Crafting With Old Book Pages

posted in: Cottage Decorating | 17

Happy Monday Everyone!

So, I’ve noticed in blold booksogland that many people are finding new uses for old book pages. Old books,  sheet music and vintage pages seem to IN right now.

Ballard Designs is actually selling old books tied up with string.

Priced at $18-$25, they are unreal when I can go to my local thrift shop and buy a few OLD books for a few dollars and rip off the covers and add some string. I may just go and do that too!

Don’t get me wrong, BD has some beautiful merchandise  but Come ON people!

paper christmas wreathYou may remember my first attempt at crafting with old book pages when I made a Christmas Paper Wreath.

It was pretty easy and fun to make and I love how it turned out. You can view my original blog post on my Christmas Paper Wreath Here.

Well today I would like to share with you some new crafty projects I have done using old book pages and sheet music. I started out with a vintage book from a thrift shop. It cost me about $2 and has a ton of pages in it. I pulled out my mod podge, a sponge applicator and went to work on an old plate, another thrift store find.

crafting with old book pages

I ripped up the pages in to small pieces and applied them to the plate(overlapping them) using the Mod Podge glue. (Gotta Love That Stuff!) I cut out a rose from some really pretty paper napkins I had and glued it to the center. And Voila! Pretty neat, I think!

old book page rose plate

I enjoyed myself so much that I also did the same thing to a glass vase. I LOVE how this one turned out!

decoupaged vintage book page vase

I’ve had a vintage china lamp in my livingroom for awhile and I’ve had trouble finding a shade I liked. One day I was sitting, staring at it and the “lightbulb” went off in my head. I decided to decoupage vintage sheet music all over it, add more roses and some vintage images from an old catalog too. I ended up trimming it with fringe to top it off.

decoupage lamp shade

It’s not perfect. It has some bubbles and creases but I think it adds to the character of the piece. Here is the lamp all done.

decoupage lampshade

I must admit I have a LOVE / HATE relationship with the shade. Somedays I love it and think its “cool” and unique. Other days I think its the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.  What do YOU think? I would love some imput. In the end I will probably end up changing it for a new shade or perhaps a whole new lamp one of these days. As a decorator I find that I grow tired of things in my home and am constantly making changes. Its a good thing I don’t feel that way about my husband! LOL.

Thanks for visiting today! Stay tuned for more of Lisa’s Decorating Adventures!

 

 

Photo source: Lisa’s Creative Designs & Ballard Designs

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17 Responses

  1. glamourpuss

    Great job on your projects! I love the look of old book pages – I have even seen someone use them as wallpaper!! 🙂

  2. Kasey Tross

    I love all of your book creations! I just posted on my blog about doing some mod-podged easter eggs using old sheet music. I am lucky enough to have a Goodwill outlet over by me where all hardback books are $0.50 and all paperbacks $0.25, so I have no excuse not to craft with book pages!! Especially when it’s such a cool look. I especially like how you added the roses. I have a whole crafting to-do list with my old books, and I really appreciate the inspiration! Nice work!

    • Lisa Hogan

      Thankyou so much for visiting my blog. I love the look of the old book pages too and they are so cheap to get! I plan on making a few more wreaths one of these days and who knows what will get decoupaged next! Enjoy crafting with your old books!

  3. Tammy Dellinger

    Hi Lisa – Thanks for visiting me over at JUNK WILD! Where are you on the NC Coast? I have friends in Wilmington and also family at North Myrtle Beach. I’m at the beach alot during April and May and would love to come to your sale if I’m there.
    Tammy 🙂
    JUNK WILD

    • Lisa Hogan

      Hi Tammy,
      I am in Swansboro, about and hour and a 10 minutes north of Wilmington. Emerald Isle is less than 10 minutes from us.

  4. Sherry

    Beautiful creations. I especially love the vase. I am a florist and am drawn to unusual vases. ~~Sherry~~

  5. Diane

    Hello! I discovered your blog from Savvy Southern Style’s Wos Us Wednesday. The craft you made turned out so pretty. I’m sure even kids with proper supervision from their teachers or parents can do this. I might share your idea with my nieces. I’m sure they will enjoy it. Thanks.

  6. laurie

    Hi Lisa! I just love your MP crafts! So creative and unique and adorable! I’ve ripped many a thrift book apart to create the PB book stack. IT was soooo easy to do and they look great on top of my tv armoire on a stack of folded grain sacks and stacked under the lamp on my desk. 🙂 Great job on your sweet lamp and vase!

    xoxo laurie

  7. LaVoice

    I have seen old books used in many different ways. I do not recall seeing any used as pretty as you did.

  8. QMM

    Wow what great ideas. I have to go back and find what I really like since I can’t remember what I saw 10 minutes ago. I love the lamp. Got a shade that could use something like that. BTW I loved the comment about your hubby. I move things around all the time. LOL HH (Handsome Husband) calls me Miz Podge, I use it so much. Gonna do some plates for Easter.
    Blessings
    QMM

  9. Terri

    Great vintage projects! I think my favorite of the three is the glass vase. Although they are all lovely. I like your lamp shade! I know what you mean though, I have looked at my art on days and thought it was awful! I too, love to change things out, repaint…often. I love the change of scenery in my home.
    Hugs,
    Terri
    I found you by way of Homemaker on a Dime’s blog hop.

  10. Amy

    Thanks for auditioning for American Crafter- good luck:)

  11. Aunt Linda

    Hey kiddo, you are so creative, I can’t believe how different your house look’s and the Townhouse too. You did a FANTASTIC job on both! Can I hire you to come to New York and do my kitchen and bathroom too? lol I mean I am your Aunt so how bout a family discount? I’ll pay for the plane fare. lol All you have done to your house it look’s alot bigger now. I didn’t think you had time to do all that. Your alway’s busy. Love & Miss you & Dean & My Prince & Princess Love A. Linda xxxooo

  12. Lisa Hogan

    Hi Aunt Linda,
    My house is always changing. YOu won’t recognize it next time you visit. You gotta get your buns down here soon!
    Luv Ya,
    Lee