Wreath from an old book
Do you love to read? I do. My mother says that my daughter and I devour books. That’s a fairly accurate descriptions of how we live in our book life. When the last Harry Potter book came out, I reserved a copy, so that I could get it right away. I picked it up on Saturday…and by Monday, I was finished…and Sara was started. I think we both have learned to completely submerge ourselves in a story.
That said: This is not about reading….but the love of all book themes too. I like books in stacks…on shelves…you name it. I like book pages too.
The love of book pages, got me thinking about a project. I really wanted something light in color and book themed….so this is what I came up with…a book page wreath.
I want to show you how I created this gorgeous wreath….in fact….I might show you a different wreath several days this week.
By taking the pages from a book…and you could age them if you want to….I wanted mine lighter. Cut them so that they are squares….most are rectangle. When you have a decent amount of pages start by wrapping them down something slender….I used a tube of mascara. The tube will also protect you from getting burned while putting pressure on the page.
I placed a dab of glue on the top of the page, where the mascara tube was under it.
Begin by placing them next to one another….but they don’t have to be against each other…the corners will fill in some of the space. I guess if I had to say how far apart….perhaps 1/4 – 1/2″ depending on how fluffy you want it to be.
Before I got all the pages glued on the top…I made a bow and glued it on….that way I could fill in around it. Just be prepared…this is really time-consuming. I’m gonna guess that I spent 4-5 hours total gluing my pages on…and my wreath is probably a 12-14″ circumference.
It really, really is that simple. Just fill in the top…and then go along the outside and inside edges till it’s filled in. Look around and fill in the holes….
You can hang it up with a ribbon…or use a twist tie, twisted around some of the vine of the wreath….it really doesn’t weigh much at all.
You could cut the edges with a decorative set of scissors…even the bow if you wanted. Embellish any way you want.
I don’t know any area in the house that a wreath wouldn’t look good.
I absolutely LOVE this wreath…. against my mom’s milk chocolate colored wall.
Do you love wreaths? How bout books? How bout a wreath from a book?
This little darling is linked up here:
Nice! I’m off to find a book for this project now 🙂 XXOO – Wendi
Wendi @ H2OBungalow recently posted…A Room for a Boy Tween Furniture Makeover
Good! I can’t wait to see it! I think these will all look so different…just with a different ribbon! Thanks Wendi
I LOVE this wreath! I can picture it hanging in my home. I was sent your way from Daisies & Crazies and have enjoyed poking around your blog. Lovely stuff! 🙂
Awesome Erin. Thanks for stopping by! I hope you make yourself one! 😉
I love how your wreath came out!!! pinned it…Would love it if you came by and shared it at One More Time Events….Tammy
Thanks Tammy….I’ll head over and link it up! Thank You!
I love this idea! Could you tell me where you found your narrow burlap ribbon?
Thank You. It is actually attached to the cream ribbon. I bought it that way from Hobby Lobby. I hope that helps. 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful week.
I have seen many book page wreaths and your’s is the prettiest one!
Aww….how sweet. Thank you so much. Have a great week Jeanine!
Tammy,
This is one of the prettiest book pages wreaths that I have seen. Your bow is perfect for this wreath!
http://botanicbleu.blogspot.com/2013/09/not-your-usual-fall-colors.html
Thank You so much. I loved making this wreath. I’m really glad that I had this ribbon on hand. Have a beautiful week!
Thought I migh try it and then “dust” it wih spray paint. Any color to go with any room!
That sounds pretty! I would love to see it when you’re done!
Omigosh Tammy! I didn’t think I could like a wreath more than your cotton one but I think this one takes the cake! Love it!!!
Jennifer @ Town and Country Living recently posted…Fall Home Tour Week via All Things Home
Oh Thank You Jennifer! That means a lot coming from you! Have an awesome week!
How large were your squares? I love this wreath and would like to make one. I think the ribbon accents the wreath very well. Thank you for sharing with us.
Karen, my squares were about 6″. I just cut enough off the bottom of the pages to make a square.
Thank you Tammy. I appreciate the information. Have loads of old books here and can’t wait to get started.
Awesome! Send me pics when you’re done!! I’d love to see how they turn out. I put a tab for readers projects….and I want to start putting y’alls projects up!
I can’t wait to try this. Like you I have a hard time throwing a book away, I still have Cathleen E Woodiwiss first book. Most of the time I take them to a used book store and either trade out or buy more. I know what I will be doing next week. That wreath is just beautiful, I can’t wait to get started. Thank you for sharing, I love what you do.
Awww. thanks Patricia! I love all book projects. Thanks for stopping by and Have a great week!
LOVE LOVE the ribbon and of course the entire wreath – I tried to make one of these but the black and white pages do not really match jewel toned decor – I’d love to know how to “age” them, with a more old brownish color to the page opposed to the white but without blanking out the words – any suggestions?
JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose recently posted…Fall Burlap Denim Rag Wreath
JoAnn, Thanks so much. Yes…I have a tutorial on aging paper that works really well. http://wp.me/p2zxaJ-1gS I hope that helps. Have a great week!
I just wanted to tell you, great job on the wreath and what a fabulous idea in doing it too! I love to watch what others come up with! It’s so exciting and wonderful how God has blessed ones with creative ideas and the skills and determination to get things accomplished! Great job sweetie!!
Karen, thank you so much. It’s always nice to have encouragement! God is good….isn’t he? Thanks so much for stopping by…and have a wonderful week!
