When we built our mantle {the Pottery Barn Decorative Ledge Knockoff}, we needed something huge to bring some height to the whole vignette. I had made a book page covered canvas, but it wasn’t large enough. When we were chatting, my sweet friend Gina suggested some foam-core instead of a larger canvas to keep the cost down. So, using two sheets of foam-core (go big or go home, right?!), I created this really large, vintage looking book page art as a background for our pumpkins and our banner.
It’s really simple and very inexpensive – maybe $5. All you need is two pieces of foam-core, a dictionary or other book, mod podge and some painters tape. I purchased the foam-core and the dictionary at Dollarama, the mod podge at Walmart and we already had the painters tape.
Step 1.
Tape the two pieces of foam-core together, using the painters tape, long sides together. This makes one really large board.
Step 2.
After removing pages from your book, coffee dye them in a large pot of instant coffee. Then set them to dry on a cookie sheet, in the oven, on low for about 8 minutes or so per tray. BE CAREFUL. DO NOT LEAVE THESE UNATTENDED.
Step 3.
Now just mod podge each page onto your foam-core by brushing mod podge onto the foam-core and onto the back of your page, one at a time. At first I lined the pages up in rows, to cover the whole foam-core. Then I layered more on top at angles to make the whole thing look more random.
That’s it! Perfect for hanging a banner on.
Where could you use a little book page love? What other book page projects have you seen? What could you book-page?
Wow! I mean really…..WOW!
Oh Julie! You make me blush…and grin …which makes me look kind if dorky! but thank you. xo, Shannon.
I found your blog today (what a treat!!) from the link on your Apartment Therapy home tour. I just wanted to tell you how much I really loved your home and how much I’m enjoying looking through all of your helpful DIY projects. I am definitely inspired and will be checking back regularly. Best wishes and Happy Christmas!
Thank you, Christen…let us know if you have any questions after poking around a bit, k?
thanks for this idea!!:D i wanted to do it with a book that meant something to me so i decided to use a bible. i went to a yardsale and bought it for a buck!( i didnt feel right cutting up my own lol) i ended up making a series from different stories i liked from it. they look soo good and everyone really likes them! awesome cheap college apartment decor
ps. ill admit, i felt weird cutting up a bible… but i got over it once i convinced myself it was to show my appreciation for God in some way lol
That would feel quite strange!!! But I SO get it! I bet it looks great – I’m a big believer in the power of scripture in your home!
xo,
Shannon