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Book page garland

I think I’m gettin’ my creative mojo back! Today’s post isn’t technically Halloween, but it is part of my Halloween mantle (which you’ll see later this week), so I think it counts 🙂 It’s all about the book page garland, baby!

Book Page Garland

I love working with book pages. Maybe it’s because I’m a writer and I love being surrounded by words where ever I can squeeze them in, but I also love the look of the written word on a page. For this project I used nearly an entire hard back book from the Dollar Tree, some left over coffee for staining the pages, and my trusty stapler. Oh and staples – lots and lots and LOT o’ staples. I coffee stained mine by crumpling them up, wetting them with coffee, then drying them in the oven. After the first batch was dry (it only takes a few minutes), I did the batches of freshly stained pages while the next batch was drying. Since I used 2 cookie sheets, I could do 8 pages at a time – so the timing worked out perfectly for my project. You could do all of them then sit down & watch a movie while putting it together – I just wasn’t that patient.

Book Page Garland Tutorial

Once your pages are all dried & stuff, then crumple them long ways into somewhat of a fan shape and put a staple or two to keep them together. Make some tighter, some looser, really vary them for the best effect.

Book Page Garland how to

The more the merrier! I worked in batches of 8 (just like in the staining.) I’d staple 8 pages individually…

Book page garland demo

then staple them together in a line, layering them in front and behind of each other.

Book pages garland

Once I had two sets of 8 sheets done, then I layered them together and stapled them.

Book page ruffled garland

These sections look nice and full once you’ve got all those sheets on there. After I had all my double layer sections, then I stapled the sections together end to end, overlapping just a little so that it was one continuous garland.

Book page garland anthropologie style

Staples – lots and lots and lots o’ staples. It’s kinda like the Frankenstein of garlands I think…

Book Page Garland close up

All those pages & staples really make the layers and layers worth all the effort….

I tucked the staple side down onto the mantle – but watch out! Those staples can be sharp if you don’t get them in all the way (and I thought it would be easier/better than hot glue!)

Book page garland like pottery barn

Look at all that ruffley paper on that book page garland – yum-o! It’s the perfect anchor for my big old Halloween mantle… which you’ll see more of later this week.

Want to see more of my 31 days of Unlocking Creativity – head on over to see all the posts.

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Filed Under: crafts

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs says

    October 3, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    Gina ~ that looks awesome!! I love it!

    Reply
  2. ~amy~ says

    October 3, 2011 at 1:07 pm

    Love IT!!!!!

    Reply
  3. Lana says

    October 3, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Ohhhh Gina!!! You know I love anything made with books ~ this is gorgeous! I think I’ll make one (or two or three) to display somewhere in my home now. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says

    October 3, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    Oh, Gina, I absolutely ADORE this!! I may be borrowing it for Christmas… 🙂

    Reply
  5. Paige (Final Clothes-Out) says

    October 3, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    I love that! I’ve tried to make things out of book paper before (with varying levels of success), but I think I need to try something like this. Very cool.

    Reply
  6. Artsy VaVa says

    October 3, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    I love this!!! I have lots of old books from the thrift store and think this will be my next project! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  7. Gwen says

    October 3, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    That is just gorgeous! So textural it makes me gush!

    Reply
  8. Wanda says

    October 3, 2011 at 1:40 pm

    Gina, I love it! That is the coolest garland. I think it would make a great wreath attached to a form. Puttin some ideas in my head for Christmas too.

    Reply
  9. AshTreeCottage says

    October 3, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    What a cool tip Gina!

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

    Reply
  10. Red Gate Farm says

    October 3, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    Lovely! I’ll have to give this a try since I already have an old book I used for another project… it’s yellowed/browned enough that I can skip the tea staining step. Thanks for the great instructions…

    ~Chris

    Reply
  11. Becky C says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    Wow Gina! That is fabulous 🙂 I might have to get out the stapler… thanks for the inspiration. Can’t wait to see the finished mantel.

    Reply
  12. PeggyR says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:30 pm

    That is very cool and so simple!

    Reply
  13. Denise says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    I’m one of your new followers.I’m in a real artsy mood this morning-fall and all coming down on me-so I’ll try to get back to your party when I’m done.One thing first I would like to know,how on earth did you get so many followers?People that have thousands of followers,your the first one I’ve asked,how is it done?If you don’t mind me asking?

    Reply
  14. hilary @ the upcycle furniture co. says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    so cute gina!

    Reply
  15. LisaM says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    Like. 🙂

    Reply
  16. My Crafty Home-Life says

    October 3, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    Good one!

    Reply
  17. Green Willow Pond says

    October 3, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Adorable! Ruffles just make my heart go pitter patter. I definitely want to try this one, maybe on top of the entertainment center, as I have no mantle.

    Reply
  18. Days at Buttermilk Cottage says

    October 3, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    Love this! Isn’t it amazing what some imagination and simple items can become!
    Best,
    Susan

    Reply
  19. Heather {Simply Cottage Love} says

    October 3, 2011 at 4:06 pm

    Can I just say I love your craftiness, thriftiness, and creativity! You inspire me every time I read your blog <3 Thanks!

