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Fall Pumpkin Decorations Made from Recycled Books

September 22, 2014 By Lauren 8 Comments

pumpkinbook-5507It’s the first day of fall guys! I know, where did summer go?! I love this time of year. It’s still warm out but the leaves are all changing and the air is cooling down. It’s such a great season. Not to mention Halloween is coming which is one of my favorite holidays ever. Now that summer is officially over it’s time to pull out your Fall decorations. Or if you need some new ones make them, like these cute pumpkin decorations made from recycled books. 

applesIf you are holding on to every ounce of summer, you can do what my uber creative grandma did and use your pumpkins as apples until the season progresses. Isn’t that the cutest?! Put them on a red table cloth or tie red ribbon around the top to emphasis that they are apples. Maybe stack them up as a snowman for the winter? Turn them into beach balls for the summer? Okay, I’ll stop. They are pumpkins. 

pumpkinbook-5116I picked up some books at the thrift store for $1 a piece. I looked for the thick, off-white paperback books. If they are think enough you can make two pumpkins out of each book. Check the coloring on them if you are doing multiple. You don’t want one to be bright white while the others are slightly brown. pumpkinbook-5117Split the book in half if you want to make two. If you want to make an extra think pumpkin you can use the whole book. I would still suggest cutting it in half. It will be easier to cut and the spines won’t have to wrap as far around when you put it back together. 

pumpkinbook-5121Draw half the pumpkin on the top page. Don’t worry about making it perfect, pumpkins aren’t perfect. The top should dip down where the stalk will go. Keep the bottom flat so it sits well. I drew mine about 4 inches wide (from the spine) and 5 inches tall. Using a box cutter or x-acto knife, cut threw a few pages at a time working through the book. It’s easiest if you tear the pages off as you go. 

pumpkinbook-5125You may need to clean up the pages with scissors after you you finish. Soften the spine by bending the pages backwards. This will help separate the pages and keep the spine rounded. 

pumpkinbook-5512Use hot glue along the spine to attach both edges. Use hot glue on the pages to keep the book extra secure. To make the stem, I used a small twig and hot glued it in place. Tie twine and string in a bow around the stem to add color. 

pumpkinbook-5459The pumpkins look great as a center piece for tables. You can make multiple and group them together or just make one and group it with other holiday decorations. 

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pumpkinbook-5471This lovely table runner was made my mom last year. Isn’t it cute?! She is so talented! 

pumpkinbook-5485They look great on a book shelf as well. And if I had a fireplace mantle, I bet they would look good there too. 

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Comments

  1. kelsey says

    September 22, 2014 at 9:44 am

    wow! how adorable! love this
    http://www.ladiesinnavy.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 22, 2014 at 5:12 pm

      Thanks Kelsey!

      Reply
  2. Aubrie LeGault says

    September 22, 2014 at 11:09 am

    I love this idea. I just might have to try this one. Cute!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 22, 2014 at 5:13 pm

      You should try it! They look very cute on my table.

      Reply
  3. Pech says

    September 22, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    Ooo I love how this is perfect for the season (like all of autumn) and without having to eventually sniff and remember oh oh time to throw out the pumpkin that is now leaking fluids…

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 22, 2014 at 5:13 pm

      Haha! Nope, no smelly liquids… and you can use them again next year.

      Reply
  4. Diana says

    September 24, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    I love the leaves around them. I’m going to do that too. Thank you for making me some too!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      September 26, 2014 at 10:42 am

      I thought the leaves looked nice. Extra fall-like

      Reply

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