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How to Make a Paperback Book Angel

November 30, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner 27 Comments

How to make a paperback book angel

If you can fold a piece of paper, you can make this paperback book angel.

Book angels, typically made from hymnals, have been around a long time. Since I didn’t have a hymnal, I used a paperback book.

Although I’m not one to destroy books, this Glimmer Train book was the easy choice for me since I received it in the mail as a consolation prize for not winning one of their short story contests. Yep, I just ripped the cover right off and turned it into something more positive (after I read it of course).

Paperback book angel

Fold page to center. (Initially I folded two pages at a time (as shown in the picture above), but it became quickly apparent this would not work. I started over folding one page at a time.)

Paperback Book Angel

Fold the same page to center again.

Paperback book angel

After the second fold, there will be a triangular piece hanging below the edge of the book. Fold this section under so that the edge is even.

Paperback book angel

Repeat with 25-30 pages. (The book I used had approximately 150 pages. You will need to adjust the number of pages folded for the base depending upon the length of the book. I recommend folding approximately 2/3 of the book for the base.)
Paperback book angel

Do the same thing with 25-30 pages on the other side of the spine. This will keep the angel balanced.

Paperback book angel

The angel will now stand. (If you continue folding the remaining pages, you will have a Christmas tree…)

Paperback book angel

Once you fold a group of pages on each side of the spine, flip the book upside down and continue folding pages the same way to make wings. Again, fold the same number of pages on each side of the spine.
When there are only about 20 pages remaining, flip the book once more and fold the remainder of the pages to make the back of the angel base. (This part will not be visible from the front when the angel is completed but will help with stability.)
Paperback book angel

Lightly coat the angel in spray paint.  I used a pale blue color.

Paperback book angel
Decorate wings with glitter paint.
Paperback book angel
Hot glue embellishments onto the skirt. I used flowers from vintage scrap lace.
Paperback book angel
Hot glue ornament for head. A pipe cleaner with a bit of glitter makes the perfect halo.
I love the way my book angel turned out. Do you have a favorite Christmas craft?

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

 

Filed Under: Crafts Tagged With: Christmas crafts, Christmas decorating, Craft Project, holiday crafts, how to, paperback crafts

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Comments

  1. mammy2grammy says

    December 1, 2013 at 2:20 pm

    My Mama used to make the Christmas trees I believe and maybe angels too. She would spray paint them and then decorate. Thanks for the memory. <3 Kim

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 2, 2013 at 4:36 am

      Thank you! Too bad you don’t have some of hers…

      Reply
  2. Dorothy Johnson says

    December 1, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    I love your angel and think I’ll try one.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 2, 2013 at 4:36 am

      Fun project!

      Reply
  3. The Tumbleweed Contessa says

    December 1, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    Talus, this is a sweet idea. I have to try this. I’d love it if you could link this to What’d You Do This Weekend. It goes live at 1200AM Sunday.

    Wishes for tasty dishes,
    Linda
    http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 2, 2013 at 4:35 am

      Thank you I will!

      Reply
  4. Trisha Flaherty says

    December 2, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    This is so cute! I am so glad you linked up to our All Things Christmas Link Party! Now I can become a follower! Can’t wait to see what you have for next week……no pressure! hahahah! Trisha

    Reply
  5. Cindy Eikenberg, Little Miss Celebration says

    December 3, 2013 at 4:13 am

    This is so lovely! Thank you so much for sharing at the All Things Christmas party and pinning! 🙂 Have a wonderful week!

    Reply
    • http://www./ says

      November 14, 2016 at 6:41 pm

      Ah pardon, tu parlais de superbiquette, je pensais à Robin tellement il a fait pour son oeuvre… Ah ben Roger, il a bien joué..comme Reister… avant que celui-ci se prenne un vent de 8 jeux d’affilée..forcément, après ça…

      Reply
    • http://www./ says

      November 24, 2016 at 11:12 pm

      Your work is inspiring. In part because of your shared journal pages, I started a journal — A bit of an art journal to play and experiment in and a bit of a written journal to think in. Its given me a little piece of time each day just for me. No quality levels need be met, no deep thoughts must be written each day, nothing must be “finished” — its for playing and doodling and thinking and experimenting. Joy!!Thank you for the giveaway.AmyEwing, Nj

      Reply
      • Talya Tate Boerner says

        November 25, 2016 at 9:31 am

        Yay for you! That makes me happy.

        Reply
  6. PioneerMomma says

    December 5, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    This is beautiful! I hope you win the next short story contest 🙂 Thanks for sharing and linking up to What’d You Do This Weekend. Pinning this!

    –Ashley @ PioneerMomma.com

    Reply
  7. Julie Corbisiero says

    December 11, 2013 at 7:17 am

    Hi thanks for sharing this at all things christmas and I pinned this. It is so pretty and I love it! Julie at Julie’s Lifestyle

    Reply
  8. Ankita Ranotra says

    December 11, 2013 at 11:53 pm

    wow, this looks adorable…
    http://www.ankitaranotra.blogspot.in

    Reply
  9. Jussara Kusama says

    March 15, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    Adorable! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  10. Judeth says

    December 11, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    Just folded lovely angel with my 8year old grand daughter. She loved it as much as I did. We will decorate it tomorrow. Thanks for the tutorial

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 12, 2015 at 5:06 am

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the project! I’d love to see a picture of yours. If you’d care to post it on my Facebook page at Grace Grits and Gardening, I’ll share it. Thanks again!!

      Reply
  11. Giselle says

    August 23, 2016 at 2:56 am

    I see many interesting posts here. Your blog can go viral easily,
    you need some initial traffic only. How to get initial traffic?
    Search google for: Jemensso’s tricks

    Reply
  12. Janet Folan says

    November 5, 2016 at 7:38 am

    These are beautiful ..cant wait to get started. Just need to source some cheap paperbacks and lace. Ive looked on line at others but yours is definetely the best ive seen and very clear instructions. Thankyou.
    Happy christmas from Janet

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 5, 2016 at 9:43 pm

      Thank you. Have fun with them!

      Reply
  13. Sarah says

    November 28, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    My daughter (age 8) had to make an angel decoration for her homework this week and it had to reflect her personality. She loves reading and sparkles so we followed your instructions and made a book angel with pink/purple hair and lots of sparkles. It is AWESOME. Thank you for writing such clear instructions!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 29, 2016 at 6:36 am

      Oh my goodness that’s so great! I would love to see a picture! Post to my Grace Grits and Gardening Facebook page if you’d like.

      Reply
  14. Katharine says

    February 24, 2017 at 8:03 am

    This was a popular decoration when I was a child (back in the late 50’s!) But women used Sears catalogs and, in our locale, the Kansas City phone book instead of reading books. Such a great way to reuse a throw-away item, saving paper, and all. Back then, they sprayed it with spray paint and used them as doorstops.
    The ingenuity lives on!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 24, 2017 at 7:08 pm

      Oh gosh I loved Sears Catalogs for paper dolls.

      Reply
  15. Jilli Rose says

    June 22, 2017 at 4:13 am

    Its a kind of art and also fun. I will try to follow these steps to create something new one. Thanks for this post.

    Reply

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  2. What'd You Do This Weekend? #45 | Recipes and Ramblings with the Tumbleweed Contessa says:
    September 4, 2020 at 2:46 am

    […] Stars from YesterfoodPaperback Book Angel from Grace, Grits and GardeningChristmas Wreath from Ginas Craft […]

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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