Monday, February 14, 2022

Repurposing Vintage Books into Boxes


 Hello friends,

I love old books! 

Sometimes I bring them home even though

the books are pretty damaged.

Maybe the cover is good but the pages are bad-

or the pages are good and the cover is bad!

My husband knows that sometimes I just like the title!

He found this book and he know I would love the title-

but the book had a lot of water damage but the cover was okay.


Perfect for this project.

I wanted to turn my book into a keepsake box.

I also wanted the box to still look like a book.




Removing the pages was easy- 

they just about fell out on their own!





I used one of the pages to cover the inside spine.


Then made sure to fold on the crease lines. 


I covered the interior of the book 

with a piece of scrapbook card stock.

I use 3 in 1 glue.

You could also use Mod Podge.


Refold at the natural book creases-


To make the box frame, I measured along the edges of

back cover.  I used 1'' wide wood strips, some were old paint stir sticks.

You could use scraps of molding.


I used wood glue to make the frame.




Then I covered the inside edge with paper.



Then the frame was glued to the back cover.




I had another larger book that was also damaged.


Remove the cover by cutting the pages out

with a utility knife.



Careful not to cut through to the cover.


I covered the inside spine with one of the removed pages.



I glued the framed pieces together.




Then covered the inside cover and frame with paper.





I thought the unfinished wood looked just like paper pages.



The smaller book was just the right size to hold a checkbook.








I loved making these boxes!

Thank you for visiting today-

xo Lisa S


42 comments:

  1. I love what you did here! I would love to use those boxes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. They were easy! Give it a try.
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  2. What a wonderful idea! I love this and I am definitely going to have to make some for the new built-ins we are currently making! Thank you so much for this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you.
      They look so real- great for hiding....chocolate, maybe :)
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  3. What a fun idea! Visiting you from the traffic jam linky.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much!
      So glad you stopped by and said hello :)
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  4. Great idea for additional storage. Just wondering how you attach the paper. Any tips?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Birdz of a feather.
      I used 3 in 1 all-purpose glue but Mod Podge would work great if you have it. I went back and updated post :)

      Delete
  5. Love this idea! I am sensitive to musty old books but crazy for the beauty of the covers and spines so I often have to pass them up. I am definitely going to try this now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amber,
      Thank you so much! I am so glad you like these books.
      I love everything you do-You made my day :)
      So nice to have you visit!
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  6. You're so creative! I love this idea! I'm going to pin it right now! Have a fabulous day! Donna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna,
      Thank you and always thanks for the pin!
      I appreciate your sweet comment!
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  7. These are cute! I've seen them at stores, but I think yours made from actual books look so much better. Thanks for sharing with us on Crafty Creators!
    XOXO,
    Niki ~ Life as a LEO Wife

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Niki,
      Thank you for hosting! I'm so happy to join you.
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  8. I'm in love . These are darling. They are very special Thanks for posting at Funtastic Friday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you like them.
      Thank you for hosting! I enjoy the party :)
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  9. What a cute idea. Thanks for walking us through the steps to make these boxes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa ,
      THANK YOU! They are fun to make. I think everyone I know will be getting one. The books are great gift boxes too ;0
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  10. Oh my goodness, this is genius! I love this so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, You are too kind !
      I will tell my husband what you said :) ha!
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
    2. It's definitely genius. :) I'll be featuring it tomorrow at the TFT link party. Congrats!

      Delete
    3. Pam,
      You are a sweet friend! Thank you
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  11. I love my old books! This is a wonderful way to give them a second life :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!
      I think this is a project I will enjoy making over and over again.
      So thankful that I can be part of your party. Thank you for hosting.
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  12. Old books are the best! Your idea is brilliant-I could hide all sorts of things in these books including my messy pile of bullet journal writing supplies! Thanks! Pinned! Feel free to share this post on Tuesday Turn About this week! 😊

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cindy,
      I like how you think! Great little hide away spots.
      Thank you for visiting AND your sweet comment AND the pin!
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  13. this is very cool looking. Great idea #happynow

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is such a good idea! I can imagine one of these holding the remote control on a coffee table. And this could be a good hiding spot for something valuable as well.

    Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I'm featuring you this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richella,
      Thank you! The remote control hide-out is genius. I am going to use that idea!
      Thank you for the feature. I'm so glad you liked the boxes.
      I love to be able to join you :) Thanks for hosting.
      Have a great week,
      xo Lisa S

      Delete
  15. What a great idea! This would be great for small space storage with some flair! Pinned!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! It's nice to meet you, thanks for visiting....and thank you for the PIN :)
      XO Lisa S

      Delete
  16. I really like this project. Great job! I will be looking for old vintage books from now on just to try this out. #HomeMattersParty

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh goodness Lisa... I want this. How FUN!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Always wanted to make a book box, but the thought of hollowing out the center of a book never seemed like something I would enjoy spending time on. Thank you so much for this idea. Can't wait to try this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debra,
      I think this way is so much easier. I 'm not very good with a utility knife. I hope you give it a try.
      So nice to have you stop by.
      Thank you for your kind comment.
      xo Lisa S

      Delete

Autumn Junk Journal with Stenciled Cover

Hi there! I was in the mood to make an Autumn or Fall themed Journal. I used an old book for the cover.  I gathered  together papers that ha...