Sunday, July 3, 2011

Book Birdhouses

By now everyone has seen a book wreath. Probably you’ve seen a book bundle (especially the ones with the covers ripped off). I personally haven’t made the former, but I have several of the latter. My husband thinks it’s a shameful way to treat perfectly good books, but I haven’t seen him actually trying to read any of the books I have brought home!

A couple of months ago I saw my first book birdhouse, and I was smitten. I couldn’t figure out how it was created by just looking at it, so I began an Internet search! Second time lucky; I found the instructions at Country Business. So I promptly dismantled a couple of my book bundles, and made some birdhouses instead! A couple of you noticed them in my pictures of my French Café Table:

tables 012

…and I promised instructions were forthcoming! So here they are.

book birdhouses 006

First you need an old book, minus the cover. Around 200 pages will give a very nice, fat, birdhouse. If your book is longer than that, you might end up using some of the end pages for another project.

book birdhouses 007

Fold the first page in half toward the spine.

book birdhouses 008

Then fold the top corner down to meet the spine, making a triangle. Flip that page over; you’re done with it now.

book birdhouses 009

On the second page, fold the bottom corner in to meet the spine, making a triangle.

book birdhouse tutorial

Then fold the top corner in to meet the spine.

Alternate pages one and two, and you’ll be making a book birdhouse like the middle-sized one in the picture above (the bottom edge of the roof is slanted, rather than horizontal).

book birdhouse instructions

The other two birdhouses are slightly different. The first page is the same, but on the second page, fold the top corner in to meet the spine first.

book birdhouse tutorial

Then fold the bottom corner in to meet the spine.

book birdhouse tutorial

Next, carefully tear the page away from the binding from the bottom half-way up. Fold it up to make a triangle.

book birdhouse tutorial

This is what method number two looks like when you’re about half-way done.

book birdhouses 015

When you’ve finished folding all of your pages, glue the first and the last pages together, and you’ve got a birdhouse!

I did have a problem with some of the pages wanting to come completely free of the binding. I generously glued them back in place.

book birdhouses

My three birdhouses have taken up residence on my French chocolate coffee table. As you can see, I used a little brown craft paint to paint pseudo-openings on them. So those paper birds have a way in, you know!

book birdhouse

These are probably going with me to Bella’s Vintage Market next Saturday. I’d like to try tying some twine around the spine and suspending them from my tent! Hope it works!

Confession: My husband may have a bit of a point. I had no problems turning an old math text into a book birdhouse. But for one of the other books, I kept catching glimpses of the story, and I thought to myself, “I might have liked to have read this book!”

Thanks to Craft Gossip for featuring this project here.

CraftGossip
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Linking to these great parties, Too Much Time on My Hands, and homework

54 comments:

foreverdecorating said...

Too cute!

Tina@WhatWeKeep said...

Hi Korrie,

This reminds me of the Christmas trees we made as children using Reader's Digest. How fun...and a very clever idea. They look great!

Tina

Thrifty Crafty Girl said...

Those are great! Thanks for the great tutorial!

Tamra said...

Cute!

Shawna said...

As adorable as these are... I almost want to side with your husband. I, too, have a hard time with "reconstructing" books into something new. I have purchased several books that I know aren't worth reading especially for this purpose, but still find myself hesitating to make that first rip, bend or splash of paint!

Amy Kinser said...

That is an adorable idea. Love how they turned out.

Unknown said...

very cool when I was little (I mean younger) we did this with big old catalogs and made Christmas trees out of them.

Andrea . Charcoal and Crayons said...

Wow these are great! I really love the look of them. I will have to keep an eye out for some old text books because I have a hard time ripping up books too!

The Painted Parlor said...

How stinkin cute! YOUR the first one Ive seen do this, so according to ME, my hat goes off to ya for your originality ;)

Julie

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

love 'em! too cute!
hope you're having a great holiday!
gail

Cassie Bustamante said...

those are so cool and unique! love them!

Donna said...

we made these when we were kids and also Christmas trees. But my favorite things we made out of the Readers Digest were Mr.and Mrs.Santa Claus. My mom still diplays them every year and I think I was about 7 when we made em. That makes em 34 years old! Those books hold up well! :)

Fresh Garden said...

Absolutely fantastic!
Keep it coming! :)
I'm always here to support you.

ChRiS said...

adorable!!! and great tutor

theisiwayoflife {isi} said...

Cute!!!

Delaney said...

So cool!
http://sweetteaserendipity.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Like several of the others, I remember making books into Christmas trees. These are adorable! They'd look great on a summer mantelpiece. I wonder if you could achieve more of a mushroom shape?

-Teresa

bj said...

These are precious..you will probably sell them every one. You have such talent, girl...:)

Full Circle Creations said...

Great job! I made mine over the weekend and am so glad you posted about them before me, now I don't have to do the tutorial and can give you all the credit since you sent me the link a couple of weeks ago! Thanks!

Holly

MulticoloredPieces said...

