{ A sneak peek at the Riker library, Oct 2011 }
Once upon a time, I thought I’d never meet a book that didn’t deserve a home on my bookshelves. But if living in a 787-square-foot loft has taught me anything, it’s that I wish I had more storage space life is too short to waste library space on books you’ll never read again.
“Living small” has its obvious challenges. We’re constantly downsizing and decluttering, which means there’s a near-constant pile of “stuff” sitting here, waiting to be sold or donated. Sound familiar?
{ My giveaway pile is NOT this big or this well-organized! Photo credit: Rachel H via CC by 2.0 license }
What’s a girl to do when she’s short on supplies or money and in need of a little fall craft fix?
Re-purpose something from the giveaway pile, of course!
So I have two words for you…
Book Pumpkin!
Hello cuteness!
This book pumpkin on my fall mantel has been a big hit with everyone who’s seen it in person. I can’t tell you how many “oohs” and “ahhs” it’s gotten already — Don’t you love when that happens?! 
The best part? This is SO easy and inexpensive to make! (I’m talking zero dollars, if you already have an old book lying around.)
There are other tutorials out there already, but I thought I’d do one just fun. After a little tweaking and playing around with different methods, this is what I came up with and seemed to work best. . .
Supplies:
- old paperback book (mass-market paperbacks are ideal for this project) Bonus points if it’s one of your husband’s geeky sci-fi/fantasy books!
- Sharpie marker & scrap paper (for drawing your pumpkin shape)
- pen or pencil
- craft knife
- scissors (for clean-up trimming, if needed)
- cutting mat
- paper clips (or glue or double-sided tape)
- piece of hardwood mulch (for stem)
How To:
Tear the front and back cover off your book. The paper covering on the spine should tear off easily with either the front or back cover. Be sure to keep the binding in tact, as this will allow your pages to stay together and “accordion” open nicely.
Draw a half-pumpkin shape on scrap paper & cut out. This will be your template.
Trace the half-pumpkin shape onto your book. (I turned my book upside-down, so when the pumpkin stands open on display, the words aren’t easily readable.)
Now it’s time to start cutting. I found it easiest to work in small sections. Lift up a small section of pages and place your cutting mat inside.
Using your craft knife, slowly cut along the inside of your line, making sure your cuts go all the way through to the cutting mat. (Without working in sections like this or using a cutting mat, I was left with a frustrating tangle of partially-cut pages underneath. Working in sections helped to keep things clean and consistent — and because I wasn’t wrestling with so many half-cut pages, it went a lot quicker too!)
Remove your scraps as you go. Tear the scraps in the middle for easy removal and peel each side off the binding.
Use your previously cut section(s) as a guide for tracing the pumpkin shape on your next section. If you feel like you’re straying too far from the original pumpkin shape, just use your original template to trace the shape instead.
Continue working in sections, cutting and tracing your way through the book. Your cuts won’t be uniform every time, and that’s OK. (There’s not many perfectly symmetrical pumpkins in real life either!)
When you’re finished cutting through the entire book, use scissors to clean up any stray cuts or jagged edges (if needed).
Go through the book and bend the spine open every few pages, so your pumpkin has a nice, full shape. And then attach the front and back pages together. For easy dis-assembly after the season’s over, I used a couple discreetly-placed paper clips. Otherwise, you could use glue or double-sided tape to adhere the front and back pages together permanently.
Insert stem. For my pumpkin, I simply picked a piece of hardwood mulch from the garden (yay for free!) If you want to get even more crafty, you could try fashioning a stem out of wire, like this one by Miss Teresa @ Sagebrush Ridge (who inspired me to try this project in the first place!)
* * * * *
That’s it! Easy-peasy and FREE! (And it looks pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself.)
So. . . what do you think? Are you ready to grab a book and start crafting? (Sorry, librarians!) Have you made a book pumpkin or other book craft recently? How did it turn out? Do you think Mr. Dewey (of Decimal fame) would approve of us cutting up old books? I’m guessing not
Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Thanks for stopping by!
