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!
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.
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.
The more the merrier! I worked in batches of 8 (just like in the staining.) I’d staple 8 pages individually…
then staple them together in a line, layering them in front and behind of each other.
Once I had two sets of 8 sheets done, then I layered them together and stapled them.
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.
Staples – lots and lots and lots o’ staples. It’s kinda like the Frankenstein of garlands I think…
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!)
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.
Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs says
October 3, 2011 at 12:55 pmGina ~ that looks awesome!! I love it!
~amy~ says
October 3, 2011 at 1:07 pmLove IT!!!!!
Lana says
October 3, 2011 at 1:19 pmOhhhh 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. 🙂
Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says
October 3, 2011 at 1:25 pmOh, Gina, I absolutely ADORE this!! I may be borrowing it for Christmas… 🙂
Paige (Final Clothes-Out) says
October 3, 2011 at 1:32 pmI 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.
Artsy VaVa says
October 3, 2011 at 1:36 pmI love this!!! I have lots of old books from the thrift store and think this will be my next project! Thanks for sharing!!!
Gwen says
October 3, 2011 at 1:38 pmThat is just gorgeous! So textural it makes me gush!
Wanda says
October 3, 2011 at 1:40 pmGina, 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.
AshTreeCottage says
October 3, 2011 at 1:57 pmWhat a cool tip Gina!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Red Gate Farm says
October 3, 2011 at 1:58 pmLovely! 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
Becky C says
October 3, 2011 at 2:16 pmWow Gina! That is fabulous 🙂 I might have to get out the stapler… thanks for the inspiration. Can’t wait to see the finished mantel.
PeggyR says
October 3, 2011 at 2:30 pmThat is very cool and so simple!
Denise says
October 3, 2011 at 2:43 pmI’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?
hilary @ the upcycle furniture co. says
October 3, 2011 at 2:46 pmso cute gina!
LisaM says
October 3, 2011 at 2:55 pmLike. 🙂
My Crafty Home-Life says
October 3, 2011 at 3:10 pmGood one!
Green Willow Pond says
October 3, 2011 at 3:27 pmAdorable! 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.
Days at Buttermilk Cottage says
October 3, 2011 at 4:03 pmLove this! Isn’t it amazing what some imagination and simple items can become!
Best,
Susan
Heather {Simply Cottage Love} says
October 3, 2011 at 4:06 pmCan I just say I love your craftiness, thriftiness, and creativity! You inspire me every time I read your blog <3 Thanks!
Jan@southernjunkin' says
October 3, 2011 at 4:07 pmRuffle-ly yummy-ness!!! LOL Anxiously awaiting mantle complete!!
Anne says
October 3, 2011 at 4:29 pmI love this!!!
The Vintage Farmhouse says
October 3, 2011 at 5:16 pmOh my that is GORGEOUS! ♥
Catherine says
October 3, 2011 at 5:43 pmRuffled paper… who knew? Apparently you did because it looks great! Very chic!
Ann-Kay says
October 3, 2011 at 6:05 pmThe garland looks fantastic! What a great idea!
Kim@todayismysome-day says
October 3, 2011 at 6:37 pmLoving 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!
Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D says
October 3, 2011 at 8:26 pmThis is wonderful. I think I might do a mini-version as a Christmas garland!
Gina says
October 3, 2011 at 10:04 pmOh I love this! I would love to make one for Christmas.
Brianna Willis says
October 4, 2011 at 1:28 amI’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.
Karen @ THEBUZYBUG says
October 4, 2011 at 3:31 amCUTE IDEA!! TFS.
The Polka Dot Closet says
October 4, 2011 at 3:40 amThis 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
Catie @ Catie's Corner says
October 4, 2011 at 4:17 amWow, I LOVE it Gina!! Very clever. I may have to try one. Thanks for sharing. =)
~ Catie
{ The Painted Home } says
October 4, 2011 at 7:21 pmawesome!
d e n i s e
poindextr says
October 5, 2011 at 7:43 pmhi 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!!
Erin says
October 6, 2011 at 11:36 amThis looks amazing…I had to reread twice to make sure it was paper….It almost looks like fabric. Thanks for sharing this great idea.
Roseanna says
March 25, 2012 at 3:27 amFound 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.
Carlene @ Organized Clutter says
August 17, 2012 at 10:47 amSuper fun Gina!
alittlebitofmonicainyourlife says
September 11, 2012 at 3:40 amThis is so cute, but what temperature do you put the oven on to dry the pages?!
Http://whatmeeganmakes.com says
September 14, 2012 at 8:09 pmJust shared this on FB. It is one of “My Fave Pins of the Week”, So cool, for anywhere and anytime!!
Thanks for sharing!!
Meegan
Good Time Charlie says
September 29, 2012 at 1:47 amThis is such a wonderful project! I am pinning this, thank you for sharing. Visiting from Roadkill Rescue.
Donna says
September 30, 2012 at 7:15 amYou Crafty gal you!
Jean @ www.thebackyardbungalow.com says
October 3, 2012 at 3:49 pmI love this! My husband is a bibliophile, but I just like the look…it’s a win/win for both of us!
jeanne says
October 15, 2012 at 12:02 pmI’m lovein this one:) just like Donna said! U crafty gal:)
Angela says
August 21, 2013 at 3:09 pmHaving 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.
Lisa B. says
April 5, 2016 at 8:35 amWow. 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
Debbie says
December 23, 2018 at 1:43 amThis is just gorgeous. I’m picturing my Christmas decorations for next year right now. Thanks for sharing!
Gina Luker says
December 26, 2018 at 10:43 amI am so glad you like it Debbie!