Maybe I should have titled this something happier like upcycling old paperbacks into beautiful Christmas decor, but let’s be real I chopped up some books to decorate my table. I already shared the napkin tutorial, so here’s the paper craft edition. First the ornaments then the book page Christmas trees.
I am about to admit something that will probably make me lose any crafty or blogger credit I might have…this was the first time I used Mod Podge. I mod podged some paper scraps to ornaments to use as placecards. It’s super easy as all of you reading this I am sure already know.
I bought a box of ornaments 10 for $2.50 at Walmart to transform into some ball of a cut up classic (Dante’s Inferno in this case).
Here’s some tips for my fellow perfectionist out there on how to mod podge book pages to ornaments perfectly:
- Start at the top and work your way down and around.
- Make sure your font is the same on your tiny book scrap. (No italics, etc.)
- No white space. Every scrap should be completely covered with words only.
- Attach them right side up.
I don’t know why these things are a must, but they make the ornaments look 100% better if they are done this way. Trust me I know. I may or may not have made a bunch for my tree as well.
Here the ornaments are being used as name plates/party favor.
Craft 2: Book page Christmas trees. I actually remade these when I found these paper mache stars. You need to exacto 2 sets of 30 book pages.
It’s all about folding. Begin by folding the top corner to the center. Then take your folded corner to the center. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Best when watching Elf.
For the next set of pages just flip the “spine” on the right, so you will fold the same way just flipped. For example, the top left will be folded down to the center which is now on the right.
Cut the points off the bottom, so your tree will stand up.
You will have 2 pieces that now just need to be glued together. It’s that easy.
Bust out the tacky glue and glue the star right down the middle. Then glue the second piece.
And done with the book page Christmas tree. It takes about 20 minutes.
I painted the stars gold and returned my book page Christmas trees to the tablescape.
Crafts that you can do quickly with materials you most likely have on hand. Double win. Check out more Christmas crafts over at Hi Sugarplum.
I love the little trees! I think I commented on your tablescape post that I wanted to make some book page trees this year, too . . . I haven’t made them yet because I didn’t know how and now I do
Thanks for the instructions!
Good I’m glad I could help! Does this mean there will be even more books destroyed in the Brown home?
I’m still drooling over your table. It’s so classy. So not me. 😛
I love those book tress. If I didn’t have 1 million other things to do, I would try them. Or I would make chocolate chip cookies like I just did. Fail. I’m gonna pin these babies for next year!
Haha anyone that can sew some burlap stocking has class, so there! Also you just made cookies instead of eating the ones from the bag like I do. Classy. 😉 Thanks for the pinterest love!
Wow! This looks like Martha Stewart! I put up two little fake trees on our mantle. They have no decorations and aren’t plugged in so….pretty typical for a Fresh House Christmas!
Don’t be fooled by the fancy pictures and the pretty table. The rest of the house isn’t decorated…like at all. I’m working on stockings for the mantle right now. There’s like a million steps just to finish 1 thing when decorating for Christmas. I never noticed until this year, so I won’t judge you Cecile.
hi my name is cassie and i am a book killer.
love this project and love your dining room still!
also, i justify it by telling myself that the world is going full on paperless…. may as well use all those books for something we can still enjoy!
Oh my gosh Cassie you are so right!! That makes me feel much better! Also I was never going to read those. There are too many blogs that require my reading! 😉
LOVE those book page trees! I’ve never used Mod Podge either so it looks like I just lost some crafty street cred haha
Well you did use gold leaf, so I think that’s worth more craft points than Mod Podge. You win!
I love both of these projects, if’s hard to pick a favorite. Good thing I don’t have to
I will have to get me some antique books I can mangle now 
Do it!!
I love these projects! I’m a sucker for gorgeous things to do with pretty old book pages and these are beautiful! =)
Thanks! Easy and (relatively) free definitely makes this project pretty awesome.
These are both such gorgeous ideas! I keep finding things that I want to do next year
Haha yes thank God for pinterest! A whole year is more than enough time for me to completely forget!
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I made that when I was at school but the teacher painted with silver paint.
I bet that was cute! It would look good dipped in paint too!
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