In honor of Book Lovers’ Day on August 09, 2019, my writerly pals and I are sharing all the ways we adore reading with the #BookLuvHop
We all chose different ways to celebrate this day. Don’t forget to visit the awesome bloggers listed at the end of this post. I hope you’ll find find more ways to share your bookish passions.
Book Art
For this day, I’m choosing Book Art. Being a lover of reading and art, why not combine the two?
Looking online for sources of book art, I came across many ideas. Painted book pages. Decoupage book pages. As an result, deciding which one to pick, was hard.
After taking a break from the thought, I found one right under my nose. It’s an art activity that was created by me in my first Maggie, Millie, and Merrie series.
These books have been close to my heart lately. See more below.
If you have read “Maggie, Millie, and Merrie’s Magical Adventure,” you know what the special art activity is in this book. Widget Boxes! I’ve read this story and shared this activity in classrooms many times and children loved making them. Adults have told me it’s one of their favorite projects to make, too.
Now For The Fun Part
Here’s some boxes I made from the pages of their book. The triplets story comes with instructions in the back of the book. You can make boxes with or without lids. If you make ones without lids, add a pipe cleaner or a stiff ribbon for handles. What a perfect gift to leave a little surprise for someone. They make great table decorations, too.
As in the story, the funny little gnome explains, “you can make them as small as a coin or big enough to sit in them.”
Would I recommend for readers to use any old book they see? No, we better not do that. I made these from books that were proofs. Proofs are books authors order to see their work in print. It’s a must, by the way, if you are starting out as an author. There’s something about seeing the words on actual pages. It’s a great way to catch errors or if you want to make changes. Authors revise their books many times. Proofs cannot be sold and throwing them away is hard to do.
Other Books
If you see any books out there that are ARC (Advance Reader Copies) or proofs, try and think of a way to recycle them. Sometimes, books have been damaged and are no longer readable. These would be perfect to use. See what fun “Book Art” you can find on Youtube, Pinterest, and the Web. You will be glad you did and our Mother Earth will thank you, too.
FYI
You can use any kind of paper, cardboard, or card stock. I’ve even used cereal boxes. Practice making them first with thinner paper. It’s much easier.
What to put in your boxes? Treats and other small items is an idea. Make them larger for all sorts of gifts and treasures.
Why Has Maggie, Millie, Merrie’s Books Been on My Heart Lately?
I’ve been working hard to release their third book in late fall. I’ll hold off telling you the title for now.
I can tell you this much.
- The triplets have grown up a bit.
- Something magical happens to them.
- Readers will be introduced to a new fun art activity. A yummy recipe will be included, too.
If you would like to get caught up on their past two books, and want to learn how to make Widget Boxes, check out their first book, here.
Available in paperback and kindle.
Amazon Barnes and Noble Rainy Day Books
Book 2, “Maggie, Millie, and Merrie’s Magical Coins.
This book includes another exciting magical story with activities that will keep readers busy for hours.
Amazon Barnes and Noble Rainy Day Books
*If you are already a subscriber to Books by Rose, write me a note to receive instructions on how to make, “Widget Boxes.”
*Subscribe to Books by Rose in the top right hand corner to receive free instructions. We are excited to have you on board for future updates, new books, with more fun activities.
An Extra Surprise
I received a nice surprise. My author friend, Rebecca Lyndsey, sent me her book art project.
Check out Author Rebecca Lyndsey’s wonderful Book Art project.
Rebecca said this wasn’t hard to make and it took her about 45 minutes. She found the template online. There are many out there. Youtube has a ton of different ones to make. She said it was easy, just a bit time consuming. The book she used here, took 40 pages and 80 folds.
Rebecca’s latest release is called, “Into the Ocean.” It’s full of facts, humor, and lots of fun. You can find more about Rebecca Lyndsey and her books ► here.
More Fun With Book Art with
“What’s In My Wonderland“
Georgia is a passionate writer, photographer and aspiring author, she writes for her blog whatsinmywonderland, which was created in Jan 2018. Her blog covers many topics ranging from her lifestyle, to her mental health journey as well as anything and everything book related. Georgia enjoys to be creative and aims to inspire others to chase their dreams. She also sells handmade vegan scented candles on her website.
Check out Georgia’s cute Book Art project.
