all the same height for this craft. You can decoupage the inside with a matching paper first, if desired. Be sure to spray with an acrylic sealer.

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This next project uses spines with 1-2” of the book attached in varying heights. Attach to one side of a sturdy wood box. I think wood glue would work here.  When placed on a shelf, higher up next to ‘real’ books, you have just created a hidden treasure spot.

You can use the same technique with just book spines and cover a straight sided flower pot.

This photo shows a container actually inside a group of books.

Here is a good photo showing you how to cut a circle in one book, or a stack of books, and insert a plastic container with a bottom. Add a succulent or cactus and you are set!

You might end up with some smaller pieces of book spines, or have shorter books. Covering light switch plates is perfect.

Still have some extra book spines? They make fun bookmarks. Punch a hole in the top, and use a grommet or eyelet if desired. Tie on a tassel and you are done! Do they have a musty smell, or are in danger of falling apart even more? Coat them with a few coats of matte Mod Podge.

Pinterest

You can use the same idea, and upcycle the back of Little Golden books too.

notbyamber, Pinterest

Let’s look at some more creative ideas that use an entire book. These are perfect for books that are missing some pages, but are otherwise in good condition.

Drill some holes and attach hooks for a charming key holder. This crafter also drilled holes to hang the book, but you could attach a hook on the back with strong glue also.

Don’t forget to glue your pages so the book doesn’t fall open! Using a binder clip to hold the book closed while the glue is drying works great.

Ideas2Live4

The same technique is used to make these book clocks. You can buy clock works at most craft stores. A perfect gift for that bookworm who has everything, or to decorate a study.

With the next project you do need to do some sawing. Measure twice, cut once for the proper angle for the bottom book supports. Glue everything together securely before mounting.

You can insert a flat metal wall support for extra strength.

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For these sorting wall folders you want to remove all the pages from a book - perfect for an intact book cover, but the pages are falling out. Cut from sturdy cardboard a modified triangle, x2, one for each end of the open book cover. Refer to the photo.

Cover the ‘triangle’ with pages from the book. Line the inside of the empty book with book pages also. Hot glue the triangle into place, one at each end of the book cover. Hang with a hook attached to the back. 

In the sample photo Reader’s Digest Condensed books were used for uniform size.

This recycled book purse uses similar techniques, only uses fabric instead of the cardboard triangle used above. Add some handles (found at many craft stores) or recycle some from an old purse. Attach a fastener - could be a loop and button, pre-made closure or Velcro.

DIY Enthusiasts Blog

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The next project is super simple! Purchase some metal bookends. Fold a book around them and you have easy, super cute bookends! If you want to keep the book intact simply tie some decorative ribbon or twine around the book to keep it closed.

Wordpress.com

You can make a hidden treasure book by cutting out the insides of many pages. I find this to be rather tedious, but haven’t found a better way yet.

When you have your hole deep enough, glue your pages together. To make it extra nice, line the inside with book pages. These make very unique and desirable gifts.

By adding a few accessories like gluing an envelope to the inside top, you have a special place for your stationery and stamps.

Brit&Co

You can take a hollowed out book and make an enchanting fairy spot with a little bit of dried moss and some fairy-sized furniture and accessories.

…and another hollowed out book idea -

A tissue box cover!

OHSOTIF

You may have to do a little searching for just the right size book for a tissue box to fit, but well worth the effort I think!

Here is another hollowed out book project. For a pleasing view, take a plate and draw an arch at the top. Continue cutting pages with an arch top until it is deep enough for you.

Waxing Poetic

Now you have some choices. If you want to use it as a display for items to sell, cover an insert (piece of cardboard) with a layer of batting and a scrap of velvet. You can use T-pins to hang items from, such as key rings or bracelets. Safety pins also work well, if you don’t want customers to be able to easily remove items. If you want to use this idea for a personal decorative display, think about hand sewing your items to the velvet backing with just a few stitches. Either choice you will have a unique and attractive display.

If you have a larger book, why not turn it into a shadow box?

You can cut individual boxes, but then you have a lot of pages to glue. Or you can cut a large opening. Remove part of the cover of the book, as seen in the photo. Purchase inexpensive wood rods at your local craft or home helper store. Cut to size as many ‘boxes’ as you want. Cover with a few of the pages you have cut out. Glue together, then fit into opening and glue in place. Clever, and quite a bit cheaper than the shadow boxes you might purchase.

Finish with a picture hanger on the back.

Hint: if you bring exact dimensions, many home stores will cut wood for you for free or a very small fee.

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Are you ready to go find some beat up books yet? Check with your local library. Many times they get donated books that they cannot use and you can have for free. Ask at your local thrift store when their shipment of books comes in each week. Request to be there to take off their hands any books they cannot sell. (A small donation or offer to volunteer goes a long way for both places).

