How to Make Pumpkins From Recycled Books

Once September rolls around, I am all about decorating for Halloween. I saw a similar fall pumpkin project on Pinterest and couldn't wait to try it.

The hardest part of the project for me was selecting which book to use. 'Defacing' a book is downright sinful; however, I decided an old Fodor travel book on the Caribbean was expendable. If I return to the islands, I'll buy a more up-to-date issue.

Step One
Draw a pumpkin shaped template on a piece of paper. Fold it in half and trim it up so that the sides are symmetrical. (Don't over think this step. I drew mine free-handed.) Make sure the template isn't larger than the book you will be using. (The template is almost heart-shaped, but the bottom is flat...)

make sure your template isn't bigger than your book

Step Two
Tear the front and back covers from the book. Fold the template in half and place the template on the first page of the book. Trace the template (half pumpkin) onto the first page with a pencil.

Step Three
Cut through the pages—about ten pages at a time depending on how sharp your scissors are. Tear the cut pages away from the spine of the book as you go and repeat with another group of pages.

Step Four
Continue cutting pages until the entire book is cut into the shape of a pumpkin. Trim any jagged edges, but don't worry about making it perfect. When have you ever seen a perfect real pumpkin?

Step Five

Near the spine of your pumpkin-shaped book, glue the first and last pages together with hot glue. This will help open the book into a round shape. Set your pumpkin upright and begin 'fluffing' the pages—moving and opening the pages around. Some pages may be stuck together. Play around with it until the pages are separated and the pumpkin is full and fat.

Step Six

Now comes the most fun part—decorating! I lightly sprayed my pumpkin with flat black spray paint. Just a mist added a bit of color. (The book I used had a few bright orange pages between chapters which automatically added a hint of orange to my pumpkin. I didn't plan this, but it worked out well.)

Step Seven

Hot glue a piece of tree branch to the top for the stem. I added ribbon, a vintage black button and a vine from my garden for whimsy.

I made a second smaller pumpkin and sprinkled gold glitter in the wet spray paint.

I love the way my recycled book pumpkins turn out. What do you think?

talya