Sunday, March 13, 2011

DIY Decorative Books

Hello!  Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  Spring is definitely in the air!  I've been taking advantage of the nice days to get out and do some yard work.  Our property is a little over a half acre so it's a lot to take care of and it pays to get a head start. 

In between cleaning up yard debris and trying to continue my new year's resolution of exercising, I've been working on a few projects.  A few small ones and one big one.  I have a blanket chest that I started last week and it's coming along quite nicely.  I probably won't have that done for a few more days though.  So for the meantime, here's just a little crafty project to get you by.

I've been seeing decorative books EVERYWHERE!  I really like the idea of using them on side tables or on shelves.  I've seen some in catalogs that cost an arm and a leg.... and why?  Who knows!  But I decided to just make my own.

So off to the dollar store where they actually sell hard back books.  Not that I would ever actually read any of them. LOL!  But for only $1 each it's a good way to go for DIY decorative books.

I made sure to get the cutest ones they had that would coordinate with some other accessories I was going to set them next to. 







I sifted through my scrap booking supplies and picked out some cute paper and embellishments.  I measured the paper over the ends of the books and cut them to size.  Then I used some mod podge to glue it on and put two coats over the top to seal it.  (I think mod podge is my new best friend!) haha!

Next I knew I wanted some kind of decorative element on the top of one of them.  I had this cute floral patterned paper that I wanted to mimic... but I'm definitely not an artist.  So I experimented and found the perfect way to do it. 

I taped the paper to the book and traced out the pattern with a pencil, making sure to press down really hard to create an indentation on the cover.  Once I peeled up the paper, the floral  pattern was indented on there.  Sweet!



You can see the top portion where I had already traced.


Then I just painted it and added a few little embellishments.  And voila!  Total cost of this project was $2!






I put them on this little side table/nightstand that I distressed (click here to see that). 












Cheap and easy just the way I like it! LOL :)


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23 comments:

  1. You know people think I have a lot of energy! They obviously have not met you yet. Awesome job!
    Thanks again for joining my newbie party.
    Debbiedoos blogging and blabbing.

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  2. I just love this!!!! I think I would like to do this!!1 Will let you know when I do and how it turns out. You inspire me.
    Blessings, Lori

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  3. Great idea.. they look great!

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  4. Love those! I have seen those around before and I loved them then and I still love them...guess that means I need to make some! Found you from DebbieDoo's newbie party and I'm now following you!

    krazycraftylady.blogspot.com

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  5. I love this! So simple and yet so clever! Swoon!!! And thanks for all the sweet comments on my blog! You are off to a rockin' start!

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  6. What a great idea! I recently bought some Dollar Tree books too, I'm excited to try and work with them. Thanks for the inspiration, I'm your newest follower!

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  7. What a great idea! I love the color choices you used on the books. I found you from Debbiedoo's and am your 100th follower!

    Melanie
    youmadethat.blogspot.com

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  8. i love this, the books are great, and the little table too! thanks for sharing this at my party!!!

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  9. Love the books. It looks great. Thanks for sharing at my Swing into Spring party.

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  10. Creative as ALWAYS!

    I LOVE this! Come on ova' and link up to WHASSUP!!! xoxokara




    *ENTER LINKY PAR-TAY Here! *

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  11. What a cute little nightstand once it is all put together. Those book fit perfectly!! Thank you for linking up to my Marvelous Mess party!! Hope to see you next week!! http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com

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  12. i love those books- how cute! hello! i am your newest follower from the blog hop. your site is so cute and i look forward to reading more posts. i would also appreciate if you took some time to check out my blog and followed me too! thanks & have a great day!
    http://milliemorganmedia.blogspot.com

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  13. Oh cute! I love this idea! I have a couple books sitting in my kitchen window atrium thingy (who knows what the real name is lol) and I think I'm going to do this to them! Thanks again for linking up!

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  14. Mod podge your books...you just gave me a brilliant idea! I'm going to grab my phone away from my children (they are playing a frog game on it) and shoo them up the steps so we can get to work. I will let you know when I'm done! Thanks for sharing, love the books!

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  15. What a great idea... will definitely pick up books the next time I go dollar store shopping! New follower via the DIYHSP.

    -caroline
    http://cwfrosting.blogspot.com

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  16. These look great! I love the green. I'm a new follower!

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  17. I featured these on my blog today! Stop by and take a look:
    www.karismaheartsavannah.blogspot.com
    Love your blog:)

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  18. It's amazing how old books can make a room look so much elegant.


    lisa

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