The birdhouses are a great idea and your bedside tables with aluminum foil are smashing! Thanks for sharing all the ideas and providing the info/tutorials.
best, nadia

Anonymous said...

I agree with your husband as well. I collect old books and would never be able to do this to them!

Jamie @ DIY Home Sweet Home said...

So cute. Thank you for linking up at http://diyhshp.blogspot.com

Jennifer Interiors said...

I love these! They look great on your table. Thanks for visiting my blog. Yes...you hit the nail on the head..."DADD" to a fault. thanks for being patient with me. You are wonderful!

Unknown said...

Love love love these!! I have been addicted to paperback crafts lately! Pumpkins, trees, fireworks and now bird houses! So cute!

Carolyn said...

Those are fantastic! I would love for you to share this project on my Inspiration Board.
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/07/inspiration-board-link-party.html

carolyn | homework

PaperVine said...

Gorgeous - I love these and will definitely be trying this out! thanks so much for sharing the tutorial.
Lowri :-)

The Miller's @ Prezidential Life said...

Oh My goodness!
That is amazing! Really great! I would never have thought to do that but now I feel like I must go try it right now!!!
Thanks for sharing!

The Miller's

Leah said...

I love these, and handn't seen them before - thanks for posting the how-to!

Anonymous said...

OK....this are too stinkin cute!!!!!! Love them!

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

Great idea! Thanks for the tutorial. I love anything birdhouse related, so will definitely be trying this. Thank you.

Pam

Maureen said...

Oh my gosh I LOVE THESE!!!!! I must make them:) Thank you so very much for the tutorial!!!
I found you via the Under $100 Linky Party!
http://www.releasemecreate.blogspot.com

Beverly@southernhomesweethome said...

Over from Open House. Very cute..

Michele @ {Primp} said...

I've done a few book page projects too, but this is very creative and unique. I would love it if you shared this at my linky party.

Unknown said...

My mama LOVES bird houses and used to be a teaher. Her birthday is coming up and I am going to make her some of these! THANK YOU so much for sharing!! So excited!
Jenni
kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com

HomeDefined.com said...

Cute! I don't know how all you creative ladies come up with this stuff but I'm in awe!

Debra
http://homedefined.com

Megan Gunyan said...

Awesome. I'm totally trying this out. THANK YOU for sharing your how-to's every week at EBTKS. I'm always happy to see you've joined the fun!

(cullenkidsmum) said...

Making one right now. Thanks for sharing to tutorial!

ileana-carmen said...

Hello! I like this little book paper home and I made it to. Thank you for sharing tutorial. I put the link of tutorial on my blog.

junkermidge said...

Oh I love those! I want to give them a try too!
Midge

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Korrie, I haven't seen these before and they are adorable! Thanks for sharing the "how to" at my party.
xo,
Sherry

Mihaela said...

Great tutorial, thanks!

Angela McInnis said...

I LOVE all things "bird" and this is no exception! What a concise, clearly written tutorial...thank you very much for sharing. Can't wait to try this!
Angela

PS I am your newest follower. Hope you will visit "my neck of the woods" when you have a moment!

Eva Nagy said...

These houses are adorable! I guess I wouldn't mind ripping up some old communist books to make such beauties out of them :)
Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

Ginger@gingersnapcrafts.com said...

Following you from Someday Crafts. Would love to have you link this up at my {wow me} wednesday link up party going on right now. :)

Ginger
gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

Amanda said...

These are very cool! :) I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/how-to-make-book-birdhouses/

If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/

Inspired By June said...

These are adorable, Korrie! I've been looking for something to do with the book "proofs" I've been accumulating! Will be checking out your book bundles, too. Thanks for sharing!

Pradeepa said...

Really a great idea. Thanks for the tutorial. I am definitely going to try it.

Barbara Floyd, Founder said...

Very cute....we have a Visiting Nurses book sale in Phoenix in Feb. and if you go the last day everything is half off the already low price. Tons of old books...probably nothing you would take time to read and perfect for projects. Many of them with various great colored binding use to end up in stacks with a silk bow and silk flowers for an arrangement. This project for the bird houses is very "in" looking and something you could do with children even. Or a fun day with crafting friends.

Kim @ Too Much Time said...

You get my vote...BEST CRAFT! I love the reuse of old books. I am pinning this AND featuring you Monday! (and also stealing the idea to make some for myself:)I would love for you to link up this weekend!

http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2012/01/get-schooled-saturday-5.html

Jennifer @ Town and Country Living said...

Found you at Saturday Night Special. I remember making these in grade school for a Christmas project. We used Sears catalogs and then spray painted them green. I'd forgotten all about them until recently when I saw them at a flea market and thought they were cute. Wouldn't buy one since I knew I could make them ... thanks for your tutorial because I couldn't remember how to fold the pages!

Myrna Marcano said...

Great !
Thanks for sharing/
Hug, Myrna

vikki said...

WHat a beautifully unique Idea. Love them.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

What a cute idea! We have lots of old books around here. Such a novel idea!

Blessings,
Sandi

Giboulée50 said...

Superbe !
Bravo