Visit your local second hand bookstore. They always have extra books they need to sell/give away for pennies.

School libraries are another option. They have limited space and need to make room every year for new books. They also sort out books that are in less than ideal condition every year.

I was originally going to make this blog about upcycled books and book page crafts, but I found too many good book crafts. If I had added in all the great page crafts additionally, this blog would definitely qualify as its’ own book! Recycled book page crafting will have to wait for its’ very own blog in the future.

Looking forward to sharing with you!

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Many of the photos I have used had no one to give credit to, or were posted and re-posted so many times on Pinterest it was impossible to determine who the rightful owner was.

If you know of anyone who deserves credit, please let me know.

Some websites I checked out while researching this blog, in no particular order:

lightandlayer.com

Peanutblossom.com

Catchmyparty.com

willtiptip.com

Pinterest 

It’s a Book Party!

 Welcome!

Have you ever thought about starting a book club? A gathering of soon-to-be friends discussing a book all have read?

Fall is a perfect time to start!

The kids are back in school; weather is getting a little cooler, and outside activities are starting to dwindle.

To get started, choose a book. It can be something from the New York Times top 10 list, it can be a classic, or it can be genre motivated.

Your local librarian is a great resource.

Once you have a book chosen, and where you want to meet (again, many libraries have meeting rooms free with a reservation) it’s time to send out invitations. Putting up notices at your library or local bookstore can work, if you don’t mind unknown people coming. Be safe. Be careful. But this is also how friendships can develop.

Let’s make some creative invitations!

The idea of using a library card for an invite is so clever! Here is just one example I found of many on Pinterest.

Etsy

This next one you can order from the company.

Canva Templates

There are many different styles of pre-printed invites, or ones you can order from stationery companies.

Paperless Post

You’ve got your flyers or invitations prepared, what’s next? You might want to put a small notice in your local city newspaper. Of course there is also all the social media sites.

If you know who is coming it can take you less than 1 hour to make a batch of bookmarks, and personalize them. There are so many bookmark ideas out there I need another blog to cover them! But here are some ideas:

(Seen above) Magazine name bookmarks: card stock or old Manila folders, book pages and magazine letters cut out. Add string for a tassel.

Don’t know who is coming? Have the base bookmark pre-made. Then cut out an assortment of largish letters from magazines, and have sorted by letter. Provide glue sticks or double stick tape. The attendees can then make their own bookmarks quickly and easily.

Playing card bookmarks: punch a hole at the top. Finish with a grommet if desired. Add tassel (you can make these out of embroidery floss if you want).

Book spine bookmarks: from old beat up hardback books, cut off the spines. You can Mod Podge them if the inside is a bit musty. Punch hole, use a grommet if desired, add ribbon tassel.

Dictionary page Bookmarks: cut old dictionary pages into bookmark shape. Back with cardstock or old Manila folders. Braid a few strands of embroidery floss for the tassel. Write with permanent black ink names of attendees. 
(I haven’t given credit to anyone as these ideas are all over Pinterest.)

Again, don’t know who is coming? Recruit a friend with nice handwriting. She can add the name as people come in.

Found on Etsy
Want to do a little decorating to make the first meeting a bit special? The following ideas are quick, easy, and won’t be messy to put up or take down.

Banners and Garlands

Book pages lend themselves to pennant style banners so easily. The one above has cut out letters on the pages. The one below is cut from a children’s book with illustrations randomly scattered throughout.

Pinwheel Garland

Remember the paper fans we used to fold in school to cool us off? That’s what these are, x2. Glue the edges together to make a circle ‘fan’ with a thin ribbon sandwiched in between.

Circle Garland
A circle paper punch (here they used a scallop circle one), book pages and string are all you need for this garland. You can glue the circles onto the string, or you can even sew them together.

Hearts Garland

This one is more time consuming, but certainly looks great. Cut strips of book pages as follows: for each heart you will need 1”x9”, 1”x7”, 1”x5” and 1”x3”. Look at the photo and fold the smallest strip in half, and bend the top. Add the next largest, then the next largest, etc. Staple the ends together to form the heart. My directions don’t have the strip in the center to use for the hanging ribbon. I just tied ribbon around each heart at an angle.  Make your strips longer for bigger hearts.

Tabletop Decor

These are just fun little extras to make that first meeting special. You can set these on a coffee table, entry table or kitchen/dining room table. The idea is quick, easy, and thematic.

The Antiqued Journey 

Simply take a handful of hardback

books and tie ribbon or lace around them. Tuck in a sprig of baby’s breath or small silk flowers. Charming!

Even better, if your book’s author has written more than one book, use her other books for this display.

