PIN IT

I have a soft spot for tiny thrifted books. They’re inexpensive, easy to find, and just begging to be turned into something completely different. This little 3″ x 3″ board book was a thrift store find, and I decided to give it a fall makeover. Instead of leaving it as a children’s board book, I turned it into a small fall-themed keepsake filled with some of my favourite quotes. There are so many different ways you could use a little altered book like this.

Start with a Thrifted Book

The book I used is only 3″ x 3″, which makes it a quick and manageable project. When I’m thrift shopping, I always keep an eye out for small books with sturdy pages and interesting shapes. They don’t have to be perfect because we’re going to cover them up anyway.

Before adding any paper, I needed to prepare the pages so that the original artwork and colours wouldn’t show through my new design. I painted all of the pages with Gesso, allowing it to dry between coats as needed. This gives you a nice, neutral surface to work with and also helps prepare the board book pages for adding paper and other embellishments. Once the pages were prepped, it was time for the fun part!

Adding a Fall Theme

For this book, I used Stampin’ Up!’s Painted Patch Designer Series Paper and some scraps of brown paper packaging and tissue paper from a pattern. The colours and patterns from the dsp were perfect for the cozy fall feeling I wanted. Because the book is so small, it’s a great project for using scraps. You don’t need much paper at all to cover the pages.

The focal points were all fussy cut from the pattern paper. And once the base pages were done, I  added my favourite fall-inspired quotes to turn the little book into something personal. I love that the finished project isn’t really a traditional scrapbook, journal or mini album. It’s a little bit of all three.

What Could You Use It For?

My little book became a collection of favourite quotes, but you certainly don’t have to use yours the same way. Here are a few ideas:

• Fall photo book – Add a few favourite photos from a fall photo shoot, a day at the pumpkin patch or a walk through the autumn leaves.
• Gratitude journal – Add one thing you’re grateful for to each page.
• Fall bucket list – Make a list of all the things you want to do this season.
• Favourite fall recipes – Use the pages for small recipes, ingredients or notes about family favourites.
• Memory keeper – Record little moments, outings and memories from the season.
• Favourite quotes – Just like I did, fill the pages with words that make you think of fall.
• Creative play book – Don’t give it a purpose at all. Just decorate the pages and see where the project takes you!

You could even make several of these little books, each with a different purpose and for different occasions.

There Are No Rules

One of the things I enjoy most about altering thrifted books is that you don’t have to start with a blank book designed specifically for crafting. A little board book from the thrift store can become a photo album, a journal, a collection of memories or simply a place to play with pretty paper. And because this one is so small, it’s a great project when you want to create something without committing to a larger album or journal. It’s also a wonderful way to use pieces of patterned paper, scraps and embellishments that are already in your stash.

Watch the Process

If you’d like to see how I transformed this little 3″ x 3″ board book, I’ve put together a video walking you through the process from preparing the pages with Gesso to adding the patterned paper and finishing touches.

If you come across a little thrifted board book on your next shopping trip, don’t pass it by just because it’s meant for children. Take a second look and imagine what it could become. Sometimes the smallest books make the sweetest little projects.

Until next time,

Supply List

Click on any of the images to shop my Canadian online store or to find out more information about any of these supplies. In addition to these I also used a board book; some retired embellishments, ModPodge and Gesso.