make: decorate with books or book pages

I love books. I love libraries. I love bookstores. But I really love used bookstores. My husband and I used to go on dates prowling through all the used bookstores we could find in Salt Lake City. I love old books - the smell, the cool retro covers, the neat little inscriptions you sometimes find in them. I used to buy a used copy of every book I loved, with the hopes that I'd always be surrounded by really good books.

(We all like books in this family)

Well, I realized over ten years ago that I'd never have a house large enough to contain my family AND my books, so I stopped buying so many books and resorted to a weekly library trip. Plus, used bookstores are largely a thing of the past now that you can order used books online, and new books aren't quite as tempting to me.

Even so, I still have lots of books at my house. So I've found a couple of ways to decorate using my books.

First, I ordered a bunch of these super cool floating bookshelves from the container store. They allow you to stack books on your wall so they appear to be floating, like this: 

I mixed five of these shelves with some scrapbook paper and quotes that I modge-podges on to MDF squares to create a cool wall design for my downstairs:

Another thing I've done is use a book to make a picture frame:

This is super easy, and I'm putting together a tutorial that will be up tomorrow, so check back!

I have lots of ideas pinned for decorating with books pages, as well. Don't worry, I wouldn't rip up any of my own books, but I would rip up a dictionary that I bought from the dollar store. In fact, I did, to make this cute card:

Check out the video tutorial for the flower over on the Creating Keepsakes youtube channel.

Here are a few other book page ideas I'm planning to try:

(from 100 layer cake)

(from cozy.cottage.cute) 

I also have a fun idea for a book paper wreath - I know those have been all over for months, but I think I have a new spin on it - when I make it I'll post.

Any favorite book or book page decorating ideas from you guys?

Comments

[Caprice]

Ha ha! I just watched your youtube video. How many takes did you do? I would probably laugh too much. You are very not annoying as an instructor (not that you are in real life). That sounded weird but it's really meant to be a compliment. Cute idea too!