You can find more about Georgia here:
Website Facebook Pinterest Twitter Instagram Youtube
How will you celebrate “Book Lovers’ Day?” We hope to hear from you in the comment section below. Don’t forget, if you blog, add your feedback and share your family-friendly blog link in our comment section, and we’ll spread blog love your way!
Thanks for visiting.
Tap on the names below for more ways to enjoy, “Book Lovers’ Day.”
As always,
Happy Reading!
Rosie
Cat Michaels – Book Lovers’ Day and Bibliophiles Everywhere with My R*A*P, Really Awful Poem, to Bookishness
Rebecca Lyndsey has a list of great books to share for Book Lovers’ Day.
James Milson – Happy Book Lovers’ Day – Why Lifetime Reading is Important
Sandra Bennett – 5 Reasons to Support Independent Bookstores
Auden Johnson – #BOOKLOVERS’ DAY HOP: BEST FANTASY BOOK TROPES (IN MY HUMBLE OPINION)
Love Pinterest for anything crafty. I always appreciate book art, I just cannot bring myself to do that to a book. Although, I did cut up old comics to make deco podge comic shoes and loved how those turned out. Happy Book Lovers Day!
I love Pinterest too Carmela. It’s hard to go in there or I’ll spend all day. Yes, lots of book art on there.
When it comes to books and using them for art, I know how you feel. It’s hard to throw them away, too. Ooh, love what you did making comic book shoes. I’ve seen those, they are so neat!
Happy Book Lovers’ Day Carmela!
Love what you created Rosie! This Book Art was so fun! Thanks so much for sharing my work.
Hi Rebecca, thank YOU for sharing your Book Art with me! What a nice surprise. I played around with doing some folding after I say yours. So many fun possibilities.
Love your post on Book Art, too.
Have a wonderful weekend.
We love the little boxes! We can’t wait to see what the new adventure will be!
If you’d like to check out my blog post for Book Lovers Day, it’s on Goodreads. Here is a link to it:
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/18688313-book-lovers-day-2019
Happy Book Lovers Day! 🙂
Hi Jessica, thank you for your note.
I’m glad you and your girls enjoyed making “The Widget Boxes.” I love finding ways to make them!
I read your blog and could relate to it 100%. I responded back with a note. 🙂
Thanks again and Happy Book Lovers’ Day.
I love the fun idea of widget boxes and book art. Thanks for sharing. How creative! And I can’t wait to see your new book this fall. I’m a big fan.
Thank you for your support always Julie.
When I saw “Book Art” being an option to do for Book Lovers’ Day, I knew right away that was the theme I was going for. What fun ideas out there.
Thanks again!
So cool! Now, I want to make boxes, and other things, out of books. I have a ton of ARC’s I can work with.
Thanks for stopping by Auden. These boxes are so addicting, ha. I have more fun trying to figure out what I can use to make Widget Boxes.
It’s so hard to throw away books, isn’t it?
Thanks again.
Rosie
Hi Rosie, I love the way your books incorporate activities at the back, they are great ways to engage kids both in the classroom and at home. Looking forward to seeing what the trio are up to in book 3. 🙂
Hi Sandra, thank you so much.
It’s so fun coming up with extra activities for readers.
You will enjoy the triplets 3rd book. I’m sure having fun making it.
Thanks again,
Rosie
Wow, Rosie! I never thought about books being made into art before, but seeing your post makes me realize what I’ve been missing. Love your triplets’ art work and the hearts and hedgehog Rebecca and Georgia share.
I also appreciate your caveat about making art from books that can no longer be read or sold.
Can’t wait to hear about your newest MMM release this fall -:D
Thanks so much Cat! It seems I’m drawn to anything involving paper art, so when I learned how to make the Widget Boxes, I couldn’t stop.
I was so happy when Rebecca shared her book folding art for this blog. The Hedgehop project is adorable, too. Please stop by and meet Georgia. She’s amazing.
The triplet’s book is almost finished and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.
Thanks again,
Rosie
Your creations with the Widget and Treat Boxes, and the greeting cards are amazingly creative, Rosie! Looking very forward to the new release and love the idea of including a project and recipe in the books. Little Red Bear may be sharing a recipe or two in his next collection, too. No Widget Boxes that I am aware of though. We will leave that to you and the triplets. 🤠 🐻 ❤️
Thanks James! They are all so much fun to make.
Ooh, can’t wait to see what Little Red Bear has in store for us. I know it will be wonderful!
The triplet’s book is almost done. I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone.
Thanks again,
Rosie