    Reply
  20. Jan@southernjunkin' says

    October 3, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    Ruffle-ly yummy-ness!!! LOL Anxiously awaiting mantle complete!!

    Reply
  21. Anne says

    October 3, 2011 at 4:29 pm

    I love this!!!

    Reply
  22. The Vintage Farmhouse says

    October 3, 2011 at 5:16 pm

    Oh my that is GORGEOUS! ♥

    Reply
  23. Catherine says

    October 3, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    Ruffled paper… who knew? Apparently you did because it looks great! Very chic!

    Reply
  24. Ann-Kay says

    October 3, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    The garland looks fantastic! What a great idea!

    Reply
  25. Kim@todayismysome-day says

    October 3, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    Loving that ruffly goodness! I seriously need to copy this. I can’t even get started on my mantle. Maybe this would kick start my creative juices!

    Reply
  26. Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D says

    October 3, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    This is wonderful. I think I might do a mini-version as a Christmas garland!

    Reply
  27. Gina says

    October 3, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    Oh I love this! I would love to make one for Christmas.

    Reply
  28. Brianna Willis says

    October 4, 2011 at 1:28 am

    I’ve been thinking about doing a book page garland. However all my thoughts were a heck of a lot more complicated than this. Thanks for the idea! Maybe now I will actually do it instead of mulling it over.

    Reply
  29. Karen @ THEBUZYBUG says

    October 4, 2011 at 3:31 am

    CUTE IDEA!! TFS.

    Reply
  30. The Polka Dot Closet says

    October 4, 2011 at 3:40 am

    This is so fabulous! I love it, I have a vintage wedding to do later this year and I am thinking some how I can work this in, I am book marking this project!

    Carol

    Reply
  31. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    October 4, 2011 at 4:17 am

    Wow, I LOVE it Gina!! Very clever. I may have to try one. Thanks for sharing. =)

    ~ Catie

    Reply
  32. { The Painted Home } says

    October 4, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    awesome!
    d e n i s e

    Reply
  33. poindextr says

    October 5, 2011 at 7:43 pm

    hi Gina ~ I so adore this! fabulous idea and very fresh looking. i particularly like that this sits on top of the surface. Very pretty – can’t wait to see the entire ensemble 🙂 hurry!!

    Reply
  34. Erin says

    October 6, 2011 at 11:36 am

    This looks amazing…I had to reread twice to make sure it was paper….It almost looks like fabric. Thanks for sharing this great idea.

    Reply
  35. Roseanna says

    March 25, 2012 at 3:27 am

    Found this from pinterest…love it! I did this a couple of years ago and it is still hanging across the balcony of foyer. I actually just crumpled large dictionary pages and then threaded them with a large needle and linen twine. I like your stapled technique, so that you can place the “ruffles” just right.

    Reply
  36. Carlene @ Organized Clutter says

    August 17, 2012 at 10:47 am

    Super fun Gina!

    Reply
  37. alittlebitofmonicainyourlife says

    September 11, 2012 at 3:40 am

    This is so cute, but what temperature do you put the oven on to dry the pages?!

    Reply
  38. Http://whatmeeganmakes.com says

    September 14, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    Just shared this on FB. It is one of “My Fave Pins of the Week”, So cool, for anywhere and anytime!!
    Thanks for sharing!!
    Meegan

    Reply
  39. Good Time Charlie says

    September 29, 2012 at 1:47 am

    This is such a wonderful project! I am pinning this, thank you for sharing. Visiting from Roadkill Rescue.

    Reply
  40. Donna says

    September 30, 2012 at 7:15 am

    You Crafty gal you!

    Reply
  41. Jean @ www.thebackyardbungalow.com says

    October 3, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    I love this! My husband is a bibliophile, but I just like the look…it’s a win/win for both of us!

    Reply
  42. jeanne says

    October 15, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    I’m lovein this one:) just like Donna said! U crafty gal:)

    Reply
  43. Angela says

    August 21, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    Having a tough time with this project.

    I’d thought I’d save the coffee-staining step and buy a vintage book off eBay. When I received the book, I opened it (I have an addiction to the scent of old books) and noticed an inscription that read: To Mamma, Love, Lucy December 1895″.

    Needless to say, I still need to find a book for this project.

    Reply
  44. Lisa B. says

    April 5, 2016 at 8:35 am

    Wow. I am doing a Christmas party with a Dickens theme this year. There will be 40 people seated at 1 very long table. I have been racking my brain to think of a Garland idea that I could run down the center of the table. I think your Garland may be perfect. I think I’ll have to make two of them for extra fullness and so that the ends don’t show. And may even do a little gold edging and some gold glitter in the edges for a little extra Sparkle on the table. I’m curious at what temperature you baked the pages in the oven? I’m assuming it’s quite low, nonetheless, would appreciate that information. Thanks so much for the inspiration

    Reply
  45. Debbie says

    December 23, 2018 at 1:43 am

    This is just gorgeous. I’m picturing my Christmas decorations for next year right now. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      December 26, 2018 at 10:43 am

      I am so glad you like it Debbie!

      Reply

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