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If you’re looking for more inspiration & fall craft ideas, check out:
Tags: book craft, DIY, fall craft party, fall decor, pumpkin craft
You’ve definitely inspired me to make something out of a stack of old books I have. Also, LOVE your library! We have books spread throughout our house
Thanks, Andrea! I’m a notorious furniture re-arranger, so the library moves periodically (along with everything else), but I think I love it here in the hallway best of all! I’d love to upgrade someday to taller bookcases with glass doors, but for now, I’m happy with these that my grandfather built for me
Love this! What a great way to up-cycle a used book.
Thanks! Up-cycling and re-purposing is such a fun way to get creative, isn’t it? And you can’t beat free
Hey Erin! This is such a neat idea! I love your pumpkin! I am definitely going to give this craft a try! Thank you so much for sharing! I appreciate you stopping by my blog today! Thank you so much for leaving me a comment on my spaghetti jar!! The soup can tip you mentioned is a great up cycle too!!! Have a wonderful weekend!
Aww, thanks for stopping by too, Brandi! I can’t wait to get my hands on some birch bark paper & try out your vase idea! Those carved initials are so, so cute!
I’m trying this tonight! Great idea!
Yay! I hope you have fun trying this out, Joyce. Let me know how it goes… I’d love to see your creation!
I love it and you’ve inspired me to give it a try. Thanks so much for the details instructions. I appreciate it..
Sonny~155 Dream Lane
Thanks, Sonny! This was my first ever tutorial, so I’m glad you liked it
Hope you enjoy trying this out!
I found you through the “party” at 320 Sycamore, and am so glad I did! This is a really amazing idea, and as a fellow book packrat I definitely have the supplies to tackle it. Thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks for stopping by, Beth! Glad I’m not the only one with a book addiction
If we love books so much, then we should decorate with them more often, right?!
Love books + love pumpkins=LOVE this!Thank you for the awesome tutorial as well!
I’m so glad you like it, Melissa! I think book crafts might be my new addiction
Thank you again for hosting the “Under $10/Under 1 Hour” party and for taking the time to stop by & comment!
LOVE this! I’m going to try it and link back to your blog!
Thanks for a great FREE tutorial
xo
Looking for my book right now. Jackie
Hello–I found your blog on a link at Home Stories of A to Z. Thanks for the tutorial. I think I’ll be able to do this! You made it look very easy. They would make great gifts–very crafty, thoughtful and in my budget.
Thanks, Renea! Yes, this is spot on for my gift budget as well
I’ve already given one to a friend as a birthday present, and it was a huge hit! Hope you enjoy trying this out!
I love it! Glad I could provide a little inspiration.
fabulous instructions! i love this. usually i abide by the same own what you love mantra, so therefore my book collection is really small. i get everything from the library, and if it’s a major love and worthy of owning, then i buy it. is that weird? however, with all the borders going out of business, i did buy about 10 new books for 2 bucks each. and if all else fails…i can make them into book pumpkins!
Not weird at all! Years ago, I used to buy stacks of new books on a monthly basis, but eventually I had to cut back for lack of money & space. Now I only buy the books I know I love or classics I’ve yet to read — those are the books that belong in my “forever” library
The nice thing about using mass market paperbacks for crafting is that, if you don’t have any on hand, they’re super cheap to pick up secondhand at thrift stores!
WE LOVE OUR BOOK PUMPKIN!!! Just passed on tutorial link to several friends….thanks again friend
You’re welcome, friend
I’m so glad you loved your birthday present, because I LOVED making it for you!
I just love this book pumpkin! What a cute Idea! I just might have to try this myself! Very Creative!
Thanks, Amy! Yes, give it a try — and let me know how it goes!
Great way to repurpose something you love! I think I’ll make one for my local library. To inspire other book lovers! Thanks for the great tutorial.
Oh, that’s a great idea, Nathalie! A fun and crafty way to support your local library — I love it!
Über cute
If I make this I promise to link back to your post!
xoxo, kimmie