12 Days of Christmas Ideas--Day 12--Woo-Hoo!

On the 12th (not consecutive) day of Christmas Beyond The Picket Fence Showed me...how to make an old book Christmasssy.  I have a confession--I love old books, I hoard old books.  I love their fabric covers, and their yellowed pages, and the illustrations, oh my.  But, I don't do much with them.  Partially, because I feel badly  tearing them apart and partially because well, so many books, so little time. I decided  they aren't doing much for me sitting in suitcases so it is time to use them.  So, here are a few Christmas ideas using old books.

First, I made a Christmas card holder.

I cut out the innards of the book and traced it on its side for a gusset.  I used scrapbook paper, but you also could use fabric, which is more sturdy.

Next, fold up the sides of the gusset.

Hot glue to the book cover.

I then hot glued these to an old piece of wood.  You could screw them in as well if they were to hold heavier items.  I want to stick some candy candy canes in them as well, but I don't have any yet :(.

I also made a stocking holder (also great for keys, etc. after Christmas).

Again, I took out the innards.  I glued a board in there that was the same thickness of the book so that I was screwing the hooks, or in this case old knobs, into something secure.

There is so much you can do to decorate this.  I added chalkboard paint (writing messy--only had big hunk of sidewalk chalk), but you could decoupage a picture from a book, use some vinyl, or even spell out a word with junk like I did on Day 8.

A few smaller ideas include tags and ornaments cut from the book covers--just a quick little paint job.

I originally showed you this idea here.  I love these tags for a bottle of wine, tied to a gift, or simply hanging from the tree.  And hey, nothing says Christmas like a native about to be hit with a club (it is green and red!!).

And I know you all have seen the book page wreaths.  How about a miniature one for an ornament?

There are so many other fun ideas for old books--use your imagination!  Thanks for joining me for my 12 Days of Christmas--I hope you found an idea or two that inspired you!
Find more great ideas at Funky Junk Interiors and Finding Fabulous.