Decorative Painted Farmhouse Christmas Books

Decorative Painted Farmhouse Christmas Books

Creating Rae Dunn Inspired painted farmhouse Christmas books using old thrift store books.

Look beyond the paint.  Let us try to open our minds to a new idea. – Katherine Ann Watson “Mona Lisa Smiles”

 

I know…I know…

There are many people who don’t like books upcycled or messed with in any way.  Believe me, I get it!  I love books too.  But there are some books that really do need a little help or they would never get used for again.

Whether the book was a total fail, maybe How to Poo on a Date was not for you, or the pages are falling apart, or water damage..well you get the picture.  After the gag gift, Bombproof Your Horse laughs were gone maybe it could be used in a new way (for more weird book titles, see the bottom of this post).

Let’s take the old, worn, and neglected and open our minds to a new idea…or at least a new project. These decorative painted farmhouse Christmas books will turn something that otherwise might not get used to something new again.

FARMHOUSE PAINTED BOOKS SUPPLIES

*We use affiliate links to share the same or similar items used.  You can read our full disclosure policy here.

• 3 thrift store or dollar store books (hard or soft with a 1” spine.
• Cutting machine – Cricut or Silhouette 
• Blue light grip mat (for your machine)
• Oracle 651 permanent vinyl (green, red or color of your choice)
• Transfer paper (I’m using Cricut brand but dollar store brand works fine)
• A weeding tool 
• A scraper tool or old gift card 
• Scissors and/or cutter tool 
• Ribbon of your choice (or twine)
• White chalk paint
• Sandpaper (optional)
• Sponge brush 
• Hot glue gun 
• iPad or computer with access to design program (see instructions)

PREP BOOKS

• First, find an old book from the thrift store or dollar store. Start by removing the cover from the books. To do this run scissors along the inside spine of the books before the first page and after the last page and pull cover completely off.
• This next step is optional, but use sandpaper over the spine to help smooth and remove any paper or glue residue. If you like a more rustic look feel free to skip this step.
• Remove the first few pages from the front and back of the books to reveal a full page of words.
• Use a sponge brush with white chalk paint to begin painting the spine of the books, the top of the books and the sides of the books.
• Once the paint has completely dried, begin working on the vinyl that will be placed on the side of the books.

VINYL INSTRUCTIONS

• Be sure to download and import the font titled “the skinny” to the design program. This is a Rae Dunn inspired font from dafont.com. Find it here.
• In your design program type the phrases you would like to use to display on the spine of your books. For this project, we will be using a phrase with 3 words i.e. Oh, Holy Night, Tis The Season
• Measure the words to be 1-inch height. The width will vary depending on the word chosen. The spine of your books should be approximately 1 inch. If your books are smaller or larger, adjust the height of your phrases according to the spine height.
• Align and press the vinyl onto the light, blue grip mat and load into the machine. Be sure to adjust the material dial to vinyl before hitting cut. *note: for this step and the next few steps you will repeat the process x3. Each vinyl word will be transferred separately.
• After the cut is complete, unload the mat, and remove the cut vinyl. Using the weeding tool (looks like a dentist pick) begin to weed around the letters along with the spaces within the letters. Ex: “O” the shape inside the letter will need to be removed.
• Next, measure and cut the transfer paper to cover the vinyl. Slowly and carefully apply it on top of the cut and weeded vinyl. Apply pressure with the scrapper tool (or old gift card works great) over the vinyl to relieve any air bubbles and help it adhere to the transfer paper.
• Flip the vinyl with the attached transfer paper (vinyl should be letters down). Carefully roll the backing from the vinyl away leaving the cut vinyl letters only on the transfer paper (you will be able to see through the transfer paper).

VINYL APPLICATION

• Line the transfer tape with vinyl attached to the spine (about a quarter of an inch indentation from the right).
• If placement is to your desire, use the scraper tool to smooth and apply pressure for vinyl to transfer to books. Repeat the process for the next two words.
• Very slowly roll the transfer paper away with pressure and down off the spine of the books. Doing this will leave the vinyl behind. *note: you may need to help the vinyl along with your fingers at times.
• Lastly, use your fingers and press down on the vinyl to ensure it properly adheres to the books. 

DECORATING BOOKS

• Tie the ribbon around with the width and height of the books like a present. Cut ribbon about 8 inches to tie a bow and hot glue the tied ribbon to the top of the ribbon bounding the books.

*Tip – If you are really good at handwriting, you could also try making these painted farmhouse Christmas books freehand with a Sharpie.

MORE “NEW IDEAS”

• Wine Cork Pine Cone Ornament
• Tool Box Hot Cocoa Station
• Unstoppables Bottle Upcycled Snowmen

FUN BOOKS TITLES

*Think we were kidding?  These are actually listed on Amazon…

• Whose Bottom is This?
• Goblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop
• How to Avoid Huge Ships
• The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America
• Manifold Destiny: The One! The Only! Guide to Cooking on Your Car Engine
• How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog
• How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors Strike