Kelli Kania (Gamache)

Here is a similar idea, with a teacup setting placed on top of the stack of books. I like it that the tied books are only two, then stacked on top of each other at an angle. You can use a fresh flower in the teacup, silk florals or even something like Jordan almonds.

I love this next idea, even though it is more time consuming and you really have to have a large table to show it off. But how cool is this?

Book Page Table runner

No credit, as there were many variations on Pinterest.

Have a stack of book pages. The runners I have seen have all used the same size pages. Start laying them out with edges slightly overlapping. Refer to photo. Stand back and look at what you’ve done. Like it? Then start gluing. Just a few dabs will do. I don’t like glue sticks as I think they come apart too readily, but some folks do like them. I use a DAB of Aleene’s Tacky Glue in the gold bottle, or Art Institute Glitter Adhesive Glue. Continue laying pages down and gluing until the length you want is reached. 

Book Page Doilies

This idea is similar to the table runner, only you lay the pages to form a circle, like a doily. These can be as big or small as you want. This is great for little side tables in a home, or used as doilies for food platters.

Paper Punched table runner

Brit Morin
Love the table runner idea, but not the boho look? Lay out your pages with a slight overlap at the center. Using a border punch to punch a decorative border on both sides. You can run a thin line of glue to attach them at the center, or strips of double sided tape.

This works best for a shorter table runner.

Lively, posted on Pinterest

Love this one made with vintage children’s book pages.

Every gathering needs a little food, don’t you think? It can be simple or fancy, whatever you feel like. Just remember the first meeting may set a precedent for future meetings so simple might be best for the initial get together.

I love these ‘green eggs with ham’!

If you have any glucose-free or specialty diet foods, these scrabble letter signs are so clever.

Cupcakes are super easy, and easy to dress up too. Here you just punch out shapes, sandwich a toothpick between 2 shapes and glue together.

Short on time? These book page toothpicks look just as charming in store-bought cupcakes. Have a recognizable theme? Use punches that compliment it. For instance a Harry Potter theme could have owl-shaped punched toppers, or Little Women could have hat shaped pokes. Yes, they do make punches in those shapes! Or use plastic swords (used for cocktails) for an Aladdin theme!

Book Page Cones are quick and easy for popcorn, circus peanuts, candied pecans, etc. These have been made with pages from a children’s book, as the book read is a children’s book.

Next is a book cake used for a baby shower. Replace the crib with a book shelf, a mini book or something themed from the book club choice and you have a super cake idea!

Your Book Party/Book Club should be fun and interesting and stimulating. I am giving suggestions to ‘dress up’ the event, but the bottom line is people gathering together for an intelligent discussion about a mutually read book.

Don’t want to have a focus on food, but would like to send everyone home with a little ‘bookish’ reminder of the evening?

Next I have a few ideas to share with you that I have found just for that!

The little Smartie bag toppers are a bit juvenile, but are sure to bring a smile to all attendees! And so will these -

Bag toppers are so easy to print yourself, or stamp or even hand write; then staple to a Baggie of goodies.

Book Bub 

Lifesaver mini bags with quotes

This next idea I would tweak just a little.

Purchase little bags that fit one Lifesaver mint (I have bought the bags at both Amazon and at Michael’s stores). Use book pages for a bag topper, only make them large enough for a quote. (See photo). The only thing I would change are the quotes. With a lifesaver I want quotes that have to do with treasure, islands, boats, water, etc. and reading! I like Dave Barry’s quote-

“Reading is a vacation for the mind “

I also like-

“There is more treasure in books than all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island”.

Lastly I found these cute mini ‘book’ chocolates. Wrap individual chocolates with book pages. Just a strip around is enough. Print out covers of a variety of books. Glue on top.

Since you have already scanned book covers, why not make a few cupcake toppers? These are done with Little Golden Book covers.

To make your Book Club time interesting, here are some good start-up questions to ask:

Here is a fun way to break the ice:

Are you thinking about going to a Book Club yet? It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors, or people at church, too.

Still not sure? Check this chart out!

I hope this blog has made you think about starting or joining a book club.

Do drop me a note and let me know what book y’all are reading!

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Note: you may wonder why I do not give credit below each photo I use. It is 1 of 2 reasons.

1. The idea is on Pinterest in so many similar ways it is impossible to tell who had the original idea.

2. There are no credits or anything attached to the photo.

As always, if you see a photo and you know whose it is, please let me know so I can give credit where it is due.

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Some websites I checked out for this blog, in no particular order:

mealplanningmommies.com

Plumdeluxe.com

Catchmyparty.com

Pinterest

Teaandinksociety.com

Houseofmahalo.com

DiynCrafts.com

Inspiringsavings.com

Etsy

Acultivatednest.com

Thetablereadmagazine.co.uk