What can I make with old books?
Your old books and your journal are begging you for a facelift!!
The DIY Painted Book Covers for Decor or Use gives you a way to use those old books you have on the shelves and make them decorating superstars. It also gives you and the grands a way to express your creativity on that boring journal or notebook you look at every day. Oh my goodness this is a fun project!
Here's a video for DIY Painted Book Covers if you prefer!
Use a hard backed book.
This book cover upcycling project only works on a hardback book or journal (thick cardboard). A paperback cover curls and warps when wet with paint, not lying flat even when dry. SO, grab your extra books that were heading to the thrift store and give them a second life.
Painting a book cover
Open the book (in about the middle of the book) and lay it pages down/spine up on a covered surface. This puts the cover up, ready for painting.
Now there are different ways you can go here.
If using this book for a home decoration, you may want to use a solid color and not paint any designs on the book at all. It is popular to paint books an off white or ivory color. They can be used in a stack to set a plant or other knick knack on or used alone or in a series of books standing upright.
It would look cool to paint each book one color, say blue, but add a bit more white paint to the blue paint each time you paint another book cover. Each book cover would then be a lighter shade of the same color. That would look great on a shelf.
But if you are wanting to express that personality of yours, get some ideas in mind for your design. The book cover is just like a blank canvas. The grands will love this.
What kind of paint should I use to paint a book cover?
I used acrylic craft paints for this project. A water based wall paint could even work for the overall color if you are wanting to match your room.
Paint the cover white (or background color of choice) to give a base coat on which to paint a design. You may need to stand the book up a bit to get in the “nooks and crannies” of the spine and edges of the cover.
Let this base coat dry. Apply a second coat if needed. Depending on the book, sometimes it looks neat if a little bit of the book cover color shows through.
You can leave it this solid color if you want. Project done.
How to paint a book
But…looking to have some more fun?
Now that the base color is done and dry, you can paint a design on the book. It is like a blank canvas.
There are lots of options. Lots and lots and lots of options.
To start with you may paint or sponge on another background color of choice. If you want a hazy look on the background (like clouds or just a mottled look) you can use a sponge or a wadded napkin or paper towel to dab paint onto the book cover.
If you cover part of the book cover with masking tape (your initials for example), you can do your painting and then peel it off at the end. This leaves your initials in the original cover color. This works for stripes or plaids as well. Put the tape on the book, paint over the tape and pull it off when paint is completely dry.
Painting your design on the book cover
Then use your paint brushes and acrylic paint to personalize the cover design. Your imagination is the limit. Paint a design, flowers, animals, write a saying or Bible verse, letter your name…the list goes on and on.
Don’t forget that you can use a stencil if you want.
You can spatter the image with flicked paint from an old toothbrush to get a small spray of paint for another neat effect. This can be done at any point of your painting, but the video shows it at the end. You may need to add a bit of water to the paint for it to spatter well.
What? You don’t like your design? Repaint it with the background color and try again! How’s that for a re-do option if needed?
Protecting the cover design
Decoupage the cover using Mod Podge to protect it if you want. Stick on jewels or other stickers to finish things up if desired.
My mind is just spinning with ideas. PLEASE attach pictures of your DIY Painted Book Covers for Decor or Use. I would really like to see them.
Want even more fun painting on things??
- Painted Initial for the wall
- Pretty painted terra cotta flower pots
- Painting rocks found in their pockets
Enjoy!
If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
Come join the fun at www.WelcomeToNanas.com
DIY Painted Book Covers for Decor or Use
Equipment
- Brushes
- Small dish/glass of water to clean brushes
- Sponge (optional)
- Old toothbrush (optional)
Items Required
- 1 Hard backed book or journal
- Acrylic paints
- Napkin or paper towel
- Masking tape (optional)
- Mod Podge (optional)
- Stick on jewels or stickers (optional)
Instructions
- Paint the cover white (or color of choice) to give a base coat on which to paint a design. You may need to stand the book up a bit to get in the “nooks and crannies” of the spine and edges of the cover.Let this base coat dry. Apply a second coat if needed.
- You may paint or sponge on another background color of choice.
- If you cover part of the book cover with masking tape (your initials for example), you can do your painting and then peel it off at the end.
- Use your paint brushes and acrylic paint to personalize the cover design. Paint a design, flowers, animals, write a saying or Bible verse, letter your name…
- Decoupage the cover using Mod Podge to protect it if you want.
- Stick on jewels or other stickers to finish things up if desired.
Video
Supplies for DIY Painted Book Covers for Decor or Use
- Hard backed book or journal
- Acrylic paints
- Brushes
- Small dish/glass of water to clean brushes
- Napkin or paper towel
- Sponge (optional)
- Old toothbrush (optional)
- Masking tape (optional)
- Mod Podge (optional)
- Stick on jewels or stickers (optional)
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