Wondering what to do with old books you don’t want to read anymore? Learn how to upcycle them into book page crafts, like this adorable owl.
I am a spine cracker. I dog ear book pages to mark my progress. So is it any wonder that I’m OK with upcycling old novels into book page crafts?
Isn’t this owl book page art just the cutest? It’s a great handmade touch for fall. (You might remember this from my fall home tour.)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. If you make a purchase from my referral, I will earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and companies I love. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Supplies
- Thin paperback book
- Clip art pattern
- Pen
- Craft knife and paper snips scissors
- Cutting mat
- Hot glue gun
- Buttons
You can make book page crafts in virtually any shape — though it’s probably best to start with something simple without a many intricate cuts or angles.
This clip art owl was the perfect pattern for this project.
Choose a book that will lay flat when opened. Remove the covers and open to the center.
Fold the pattern in half.
Place the pattern on one side of the book, flush with the spine, and outline it.
Use a craft knife or scissors to cut around the outline, leaving the book’s spine intact. Continue slicing through the page layers until you’ve finished with one side. Be sure to work on a cutting mat.
Flip the pattern and repeat on the other side of the book. This may take a while and make a bit of a mess. (Be prepared to sweep or vacuum afterwards!)
Run a line of hot glue along the book’s outside spine (the part that would have been facing out on a bookshelf.) Pinch the two sides of the spine together until the glue has dried.
Fluff the pages to create a 3-dimensional shape.
Cut out oval two eye shapes from the paper scraps. Glue on button eyes, then attach these pieces to the owl shape with hot glue. Be careful not to glue the book pages together.
Fold a square of paper in half, on the diagonal, to create a triangle. Crease in the middle to make the owl’s beak. Position between the eyes and glue.
Making book page art is just one of the many ways you can upcycle old reading material. I’ll be sharing the tutorial soon for the book clock you see in these photos.
Until then, why not:
- Turn the spines of old volumes into bookmarks?
- Roll the pages and glue them in a circle to make a pretty wreath?
- Turn old books into floating wall shelves?
- Paper a wall with passages from your favorite novel?
- Decoupage a bookcase with early readers?
- Transform a stack of books into a one-of-a-kind lamp?
If you enjoyed this project, be sure to check out these ideas:
Leave a Reply