How to cut center out of book for a "hide-y hole".
Hi Norma,
Glad you liked it. I tried cutting the inside of the book but my square always turned out kinda crooked Hubby even tried to cut it out with the scroll saw and it was pretty messy. Here are some directions to do it: Cut a square through the pages of an old book with a heavy duty utility blade/knife. It helps to draw a template on the top page and cut a few layers at a time... be sure to go slowly. When the hole is completed, glue the edges of the book together with Modge Podge® or Wall Paper Paste. You can then use it as a hiding place. When the cover of the book is closed, no one will know what's inside. Have a nice day!
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Posted By: Michigan Froggy
Date: 2004/1/7 9:05 p.m.
Marie, If you cut the edges crooked, just use a spackling to fill in to make it level then cover the inside with felt or any kind of material that you like. With your paintings on the outside, it would make a wonderful keepsake box. Margie

How to seal a book closed
Date: 2004/1/6 9:41 a.m.
Posted By: Patti E. Wisconsin USA
Marie, I have to ask. What do you do with old encyclopedias?????????
I paint them of course. Here's one I sold during my fall shows.

Posted By: Patti E. Wisconsin USA
Date: 2004/1/6 12:30 p.m.
That is so neat!!!!!! What did you use to seal the pages shut???? Did you paint the edges of the pages after they were sealed????? Inquiring minds what to know.
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Posted By: Marie (painting board host)
Date: 2004/1/7 5:24 a.m.
When the book is closed just use Modge Podge® on the outside edges of the pages. I don't paint the pages after they are sealed but you could if you wanted to with gold maybe. Glad you liked it!

Posted By: Roxy
Date: 2004/1/6 11:58 a.m.
Something like I did many moons ago with reader's digest. Only I opened the book to the center. Glued the pages together so the book stayed opened . Painted the edges gold and decoupaged (sp) a picture and a poem on the center of the book. Then added a ribbon as a bookmark. They were nice. Haven't made them in a very very loong time. I tend to get bored working on the same projects...so I move on to something new. Always trying to challenge myself. Now, why couldn't you use this idea and paint a scene on the inside of the book? Then mount on a piece of wood for a stand! Hey, I just thought of this one while typing this reply hmmmmmmmm!!!!
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Old books projects
Posted By: Joyce
Date: 2003/4/10 2:58 p.m.
One of my lists had these ideas for old books and thought someone might be interested in them. What to do with your old books...!! If they are not worth anything...like first editions or such... make door doorstops..and you can give them for Christmas presents...or make a couple from the old catalogs years ago or some real ornate books for door stops...even use them for book ends.. On the book ends...get a couple of the metal bookends..glue the book together and slide it on the metal end and let it dry... then you have a pretty bookend..
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On the door stop...you can do the same thing...only glue several together and put by the door...or you can cover and decorate them...or use a piece of fabric and glue to books...make them like a Christmas packages..and set them by the front door...they will be heavy and will stay where you put them...or covered the books with any fabric and on it...and set it by the door...Make a lamp with old books glued together and get one of those lamp kits at the hardware store and make your lamp and shade too...the ideas are endless. Or take a couple of books and sponge paint the covers and side, paint the edges of the pages gold, then tie a ribbon or raffia or something like that on it, put a couple of silk flowers, or whatever you wish... where the bow ties are. Then use them for door stops, bookends, or just decoration. They make great gifts.
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To make lamps out of them for the readers or students in your life. You take several and drill one hole through the middle of each. Put a wood base on the bottom and put the lamp kit in. Very easy for anyone to do. Buy a lamp shade for it to go with the colors in the room or books. This is great if you do this with old books on the subject or subjects that the person getting the gift enjoys. You can get the books at garage sales or library sales for next to nothing. Also sprayed the books with a clear acrylic spray to give the old books new life. Enjoy, Joyce
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Old books as divider screen
Posted By: bien
Date: 2003/4/10 2:58 p.m.
Saw a divider screen at Hobby lobby that had books on it to look like book shelves. Thought it would be a great idea to make a door. You cut some wood to look like shelves and put them accross the door. Cut the books about 1" to 2" away from the spine and glue them to the fake shelves. Using the same idea of cutting the books, a new twist on making the lamps by gluing them to a lamp base around the lamp fittings. For a reader or the librarian, a wreath. I find it fascinating that 100 years ago books were coveted and today we have so many that we can use them for crafts.

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