RECYCLED USED BOOK PAGES

I thought I'd pull together several ideas from some amazing bloggers and crafts-people using recycled book pages. I've used photos from other blogs so be sure to check out their sites and see their other amazing art. Since I work in a library I am always surrounded by books. We also always have discarded books for sale and sometimes very old books that people have donated that just aren't in good enough condition to put out for sale. I've been collecting some of these old books to give them a new life. For pennies, you can make some of these wonderful projects too!

Alisa Burke has some wonderful ideas here using old book pages as wrapping paper and adornments.

Alisa Burke
Alisa Burke
Alisa Burke

Alisa Burke
this chain by Alisa Burke is stitched together
another cute wrap and card by Alisa Burke
watercolor leaves
turn into a beautiful wreath, by Alisa Burke
Anthropologie window
Sconce and hanging light from Boeklampen
Wall sconce and hanging light by Boeklampen
Spineless books on display by Cote De Texas
a cute paper flower by Craftside
a book shelf by Inhabitat.com
recycled book table by Inhabitat.com
This looks like a wonderful book by Jason Thompson
More books sans covers by Jennifer Rizza.
These wonderful little creations are book purses made by Caitlin Phillips at Rebound Designs. This amazing crafter makes purses out of old recycled books, lines them and makes beautiful beaded handles. Definitely check out her website and etsy shop.



Restoration Hardware display
These glass magnets are from a blog named S.C.R.A.P.
And this cute little mini garland is from Saratops on etsy.
and last but not least is a window display from Anthropologie.

NEW USE FOR OLD BOOKS

RECYCLED BOOK WREATH PROJECT

Here is a great project for those rainy or snowy days when you are stuck inside and have a little extra time on your hands. I've been looking for projects using recycled books and found this project on a blog called Under the Table and Dreaming. All you need is an old book, foam wreath, ribbon to hang it and lots of hot glue!

Start out with an old book from your shelf or buy one at the library for 50 cents. You will be using three pages at a time so go ahead and tear out three pages.

Trim the page so it is a square and then draw a spiral on it like the one below. You will trim off the corners of the pages first.

Then start cutting out the spiral design. It looks harder than it is..........

Now start rolling up the OUTSIDE end of the spiral (the end you cut first) keeping it tight in the beginning which will end up being the INSIDE of the flower.

Continue rolling keeping the bottom edges fairly level.

Here I am almost finished rolling and you can see the rounded end. You will be dropping a blob of hot glue into the center and folding DOWN this rounded end.

OK, this shows where you will squirt the hot glue, fold down the rounded end and just hold it tight for a few seconds until the glue has hardened being careful NOT to burn yourself. Easier said than done.........

Once you're finished you can start gluing the cute little rosettes onto the foam wreath.

This is what a completed flower looks like........

And from the side..........they are also pretty with a little antique finish added to the edges or maybe a little glitter.

Now just imagine a completed wreath. It does take a lot of time but I think it will be worth the time spent in the end. You will have a beautiful wreath made out of recycled books.

Sparkly Glittery Sweet Gum Balls

My sister in law always has a beautiful table arrangement for Christmas and I wanted to try to copy her sweet gum balls decorations. Her mom makes them with all of her children and grandchildren and maybe great grand children now. It's pretty simple, just gather up some Sweet Gum balls which are pretty readily available in the South. Stick toothpicks with glue into the little holes, and let dry. Then, spray paint and while the paint is still wet sprinkle glitter on top to make them sparkle. Below is my first attempt. I want to try some chunkier glitter the next time I make them and maybe try new colors like turquoise or orange. But for now, they look pretty on my mantle.

FAMILY BIBLE

The Family Bible. It conjures up images of families sitting around a room lit by candlelight with their father reading from the bible. I noticed many of the pages in this bible have darker smudges, probably from the oil from their fingertips. There are a lot in Luke describing the birth of Christ. The bible below belonged to my great-grandparents, my grandmother's parents. Her father was a judge in the town of Union, Mississippi. The forward of this bible is an illustrated dictionary of bible terms and facts. For instance, there is a drawing of what the tabernacle in the desert would have looked like and explanations of biblical measurements compared to our current day measurements. It makes it a little easier to picture a "cubit". I was surprised to find the books of 1 and 2nd Maccabees along with a book I've never heard of, Esdras. I'll have to do a little research on that. (Footnote: Esdras is the book of Ezra - when the Israelites returned from their Babylonian exile) It also has many beautiful etchings. I am having this bible restored/rebound by a local man who retired from the National Book Bindery. I'll post photos when it is returned. Until then enjoy looking at these photos.

READY FOR A "CRAFTER"NOON?

Okay girls, as I drove down our street yesterday I noticed this mass of brown stuff in my neighbor's front yard. As I looked closer I saw that they were tiny sweetgum balls.........just what I was looking for! So tonight I stopped by with a Kroger bag and filled it up. Are you ready for a Crafter-noon? We're making Sparkly Shiny Glittery Sweetgum balls!

These gorgeous shiny balls were on my sister in law's Christmas table a couple of years ago. I want to paint mine white and add translucent glitter. Now I need to clear off the work table in the basement and call my crafty friends.......