I love old books, Tammy, so when I saw your wreath project, I was ecstatic. Just one quick question. I am not sure I understand where the hot glue is applied. Is in on the underside of the square opposite the bottom end of the mascara tube? When you say to put the hot glue at the top of the page, I am lost…can’t visual how that would attach the paper to the wreath. Thanks so much for your help. Can’t wait to start!
Yes. The paper is between the mascara tube…and the hot glue. I’m sorry…I guess that is a bit confusing if you aren’t in my place. So, place your paper over the mascara…then dab the outside of that. and use the mascara tube to push the paper down onto the wreath. Did that help?
I LOVE book pages! And your wreath looks so fabulous! Thanks for sharing. Pinned 🙂
Meegan recently posted…DIY Pottery Barn Knock-off Glitter Book Page Pumpkin
Thank You Meegan! I love pages too! I hope you have a great week!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Thank You Susan!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! I am an avid reader, as is one of my very best friends. I am going to make this for her as a Christmas gift. Thanks so much for sharing! Pinned, shared and printed! 🙂
Michelle recently posted…Not Your Mama’s Chili!
Thanks Michelle! I appreciate that very much! 😀 Have a great day!…Headed over to see your blog!!
Hi – it looks like you used a grapevine wreath – is that correct? Love the look and want to try it.
Yes…it’s a grapevine wreath…but you could really use any wreath form you have or find. 😀
I really love this wreath I’m thinking of making a couple as Christmas gifts. My question is does it matter what kind of wreath you glue the pages onto?
Cindy…Nope, it doesn’t matter at all. Whatever wreath you have or find will work for this project…because you completely cover it! Have a great week!
Tammy, I just wanted to thank you for your wonderful idea! I just completed my first wreath for my niece as a house warming present. It was so easy to make and I ended up buying a straw wreath and it looks so amazing! I hope my niece loves it as much as I do. And I too had trouble with the whole concept of tearing apart a book, I’m a teacher and a book lover. But I look at it as recycling an old book into a work of art. Thanks again for your creativeness. 🙂
Aww. Cindy. Thank You so much. It’s so awesome to hear a story like this. I love it when readers come back and let me know how things turn out. I know your niece will love it! I would LOVE to see pictures of it. I’ve started a page for my readers’ project…and I’d LOVE to put it on that page. Thank you for sharing your story with me. 😀
I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of tearing up a book – but old catalogs? Wonder how that would look? Thanks for the idea….
I did too at first…but when they get old and worn out…and you’re about to throw them away….I just figured…what the heck. I think magazines might look cool…just more colorful!
Love the wreath! I just got new phone books delivered and had my old ones in the recycling. I have since taken them out after seeing your beautiful wreath and cannot wait to make my own. Thank you for sharing! Love your ideas.
YAY! I never thought about a phone book! How creative! I want to see them when you’re finished!!!
Hi Tammy – I like the telephone book idea too but thought I remembered you saying that it takes about 5oo or more pages and ours are nowhere near that big. What do you think?
Well…I think it really depends on the size of your wreath…and you might could get two squares from a phone book since they are pretty big. You might try…and if you don’t finish…you probably have a friend that will be getting rid of an old one soon too.
I love the wreathe idea. I have tons of books that need to be re-purposed. Also the color of your sons wall is a great boy color. Thanks for all the ideas.
Thank You Barbara…I’m so glad you stopped by…Have a great week!
I love this idea. I have some damaged books and this is a beautiful way to put them to use, thank you!
You’re so very welcome! I’m so glad it worked out! Have fun!
Seriously, I love this wreath! It is super cute!
Samantha C.
http://busysweetlife.com
Samantha C. recently posted…THE Collective Link-up!
Thank you Samantha. It is one of my favorite projects lately!
Love it! I can’t wait to make one for me!! 🙂
I hope you’ll show me some pics when you’re finished! I’m so glad you stopped by! 😀
Tammy recently posted…I Had a Problem (Painting Upholstery)
This is so pretty, I love it! What a creative wreath!
Thank you so much. Have a wonderful week!
Wow!! This is so awesome!! I must try it!!
It’s one of my all time favorite wreaths. I’m glad you like it…it would make a great gift for an avid reader. Thanks for stopping by Sunny!
Now I have to find a book to use and gather everything to make one.
This is the most beautifully simple, elegant wreath I have ever seen.
Awe…How sweet Laura. I’m so glad you like it. I hope yours turns out nice. Have a great week!
Just wanted to stop by to say that I loved your wreath, so I made one for my mom as a Christmas gift and she LOVED it! Thank you for the terrific idea.
I’m so glad. I would love to see a picture of it. I have more book projects coming. Thanks so much Sami! Have a wonderful 2014!
Tammy recently posted…Today is a Gift
I look forward to seeing more book projects. I had a good time with this one. I made four wreaths this year and this one was the most fun to make.
As requested, here is a link to a picture of my wreath (I hope it posts correctly).
My Wreath
Happy New Year!
Sami. You did…it looks great! Thank you for sharing.
Just absolutely love this wreath. Such a beautiful idea for a book you are done reading and to make a keepsake for life!
Thank you Kimberly. I think that’s an awesome idea! I love typography, reading and books…Have a great week!
Do you make these to sell? My Mom loves this. Plus she lives to read.
Beautiful wreath, so thank you for sharing. I am wondering what you used for a base to glue the pages onto. Thanks for your help.