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Vintage Book Christmas Tree Craft Project

December 13, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

I made Christmas trees using pages from a vintage children’s book.
(Consider this a great way to recycle damaged books that would otherwise end up in a crowded landfill. The old Dick and Jane book I used had torn and missing pages and was of no value to a reader.)
For my example, I made tree ornaments and paper bunting, but these trees can be used in a variety of creative ways such as holiday cards, bookmarks or as scrapbook embellishments.
To begin, start with a half circle. (Any size will work, but the size will determine your tree.)
To make my half circle, I placed the center of a bowl on the middle edge of a page and outlined around the top of the bowl. If you aren’t a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of crafter (like I am), you can use a template. But, it doesn’t have to be perfect…
Vintage Book Christmas Tree Craft Project
After you cut out your half circle, fold the right side over almost to the center of the page, placing the edge a tiny bit above the paper.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
Fold the corner back. This point will be the top of your tree.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
Flip over the paper.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
Fold the top right side down (almost to the edge but not quite) to make a triangle.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
Flip it back over again and voila! A Christmas tree.
Vintage Christmas Tree Craft Project
cute already!
Seriously, you can make dozens in no time…
Now for the best part!
Decorate your trees with supplies on hand—buttons, rick rack, glitter, ribbon, stamps, jingle bells, etc.
Hot glue tree trunks to the bottom using card stock or scrapbook paper.
For Christmas ornaments, hole punch the top and string a loop of ribbon to make a tree hanger.
vintage red buttons
vintage green rick rack and a jingle bell
I made bunting by stringing four trees together, stamping the word “Snow” and adding red glitter to the boughs.
red glitter, contrasting tree trunks, “Snow” bunting…
This project works well with scrapbook paper or sheet music as well. Just remember, both sides of the page show, so use paper with complementary front and back colors.
Whatdya think?
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Filed Under: Crafts, Holiday Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas decorating, Christmas tree, Homemade Christmas ornament

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Comments

  1. Dorothy Johnson says

    December 14, 2013 at 4:53 am

    These are the cutest things I’ve seen this year! It would be a great craft for kids as well as us grow ups. I hope I can find time to make some?

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      December 14, 2013 at 7:18 am

      Thanks Dorothy! I was really happy with this project and think it would be fun for kids.

  2. Dorothy Johnson says

    December 14, 2013 at 4:55 am

    Don’t know where that ? Came from, but it sorta fits the time question for me!

  3. Talya Tate Boerner says

    April 10, 2014 at 6:15 am

    Test comment…

Trackbacks

  1. 30 Christmas Craft Activities to do with Kids | ByElsieB says:
    December 4, 2014 at 4:16 am

    […] 21. Vintage book Christmas Tree Craft Project – grab a vintage book at a Christmas fair and make this sweet tutorial […]


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. 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 (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: May 4, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Rainy Day Edition
  • Spiderwort: my love-hate relationship
  • Sunday Letter: March 23, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: March 16, 2025

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