DIY Paper Book Pumpkins

by Katie Nathey

I know it’s not quite fall, but I recently teamed up with 4 other bloggers to work on a group series of holiday projects, the first being a fall tablescape. I will be showing my finished tablescape, along with a photo and links to what the other fantastical bloggers created on September 3rd. Here is a sneak peak because I just couldn’t wait to share my DIY paper book pumpkins with you! You can view the full tutorial on my blog at the link below and just so everyone knows - these books were on their way to the dumpster and I decided they would make better pumpkins than trash. They make me smile every time I look at them :)

DIY Paper Book Pumpkins via Upcycled Treasures

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, Gather all of your materials and remove the front and back cover from the book

Gather all of your materials and remove the front and back cover from the book

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, Take your blank piece of paper and fold it in half Then draw half of a pumpkin shape using the edge of the creased line

Take your blank piece of paper and fold it in half. Then draw half of a pumpkin shape using the edge of the creased line.

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, Cut out your pumpkin shape from the piece of paper This is the template you will use to create the pumpkin shape out of your book

Cut out your pumpkin shape from the piece of paper. This is the template you will use to create the pumpkin shape out of your book.

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, Open the book about halfway and place your paper template on top with the center of the pumpkin matching up to the center binding of the book

Open the book about halfway and place your paper template on top with the center of the pumpkin matching up to the center binding of the book.

Trace around the pumpkin template with your pencil.

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, Using your exacto knife begin cutting around the edge of your outline

Using your exacto knife, begin cutting around the edge of your outline.

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, You will probably have to cut through a few pages at a time so this will take some patience You could also use scissors but I found the exacto knife to be easier and less messy

You will probably have to cut through a few pages at a time, so this will take some patience. You could also use scissors but I found the exacto knife to be easier and less messy.

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, Once your pumpkin is all cut out then you will need to add glue down the center of the book bind with your glue gun Then close the 2 halves together to make the pumpkin shape

Once your pumpkin is all cut out then you will need to add glue down the center of the book bind with your glue gun. Then close the 2 halves together to make the pumpkin shape.

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, Don t freak out when you place your pumpkin down on the table and it looks all awkward it just needs some fluffing

Don’t freak out when you place your pumpkin down on the table and it looks all awkward, it just needs some fluffing :)

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, I went through each page and crinkled it just a tad to help keep it separated from the other pages Here is my pumpkin all fluffed and crinkled

I went through each page and crinkled it just a tad to help keep it separated from the other pages. Here is my pumpkin all fluffed and crinkled.

diy paper book pumpkins, crafts, repurposing upcycling, seasonal holiday decor, Here are the paper book pumpkins all finished up You could also add paint to give them some color I wanted a more monochromatic look

Here are the paper book pumpkins all finished up! You could also add paint to give them some color. I wanted a more monochromatic look.

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Frequently asked questions

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3 questions

Mary B. McCullough on Mar 06, 2017
What did you use for the stem?

1
Trixie Ann Mort on Feb 19, 2019

Is there an page count I should look for when choosing books? Thanks

0
Michele on Aug 11, 2020

What did you use for the top of the Pumpkin

0