An old book picked up from a yard sale or thrift shop can make a variety of beautiful inexpensive home décor ideas. Here, I have created a banner that can be hung over doorways, on mantels, or on shelves. It makes for a great DIY Valentine’s Day decoration!
My book was quite old and the pages were very yellowed with time {I love that about it} but I thought a pop of color and a bit of bling would make a really pretty contrast to the vintage paper. I love how it turned out {although I may or may not have gotten carried away with the glitter}!
This craft could be easily done for other holidays as well and one book would last for more than a whole year of holiday banners-that’s a pretty thrifty craft! You can even use old children’s book pages to decorate you child’s room or for birthday parties. {If all you can find is newer paperbacks that will work too the size will just be smaller.}
Supplies Needed:
-An Old Book
-Scissors
-Paint
-Sharpie
-Glitter
-Ruler
-Tape
-Yarn, string, or twine
Directions:
1. Pull pages from book at the binding. {Yes, I know- this was painful for me too, being a book lover and all, but mine had some water damage so I got through it.}
2. Using a ruler or even the book spine, use a pencil to trace a triangle onto your book page. Cut it out when you have it how you want it and use this as a template for your other pages.
3. Cut as many as you need for the words you have decided on {one per letter}.
4. Use a sharpie to write bubble letters on each banner piece.
5. Using the paint color you have chosen for your words, fill in the space inside the sharpie outline.
6. While paint is still wet, sprinkle lightly with glitter.
7. Allow to dry completely and hang pennant pages on twine with clear tape.
8. Hang and Enjoy!
What word{s} would you display on your banner?
Thanks to contributor Jody for this great DIY Valentine’s Day Décor idea!
courtney says
So cute! I love this and super easy!
heather says
This is a super cute idea and I love anything with glitter and I love arts and crafts and this one looks super easy and fun thanks for sharing.
Stefanie says
That’s really cool and a great way to recycle old books.
carol says
Super cute,super easy and super doable. I love it
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
That is absolutely adorable! So cute. 🙂
Mellisa says
What a cute craft! Thanks for sharing.
Robin Gagnon says
Cute & if you use an old romance novel, even better 🙂
Leilani says
That is such a cute idea! I would never have thought to use book pages.
Kathleen says
That is so cute and easy. I could make it right now with stuff I already have!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
I love the idea of using an old book, very creative!
Angela S says
This is just adorable, and a great way to re-purpose and old book.
Julie says
I love the idea of using the pages of an old book! And there are so many other paper crafts you could use the paper for, too.
Mickey says
We’ve made these before, but not with glitter. I love yours – so shimmery! 🙂
HilLesha says
What a cute, yet thrifty idea!
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
That’s a cute idea but it would hurt me to cut up a book like that.
Lolo says
I love making upcycled crafts like this. So cute!
Janet W. says
What a cute banner and so festive! That would look cute hanging in our family room.
Maria Iemma says
I love this idea and I love to reuse things so I may do it with newspaper clippings rather than books – I am always impressed by the creativity that is shown in your posts.
Kelsey Apley says
Oh how fun this is a really fun craft! I think it would be fun to make with my niece! Thanks!
Donna says
I guess if I could find some damaged (romance) paperbacks, I’d do this… I would have an incredibly hard time tearing pages out of a book. 🙂 But this is so doable and cute!
Digna D. says
These banners are sweet and lots of fun. Thanks for sharing.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
It’s funny that you said it was painful because I really was cringing at the thought! However, I’ll happy rip an old textbook to bits! 🙂
Penelope says
It’s clever yet seems easy to do
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com says
I love that, super cute and simple!!
saminder gumer says
this is a great idea to recycle old books or even magazines you don’t want or use any more.
Sandra VanHoey says
I’ll bet my twin granddaughters who are alost 11 would love doing this for their room. Real cute!
natalie says
I love this idea! Need to find an old book.
shelly peterson says
What a super cute idea! this would be a lot of fun to make!
Laura J says
Oh such a cute frugal idea for Valentines day!!!! I was just thinking we needed to try to decorate a bit…but using things we had at home! Love this idea!