How to Distress Dollar Store Books With Chalk Paint
I gave Dollar Tree paperback books a makeover using white chalk paint to make this beautiful holiday decor piece.
These books take minutes to make and they dry quickly!
There are so many things you can do with a stack of distressed books!
Here are a few different ways to use them...
- Decorate them for any holiday or theme
- Paint them pastel colors to make a stack for spring
- Use stacks to elevate dessert trays at a wedding reception
- Make a few to sell at your next craft show
- Add them to a tiered tray
- Leave them undecorated for everyday decor
How to Make Them
First, you'll need to cut a piece of kraft paper larger than your book.
Next, apply Mod Podge to the back cover of your book and smooth kraft paper over it. Then coat the spine and front cover with Mod Podge and smooth kraft paper over them.
Learn how to repair book binding.
Your book will look like this when fully covered!
Now, cut away the excess kraft paper using an X-Acto knife or scissors if you prefer.
Use chalk paint and paint over the kraft paper on all three sides. This doesn’t have to be perfect. I think it actually looks better if some of the brown paper shows through!
You can also add light brown paint to the edges of your book to make them look even more aged. Check out my blog for more on that.
Next paint the remaining sides (closed pages) with a brown acrylic wash (brown acrylic paint mixed with a little water). Use a foam applicator brush for even coverage.
Then paint over the brown with a white chalk paint wash (chalk paint mixed with a little water).
Here are the finished books!
Hop on over to my blog for more details on this project.
Frequently asked questions
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