But not all books can still be happily read, alas. I also like twenty years out of date guidebooks, four years out of date telephone books, picture books with crayon scribbles covering half the pages, and vintage classics that someone just found in a cardboard box in their grandpa’s woodshed and it shows. The only difference is that I don’t like those books for reading–I like them for crafting! Once a book has completed its useful life as a book to be read, it’s ready to live a second life as an altered book giving just as much joy in a different way. Whether it’s a journal, an art piece, or a collage material, that beat-up old book has a lot more love to give. Check out my list, below, of free altered book tutorials and choose the next life for your next beat-up old book!
Board Book Turned Scrapbook
While I wouldn’t follow the tutorial’s suggestion to buy a brand-new board book for this–there are SO many used board books to be found at thrift stores and yard sales!–I LOVE this idea for turning a worn and unattractive board book into a new blank scrapbook. This would also work so well as a simple photo album! A board book turned altered book would be especially fitting for displaying baby photos.
Board Book Art Journal
This project is similar to the board book scrapbook, above, but instead of covering the original board book pages in scrapbook paper, cover them in watercolor paper, Bristol board, or your other favorite surface for creating art on. You could even cover the pages in canvas for acrylic paint! Use the new surface to write and illustrate your own story, or simply use it as a sturdy art journal. The size of a typical board book makes it a perfect altered book for travel journaling.
Zippered Book Clutch
Surprisingly, this is a no-sew project! You could attach straps to turn this into a proper purse, but I also like the idea of sneaking it into your bookshelf as a secret hiding place. Nobody will steal my Reese’s pumpkins if they don’t know where they are!
Book Cover Notepad
A smaller hardback book has a cover just the right size to alter into this cute notepad set. I like how durable the hardback cover makes the notepad; it can now kick around in your backpack or glove compartment without worry that it will get damaged!
Little Golden Book Junk Journal
Little Golden Books have been beloved by children for generations, and the more beloved something is by kids, the more beat-up it’s gonna look afterwards! That’s why Little Golden Books, especially, make great projects for altering–grown-up you is going to love your vintage Little Golden Book junk journal as much as toddler you loved looking through the pages of that Little Golden Book when it was brand-new.
Upcycled Book Cover Greeting Card Holder
If you can find a vintage holiday book, then you’ve got the makings for this fun and useful greeting card holder. Greeting cards can be so artistic and contain such beautiful messages that I love the idea of keeping them in an heirloom-quality holder like this.
Picture Book Page Notebook Cover
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best! Decoupaging an old book page onto the cover of an existing notebook is a wonderful way to personalize it, especially when you use a page from an old favorite book. If a picture book image seems too babyish, try decoupaging a comic book page!
Decoupaged Coasters
This project gets a BIG boost if you also can thrift an existing coaster set complete with holder. If you can’t, look for plain white tiles at your local ReStore; add felt to the back and an image to the front, and you’ll have a picture-perfect coaster! This tutorial doesn’t call for any sealant on the top of the image, but your coasters will last a lot longer if you polyurethane them. Even Mod Podge would add light protection.
Hardcover Picture Book Treat Box
A lot of upcycled book projects create new and different books, so I love that this project creates something completely different! Upcycle an old picture book into a little treat or trinket holder, preserving the cutest graphic from the book as the highlight of the container. I think these would look especially cute holding Halloween candy!
Decoupaged Gift Jars
This is such an easy way to fancy up a thrifted jar so it’s suitable for holding a gift! The tutorial doesn’t call for any kind of sealant over the image, but you’ll need one if you want the jar to be at all washable, or even wipeable. My go-to is water-based polyurethane, but even clear packing tape sheets would do the trick.
Picture Book Coin Purse
The tutorial asks you to photocopy the picture book image you want to use, I think probably because vintage paper is too delicate for this project. A newer picture book with high-quality paper, however, should do just fine.
Upcycled Book Shelf
I LOATHE abridged books, so for me, this project would be a no-brainer for using up those wastes of paper. Whatever books you use, I love the idea of printing your own book covers so you can achieve the perfect aesthetic. Do YOU have a favorite altered book project? Tell us about it in the Comments!
