CRAFT: Pumpkin Book

Give that old book you’re done reading new life by turning it into a decorative item in your home, office or give as a gift! Create a unique centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table or a cute fall decoration for an end table by creating a pumpkin.

Supplies:

1 Book, between 100 – 500 pages is a good size (short thick books seem to work the best)
1 Short Stick (for the stem)
Orange paint (only a very small amount is needed)
Optional: Ribbon, Raffia, or Yarn to tie on the “stem”
Tools: Pen, Scissors, Hot Glue Gun, Paint Brush

Time to cuddle up with a good book…craft! Let’s get going.

Step one: Rip the cover off

Step two: Select first page from your book and draw an oval- pumpkin shape out. Leave the bottom of book flat for the bottom of your pumpkin to sit up nicely on table when finished.

Step three: Use the page you just cut to be the template to cut out all your other pages. Cut 5-6 pages at a time. * keep book flat on table for easier cutting ability.

Step four: When you are done cutting out all the pages, use a hot glue gun to attach the front of the book and the back of the book by gluing the spine. Place a stick in the middle for your trunk. You can glue certain pages of your pumpkin together to “fluff’ your pumpkin to make it look balanced.

Step five: Paint the outside of your pages. Either hold all the pages together for a light orange look or paint them individual for a more orange artistic look. We found watering down the orange paint helped the color soak into the pages and spread a little easier too. Don’t forget to tie a bow around trunk!

Additional tip: Make a couple of them in different sizes for a pumpkin patch arrangement. Or, paint your book red and it will look just like an apple, great for a teacher appreciation gift!