holiday décor: book page boxes

I picked up some inexpensive cardboard boxes at the Dollar Tree a few weeks ago with no real plan in mind …



… until I stumbled across Mod Podge at Jo-Ann's Fabric and Craft store.

This stuff keeps popping up on my radar – whether in a fellow blogger's post or as part of a project demo on The Nate Berkus Show.  Couple that with a plethora of book page projects circulating around the blogosphere and it seemed like a no-brainer to marry the two -- Mod Podge and books -- for a holiday craft project. 

And I knew just the book to sacrifice …

Now I’m not one to desecrate a book. I cherish the written word and revere books, authors, publishers, and bookstores.  I love the smell and feel of a book in my hands … carefully removing the dust jacket of a newly published hard cover novel and opening the spine for the first time …

But this particular title eluded me.  Sorry Oprah, but I couldn’t get past page 349 …

… and even getting to that point was painful.  I could not forge a connection or muster empathy for a single one of the story’s varied protagonists.

But enough with my mystery book rant.  It’s time to get messy …

Now keep in mind that I haven’t decoupaged anything since, like, the fifth grade or so … and trust me, fifth grade was a very long time ago.

I gathered my supplies ..


… gleefully ripped apart the mystery book …


... and started Mod Podging.

Lessons learned:

Lesson #1: Apply the glue to the pieces of paper first and then attached to the box.  Then add a layer of Mod Podge on top …


It’s messier but easier than my first attempt to apply the glue to the box first …


.. this method challenged my patience and commitment to this project.  I was seriously concerned that I’d be Mod Podging all day long …

Lesson #2: Cover the box with large pieces first and glue on like wrapping a present …


… as opposed to my trying to attach a bunch of little pieces around corners and edges … 


Because you can always go back with smaller ripped pieces and attach here and there like so …


and then smother generously with another coat of Mod Podge.

Lesson #3: Go ahead and use your hands to smooth out bumps and air bubbles.  Messy?  Yes. But much more effective than relying solely on the foam brush.

The jury is still out about whether or not I'll give them a coat of poly.  I'm worried that it might yellow the paper too much for my liking …

Once dry, I wrapped the boxes with book page ribbons and bows.  I found the bow tutorial at the Spotted Sparrow (click here) and will share my own post later this week.





In the end, I made quite the mess …


Oops.  Gotta go.  Just Mod Podge-d my camera …

Linking up with:
The Prudent Pantry
Today's Creative Blog
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Centsational Girl
The Inspired Room 

Just a Girl
Funky Junk Interiors
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Shabby Art Boutique
The DIY Showoff
Sisters of the Wild West
Tatertots & Jello
I Heart Naptime
Under The Table and Dreaming
Passionately Artistic
I Can't Stop Crafting
Dittle Dattle
House of Hepworths
The Shabby Nest
Lolly Jane Boutique
Tip Junkie
House of Grace
{Primp}
Eisy Morgan
Sew Much Ado
Passionately Artistic
A Woman's Haven
Get Outta My Head