I have never really been one to sexify up my books with DIY covers.
In school, while people were going all artistic on their textbooks with paper bags and duct tape and such, I was totally content with my beat up books in their as-is condition.
Now, as an adult, I like to think my worn out books with creased covers and tattered spines are just a sign of well loved books with character. (Or at least that’s what I tell myself.. maybe I am just lazy.)
At any rate, the whole book decorating thing just isn’t my thing. Well, it wasn’t that is, until a squirrel ate my Bible.
In May of this year, we rescued a baby squirrel that had lost its mother. He was so young, he still needed to nurse. He was the cutest freaking thing on the planet, let me tell you. My girls loved him, he got along with our dog, and he liked to chew on EVERYTHING. Including books. Especially books. *sigh*
As he got older, he began to get increasingly nippy, and territorial around food, and since we could not trust him around our toddlers, we set him free at a local park. But we will always remember our little orphan squirrel we rescued.. he was awesome! But anyway, back to the things he destroyed.
I ended up throwing away all of the books that he ate, and just re-ordered the books I still wanted copies of that he destroyed. But then there was this book… The Founders Bible, a Bible study that my mother in law bought me as a gift years ago. (Which I highly recommend, btw!)
I had so many hand written notes in this book, and did not want to get rid of it! It was intact except for the spine, which was gnawed to heck. All it needed was a new cover. *LIGHT BULB!!!*
Time to get all high school crafty up in hyah.
You Will Need:
Wrapping Paper
Pencil
Razor Blade
Glue
Now, you can use any paper for your book cover (this is where that crafty high school ingenuity comes in!) – anything from a cut open brown paper bag, heavy construction paper, road maps, scraps of wallpaper, etc. etc. I decided to use an embossed silver wrapping paper from my stash of holiday wrapping papers, since it was so simple and pretty (and I liked the embossed texture!)
Whatever you decide to use, begin with a piece of paper big enough to wrap around the closed book, adding at least one to two inches on all sides.
Image from The Precious Little Things in Life Blog, which discusses how to print spine titles on DIY book covers, click here to visit!
STEP ONE: Place the book in the center of the paper. Using the diagram above as a guide, trace out the cut lines along the spine and around the corners.
STEP TWO: With a sharp razor blade, cut out the corners and spine areas.
Nothing sexier than a husband who works on crafty projects with you! Hubba hubba! 😉
STEP THREE: Place the book on the cut paper, and apply glue onto the inside edges of the covers. Fold the paper edges firmly down onto the inside covers, and smooth down applying light pressure to ensure the glue holds.
It really is a super simple project, but it is made a thousand times simpler when you have a sharp razor blade for easy and accurate cutting. For this project I used a Fiskars Easy Change Detail Knife, (CLICK HERE to view on Amazon.com!) which is waaaaay too fun to play with for something so sharp and pointy.
For those of you who don’t know, Fiskars are a well known and trusted brand, whose signature bright orange handles in the sewing and crafting tools aisle of fabric and hobby stores set off a Pavlovs dogs type reaction in crafters, making them salivate for new projects at just the sight of these iconic orange tools.
From the Fiskars website (CLICK HERE to visit!):
Thoughtfully designed for the way you like to work, the Easy Change Detail Knife makes switching between different cutting tasks simple. A great choice for cutting paper, cardstock, thin plastic, photos, canvas and more, the knife features an easy blade change lock that allows you to switch blades in seconds. Stay comfortably in control during projects big and small with an ergonomically sculpted handle featuring Softgrip® touchpoints. In addition, a no-roll design and included blade cap improve safety. Compatible with most standard blades, this versatile knife ensures you can always use the blade that’s right for your materials and project.
I am a HUGE fan of the Fiskars brand, and I love checking out all of their newest gadgets. Crafting and DIY projects become ridiculously simple and fun when you have the right (and good quality) tools. The knife blades are super sharp, easy to handle, safe to store (an essential when I have toddlers running amok) and switching out blades is a cinch. I would highly recommend!
[Disclaimer: There are no affiliate links in this review. I am an independent product reviewer. I only review products I am truly interested in. I don’t accept payment for reviews. The products I take the time to jabber on about are either items I have personally purchased, or the product has been provided for review after me initiating contact and incessantly nagging for a sample. All of my reviews are unbiased regardless of how the item was obtained.]
;D
Gostei!
Ótima segunda!
Beijo! ^^
Thanks for stopping by Amanda! <3
So pretty! I’ve started doing this to my books, so I can use them as decoration. That baby squirrel is so cute 🙂
Yeah, I have seen some really nice ones with vintage maps and such… so lovely!
I am so not a do it yourselfer but I really want to be-so pretty
But this is sooooo easy! You have to try! haha!
Oh how cute! I’m sorry the spine was eaten, but I really like this new version for a cover. And OMG, I want a baby squirrel. Maybe just for a day though…haha
I DID cover my books in high school because we had too. I usually used paper bags or those stretchy covers you can buy in the store. Nothing very fancy.
-Lauren
That squirrel was the cutest, most adorable thing, until it got older and a little more territorial over things.. I wonder if it was because he was a boy and he was reaching maturity, or if squirrels just always wild up over time…? Either way, it was a fun experience!
GREAT job and it fixed it! We love watching all the baby squirrels we have around here in the spring. Poor thing- I am sure you had fun with him BEFORE he got too ‘nippy’…lol Guess he just got a little ‘squirrely’?
Your bible looks beautiful now. xo Diana
Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but rescuing a baby squirrel has always been on the bucket list.. now to rescue a baby bat, a baby racoon, a baby skunk, a baby owl…. 😉
I love covering books! and this method is perfect. I cannot wait to try it. Glad you could save your Bible 🙂
Let me know how it works out if you give it a try! <3
My daughter has a rabbit who ate part of my school certificates :-/// Great idea for new cover of the book, looks really pretty 🙂
WOW. That is a sucky thing to lose right there!
Wow, Great job with that book!!!
And your squirrel is so cute!!!!
Kisses, Paola
Thanks Paola!! <3 <3 <3
I’ve never been one to cover my books either, but this is a great project when you really need to cover a book like you did. Thanks for the tip.
I am too much of a fan of books as is to do this to my regular books, but this is good to have on hand for broken spines like this one!
I just love that your man is working with you on this beautiful project, friend!
Sweet, sweet!
;-}
Yeah, he is my partner and best friend in all things!! I am very lucky and blessed!
Your squirrel is adorable. It sucks you had to let him go, but then again it’s not. It’s a wild animal, and it needs to be free, but it would be super cool to keep him around for a while. Wow! Your squirrel loved to chew, lol. I used to cover my books in high school; this post brings back great memories. 🙂
Yeah, we would prefer for him to be in his natural environment, but I know on rare occasions, they tame up so much that it would be cruel to set them out in the wild.. not so with this guy! He was wild enough to survive, while still being super sweet!
You did an awesome job and that squirrel is adorable! Baci, Valeria – Coco et La vie en rose FASHION & BEAUTY
Awwwww, thanks Coco!
ohhhhhhh que cosita mas bonita me ha encantado, y el libro tambien
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Oh my gosh, I totally remember covering my text books in school… but they never looked this pretty. I happy to see you were able to salvage your special book. I should have done that for a few of mine. Wow to taking care of the squirrel… that is sweet that you and your family helped him … xox
Yeah, I am actually really pleased with how nice and crisp this book cover looks… not at all like I remember book covers being in school! haha!
Oh man, thank you for bringing me back to school and covering my books!! I was always that kid that decorated all her books…this is such a cute idea for wrapping gifts. The squirrel is adorable too, you did a good thing.
Hahaha, you were one of the cool kids! 😉 Yeah, I am super happy we were able to save that little booger… even though he did destroy half the house! haha
Oh my gosh so cute! I am sure it was hard to let him go, but he is probably very happy in his little squirrely park! Cool DIY book wrapping 🙂
We actually had a friend let him go, since I hate goodbyes, haha.. how lame is that?!
The squirrel is adorable, I’ve always wondered how to live with them as pets. This is such a beautiful project and would look great for decorative books. Thanks!
I had a teacher once, who had one that made a wonderful pet! Totally tame and sweet.. this one was a sweetie, but was most certainly wilding up! lol…
When I an actual physical book I liek to wrap it as I read on the bus/subway. I do it almost the same but with no glue so I can take it off. A good reminder this DIY. A frend had a squirrel she rescued for a bit at her place, so soft and loveable 🙂
If I dont glue things that I want to stay, my toddlers see to it that it gets shredded within moment, haha!
fancier take on what i used to do in school as a kid…i’ve heard of people raising squirrels as their own! my dad had an alligator once as pet!
WHOA!!! An alligator for a pet is WAY awesome!!!!! I want one now!! haha!
The squirrel is so darn cute!!! And I love the paper that you chose for this DIY, it looks so elegant 🙂
Awwww, thanks!! <3